Some Beach Pictures

We figured out the camera dilemma so here are some of my favorite pictures from the beach.  Too hard to narrow them down, though, so there's a bunch.  I figure this is more of a post for grandparents and aunts and uncles than anything else!

One of the few times he wasn't laying in the sand or building sand castles.

Buried in the sand.

I'm a little partial but I think she's such a beauty.

My beach baby.  She spent most of the time under the umbrella digging in the sand or putting her toes in the water.

Everyone's busy.

Just sweet.

The guys at Jockey's Ridge

The stairs at the lighthouse.  Even the picture makes me a little dizzy.

The crew

and the crew again.

Beach Week in Duck

Her big brother brought her to me after her nap.  Jack loves to get her when she wakes up.  She sat with me outside, her head on my shoulder, trying to wake up.  The wind was warm and salty, mixed with the Johnson's & Johnson's I'd used to rinse the sand out of her hair.  I was reading The Help, again.   I'm not sure what everyone else was up to at that point but it was vacation so I think they were enjoying themselves.
This year we went to Duck on the Outer Banks.  The OBX- one of our favorite places.  We honeymooned there.  I have to say though, as much as we enjoyed it, our week wasn't quite the same as past year when we've gone to Emerald Isle with my family.  Maybe next year?  I have many pictures to post but no camera chord to upload with so that will have to wait.  Some highlights for us:  the beach in the mornings, Jockey's Ridge (sand dunes) in the evenings, hermit crabs- four of them- first pets as I am not an animal person at all mostly due to allergies, Duck Donuts, ice cream every night, climbing the Currituck Lighthouse at Corolla, flying kites, beautiful weather, and probably other things I'm forgetting.
Vacation is always nice but getting back to regular life is good, too.
It's a good thing, huh?

The Garden is In

We got our garden in this week.  Yay!  We had some help from the girls next door.  It was a lot of fun planting with the kids.  Now to see what will grow.

On to possibly my favorite thing from the CC practicum.  And it had nothing to do with education.  It was a diagnosis.  One that made me laugh and laugh.

Baby brain drain.  

I think I have it.
Maybe, it would explain why:

The other morning I poured my coffee creamer into what was supposed to be Lucy's dry cereal instead of into my coffee.

I headed upstairs to switch the laundry when the laundry is downstairs.

And why I found this shoe in the refrigerator.  No, I didn't put it there but it did take me a minute to figure out that "one of these things is not like the other."  

Hmmm.    

If nothing else, it keeps things interesting.  

Have a good day!

CC Camp

On to day two of our busy week.  The kids and I are all participating in a Classical Conversations "camp." Training for me as a parent and tutor.
Intensive writing for Jack (more on that).
Geo-art for Kayla.
Play camp for Sam.
Nursery for Lucy.
I just have to give God glory for yesterday.  I was suspicious that Jack's camp might overwhelm him and it did.  At lunch he was fairly upset.  I talked with his teacher.  I talked with him.  We prayed.  I prayed and prayed...And do you know he was a different kid in the afternoon.  God was at work in Jack and on his behalf.  My heart was filled with thanks.  He truly loves our kids, does He not?  To God be the glory.

Kayla came home knowing a good deal about U.S. History and she traced all 50 states beautifully.  She cannot wait to go back.

Sammy was also not thrilled to go to his camp- until one of his favorite "older" friend from church showed up in his group to help out.  One more way God provided for us and for Sammy.

Lucy did great.  She took a little nap with me in the afternoon.  What a treat for me.  How often do you get to hold your little one while she sleeps?

It was ice cream for everyone last night!
Looking forward to another day, whatever it holds, knowing God is watching over my family.

Snake Update

Big storm last night.  I love to hear thunder on its way.  The anticipation of a storm is the best part.
Snake update:  Brian caught it!  It was impressive.  He took it down to a river somewhere.  No killing snakes around here when one of your kids is an animal lover.  So everyone's happy.
We did have to bury a bird yesterday.  The kids found it in the driveway.  Jack really wanted a box to  put it in so we found a noodle box from the recycling.
Heard during the "burial:"
K, walking around in circles:  "I think it's kind of weird that we're putting a dead bird in a noodle box."
At the same time,
S:  "Dad, that bird's not dead.  I really think that bird is not dead."
It was hard to keep a straight face.
Jack and Kayla planted flowers on top.
Now on to today, day one of a very busy week.
Hope yours is a good one!

Omachi

"Mom, what does omachi mean?"

"I don't know.  I've never heard that word before."

"I have.  I just made it up in my head."

(I love that face.)

Guys?

Lucy has a new word.
Guys.
I heard her calling the other kids from the bottom of the stairs.
"Guys!"
I wasn't sure that's what she was saying.
Later the kids were all riding bikes in front of the house.
 

As she watched, she called out, "Guys!"

Again, "Guys!"

That one makes me laugh.

How could they not come when being called so sweetly?

On to other things, like playing hide and seek.

"Hi!" she says.