apple camp

My computer is still in need of help, but I was able to look through a few photos tonight.  Here are a few photos from our adventure at Apple Camp (aka Apple's indoctrination of their awesomeness to an 8 yr. old).

The two of us enjoyed this free workshop at the Apple Store - The Domain location.  On the first day she "made" an original song on Garage Band with their Smart Instruments.  That may have been her favorite part.  She had to write a storyboard of her film.  On the second day we put the song and her movie clips together in iMovie.  It all wrapped up on Saturday with the Apple Camp film festival.  We went as a family to that and enjoyed the quirky films made by 8-12 year old kids.

She didn't want me to post her film yet.  But is was a cute movie documenting a tea party she had with friends.  We may have to do this adventure again.  It was too much fun!

summer memories :: sprinkler park date

Pflugerville's sprinkler park with the Magees

The littles ones are so funny and cute.

Impromtu dance party...with "kissing-my-muscles-move?"

Rock-paper-scissors

The group all together...almost.

summer memories :: lemonade stand on Saturday

Our oldest never fails to amaze us with her entrepreneurial skills.  She turned her stand into a tiny company and she outsourced the marketing to a friend down the street.  He made a cut of the profits if he rode his bike around the entire neighborhood announcing their fabulous lemonade.  They had so many people drive by in cars and buy a cup on their way out.  Totally hysterical to us. :)

4th of July Part I :: ice cream showdown!

Here is my account of our second annual 4th of July Ice Cream Showdown.  There was drama, laughter, triumph and defeat.  For most of us, it was simply glorious because we had to taste 3 different types of homemade ice cream.  Amazing!

This was the first year for Rachel & Drew to make an entry.  We are checking out their work.  Our spoons are in hand.  Bring it on!

We were all mesmerized by the options.

We gave each of the 3 contestants a minute to pitch their recipe to the fam.  Julie and Brittany were sweet, humble, and made their ice creams sound as delicious as they were.

And then Drew, the lawyer in our family, presented his ice cream by opening with "this is my dead grandmother's recipe."  We all responded with hysteric laughter.  Who could let this ice cream lose now?!

Kiddos first

No doubt my husband will find this incredibly flattering. :)

The Vote and Verdict

Flavors:

• Aunt Julie - Homemade Vanilla with Butter Pecan (to which my father later confessed to voting for...against his own daughter's...scandal).
• Brittany - Vanilla Custard with Cinnamon Heath (This was quite a crowd-pleaser.  Brittany makes everything sound splendid & gourmet).
• Randrew (Rachel & Andrew) - Homemade Vanilla Cookies & Cream (The Winner - but not without a little controversy.)  

Post ice cream happiness...

It's sure to get bigger and better every year!

sisters

I am looking forward to sorting through a tons of photos from our family time over the 4th.  I did try to get a picture with all 3 sisters.  They gave me about 30 seconds to get it...so, of course, I didn't.  But this first shot was a keeper just because its them.  I love them so much, in spite of how uncooperative they can be all together! :)

I read another book! It's a summer miracle.

I decided to read Lewis' The Great Divorce because I found this interesting series by a favorite author/teacher, Ken Boa.  

"It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between." — C.S. Lewis

When Lewis says "old," he is probably talking ancient.  This is stretching enough for me.  This little book from the 40's, written shortly after The Screwtape Letters.  


It is a fictional piece.  Don't take it literally, but there are true principles communicated within this fantasy.  It's about a group of "ghosts" who board a bus in Hell and go on a trip to visit Heaven.  It's about a collection of stories of individuals who are either choosing to move toward God or away from Him.  


I found it captivating.  I've probably told 5 people in my life so far they have to read it this summer.  I can be a little pushy at times. :)  I just found it that fascinating.


I was excited to read Ken Boa's guide alongside.  It helped me engage at a deeper level some of the spiritual truths in the story.  It reminded me of being in a book club, except it's with a crazy-smart christian professor (I'm fascinated by his degrees...Th.M., Ph.D., and D.Phil...what??).  I have read only a few classics since college/seminary.  I'll try to take Lewis' advice and throw in a classic here and there.  Books that are decades/hundreds of years old and are still in print seem to hold amazing value.  I hope my girls capture a love of reading too.  The "Taste of the Classics" series would be wonderful for them when they are in high school.  I'm tucking that idea away. :)


A few more links:
The Great Divorce :: free to read online (I found my copy easily at my library)
Ken Boa - The Great Divorce :: here is a book discussion you can listen to online, free

I like swim lessons!