"Rain, rain, go away"....and then it did.

Last night, we had a little celebration at church to kick off our Vacation Bible School week. We had some blow-ups out on our lawn and, of course, the kids were very excited about it. But, of course, it decided to rain thirty minutes before the festivities were supposed to get started. So, Sydney and two of her friends stood at the window, looking out yearningly into the rain...

After thirty more minutes of staring outside, and then another hour of watching other kids play in the big inflatables anyway (there was a good drizzle going on, but there was no thunder or lightning, and that meant plenty of kids were ready to get out in it!), Sydney finally decided to give it a go.

Being the personality that she is, though, she first was kinda grossed out by the grass that stuck to her feet when she walked on the wet ground; then she really didn't like how much noise and ruckus the bigger kids were making; and then she didn't like it that her other friends kept pressuring her to get inside these big inflatables that she decided she really didn't the idea of after all.

Gary and I resisted calling her a "scaredy cat" to her face (although we talked about it amongst ourselves), and encouraged her to try the big blow-up sea dragon. "It's on the ground, there's no water inside of it, and all your friends say it's fun."

Delaney finally talked her into it, but she thought her Pop needed to go through it with her. When I walked outside at that moment, though, she decided that Mommy needed to go through it with her instead.

Fine with me! I'm always up for an obstacle course through a giant sea dragon! Bring it on!



By the time she made it through one time, Sydney "loved it!!" and wanted to keep going. She made it through four or five more times and then it was time to head home. A fun time had by all (and the evening included ice cream, which is always a good thing!).

And now two more photos for good measure (just because I want to share them with you all!)...

These are from Friday, when Sydney and Delaney and I spent the day with my parents (and my nephews Matthew and Garrett). My Dad is SO great with his grandkids. He played water volleyball and water baseball for two hours straight. He is creating great memories for all of them, and it makes me very happy...


Well...how was your weekend? Any fun activities going on? I'd love to hear about them!

This week is shaping up to be incredibly busy. I have got a TON of things to do--everything from writing and editing work, to Delaney's softball practice, to going to VBS each night, to getting ready for a writers conference, to packing for our Maryland trip--so I am kinda going a little crazy just thinking about it.

But...despite the stress, and piles of clothes threatening to overtake me...I have plans tomorrow to launch The Official Cheryl Wray Countdown to the Beach. I will have some daily posts for the rest of the week about some of my very favorite vacations ever, and maybe even a fun little contest near the end. So, be sure to pop back in here and see what's going on.

In the meantime...Happy Monday!