VBS

The Preschool gang
Cassidy at Crafts Corral
Becky giving a "pardner" a hand slap as he finished the sack jump race.
Reed at Chuck Wagon Snacks
Reed coloring his bandanna at Crafts Corral
Cassidy and friends at Bible Study Campfire.
Here are my children pre-VBS. I always arrive 1.5 hours early to be sure everything is set up and in place for that evening. This means that I feed the kids at the church before VBS starts. I didn't want them to get it all over their clothes...so I shucked them out of their shirts...and took a picture. FYI - They were fully clothed by the time people began arriving.
Randy as John the Baptist
Becky encouraging a little guy!

This is the last of 4 new posts I've posted today...scroll down to catch up on all the fun! This is probably the last post for a while. VBS ends on Wednesday night and the kids and I are heading to Texas to see Baby Marla and the rest of our family on Thursday. We'll be gone for a week.

VBS is in full swing at our church. So, Becky and I have been rather busy these past few days. All is going well and the kids are having a great time. We have a western theme this year and the church is decorated so well. Each evening, I lead the Worship Rally Roundup. That might sound like I'm bragging, but it really involves me yelling things like, "Howdy!" and "Yee Haw!" and huffing and puffing through very active songs...while the other adults point, laugh and snap pictures! But don't think I'm alone in being silly...Becky is the leader of the Recreation Barn. So, she leads all of the games each evening. Last night she was caught crab walking, rolling across the floor and racing kids up the aisles in the auditorium. The kids love going to the Recreation Barn...for obvious reasons.

Our whole VBS is based on the scripture John 3:16 and the idea that Jesus is GOOD NEWS for us and we need to "Saddle Up! and Tell Others!" that Jesus is Good News for them too. It doesn't get much better than standing with 25 excited kids as we holler "Jesus is Good News!" And I am humbled to have that opportunity.

One of the most appealing things about this VBS theme, and the reason I chose it this year for our church, is the simplicity of the theme. We live in a world where there is so much confusion. In many cases, the things that are right and good are labeled as wrong and intolerant. People search for meaning and hear everyday that there is no one right way. But no, there is ONE RIGHT WAY - Jesus Christ! And He is GOOD NEWS! And we need to tell the people we come into contact with about Him.

So, Becky and I will head back tonight ready to huff, puff and be silly just to hear those kids holler, "JESUS IS GOOD NEWS!"

Backyard Baby Alligator

Banding the alligator's mouth shut...using a pink hair rubber band.

Becky and the kids with our backyard gator.
A very happy Reed.
Fearless Cass in pink and purple!
So...A Florida Christmas card picture??? Check out Mr. Cool Reed!
Removing the band and releasing the alligator back into the pond.

The first words out of my mouth were, "That is so NOT cool." This was in response to Becky's, "That is so cool!" Hers was in response to Randy strolling into our bedroom (where the computer is) holding a baby alligator.

Yes, I thought the little guy was cute. I just get a little "fluttery" when I think about the fact that Randy and Reed were down at the pond fishing and this is what they came back with. I KNOW that any body of water in Florida can, and probably does, have alligators. But we haven't seen one at our pond in a few months and I like to pretend that means they aren't there. Obviously, that is a REALLY poor assumption.

Let the record show: I think alligators are cool. I even like seeing them on the bank across the pond...sort of.

We carefully inspected the little guy, snapped a few photos and released him back into the pond. Seeing as how I never saw the little guy before Randy carried him into my bedroom, I'm not too surprised I haven't seen him since.

And for the record, the kids (Reed, in particular and for obvious reasons) received another very serious lecture about the pond being OFF LIMITS unless an adult is with them.

Mote Survives Another Blankinship Invasion!

Checking out the critters.
Isn't she fabulous?!?
At the touch tank
I know this picture isn't the best, but Mote had rescued some baby sea turtles that were too cute not to post. They rehabilitate them and then release them.

Of course we took Aunt Becky to Mote Aquarium. She asked to go...really! We had a great time, as always. The only dark blot on MY trip was that I scored an all-time low score on the Predator/Prey game! The last time we went, I had the high score in the theater and was a top end predator: Great White Shark. On this trip, I never made it past Bay Anchovy...firmly in the PREY category! Oh well, there's always the next trip!

Science Experiments and Tea Parties!

Volcano-making supplies
Reed adding "lava"
Cassidy's turn to pour the vinegar. Look at Reed - you can't see his face completely, but he has a huge, excited grin on his face!
I love how Cassidy is so intently watching everything Aunt Becky is doing!
High Tea at the Blankinship Estate

We LOVE Aunt Becky! She has been such fun for all of us and I love and appreciate all the help she provides me! She has conducted a few science experiments with (not on) the kids:

1. Geodes (pictured previously)


2. A volcano (yes, she even cleaned up her own mess!)


3. A swirling water vortex using 2 2-liter bottles

Reed asks her for a new experiment everyday! But, lest you think she is JUST a science nerd, she also planned, prepped and dressed for a fancy tea party. Reed, while he enjoyed the tea party, has NOT been asking for one everyday...Cassidy is! And since she has been here, I've added a new pair of shoes, 2 new dresses, some slightly more trendy shirts, a pair of shorts and some new make-up. Becky is my resident fashionista! Needless to say, the Blankinship family feels very blessed to have such an awesome Aunt Becky!

Welcome Marla Cheree Whittington!

Marla Cheree Whittington
Daddy and Marla
She just need to hold his hand!
Mommy and Marla
Marla, Aaron and Tarin - Congratulations!

Yesterday, July 30, 2008 at 3:19PM, the Whittington family grew by one! We are so excited that our new niece, Marla Cheree Whittington has arrived safely...although not as excited as her Mom since sweetie Marla took her time in coming and was 5 days overdue! She weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. She is just adorable and we are heading to Texas in 1 week to see, hold, cuddle and kiss her! God is so good.

The gift of the geodes

Aunt Becky trying to crack the geode.
Still trying to crack the geode.
Daddy trying to crack open the geode using a bigger screwdriver.
Success!
Displaying the geodes.

This is the 4th of 4 new posts, so be sure and scroll down to catch up on all the excitement around the Blankinship house!

RaDora and Aunt Becky brought some geodes they bought at the Earth Science Museum in Asheville, North Carolina. We all had big fun cracking them open to admire the crystals on the inside...yep, science nerds. Did I mention that Aunt Becky is a 7th grade Science teacher? We now have cracked open geodes strategically placed around the house.

Playing at the Beach

Randy and I. Aren't we a sophisticated couple?
Randy, Reed and I in our snorkel gear.

Cassidy playing in the sand.


Becky and RaDora: Another "self-captured" photo

The gang.
Randy, Reed and Becky getting ready to head out to snorkel.
Cassidy and RaDora playing around.
Randy, Reed and Becky swimming out.

On Sunday after church, we drove out to Coquina Beach to swim and snorkel. We all had a great time. I wish I had an underwater camera to capture pictures of Randy literally standing (although he isn't touching the sea floor with his head) on his head under water to see under the ledges. It is rather impressive to me. Reed is doing so well with his swimming and snorkeling. He snorkeled with Randy and Aunt Becky for a long time and didn't even need his life jacket.