2012 Family Beach Vacation

Every July we take trip to the beach with my Mom and my sister and her family.  I think this year makes our 4th Annual Beach Vacation.  We had a great time playing in the ocean, beach-combing, chasing crabs, and best of all we went the whole week without ONE trip to an ER or doctors office!  PRAISE THE LORD!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the week...

A picture of ALL FOUR OF US!  YEAH!

3 generations...

Probably my favorite place in the world...

With a few of my favorite people

Another one of my favorite things is seeing the kids enjoying the beach :)

C even lost a tooth (thanks to Mom for remembering to put a dollar under his pillow :)

The kids REALLY like catching crabs.  In years past, we'd mostly just seen white/ghost crabs at night.  This year we also saw (and were pinched by :) tons of blue crabs...

Oh - and the pinching referred to earlier...that wasn't while we were trying to catch them.  There were so many in the water that we'd stumble upon them while walking in the water.  They were all over the place...must have been some seasonal migration thing going on???

G and I hanging out on the beach while J and C went to the driving range.

Mom and C having fun :)

The Girls

Can you say "Daddy's Girl!"

MONKEYS!

We really did have a wonderful time.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Tea Party Lunch

About 8 weeks ago, G received this invitation for a Tea Party Lunch from a little friend at church. She spent that afternoon planning the dress-up outfit she wanted to wear and gazing at the invitation :)

After 6 long weeks, the day had finally come for her to get ready for the party.  It was a double first - her first Tea Party and her first "Mommy goes away" party.  As you can see, she was pretty excited!

The party was hosted by the little girl's mother (my friend Tracy) and grandmother.  They did a beautiful job decorating the table!

In addition to lunch, the girls made bracelets.

When G was invited, I asked Tracy what occasion had prompted the party.  She explained that there was no particular reason for the party. She just wants to enjoy her daughter's dress-up/tea party phase with her while it lasts.  Before we know it these girls will be too grown up to "play" dress-up.  

I can hardly imagine the day when we no longer own princess dresses and "glass" slippers.  But with G going to "Mommy goes away" parties and starting preschool in August...I know the day is coming much sooner than I realize.  No doubt about it - my baby is growing up :(

You Can Tell A Lot About A Girl

from the contents of her purse...

What we have here is a prissy girl who has a high regard for her big brother...love it! :)

Skippin' School

My cousin invited C, G, and I to go with them to the beach the week before Memorial Day.  C wasn't out of school at that point, but we decided to play hookie...well sort of...I DID have C's teacher and the principal's blessing...so I guess it's not technically "hookie" :)

Anyhow we had a great time! The weather was great and the kids played happily (well, for the most part :).

All of these awesome pictures courtesy of my cousin...isn't she talented?!?

Our baby cousin is perhaps the cutest little fit-thrower I've ever seen :)

I'll end with this picture.  It represents a VERY funny story!  The boys were building these castles (the picture shows 8 - originally there were 10).  They had quite the castle building system worked out.  Meanwhile, G was off building a castle of her own (if I'm not mistaken C had attempted to join her effort but was turned away...that's when he teamed up with Grant).  After a few minutes G got up and went over to where the boys were building.  I saw her over there...it looked like they were getting along great...until she kicked over two of their castles and stomped away with her hands on her hips. The boys just stood there, mouths hanging open speechless....for about 3 seconds.  Then they turned all red and started running at me yelling about this grave injustice.  I'm not gonna lie - this was definitely one of those times that I had to hold back the laughter as I was telling G that she'd have to sit out for a few minutes.

Never Thought I'd Ever Hear...

I just got back from dropping the kids off with Mom and Dad for a few "alone" days at Grandma and Papa's. I spent Monday and Tuesday with them...by the time this morning rolled around C and G were chomping at the bit for me to leave.  I guess I was cramping their style :)

Just a little funny C'ism:

Last night, as G was getting ready for bed she realized that she'd left her special sleeping CareBear at my sister's house.  As I was trying to help her hunt down a suitable substitute Lovey to sleep with C pipes up with:

G, you can sleep with my special stuffed toy that Grandma Brenda gave me...Just as long as you don't suck on his head or do anything else weird like that.

[Apparently, when lending a toy one must clearly establish the "no sucking on my toy" rule!?!] :)

Never Thought I'd Hear Myself Say...

For posterity's sake...

*Don't put something over your head (and eyes) and run!


* Don't light saber your sister!


* Don't eat stuff you find!


* {said in a public restroom} Get UP!  This is NOT the place for "snow" angels! {EWWWWWW!}

School's Out for the SUMMER!!!!

And  I'm not sure who's more excited C or me :)

Friday was his last day.  A few of the mothers from his class prepared a sweet slideshow of pictures for the year.  It was bitter-sweet to see how much these little guys have grown over the last 9 months.

Each child was given a Clifford (the class mascot) Award:

C received the "Class Theologian" award

C's teacher has been telling me all year how C is a great leader in discussion during their devotion time. :)  And I couldn't be prouder!

A quick picture with C's Teacher and Assistant Teacher.  I am so thankful for both of these godly ladies.  C and I were both blessed by their gracious, sweet spirits and God-given ability to teach!

G is anxiously awaiting the day she too can be a kindergartner (me...not so much :)

J took us all out for cheeseburgers (C's cuisine of choice) to celebrate!

I want to really take advantage of having C home again so I've set forth a few "goals" for our time this summer:

#1 - Have FUN and make sweet memories because before I know it, it will be August and C and G (starting 4K) will be starting school.  I don't want to fritter away our time.

#2 - Serve others as a family.  C and G both really enjoy helping...I want to provide opportunities to exercise that gift :)

#3 - Practice the skills C learned over the year...specifically reading and writing.  I don't plan to be really structured about this.  I just want to make sure we don't go the summer without picking up the first pencil.

Let the good times roll! :)