Sweet Baby Ray came to play (or sleep) today!  Like my iPhone photo shoot? 😆📸🍼👶

Every summer we make a "summer to do list", and it includes items for each member of the family.  Some of the projects are bigger (paint the bathroom) and some are smaller (clean the shelf in your room).  We try to cross off one item each day we are home.  One thing on for Harper was "Learn how to ride your bike." and this has been on the list for 2 summers.  We have practiced and practiced and wiped many tears (not from falling, just from talking about riding a bike).  I told Harper that today was the day.  She was going to ride her bike (here come the tears).  This situation required some of my best tough love techniques.  It went something like this.

me:  Harper.  You can ride your bike.  I know you can. and we are crossing it of the list today.

H: NOOOOOO, I can't!!!!

me: Harps.  Add one more word.

H: NOOOOOO, I can't.... yet...

me: ok - here's the strategy, we are going to practice twice a day.  morning and afternoon.  I will help you, each time.  but, you WILL practice.

H: NoooOOOO, Mama!!  I can't do it....

me: Harps?

H: yet.

me: yep - but you will.  and it will be much easier for you to see if you are not crying so wipe your tears and let's go.

Harper had been taught what I like to call "The Power of Yet".  I teach that word to my students and my biologicals.  Just adding that one little word holds so much power.  You can't do it, yet... but you will.  And Harper also knew that I was serious, and she knew that we would be practicing.  So, she wiped her eyes and that girl rode her bike.

 And then Mama had to wipe her own tears.

While Bennett practices his baseball skills, Harper trains for American Ninja Warrior.

Can we just stay home today?  The question was asked and quickly answered.  Yep, we needed a stay home (or close to home) day.  Harper requested to clean and Bennett suggested a movie. Both were agenda items that we could very easily accommodate.

Each morning, Bennett hops on his bike and takes a ride around the neighborhood.  He comes back to report what he saw.  Usually, it consists of some walkers, and runners, a dogs running around and barking, some dead animals or a cool car.  Sometimes, he will report a local garage sale.  On those lucky sale days, he will return home with a treasure or two.  (Just like Grandma Rita!!)

Today, the kid came home with this.  And he is quite certain it will be the best backpack for middle school.

Ok, Alex P Keaton.  You just better measure to see if it fits in your locker.

Why stop now?  I packed up the kiddos and headed to Rose Lake for a one night stay.  Our favorite California cousins were on a Midwest vacation and we just couldn't miss them!  Growing up, we would go to CA every couple years, and they would come to MN every couple years, and I remember always feeling like we saw each other every weekend.  "It was never weird." is how I explained it to my parents, and of they replied "Of course it wasn't weird, you are family."  (Aside note - it very well could have been weird.  We have plenty of weird family... LOL!)

It was a first time visit to MN for Steven's kids - and it made me so happy to watch the next generation play.  When we went home, I asked Bennett if it is was "weird" meeting and playing with the kids.  And he said "No, mom.  They are our cousins, right?" and went back to his book.  Yes, B, they are your cousins.  And now I am planning a beach vacation.

Day 8 - 14 hours and 40 minutes due north, music blasting and not at subway fast food intaking, hurrying home to our littles and misters...

RT 17 we traveled approximately 3225 miles.  Often times people ask me what we talk about all those hours in the car, and it makes me smile as I respond, "Oh, I don't  know - everything.  And then we sing..."  So to my thelma, my grace, my tonic, my person - start practicing your french.

Day 7 - so long, Bourbon, 5 1/2 hours in the car along the Blues Hwy, stopping for some civil war history and learning about the pivotal battle of vicksburg, spotify "blues for beginners" blasting, arrival at the shack up inn, and stopping for supplies including unsuccessfully trying to find some beer that has some flavor, golden hour photo shoot, listening to motorcycle musicians, and for the first and only time setting an early alarm...

Day 6 - zero minutes in the car, weird crab benedict and exploring the city on foot, confirming what we already knew that we have been connected for more than one life, and we just need to wait for the miracles to happen, finding color in doors and beads and hurricanes,  a bit of our luck ending with poor service and 86'd meal choices, but returning by finding the perfect dolls...