It's been a few days since my last posting. My life has taken on a sort whirlwind quality in the past week with the kickoff of this year's Vacation Bible School (VBS). I am the Christian Education Director of my church and this is my first year totally running the show. Let me tell you - it is a MASSIVE undertaking. 

My sister suggested I do a series of articles on VBS and I sort of brushed it off at the time, I didn't know if it would be appropriate, but I realized her suggestion was one to take and run with. The series begins at planning and set-up then takes us day-by-day through the week. Tomorrow puts us at day two. Not gonna lie, day two went a lot less smoothly than day one. 

At last year's VBS I was learning the ropes and one thing I observed was how we always seemed to run over on time. Not sure why, but there just didn't seem to be enough time in the evening. These last two days we've run well ahead of schedule. I shudder to think of what tomorrow is going to look like when our craft activity goes back to being fairly simple to complete. Part of our excessive earliness seems to be related to the cushion I gave the groups in getting from station-to-station, but I'm not willing to give up the time in the schedule. I don't know, I'd rather be ahead of schedule than behind, but what the heck?! Fortunately, our Discovery time leader is outstanding and always has several experiments to share with the kids. And I guess it is nice to not have to sprint through snack time...

So come along and experience the Galactic Blast VBS ride with us. 

Behind the scenes: Vacation Bible School - getting readyBehind the scenes: Vacation Bible School - day 1 Behind the scenes: Vacation Bible School - day 2 Behind the scenes: Vacation Bible School - day 3 Behind the scenes: Vacation Bible School - final day


*(Originally posted/written on August 11, 2010)

My beautiful niece turned seven yesterday and had her party today. A few weeks ago she told her mom she'd like a 'Carnival birthday party.' My amazingly creative sister-in-law pulled it off and then some. It was an awesomely fun party.

[Image] Just clownin' around I'd been procrastinating something terrible this week in getting a new article written (and I was crazy busy too, but still when I had opportunity to write, I didn't). I just wasn't happy with any of the topics flowing through my melon (brain for those of you who don't understand 'Becca-speak.') Then I went to her party and found myself some inspiration.

Abby is a winter baby as are all of my sister's children and we often lament the lack of options we have when it comes to party planning. Having the opportunity to be outside is an option I find myself quite wistful to have as we're jamming thirty people into our home, 16 plus, of whom are kids running about. It would be wonderful to be able to have people outside, you can do a little more theme-wise also (find out more tomorrow about the party I wished I could've thrown for Abby last year).

Meanwhile, Sarah's Carnival themed party was a big hit. Click here to head on over to my Examiner page and find out how to pull off such a magnificent party for the little ones in your life.


*(Originally posted/written on August 7, 2010)

I'm in the midst of finishing my first series of articles complete with interview questions and all (insert cheesy smile, peppy voice, and thumbs up here) and I think my brain is about to go on the fritz! What I initially thought would be a four part series has grown into a five parter and frankly could've gone to six, but I figured I better stop somewhere before I have a book on my hands.

With the exception of today we've completed all the questions via e-mail. My first victims in helping me get this whole interview thing figured out are fortunately long-time friends of my sisters, thank you Mary and Justin for being oh so patient in this whole process.

The series chronicles the Kibbes from their learning of their youngest son's diagnosis of Down syndrome to where they are today and what they're looking forward to. Writing about their family has been interesting in that I thought I was relatively educated about Down syndrome, but it's a whole different ball game when what you know (or thought you know) is applied to an actual child and his family...
Part one is officially published and posted, so pop by my Examiner page and check it out!

*(Originally written on July 20, 2010)