One Sunday each summer, our church participates in the local ecumenical church service schedule at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. This year, our church partnered with Christ the King, a neighboring parish. Participation in the service is a family affair: my dad, Jolene, Jeanine, and Jeanine's son, Jack all sang in the choir; Mom coordinated a variety of volunteers; we stayed to pour lemonade. Cate thought "outside church" was interesting. My nephew Charlie accompanied Max and Cate up for Children's Time, a moment after the homily that I have yet to see a Catholic community do successfully. Yet another, all too long presentation by a lay person who expects little ones to have more than five minute attention spans. Cate was out of there in less than two minutes. Oh well. The freedom of an open worship space, I guess.
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-----------------------------------------------------After dropping Kyle and the kids home, Jack and I headed off to the Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America for some indoor amusement fun. It's been a long time since I've been to an amusement park and I really had a great time. As an adult, it's important to just get into the mood and channel your inner kid. It rocked!
We hit all the 6 point rides (the highest thrill rides vs 0 point rides for families or little tots). Our mutual favorite ride was the "Avatar Bender." I think I left my stomach on that ride. Jack had the shakes afterwards. On our last ride, we rode with another very charismatic young teen who said his parents didn't like riding these sort of rides. So as we sat in our car waiting for the ride to begin, I said I hoped I didn't embarrass him with all of my screaming. His reply: "My parents are WAY more embarrassing!" Hmm, so I'm only slightly embarrassing...I'll take it! When I brought Jack back to his house, he so graciously thanked me for such an awesome time and gave me a huge hug. It was an impressive act of appreciation for an almost fourteen-year-old, I'd say.
We had yet another fabulous dinner menu planned, so we wanted to share our experience. My mom was away quilting, so we invited my dad over. It was a last minute call, so I was very pleased when he agreed to come over. Our timing was off, but he was more than happy to play with the kids while we pulled everything together. He was an incredibly good sport and played "Candyland" with the kids--Max's first time. I don't know who won, but there was peace and harmony flowing from the living room, so who really cares!
Our dinner was fantastic--marinated flank steak, roasted potatoes (Coleman's: we're addicted!), green beans, baguettes. The only thing not-so-great was dessert: a banana / chocolate chip cake I made from an "Amish Friendship Bread" batter. It had good flavor, but it was too moist in texture.
Papa left after dinner and we got the kids ready for bed. Max is short on summer pj's, so I'm still squishing him into onesies. Poor guy, it's as if I'm secretly trying to shorten his torso and re-distribute his body proportions!
Cate played with her "friends" in the top bunk until Max was ready to go to bed as well.
After many "Mommy!" and "Daddy!" hollers from behind the closed door, it seems they have finally settled in for the evening. I think they were just like us--they didn't want the great weekend to end.
5 comments:
I go to outside church all the time. It's called golf.
Cool concept though. If church was outside ... I might even go!!!
Ahh...yes, golf. That's altogether a different sort of prayer. At least it is for me! Of course, you had to mention golf...I wish I were out on the course more often than I am these days. At least there's the US Open to watch this weekend.
Yes. I had the opportunity to play Torrey Pines a few years back. I invoked the Lord's name more than a few times!
Oh sure...you had to mention you've played the course now. salt. wound. ouch.
No problem! ANd by the way - i hope you don't mind - I added a link to your blog on my site.
C
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