Beach Vacation!

Happy Birthday Jeremy!

If you haven't been to the beach with a three year old who is seeing the waves for the first time - DO IT!  Talk about wonder and awe - she greeted each wave for 2 hours with a "WHEE!" "WOW!" "WAHOO!" - so much fun in the sun and sand (and LOTS of sunscreen)

St. Augustine Adventures

We ventured downtown to the main fort, walking area and old city. Beautiful city and we were glad for all of the rain showers each afternoon.

Whew it was hot!  I thought we might melt while visiting the Castillo de San Marcos but the big kids really enjoyed exploring the fort.

Lydia made a pirate friend at the Pirate and Treasure museum (the kids really loved this museum)

In the Colonial Quarters we had a great tour and there was even digging for archeological items.

We ate a little Spanish food and enjoyed time!

Fort Matanzas

We took a short trip to St.Augustine last week while visiting the farm.  Other than camping this was our first vacation with all five of us - soon to be 6.  We had a great time exploring the history of the area and the beaches.

We took a National Park Ferry across the inlet to a fort - enjoyed the free boat ride - and explored the fort.  We also enjoyed the big oak trees in the park,

9 year old interview

He's 9 - that redheaded freckle faced boy who is growing and growing.  He really does have the best laugh in the world and can get me tickled any time I hear that hearty laugh.  Here are some questions to mark the passing of time.

Favorite color - red
Favorite food - Rice and sweet and sour chicken
Friends - Matthew, Reed, Roman, Alex
Favorite thing that you did with family/friends this year - go to St. Augustine
Accomplishment you made this year- learned how to find the states and landmarks in the USA
Favorite books you've read this year - Mysterious Benedict Society, The Sharpened Sword, The Empire of the Bones
What do you want to be when you grow up - Inventor
Things you like to do in free time -ride my bike, read, play with LEGOS
If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? - Ireland, Grandma and Papa's
What is something you want do/learn how to do this year? learn how to speed read
How many teeth did you loose this year? 3
What movies or shows do you like to watch? LEGO movie, Heman, Lab Rats, Batman
What are some of your favorite songs? The Lighthouse by Nickel Creek, Happy, Elephant in the Corn
What is your favorite thing to wear? Blue exercise shorts and Blue Argentina Soccer jersey
If you could have any pet what would it be?  Hamster
What should we name your baby brother? Solomon
If you could wish for anything in the world what would it be?  To be the smartest person on the Earth

He's 9

Yep, it happened today.  My oldest turned 9 - the one who will enter 4th grade in the Fall.  I'll post more words later but the pictures from this annual event are here...

Breakfast in bed

 Cake and pool party followed by soccer and Wii with friends at home. 

Memories and Marriage

We've had a full summer living in the daily - cooking, cleaning, sweeping, folding, swimming, playing, standing perplexed while 3 year old has an utter meltdown, kid's friends over, time with family, anticipation of time in Florida with family (especially cousins), coffee on the porch, working when I'd rather be playing, delicious tomatoes, yummy watermelon, fireworks, fireflies, hours reading aloud, overwhelmed at the generosity of friends to watch my kids, overwhelmed by aunts who are willing to paint walls, ball in the yard and the house and the windows, late night walking the dog, a beautiful lake and the ubiquitous smell of citronella to ward of those pesky mosquitos.

 It might be the pregnancy hormones or the general weariness of the heat but I'm overwhelmed today - grateful for the moments to enjoy and remember - but weepy, overwhelmingly weepy.

Like Mackenzie and Miles wedding - punkin was the flower girl and did a great job throwing flowers and standing through the 40 minute service and pictures.  She danced the night away at the rehearsal dinner and asked to blow out the candles on the wedding cake - no candles on the cake but maybe when she gets married she'll have candles.  So glad she could be a blessing on that wonderful day.  We love those Swafford's and are so excited with Miles and Mackenzie at the new life they are beginning together.

+++Thanks EMILY WOODALL for the amazing pictures - you have such a talent and gift that is beautiful!

Other memories

1. Lucy swimming the perimeter of the pool while 10 boys play keep away with the ball and tackle and roll in the water.  Lydia fearlessly walking into water and looking up at me from the bottom.  I snatched her up quickly but she did it again...and again.

2. Samuel tapping away at his drums upstairs while Lucy pecks at the piano.

3. Waiting excitedly on the front stoop to go on a blackberry picking adventure - Blackberry picking with friends, playing in the woods, PBJ eating

4. Lingering over a book, over some play dough, over a coloring page...sweet time

5. Finding a bird's egg - pretty robin blue - on the ground and admiring the beauty

6. Samuel off to baseball camp at Georgia Tech and Lucy spending the day creating art at art camp.

7. Fellowship meals at church and Moe's, play-dates and sleep overs.

8.  Pictures of that new one who will join us this year - Little Go-Go

9. Fireworks with face-painted kids while husband streams patriotic songs on his phone and sweet Reagan holds an excited curlie que who ooh's and ahh's at the sites with fingers in her ears.

10. One tired mama loosing it late at night when little ones won't go to bed, when belly hangs heavy and it all seems overwhelming - the good and the hard - is it possible to keep up with it all?

11.  Grateful for new mercies every morning! Grateful for His provisions, Choosing to be grateful and rest - just rest.

13. Sweet sisters playing Gorillas and Tigers OR Littlest Pet Shops OR hammock swinging OR whatever their little imaginations come up with and then seeing this out the back porch...

12. Selfie with grandma at Lucy's first ever dance recital - lots of laughs over my inability to take a selfie - this is as good as it got.