Lily's 5

And Lily is 5. My little blue-eyed stylish girl is 5. The little girl who wants to wear a dress everyday, have her nails painted, but still cuddle on my lap is 5.

Here is her birthday dinner. This year Lily asked for Mac and Cheese and watermelon. Jack insisted that we had some meat, so she said some cow would be fine.

Here she is with Ada Grace, her "barbie friend", getting one of the 8 barbies she had to have. The girl is nutso about Barbies... tattoo barbie, Rapunzel barbie, three musketeer barbie, Hannah Montana barbie, hair salon barbie, cherry red Ferrari barbie, the very first barbie, and cheerleader barbie.

And then on the other hand she is such a tomboy. Here she is with her pals at her birthday party at the Ranch. When we were on the wagon ride I asked her if she was having a great time. Her reply, "This is totally AWESOME!"

How AWESOME it is to have her in our lives. She has the brightest spirit and the most infectious laughter. (She thinks farts are sooooo funny.) I pray that she continues to grow and be beautiful on the inside. Oh what fun this year will surely bring!

A week in the life of a toddler...

So here's a quick run down of Evie's activities this week...

*poured 34oz of coffee onto the kitchen floor (coffee and other potential hazards have been removed from bottom shelf of pantry.)

*ate handful of dog's food (note that baby can now open Tupperware.)

* tried to eat hand sanitizer (which has now been taken from the girls bathroom. Lily had used it and left it at baby's eye level.)

* tried to eat diaper cream (note that baby can now open diaper cream tube.)

* dug in plant and threw dirt on floor (I'm still staying strong on not moving house plants... working on "no no")

* tried to climb out of high chair (note high chair is 8 years old and no longer has belt to keep her in.... next will be booster seat that she can still be fastened into)

* took off the child proof safety plug for the electrical outlet (this was accomplished by using teeth to pry it out of socket.)

*ate Q-tips and toilet paper (drawer locks have been purchased.)

* and finally the ever popular putting hands in the toilet bowl!!


Wow. What a stage we are at in little Evie's life. She is in constant motion and interested in EVERYTHING! I love her sooo much, but this one's keepin' me on my toes!

Training

This summer I've been waking before the girls and running. Main point: I hate to run. Loathe it in fact. I've played sports all my life, but have never gotten any joy from running. So, for me to wake and purposely put running shoes on is a major accomplishment. You see all this running is for a mini-triathlon. A goal to get into shape post baby #3, and for the most part it has worked. I just want to finish this thing.
Myself, along with my friends Heather and Becky S. will be attempting to complete the 250 meter swim, 9 mile bike ride, and 2 mile run. I know it totally sounds "do"able. But, I hate to run...never understood a runner and why they would intentionally kill their lungs. In fact, the idea of running a mile is drudgery. OK got my point. Right?
So, this past Saturday I finally had a break through. I ran the 2 mile loop in my "hilly" neighborhood without stopping. (All runners my interject laughter at this point!) But, it was huge for me. The girl who hates to run finally got it. The fun in the run.... For the first time in my life I didn't suck wind and yes, got some enjoyment out of running. I don't think I will become a runner, but I'm starting to see the effect of some training. Maybe it's a little late in the training, but it happened.
Now I need to get on a bike. Hey, it's only 4 weeks away!!!! Ugh.

One Last Hurrah!

Notice Uncle Jim and his "serious ladder golf face" . Not too bad for a man who conducted the science experiment of pulling a hamstring!!!! (Note to all 50 year old men should not do splits and skim board.)

Evie with her usual face...
eating her usual dose of sand. I'm not sure how much sand she consumed this summer.

Pap taking the girls out for a swim. Rose became very fearful of jelly fish this year. Finally the last hour she broke down and boggie boarded. She rocked it too!

This year's group... there will be more next year! (click on this one to see it better)

Last week the girls and I had one last summer trip to the beach. This time we were lucky enough to go to Topsail, a favorite place of my mom, Aunts, and Uncles. We spent three rainy days at the beach, but still had a blast. Honestly, it rained each day we were there for at least 4 hours. Then luckily the sky would clear and we would be blessed with a few hours of beach time. Which in turn meant dinner was always later... but, when at the beach you take your beach time slow.

As always I enjoy being with my Aunts and Uncles they are funny, outspoken, and always real. Each year I know I will be exposed to CNN in the background, thus sometimes sparking a debate about a topic that I will be newly informed. (Yet the men in turn were all watching Ellen one morning. This one I still can't figure out. They said it was on for Rose and Lily.....hmmm) I'll also get to be part of boisterous laughter that could break out at any moment. They all are honestly some of the loudest laughers ever. I also know that some fierce games of ladder golf will be played... complete with boisterous laughter, mouth dropping expletives, and gregarious gestures. All of these things I LOVE.

The only picture I didn't get was Mom playing beer pong.... don't get to crazed the cups were filled with water. It was just about the competition.

The kids of the OIB

Just had to add this picture of the kids. Notice Evie even made it into the shot. Jack is holding her. We didn't get Tripp, Tatum, or Ethan in this years shot. Next year......

233 in the OIB

233 in the OIB

Rose ridin some waves.











Lily ridin with the girls.






Pool time after the beach.

Dance party led by "crazy uncle patrick".

This 4th, as with most 4th of Julys, we spent it with my husband's high school buddies and their families. A total of five families spent the week together... consisting of 6 men who have been friends since college, high school, and even younger, 4 babies, 9 children (ages 11 to 3), 4 nursing mothers, one pregnant mom, and a house that held 15 people.

Hmm. You thinking how does that work? ...for the most part well.

Our food was planned flawlessly. Each family was responsible for cooking one evening meal during the week, we had a pizza night, and takeout night. The kids got along great... one mom at the beginning of the week announced that there would be no tattle telling, and that there were plently of other kids to play with if they wanted. This statement prooved to be effective. I can count on my right hand how many kiddy problems we had. So, our week was spent at the beach (even in the rain), at the "hot tubs", playing in the pool out back, going crabbing, and just hanging out with everyone. We even had an ER visit when Sonny Brown broke his collar bone catching a pass. Who knew the sand would be so hard! But, he was such a trooper and had a great time regardless.

I must also mention that we did have story time one evening with Dogpound aka Mr. Rogers reading "Goodnight America". I was moved to tears. Literally.

As expected the boys acted like boys except for the sad and shocking fact that cannon ball alley never officially opened. They won't admit it, but I think they are getting old.

Charleston...

How many times have I wanted to jump in my pick-up "Joey" and drive? White knuckled wearing a cowboyhat listening to Willie...on the road again
On the road again -Just can't wait to get on the road again.The life I love is making music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again.On the road again

So, 10 years ago we were on the road...driving across this fabulous country of ours. We laughed so much and were
Goin' places that I've never been.Seein' things that I may never see again
And I can't wait to get on the road again.

And now a few weeks ago we were able to relive a little of our adventureous side and visit Charleston. It, without overstating this point to much, was wonderful. Jumping into "Big Bluey" heading down the highway and looking for some adventure was awesome. No corn nuts this time, but still excellent conversations about where we are in our lives.

On the road again -Like a band of gypsies we go down the highwayWe're the best of friends.

Insisting that the world keep turning our way

And knowing my sweet friend as long as I have I always think of this line a realize how truly blessed I've been having her in my life. Through all types of adventures...and stories that are never short.
And our way is on the road again.Just can't wait to get on the road again.The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again.On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highwayWe're the best of friends
Insisting that the world keep turning our way

Stac, as always is full of life, and as always pushes me to see life differently. Stopping to talk to potters in the market, talking to farmers at the farmers market, and talking to a shop keeper at a children's store. (lots of talking as you can see) And honestly, just as I was about to give her my "good grief" look her conversation with the shop keeper landed us on the best adventure ever! One that involved dirt roads, spanish moss, and pristine beaches. And as always I'm amazed.
And our wayis on the road again.Just can't wait to get on the road again.The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again.And I can't wait to get on the road again.

We had a great time taking things One Piece at a Time...enjoying a 2 hour meal, taking in a pint at the Irish Pub, sweating to death camping, enjoying quiet beach time, and being life long friends. So, here's to many more adventures...that probably will involved wide eyed little girls watching their mommies kickin it up live one time for my homies....cha ching...schmriken la dochie. Hey, someones gotta teach them to Live Outloud!