party in the rain

We had  a party for M at the park Friday night.  The forecast was ominous.  I'd invited so many families that I didn't really feel like we could hold it at our house, and our activity was making slime...
Friends came, it rained like crazy, kids had fun and nobody was hurt thank goodness.  It's fun having a big party.  I'm grateful for fun friends.

 M riding in a single kayak on a trip in the moultrie creek.

 M playing in the giant piece of Lycra that recently joined our family as a swing, hammock, climbing thing.

 

M asked me to try the Hello Fresh which was 50% off for your first order.  It was fun and an ok value at 50% off.  It came with an instructions card and M made the chipotle pulled chicken and slaw herself.  It's fun letting her have all these experiences. 

M is learning hymns and playing for primary.  I'm grateful for her.  To compensate her having a great attitude about sharing her talents, I'm letting her earn money toward her choir trip next year.  It's stressful to me when she has too much money available.  She wants to buy robot cats.  But having large goals is a good thing.

camera of dreams

M wanted a camera that could print and I thought this was an impossible dream, and foolishness.  She saved up and worked extra.  She got in trouble for bringing it up again and again when she still didn't have enough money for it.  I told her to just keep working and stop bugging me about it.  Eventually she was close and then some birthday money became available.  Now the time to decide which kind to get was approaching.  There are several different types.  The ideal would be a digital camera that had a screen so you could view what you took before printing.  That kind of camera was $200.  As we debated about the different kinds of cheaper cameras I came across this polaroid that was 6 years old but had the screen and SD memory options that made it more functional than just a novelty.  M was stubborn and didn't like it, even though it was in her price range.  Eventually she was willing to consider it and we found one that came with 90 sheets of film/paper.  The paper alone was worth what we paid for the camera.  M has since decided she loves it.  She can print borders on the photos and take videos.  It's a happy ending.

M pointed out to me that this was the same place I had her stand to take a picture of the kindle that she bought with her own money 2 years ago.  Apparently I like the lighting in the kitchen.  I also like how M sets goals that I worry are too ambitious and then she works and compromises to have a good end.