Snapshots of Vacation -Part 5

Julia saved her money for weeks to get a new boogie board this year.  When Andy surprised her with buying it for her, she opted to buy a skim board with her own money.  We have watched people do this for a couple of years and felt sure that our athletic daughter would love it.  I turned out to be harder than expected initially - note to those wanting to try this, the printed side of the board should be facing the surf when you toss the board.

Julia and Lesley enjoyed hanging out together.  We stayed in a duplex, and there was a girl next door who had nobody to play with.  I tried and tried to get these two to meet her and include her, but they adamantly refused.  I think they were both too shy even when I suggested that they introduce themselves together.

Snapshots of Vacation - Part 4

Aside from almost daily trips to Walmart and the traditional trip to Sam's Club, most of vacation was spent on the beach or in/by the pool.

Andy continued to run almost daily.  I managed 3 runs/walks logging approximately 3 miles each.  We were thrilled that this beach was flat, so the runs could actually take place on the beach.  Usually, we have to take to the streets in a coastal area.  How about that sunrise?  Not a bad view for a morning run.

Wyatt took to boogie boarding and finally received his own board.  As much as he enjoyed the board, his preference is still to walk the beach searching for interesting shells and rocks.  We learned this year when he got away from us for a while just how diligent we have to be to keep up with him when he is in the zone - hunting for treasures.

learning to blow bubbles

We forgot to pack our headlamps, but Tessa and John let the kids borrow theirs to allow for some fun on the beach at night.

The hot tub which wasn't so hot was a hit with the kids.

More to come...

Snapshots of Vacation -Part 3 -Regan

Regan loved the water and entertained us.  She commanded us: "Arms Up!"  If you neglected to do it, she would call you out.  We then all were ordered to clap our hands.  I wish I had the video Jonathan shot.  He was taping her on his phone, and she repeatedly told him to "put the phone down."  Born to be a teacher? I think so.

Tiffany and I both missed mom especially when Regan ordered us to play this game with her.  Mom would have gotten such a kick out of it.  Andy mentioned that he misses Tony the most when he hangs out on the beach. Tony was always on the beach or by the pool during vacation.  He worked hard all year long and felt that one week away each year was well worth the financial sacrifice.  He found it vital to refuel.

Snapshots of Vacation- part 2

We were there for Father's Day, so we had dinner out.  We actually waited until Monday to avoid the crowds.

Snapshots of Vacation

We traveled earlier than usual this year, June instead of July.  We left at 3:00a.m. and headed for the coast, a twelve hour drive which Andy did on 30 minutes of sleep with only a one hour break.  When we arrived we found the house to be the best suited we have ever had for this large family, and the beach was great.  I heard many times over the week that we should rent this house again next year.  We shall see.  This year ahead is a big one for us.  Dad covered the rent this year, and we are so grateful.

Our group this year included:

Dad, Susie, Lesley, Andy, Zachary, Savannah, Wyatt, Julia, Tiffany, Austin, Logan, Tara, Jonathan, Danielle, Regan, Ira, John, Tessa, Joshua, and myself.  That's a grand total of 20.

We enjoyed a pretty drive.

Once we arrived most of the group spent the time poolside or on the beach.

Ira loved the water and the sand.  He found the sand to be to be tasty.

I will continue to update with more snapshots of our week.

Dreaming

Julia, Savannah and I often enjoy watching Say Yes to The Dress and other bridal shows on TLC.  Julia voices her very strong opinions about dresses.  She makes it particularly clear that she does not want to wear my dress - not her style.  Savannah, on the other hand, says she wants to wear my dress.  I am fine either way and have no intention of pressuring my girls to wear it.  When I had it preserved, I even laughed and said that since it would be unlikely that I would have a daughter as short as me, preserving my dress was probably a waste of money.  The skirt is tulle, so it cannot be let out.  It would have to be removed and replaced to be lengthened.  I think it could be pulled up at the waist.  Ironically, Savannah is shorter than me, and Julia is Asian.

Just for fun I asked Julia to describe her dream wedding dress for me last night.  She felt like drawing it would be better than trying to verbally describe it.  As you can see, she is dreaming of a fit and flare dress with a sweetheart neckline.  She wants bling across the neckline and on a belt that she plans to use to accessorize this gown.  She wants a sparkly train and plans to wear a tiara with a simple veil attached.

I am so glad I asked her to do this.  How fun is this keepsake picture?!

Let's Catch Up

I have neglected the blog lately as the last few weeks have kicked my tail.  We have been busy but manageably so.  This post is all about catching up.

Finishing the School Year

Wyatt finished the school year last week, and he finished strong.  He brought home a "Most Improved" award and an honor roll certificate.  Wyatt is a typical boy in that he only shows me what is important to him when it comes home in his backpack.  Upcoming field trip?  The permission form is in my hands the day it is handed out.  Most everything else is only seen by me on that once a month occasion when I actually go through his backpack myself.  When he came home several months ago with an order form to buy a hardcover book with a story he had written, I knew he wanted that book.  Of course I ordered this special keepsake of his hard work in elementary school, and we finally got to see the final product last week.

Wyatt's last week of school was also my last full week.  It wore me out.  Andy was out of town, and Julia's birthday was on Tuesday.  It seemed like there were extra errands every night, and a late night finish at a swim meet on Thursday did not help.  When Saturday rolled around, I spent the majority of it in bed.  I returned to work for two days this week but have the week so full of appointments that it does not feel like a break yet.

Swim Team

Wyatt and Julia reluctantly started swim practice in the ice cold pool a few weeks ago.  Wyatt hates being cold and begged to quit.  I felt cruel forcing them to do this, but Julia loves it, and Wyatt is on his way to loving it.  He definitely likes it now.  It is a fun team with lots of great families.  My only regret is that we didn't do this last year.

Celebrating

Two Gotcha days arrived last week. June 7 was our 8th anniversary of meeting Julia, and June 9 was our 5th anniversary of meeting Wyatt.  I totally forgot Julia's Gotcha day and never mentioned it on the 7th.  She really wanted the family to go to an amusement park for her birthday, so we did just that on Wyatt's Gotcha Day.  I think we all had fun.  I have yet to get out Gotcha Day gifts, and we did not do a special dessert, but my mother of the year award was doomed months ago.

before getting soaked

after

proof that I got Wyatt to ride a log ride- he doesn't like heights or spinning, so dodge cars and tame rides are what we do

How cute is he? 5 years after joining the family

He wanted me to take this picture.  He wants is printed and framed for his room.  I need to get on that.

all my kiddos- Yes, Julia won another stuffed animal, and Andy won a basketball.  Both shot hoops for their prizes, of course.

Picture Day

Among our appointments today, I had Julia's annual portraits taken.  She wanted to wear her new dress, and her tan lines are already starting to show, so I worked this appointment in before she gets too dark. Julia's toenails were a mess, so we raced from appointment to appointment today, and I polished her toenails just minutes before we had to leave for her picture appointment.  I figured it was possible that they would show in the pictures or I would not have bothered.  This made me think of my mom.  She made me take off nail polish before formal portrait sessions if she thought my nails would show.  I could not wear nail polish to church or most places where we might go to gather with friends.  I do think, however, that she would have gotten a kick out of Julia's sparkly toenails and would have approved.

For the record Andy and I caved tonight and let Julia get her first pair of dangly earrings a year early...yep, fourth child.

I think that catches us up.