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.

Memorial Day Weekend

Where to start? Our weekend -- which was originally had NOTHING planned -- turned into fun, fun and even more fun!

On Saturday, we kicked off the Memorial Day Weekend with the Ringger clan...almost all of us! We've turned into quite the big crew! But as the babies keep coming, it just keeps us busier and adds more smiles to our faces. We swam, ate, sat in the sun, ate, rode the golf cart, ate, played bean bags, ate, laughed, and did I mention we ate? Never lack of food with our family. We also decided we are not sure we will ever get a good picture of ALL the grand kids. Or for that matter...one that won't be outdated in six months. We left tired, sunburned and covered with bug bites. I think bug spray expires. Just saying. At last count, Carlie had 17 mosquito bites - and I sprayed her!!




Sunday was recovery day. The girls in the house needed sleep. Poor Daddy had duties at church...so we were just wiping the sleepies from our eyes when he was heading to church. Everybody slept in until 8:45a! Even our early riser, Carlie!! Slow start to the morning, but steam was added as the day progressed. I got the front porch scrapped and repainted, Jeff got the upstairs porch patched and tarred, the girls painted a fence for their fairy garden. To finish the day, we went swimming (again!) at our neighbor's pool. Carlie has grown just enough over the winter to be able to touch this summer. I just can't stop that girl from growing. While we were swimming in the sunshine, Jeff was preparing our feast. Steaks, corn on the cob (thanks Grandpa Ringger!), and homemade foccasia bread. Early bedtimes, and snuggle time for mommy and daddy on the couch. Ahhh....weekend isn't finished yet!

On Monday, we continued our tradition of attending the Memorial Day Parade to salute and thank our veterans and service workers. This year we got to sit beside two good friends of Jeff's parents, Wayne and Patty. Wayne recently struggled with cancer, and had cardiac arrest, and too boot, is a Korean War Veteran. We laughed and laughed and enjoyed the parade even more this year than ever. Patty ooh'd and aah'd over the girls, and we just simply enjoyed the day with good people. We picnic'd at Johnny Appleseed's Grave and then headed to the pool ... again! Unfortunately, our pool time this day was cut short by storms and rain. Which ended up being a blessing. God so graciously watered our flowers after days of humid heat. The girls got early baths, comfy clothes, and Jeff and I even got to sneak in a nap. It is weekends like these that I am not just thankful for my family and friends....I am on my knees, praising the good Lord for what I have so undeservedly received. Can I get an Amen?

Dance Recital 2010

Another year of dance complete. Starting in about September each year, we travel to the Dyson Dance Studio twice a week for dance class. Both Carlie and Lucy learn two different dances (one tap, one jazz). This was Lucy's second year, and she informed us, that it will be her last. She doesn't enjoy dance, and quite frankly, I am not going to force that one. Carlie, on the other hand, very much enjoys dance. This was her third year, and she told me she would someday like to be on the Competition Team. Aye, Aye, Aye. The thought of sitting through hours of dance competition doesn't exactly warm my heart. Yet, if it is something she wants to do, Jeff and I will surely support her. I do enjoy dressing them up for the recital. Their makeup artist (my best friend Shelly) makes them look so good...and so old. You just don't realize how much makeup can age your child. The proof is in the picture.

Softball

Softball is here...is will stay for awhile! This is Lucy's first year of T-ball. How quickly you forget just how "painful" the first year of T-ball can be. 4 and 5 year old's, who have the attention span of....well....4 and 5 year olds! I must admit, Lucy is quite the natural when it comes to hitting and fielding the ball. Perhaps she got the Gongaware softball genes after all. Or even more likely, she has a daddy who works with her. Either way, I think many more days of softball will be ahead of us!

Carlie, on the other hand, has moved up to the Instructional League. Coach Pitch, three outs, more than one base can be taken. And I tell you what...I like it! It is fast paced and just since the beginning of practice, they have progressed very well. Sure, there is large room for improvement, but this is entertaining to watch. Carlie has taken the position of catcher, and shares it with her good friend Shoey (a/k/a Samantha). It is a hard job, and not just because of the position, but because of all the gear they have to wear. And it is hot! Their coach this year is pretty serious. I feel conflicted with this, after all - they are only 6 and 7 year olds. But yet, if you want kids to grow into better ball players, you can't just let them laugh off their errors. Mom vs. Coach. Tough call.

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