Busy Weekend

It's draft weekend for the NFL so the boys and I made ourselves scarce.

Best $2 ever spent was on a kite. We took it to the beach and it was marvelous!!!

We built sand castles and just soaked up some sun.

Drama King

In the morning before school Joshua stays with me, he was ready and willing to be the patient for the lovely girls who wanted to help him.

Food Face

Learning how to eat can be pretty messy, but kinda cute.

A Pat on the Back

 The weekend went by too quickly. Joshua fought back tears monday morning as I explained that Grandma was headed home.

After dinner when we went to the pirate museum we told Joshua he could have a gold deb loon with Chocolate before heading to bed. He was thrilled. As soon as it was opened he examined this fancy piece of chocolate then to our surprise, he cracked it apart creating 4 pieces. One for grandma, one for mommy, one for daddy, and one for him. It makes you feel like you're doing something right when even something special is celebrated and shared with those around him.

Brought to you by the letter "S"

Sneak, Sassy, strong-willed, yet sweet: Silas 

What's the Pirate Password?

 My mom came down to visit now that she's finished with another tax season. Despite our hopes it turned out to be a rainy weekend. We decided to take in some of the tourist-y sites. We went to the pirate museum in St. Augustine.

It was fine for what it was.... it had some great interactive items that Joshua enjoyed. (raising and lowering the flag, tying knots, setting off the cannon, and searching for treasure...)

 We didn't make very good pirates. Michael and I ended in the stocks.

 But then again so did Joshua

 Pirate antics were not only for the museum but also for at home...

Watch out Grandma, or you'll have to walk the plank!"

It was a fierce dual and Grandma held her own for a while.....

but in the end, Joshua was victorious!)

Food Vacation

I don't often post pictures of food or delicious items I eat. My husband is guilty of posting pictures of meals he makes. Maybe if I cooked more I'd post more foody pictures.

Michael is dieting which means I'm eating healthy too since he does the cooking.

Today I made a sandwich that took me on a vacation.

We went to the farmers' market this morning so that helped.

Cucumber & egg sandwich with spinach, radishes, and tomatoes with an avocado, onion, dill and celery spread.

I ate it outside. Alone.

I listened to the birds and took a little vacation. Dill reminds me of summer (it grew in our garden growing up) so it was a summery yummy sandwich eaten alone outside.

SUNday

Ahh the beach!


We weren't there for long, but it was great!

I remember the first time I was ever really in the ocean. I was swimming with my dad in South Carolina. Foreign sticky salt was on my face and lips and I remember being in awe by the power of the waves. I remember telling my dad that day, "Someday I'm going to live by the ocean!"

The water was still pretty chilly, but I had to get in! I left my kids on the shore and ran for the water. Those are minutes for me. The mother in me looked back sprinkled with guilt for leaving them with someone else while I ran out to enjoy the waves. But a great way for me to take care of my kids is to take care of myself. I always come out of the ocean refreshed.

Tie Dye Friday

Joshua's class made tie dye shirts last week as a culminating activity after the finished learning all the colors in the rainbow.

They all wore their shirts to school the following week. As if Joshua and Gwen don't have enough attitude when they're together add a shirt the made themselves and they were ready to strut their stuff.

Uneven Bars

If I thought the high beam was terrifying, it was nothing compared to the uneven bars! There was shaking and big juicy tears of fright.

I had him watch all the other kids first to see what was going to happen. He definitely needed to work up to it. On Friday at school we tried on the playground bars.

Gymnastics has become a growth experience. It's all about feeling comfortable trying new things and gaining confidence. Well worth the entry fee.

Flat Cap

Adorable in the flat cap!

Art Birthday Party

Joshua was invited to a birthday party. It was a themed birthday party. We loved watching him at the party. It was great!

Silas' curl

Oh Silas, the warmer weather has made Your hair curl even more.

Gymnastics

We're 3 weeks in and I haven't written about the greatness of gymnastics yet!

Michael and I thought Joshua could use an activity outside of CTK church and school. So Michael signed him up for gymnastics.

We showed Joshua some you tube videos of gymnastics and he was thrilled. (Oh, and the was he says gymnastics... Just about more than I can take :) )

Week One: lots of animal walking, stretching, following directions. And Super Flips! (Somersaults)

Stretching out

concentrating

Week Two: balance beam. He has practrd the balance beam on the playground for several days anticipating using it at gymnastics.

Week three: high beam. This evoked terror! Nervousness. Shakes. Near tears. ( I will admit whispering to Michael, "they're not going to use that ate they!?!?!? With equal fright in my voice.)
The children were spilt in 2 groups and Joshua's group was the second to use the high beam. He watched the boy in front of him with shock in his eyes. Then it was his turn. I sent Michael over to encourage because I knew if it was me, he'd scare himself out of it. With Michael on one side and the teacher on the other, he made it across! Eager for hugs we encouraged and praised him up and down for trying even though he was scared.

They get a sticker at the end of every session. The sticker he bright home was a gold medal. And to him, it may as well have been made of real gold!

I'm excited see what week four will bring.