My dear friends/ sisters, Cana and Eva, invited us to go to Legoland in Tempe on Monday. Cana’s son, Ethan (5), and Eva’s grandson, Andrew (4), wanted us to join them, so we couldn’t pass it up.
We got there early and were welcomed by this large Lego Octopus; Alex the Octopus apparently knew my little Octopus was coming!
Well, the gang arrived and we moved on in and built a lego person.
Then we mounted a virtual video game ride. The kids shot the bad guys.
The next part was amazing! A whole room of AZ: Cardinals, airport, Tempe, downtown..JUST WOW!
They played a while in the jungle gym and on the cow.
Hi Emmet from the movie and some other lego worker guy.
We enjoyed a ride that took us high up the harder we pedaled.
Then a 4 D movie of Ninjago.
Tot and me ready to get wet and winded.
My two girlies..Eva and Cana. Love these ladies!
We ended in the dinosaur lounge trying not to get eaten.
Thanks ranger for your help.
Time to make and decorate the donuts before we depart.
She was inspired to play Legos all day!
And guess what! She built this whole set by for herself.
She did it all by herself! Perseverance and patience.
So much fun with great friends and the perfect toy. Opportunities for imagination and creation with patience and tenacity. I love it!
We have not spent enough time with Darlene, Doug’s mom. She is so lovely, and sadly she lives all the way in Anthem in a retirement community. We are trying to visit her more often. Tatum made her a lovely card and we brought some cookies.
We continue to pray for her and her health to be improving.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor 4:16)
They make our home happy. They also represent LIFE and GROWTH! Have you ever noticed if you don’t water a flower, it dies? Also, if you don’t tend to it, it won’t thrive. Sometimes it needs to be pruned a bit; water should be changed….If ignored and left to self, it will wither.
Same is with us. We are that flower. We must be watered with love from the life giver, HIM; we must often get refreshed with fresh water from HIS word DAILY! It’s vital!
We will always have fresh flowers as a symbolic reminder.
This is our first 4th as a family, so I wanted to start a tradition. Dennis Prager, my favorite radio host and inspiration for so many things, has a ceremony he does every year. He also teaches and encourages us to remember that our country is the most amazing experiment and gift; we cannot take it for granted!
Daddy hung up a flag on our door. When we move into our McCormick home, we’ll have a bigger one, but this is just perfect for now.
Tatum is all dressed up and ready for our outing. We’ll be meeting Mama for Toy Story 4! Sure it is not very patriotic, but going to the movies is an American pastime. Ok, maybe that’s a reach.
And Cooper too!
The movie was wonderful and celebrated the imagination and creation of any toy! Tatum is gifted in that area; she can turn anything into a toy and make believe. The power of her creativity!
Later in the day, we began our ceremony. I got it all set up.
We are ready~
Now I begin to read….
All of this is Prager’s script: “Today, we take a few minutes to remember what the Fourth of July is about and to remind ourselves how fortunate we are to be Americans.
Before America was a nation, it was a dream — a dream shared by many people, from many nations, over many generations.
It began with the Pilgrims in 1620, who fled Europe so that they could be free to practice their religion. It continued through the 17th century, as more and more people arrived in a place that came to be known as the New World. In this new world, where you were from didn’t matter; what mattered was where you were headed.
As more and more people settled, they started to see themselves as new people — Americans.
They felt blessed: The land was spacious. The opportunities limitless.
By 1776, a century and a half after the first Pilgrims landed, this new liberty-loving people was ready to create a new nation.
And on July 4 of that year, they did just that. They pronounced themselves to be free of the rule of the English king. We know this statement as the Declaration of Independence.”
Now, Tatum will read:
Q: Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July?
A: Because the Fourth of July is the birthday of the American people — the day we chose to become the United States of America, a free nation.
Q: Why was America different from all other countries?
A: Because in 1776, all countries were based on nationality, religion, ethnicity or geography. But America was created on the basis of a set of ideas. This is still true today.
Q: What are those ideas?
A: Three ideas summarize what America is all about. They are engraved on every American coin. They are “Liberty,” “In God We Trust” and “E Pluribus Unum.”
““Liberty” means that we are free to pursue our dreams and to go as far in life as hard work and good luck will take us.
“In God We Trust” means that America was founded on the belief that our rights and liberties have been granted to us by the Creator. Therefore they cannot be taken away by people.
“E Pluribus Unum” is a Latin phrase meaning “From Many, One.” Unlike other countries, America is composed of people of every religious, racial, ethnic, cultural and national origin — and regards every one of them as equally American. Therefore, “out of many (people we become) one” — Americans. “
We have on our table items that symbolize the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War that won our freedom.
— We drink iced tea to remember the Boston Tea Party. “No taxation without representation” was the patriots’ chant as they dumped British tea into the Boston Harbor. ( I used lemonade)
— We eat a salty pretzel to remember the tears shed by the families who lost loved ones in the struggle for freedom in The Revolutionary War and all the wars of freedom that followed. (I used salt and vinegar chips)
— We ring a bell to recall the Liberty Bell, which was rung to announce the surrender of the King’s army. On the bell are inscribed these words from the Book of Leviticus: “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof.”
— We eat strawberries and blueberries dipped in whipped cream to celebrate the red, white and blue of our flag.
We celebrate America’s greatness without denying its flaws. There are no perfect individuals, so there can certainly be no perfect country. Our national history has its share of shame. The greatest of these is the shame of slavery, which existed at our founding, as it existed throughout the world at that time.
But let it never be forgotten that we fought a terrible civil war in which hundreds of thousands of American died. And the reason for that war was slavery.
Let it also not be forgotten that America has fought in more wars for the freedom of other peoples than any nation in history.
America’s history is one that we can be proud of.
We now close with one more ritual. Let each of us sign our names to the Declaration of Independence. While it is a replica of the one our founders signed, the words and sentiments are eternal.
I found a Declaration of Independence online and we signed our names.
Everyone present signs their name to the Declaration of Independence. As each one signs, the host hands each person the lyrics to “God Bless America.”
Happy Birthday, America. Happy Fourth of July. Now let’s eat.
Then Daddy barbecued filet mignons and I made shrimp cocktail.
Cooper just watched the whole thing in enjoyment.
Quite the special and fun day. I’m so grateful for our country and my family. God Bless America!
Tatum and I are having a great summer so far. We continue to work on our gratitude journal daily. Look at her printing! This morning, Ella joined us.
Anyway, her writing is getting so strong, and the original plan was to couple her work on handwriting with giving thanks. We are accomplishing both so effectively.
It’s so easy to take the time we have together for granted, so I am being intentional about making sure we focus on others. We have a neighbor named Bob who is 66, disabled, and retired. He lives alone and he really needs some TLC. Today, we made him a card
and some cookies.
When we do get our eyes off ourselves, it cures any negative attitudes. Being grateful and giving truly equals joy.
I love you, Tot. You have such spirit and a great heart.
Cooper has started his puppy training. So far, he is learning front sit, heel and sit on the left side and come. He’s really doing great!!!
We also got him a new “place” that will allow him to go somewhere when we eat or he needs a break. We taught him to go there when we say “PLACE,” so now he goes there and waits for his treat. Where is it you people??? I am waiting!
He will play on it for hours.
He also got a new bed from MY PILLOW. It’s his new favorite happy place.
And now with his new donut which is bigger than his whole head.
And when it’s time to go to bed, he just looks at me like, “I’m not moving!”
And when he is in bed, he loves to hide and peek his little head out.
OH the cuteness overload!!! Stay tuned for more training joys!
Golf is all about fun, right? Well, it does take some basic skills in order for it to be fun. I have a love/hate relationship with this mind-racking sport. I thought I’d introduce Tatum to it formally with a lesson since it can appear easy! I think she realizes appearance is deceiving. It is H.A.R.D So, PGA Golf store and Tim gave her a formal lesson. Grip first.
Got it! Now, how do we stand?
That looks about right! I want to wack the ball now please!
Patience, my dear. It will be worth the focus. Oh, and don’t look at the screen! FOCUS on that ball! Check the arm…is it straight?
Ok, now that my brain is filled with these rules, let me hit!
and it goes……26 yards!
WOW! Now, I’ll practice with her. I have a buddy to help me since she seems to be natural. Here are her tips:
Focus
Undivided attention
Now crush it!
That is the fun, girl! I love you and can’t wait to play with you.
