RiverFest 2010

Don't you love the watermelon icee stained lips?

Today we attended Fort Wayne's first (annual?) RiverFest at IPFW. Free events and arts for everybody. Well, why not attend? It's free! We were worried about the cloudy skies in the morning, but God blew away the clouds and brought us blue skies. The event was a huge success. Booth after booth, game after game, for the kids - all free. We got balloon animals, made sand candy, petted an African centipede, jumped in a bouncy house, sat in a fire truck, crawled through an ambulance (tired yet?), followed water bubbles, played putt putt, played a violin, got schooled on sunscreen, watched people barefoot on the river, played a trombone, ate slushies, ran into several old friends, had some ribs, whew....and sweated, a lot! If you missed this year's RiverFest, mark your calendars for next year my friends. The festival even goes into the evening with bands and fireworks. Perhaps next year....kids during the day...date at night? Hmmm...too early to plan a year ahead? Never too early to plan!




I just love this picture...sweaty heads and true summer smiles....

Another Summer Weekend

Another summer weekend at the Ringger's Pond. On Saturday, we gathered at mom & dad's this weekend for Father's Day. This week has been a rough one on the Ringger family. God holds each plan for our lives in His hands, but this week, I found myself asking "why?" more often than I normally do. As my sister's each struggled this week, my heart hurt for them. Sometimes I don't realize how close I am with my sisters until they are hurting, and as silly as it sounds, I physically hurt for them as well. My get stomach aches of nervousness right along with them. I wonder if Carlie and Lucy will have this type of bond. I wonder if years of playing in the big red barn, or the "apartment" basement had a founding of this bond. Perhaps. But I think the bonds of motherhood and maturity have brought us together as adults.

With the day spent swimming, riding golf carts and ended by a bonfire, I remind myself ... THIS is what summer is about. Not t-ball game after t-ball game, not swim lesson after swim lesson, camp after camp, but instead sitting on a swing with your mother-in-law enjoying an iced drink while watching your children play with their cousins, squealing with delight as they get squirted with a squirt gun. When I kissed my girls tonight, I could taste the chocolate from the ice cream, I could smell the Off and sunscreen on their skin. Yes, this is what summer is about. My prayer tonight is to enjoy each summer day, enjoy each family member I have close to me, and to not spend my time being "busy". Unless of course, busy means ice cream and swimming pools.

Saturday, Saturday!

Canal Days has came to New Haven! Unfortunately due to our softball schedule, today was the first day we got to enjoy it. Enjoyed it in 90 degree heat and almost 100% humidity. Yeah...we sweated a little. Okay, a lot! We started out the day walking for Upward Cheerleading & Football in the parade. The girls got to pass out candy...which they loved. Although about 3/4 the way through the parade, Lucy was ready to ride. Float we did not have. So she stuck it out and walked the rest of the way. I was proud of her! After the parade we had graduations parties (more humidity...more sweating...) and then we came back to the house to "cool off" and "snack up." After a couple of hours and a rain storm or two, we headed up to Canal Days to ride the rides. Our "little" Carlie has turned into quite the dare devil. The faster, the bigger the ride, she is all about it. We met up with her friend from school, and even she wasn't brave enough to ride some of the rides Carlie was riding. My heart stopped sometimes watching her ride those put-up-in-two-minutes rides. Many laughs were had by all...I think the pictures say it all!

FFBF = Fun Date Night!

My wonderful husband (of almost ten years!) planned a FFBF for my birthday. What is FFBF you may ask? Well, of course, it is Fabulous Fun Birthday Friday! Those who know me, know that I am a planner. Almost to a point of annoyance. But after planning so much, I WELCOME the idea of others stepping in...! Without me knowing, Jeff lined up an overnight stay with Grandma Barb, scored tickets to the TinCaps game, and even picked out our place for dinner - Flannagans! We started the night at JK O'Donnells with a little Irish cheer, and then headed over the game. It may sound funny...but a little "adult time" goes a long way! We actually got to WATCH the whole game...I got to drink my adult beverage at the game without it getting warm, and we had dinner at 10:00 P.M.!! We made him home before my carriage turned back into a pumpkin. What a great kick off to my "birthday week"!

Now..the rest of the story. This mama doesn't get out too often, and it being my birthday and all, after two adult beverages, I thought I was entitled to get my picture taken with the "Bad Apple Dancers" from the TinCaps.....and so I did. Oh dear.