In Her Defense

I feel I must set the record straight.

You see, in the Garden Story below, my beloved Flynn didn't actually take the pink watering can away. At least not in this particular episode.
I lied, because it really went well with the pictures...and, well, that's usually the case.

But in the event these blog entries last longer than I do, I didn't want my sweeties looking back & reading falsehoods.

I'd also be lying if I didn't say how much I loved Carlton from Fresh Prince. Clickety-click-click, for a Happy Monday.

A Morning in the Garden

She looks so innocent, don't let her fool you....

Her brother was so busy & so happy watering flowers with his

"tough guy watering can".

When SHE decided to snatch it from him.

Makes for a very sad gardener.

Not Just Because He's Hot

There are several other reasons I LOVE my hot hubby....

THIS

is one of them.

Our little pal Zach inspired us to have a challenge

to our KidsPoint kids,

that if they raised enough money,

I'd shave Jeff's hair into a faux hawk.

and just like every other hairstyle he has,

he looked delish this way too.

Man!, he's a dreamboat.

Favorite Parts of Vacation

There are a few fav parts that stand out in my mind.





One was being able to relax.

Totally relax.

And do so, without feeling guilty for it.



When the kiddos went down for nap, sometimes we did too! And as I would lay there on that couch, I didn't think about laundry, or work emails, or making my bed (shh, secret -- we never made our bed on vacay, not once!!).

Sometimes we read or just aimlessly surfed the channels.



That was one favorite part.



The ocean / beach was another favorite part. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the beach. It defines beauty. And when I stare out into the horizon, that seems to drop off beyond the last drop of ocean, I am quickly reminded of God's magnitude. How cool that He made something like that for us to enjoy. It's all just so huge (for lack of a better word).



Then there is the pure lack of schedule. Oh sure, we still kept a naptime, and a bedtime....but we left in the morning when we wanted to head on down the beach, and came back when the kids' tummies were growling, or when I felt they had had enough sun (PS these kids were coated w/ 45 SPF & 1/2 the time I even made them wear a shirt). There was no rush to get out the door first thing in the morning & we let fun dictate our whereabouts & whenabouts (is that a word?).

Also, things that stand out in my mind are when Flynn asked to swim in the kitty-cat pool (her take on Kiddie Pool), and when Gabe stood in awe at the advertising planes that flew over.

When we go through great pains (like a 14.5 hour car trip) for family fun, I keep in the corner of my mind, how they'll remember this. Yes, they're small; but, I have memories of a trip 'out west' that the Simpsons took when I was almost 4. I have so many flashbacks of that (one is being horribly car sick in our '78 emerald FORD van). But I also remember Sea World & a Penguin character who stood behind me while my mom was taking a picture....and he removed my sailor hat which was very offensive to me at the time (I went through some kind of obsession with wearing a sailor hat, don't ask). I was a weird kid with a very active imagination & an imaginary friend named Sherri (she passed us on our trip, her family drove a wood-paneled station wagon).

My mom thinks we run the roads too much. I think that I'll always do what I can to give these sheltered kids some life lessons & rich experiences. Some times that means the beach 12 hours away. Some times that would mean taking them to see Shrek 3 (which we plan to do today after nap). Soon, I'll be working full time again, and our time & energy will be limited to preparations for the following day. I want to squeeze every drop out of life. On our trip, I was reading a magazine with advice from seasoned moms. One said, "The day is long but there years are short." It's so true. Even in my 4 short years of being a mom, I've seen that as truth.

Beach Blanket Bingo

Look at this beach....

THIS is "Shell Island", a fabulous deserted island, literally.

And I {heart} deserted.

The boat that took us to the above mentioned island.

One of Flynn's favorite beach activities, was to dig a hole, let it fill up with ocean, then jump from one of our chairs into the hole. note: couldn't we do that at Goose Creek?

He's not as tough as he looks.

One of the man breathtaking sunsets, taken our first evening there.

This was taken right after feeding cheetos to the birds. The boat's em cee (unaware of the toxins of cheeto dust) first offered Flynn to opportunity....after I gasped with horror, I explained that being in the middle of the ocean wasn't the best place for her airway to close.

More great shots at S.I.

It's amazing the fabulous backdrops that putt putt courses provide.

Perry feet.

Clouds make the best sunsets!

This one's going in a frame!

Our last evening at the beach...sniff - sniff

Beaching It

Apologies for a lack in posts....our lives were just crazy this past week.

Other than finishing up a KFC (VBS, just not as 'churchy'), and packing up for our big trip, we also had a computer issue (thinking a virus).

Anyway, if I could, I would add photos, as there are many & they are fabulous.
For now, you'll just have to take my word for it that we are having so much fun, the weather is terrific, and the kids are in beach bliss.

Mystery Solved

I just learned that the dance of WALK IT OUT, was from Ed Sullivan..."Mexican Breakfast" was the name of the original song & here it is!

Random Family Pics

Nana recently put her photos on a disc which she shared with me.

These are pics from the family bday for Hannah's 16th.

Hannah recently went on her first date.

Boys are intimidated by her beauty.

Bubs seems to have pollished off his plate!

I actually think this one is from KK's bday.

I'll get you in here with me if it's the last thing I do.

You're never to old to be a Meme's girl.

Hair

Oh hair, glorious hair...

the bible makes reference to hair being a woman's glory,

well, Flynn's hair is my glory.

Except lately, she's been TWISTING & making nots, or rats as I often refer to them as.

So, last week, I'd had enough & cut 2 inches off.

But then, today, I spent 2-20 minute sessions on untaggling. Not fun. So I'm leaning on taking a few more inches off.

Butterflies & Mud Puddles

It sounds like "What Little Boys Are Made Of"...

or the name of a child's resale shop,

But it's actually just a typical evening at Nana's.

Check out the air my girl gets in this shot!

I'm thinking Olympic long jumper? (I did the long jump in track, but I wasn't in the Olympics)

Bubs would rather submerge himself in the mud,

That way he gets dirtier....right down to the diaper.

Random Summerness

Flynners & Gabe taking a dip w/ Cousin Nezzies (as Flynn has dubbed her).
Sidewalk art at Nana & Papa's.

My Strong Dislike for Squirrels

really started when we got a bird feeder.
Before then, I just thought they were curious little fellows & enjoyed lying on my back, staring up at the trees, watching their leaps & peculiar habits.

Then, we started feeding the birds squirrels.

For a while, we'd quickly slide the door open, maybe make some startling noise.
But that only scared the neighbors, who probably dropped their cigarettes or wrecked their bus.

Then, we started throwing rocks at them. We even kept a rock stash right by the door, for even quicker shots.
But, then one day with my perfect shot, I cracked the glass of our $30 birdfeeder.
It made my hatred for the yard rats, all that much more intense.

So we bought a plastic one.

And then, my wilderness loving MIL, gave us her old bb gun.
And the fun began.
I longed for the chance to shoot those things, as they stole food from the birds.

They thought they were so smart, running off as soon as they heard me cock the gun or touch the handle of the door.
I even had Flynn's help, "MOM!!!! It's a SKA'WIRRELLLLLL! SHOOT IT!!!!"

One day, when we have a little more time, we're going to do something about them. (clicky click)

Walk It Out

This (clicky click) is a little like a train wreck - it's a tad creepy, but I can't help but watching it -over & over (& it's in my head!!)...someone took this old vid & put it w/ a new song.

Mom & MIL, do you remember this?...supposedly from some old tv show (I know Lawrence Welk & I'm thinking this was a little too racey to be on his show)....Bob Fosse choreographed it, & lead dancer is Gwen Verdon?

Things that add to its creepiness include, but are not limited to, their eyes, which seem to not exist (remember the old Annie comics?), & the fact that it really seems like they're putting on their moves to UNK's music. I also think it's strange that the middle ones glasses are lost in her fro AND that they do those sets of kicks way too many times in a row.

I'm so into it tho, I'm contemplating memorizing the routine..I might even bust out my old poms.

note: I tried to post the vid actually on my blog, but that rarely seems to work anymore, so you'll have to outclick to youtube, which will hopefully work for those of you accessing from work. Meanwhile, I'll keep trying.

In A Box

HONESTLY, He wanted to get in the box.

Because We Can

Why do we go outside in just our undies?

or diaper...
and drink juice boxes...
in a do-rag?...