Linking up to Read Aloud Thursday

I think I have a good one for you.

I can't remember where I saw this title but I put Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord on hold at our library.  While we didn't read it aloud, three of us finished it in less than a week.

 

From my 12 year old boy: "Mom, you have to read this.  It's a touching story."  

From my 10 year old girl: "I want my own copy and I really hope there will be a sequel."

The jacket summary begins like this:

"Lucy's family has just moved to an old house on a New Hampshire lake, and her dad, a famous photographer, is already leaving on another business trip....  As she seeks out the perfect subjects for her photos, Lucy gets to know Nate, the boy living in the cottage next door.  He's been coming to the lake to stay with his grandmother every summer since he was a baby."

There's lots to love about this story and it all works so well together.

        Kids working out friendships.  Family (and neighbors) caring for a grandmother.  Working hard at a hobby and using it for good.  Thoughtful decisions.  Learning about birds on a lake.  Summer!

And so, from me:  "Two thumbs up.  It is well worth your time."

Linking up to Read Aloud Thursday.  Take a look!

Welcome, Ethan!

Our newest nephew was born on the night of the 28th.  10 pounds 7 ounces!!  He brought a little excitement with him and was taken to UNC- Chapel Hill by ambulance but is doing fine now and going home to his brothers and sister today.  Let's hope things are calm for a while for his Mom and Dad's sake! 
Congratulations Jeff and Catrina, Jonathan, Grace, and Elijah!  We love you all!

Ethan Ennis

OBX 2014- The Place

I like to divide our beach pictures into two groups: one of the people, one of the place.  I'm starting with the place because there aren't quite as many and I clearly am slow at blogging this summer...

Waaayyy back in early June we set out for Southern Shores on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  I am convinced (or at least hopeful!)  there will be beautiful beaches when God makes the new heavens and new earth and I will be allowed to enjoy them forever! 

Starting with two of my favorites.

If I'm remembering right, there had been a few storms blow through on our last night.  Then the clouds began to clear and voila!  Beautiful!

The sun sets over the sound near Jockey's Ridge State Park.

 
Brian's dad has a four-wheel drive so one afternoon we took it north to Corolla where you can drive on the beach.  We saw a few wild horses.

Can you tell how smooth and flat the sand is?  

The sky darkened and I loved how it looked.

On the way back up the beach it started raining and those of us in the back of the truck got a little wet.  Just adds to the experience, right?

Here's our view from the back of the beach house.  These are our steps off the deck/porch/whatever you call it.

And a few more:

Keeping It Real

Tonight-
"Lord, help me sleep good tonight.  And....I pray for everything else I would have said after that.  Amen."
That's Sam, keeping it real.

Yesterday-
"Mom, do I have a twin?  Sammy says I have a twin."  No, Lucy, I am sure you do not have a twin.

Big Week for Sam

Hello??  Anybody still out there, reading this blog?  Haha.  It has been a while.  I'm getting so behind in updating but thanks to a nudge from my friend Erica, here goes.
I have beach pictures, visit -with- my- parents pictures, camp pictures, pool pictures, and whatever else I've neglected!
For now, I'll start with a milestone for Samuel.  Last week, he checked out a Magic Tree House book from the library.  We weren't sure if he was ready for chapter books but he wanted to try. 

He wanted to read through dinner- I think he's ready!

There are many things I hope to instill in our kids and one of them is a love of reading.  I love to see them enjoying good books.  My heart was so full to see him so excited.

Reading his second book during the older kids' swim practice

And, if you can read books on your own, then you need your own library card.

Sam got his this week- he was so happy!

Done!

For better or worse,
We.
Are.
Done.
6th grade.  Check
4th grade.  Check
1st grade.  Check
Preschool  Check
Sammy finished his testing this morning (whew!), right before Lucy's last day of preschool program.  Strangely, I don't feel quite the relief I thought I would.  There's so much I would love to get done this summer but really, I think right now is a good time to just breathe....
Tonight- we celebrate!  Spaghetti for dinner (probably the one dish I know everyone likes).  Kayla won an ice cream cake from Cold Stone Creamery when she came in second place for the Walk for Life, so guess what's for dessert??  It is full of chocolate, just the way she likes it.

 
I think it has oreos, chocolate chips, chocolate ice cream, chocolate cake, and cookie dough. Wow.

The little preschoolers put on their clown noses and sang circus songs for us.

It was pretty funny to watch the noses pop off and roll away as the kids sang.  

The teachers did a little "graduation" for kids who won't be back to preschool next year.  Lucy is right in the middle of her best buddies- Bryson, Brock, and Dylan.

I got a little teary.

Ms. Lisa and Ms. Jo were wonderful teachers with just the right blend of love and firmness in their approach to the kids.  So thankful for them.  They took a minute to say something about each child.  Here's what they said about our Lucy:

"We will miss your gentle nature and your sweet personality.  You have been a great friend to others and a perfect role model as well.  We have been so pleased to have you in our preschool!"

Don't Miss the Meteor Shower...and a Skirt Idea

Jack has discovered "Alabama" and is listening to their greatest hits.  The other kids are playing out in the blow-up pool.  This wind is too much for me but they don't seem to mind.
It's a wedding weekend!  We are all excited for Lily and Jon.  Hoping that the pollen doesn't do too much of a number on Brian- a preacher with no voice would make for an interesting wedding ceremony!
Did you know there is a meteor shower tonight that could be of historic proportions?  Possibly up to 400 per hour???  I will be out there!  Read about it at this website.

Yesterday we made skirts!  Matching for Kayla and Lucy.  Kayla did the sewing while I did the cutting and pinning.  We got both skirts done in about two hours.  Not bad for an afternoon.

Hopefully I can get a picture of both of them wearing their skirts soon.

Rebekah, over at The Homemade Engineer, sent us a link with the directions.

Super easy.

I think we could make it our "own" pretty easily but this was a great start.

You can find it here.