July 4th/Princess & Warrior Camp

It's been a full week! Monday started off with fun July 4th celebrations. This is the first year since we've lived in this house that we have not put on our annual July 4th party. So sad, but it just didn't work out with Steven's crazy work schedule over the weekend and holiday. Boo! Hopefully it'll be back on next year.

We started the morning watching our neighborhood's July 4th parade. We met up with some friends, so the boys had some pals to run around and collect candy with. After the parade we played on the elementary school playground until the heat was too much handle. Then we walked all the way home--Matt actually walked the entire way; I wasn't sure he had it in him! We got cleaned up and then spent the rest of the day out at Bryan & Sarah's house. The kids had a blast running around and getting in and out of the pool and on and off the trampoline and playing games. It was a relaxing, fun day with family and awesome food--Sarah made homemade pizzas that were delish!

Tuesday through Friday of this week the boys and I have been up at the church attending/helping out with Princess Prep School and Warrior Prince Academy. It is a program put on by Royal Purpose Ministries and teaches young children their identity in Christ and how to be a daughter of the King and a Warrior for Christ. This week I got to be with 2nd and 3rd grade girls. And oh my is it different than the boy world that I live in! This is my group of sweet little girls.

It's almost as if I've forgotten what little girls are like, but I was quickly reminded this week. They really were a joy to be around. Still though, I sat in amazement as they painted their nails, colored, danced, dressed up and played all kinds of pretend things. Such a contrast from taking Matt to his Warrior room where they were building things with Lego and sword fighting each other.

The girls got to watch puppet shows everyday, and they were pretty cute. The kids loved it. The girls also made all kinds of jewelry crafts and a jewelry box to take it all home in. Matt made a shield with the fruit of the spirit on it.

Today we had a graduation ceremony for the kids and for the parents to all come and watch. I finally got to see what Matt had been doing all week. The girls got up and performed their princess cheer and dance--it seriously made me channel my inner cheerleader and reminded me of the countless hours we spent practicing our routines. Then the boys filed in and did their thing. From where I was sitting I couldn't see Matt because he was in the back, but I saw him singing and moving around during their dance. I gotta say, the boys did a great job with their choreographed routine, I was impressed!

What a great week. I was blessed to work with those girls and we had so much fun. I will say though, I'm looking forward to next week where we have absolutely no plans. We need to go swimming!