WAY BEYOND THE SKY...

Today is Christina's 40th birthday.
I don't know what else to say except I really, really miss her.

Happy Birthday Tina

amy climie, me and christina at a pushpin show in 199?

VISITING THE S.C. FOLKS

I'm ashamed to say that we finally got together with the South Carolina folks and delivered the Christmas presents (or at least the ones I could still find). We had a great time and I'm thankful everyone was healthy enough to make the trip. :)

GUESS WHAT I FOUND?

Yep. The Cumberland Island photos. They were right there in my blog folder. Re-sized and everything. Just waiting on me. Further proof of my congenital affliction: If It Was A Snake It Would Have Bit Me Disease. Now for the pics...

A seagull on the way over... And an armadillo when we got there...
Kids and horses. You can see the horses past Tiff in the marsh.
Looks like I'm missing a kid...

Oh. There he is. Want to know what is in that snazzy blue backpack?

It seemed we had a problem with the guys sitting around and the girls doing all the work. Tiff, Carolyn, and I would be busy packing and unpacking while the guys watched TV. I would turn it off and give them the everyone needs to pitch in speech. They would do something meaningless and go wait by the elevator while we continued to pack. Or chase each other and pretend like they didn't start it and had no part in it when I started in on the how old are you? what should a ____ year-old be doing to help? speech.

Sully took the hint and decided he would help out. He packed for a nail emergency!? I praised him because I was just so thankful that his idea of helping wasn't turning up the TV so he could hear over the girls.

big tree. really big tree.

After a really long boardwalk, we made it to the sand...

and then to the beach...

The kids had a great time and want to go back with Bob.
I think that is a great idea. He can give the don't pick apart the ruins speech or the these trees are really old and I don't care that that kid's parents are letting him do that speech. Good times. :)

SUPER SATURDAY

Sully had his first t-ball game today and it was so much fun. He scored two runs! More importantly, the first run of the season for his team. He's all about being first because he so seldom truly is. He follows Harrison in everything, but today it was his turn to play and Harrison's turn to be in the bleachers...

he swings...

he runs... he plays in the dirt, but he's not the only one
(he's #3)

Sully's turn to shine didn't last long and we were off to Harrison's event. Harrison had the district Pinewood Derby race today. His car didn't perform well in speed, but he won the Scout Choice award for car design. And got a massive trophy...

Way to go, boys!!!

And last, but not least (drum roll please)

My March Madness bracket is in first!! So I only have a sweet 15, but who cares... I'm going to trash-talk while I can!

Hope you had a super Saturday, too. Suckas!

"DOES IT HAVE BACON?"

The kids and I earned money by selling things at consignment sales and craigslist so that we could take a trip over President's Day weekend. It's rare that all three school systems have the same days off and we had to take advantage of it. So when I told Harrison that I had booked the room and we were definitely going he shouted, "Yes! Does it have bacon?!" Well, it had bacon and so much more. Now for the trip...

Sully's third favorite topic of conversation, after his age and his imaginary friend, is his strength. We sent him after a roll of toilet paper and a roll of paper towels. He had to show us how strong he is and pack a little extra... They were all really excited to get to the hotel... Can you tell?
I was really excited, too. I almost had to tie one of them to the roof rack for "Are we there yet?" violations.

Our first outing was to the Okefenokee Swamp.
We saw a film...

And laughed at Harrison when he kept waving at this man and wondering why he wouldn't speak...

That is a gator on the bank.

They didn't believe that it was real because it was so still. They are not used to anything being still...

This is Rob. Rob welcomed questions. I loved having another adult to answer questions. I almost kidnapped Rob. Rob was the answer to my prayer for restful ears. And he showed us that swamp water looks like tea...

We saw lots of wild life other than what was in our boat.

Rob parked us on a pile of peat moss so we could enjoy the quiet, sloshy swamp. I wish you could have seen the confused faces... "Who enjoys quiet?" It was totally lost on the kids. But I love swamps... almost as much as chocolate, running over take-out containers, and John Favreau. But Rob let the kids use a paddle to release methane gas and that was not lost on the kids...
"Who doesn't enjoy releasing gas?"

Have I mentioned Rob answered questions and even welcomed them? He let the kids name the alligators, too. I wonder how Bumpy and Snappy are doing?

Ok- We went to Cumberland Island and Jekyll Island and St. Simon's Island, but I can't find the pictures. I'll get back to you on those...

We stopped in Savannah on the way home. Here is Troy trying to befriend a pigeon... probably to ask it how much longer until we are home. (yes- he is the biggest "Are We There Yet?" violator.... not cut out for road trips.)

Our stay was short, but got to see the cool stuff: Old houses, Ships,

and candy!!

the kids had a little dessert...

posed for a few pictures...

and we headed home.

They said it was fun. I really don't remember. I left with five children and made it home with five children. now if I could just find those Cumberland Island pictures...

And about the bacon: the nice folks at Embassy Suites lost some money on us. Wouldn't be surprised if bacon isn't part of the free breakfast bar any longer...

MOMMY MUFFIN MORNING

yes, he's pointing at me.
yes, he loves me.
yes, I'm getting all he's growing up way too fast now...

sully can push you to your breaking point (as can most kids) and then be the most delightful thing imaginable the next day... or after a good nap. tonight we went for a walk after dinner. we did the usual one mile loop. about 3/4 of the way, he grabbed my hand and just walked beside me. didn't race harrison, didn't ask for anything, just wanted to hold my hand. then a he insisted we catch up with bob. he reached up and grabbed bob's hand, too. it was so sweet.

I thank God everyday for sully and the joy he brings. I question my ability to parent daily, but some little something happens that makes me realize I must be doing something right...

I love that boy!

PONDERING PRIMATES...

Harrison: "I wonder why monkeys are so helpful."

Me: "Helpful monkeys? What do you mean?"

Harrison: "I guess it is because they have hands like us."

Me (Still wondering where he is going with this): "You could be right."

Harrison: "I bet penguins could use monkeys. They don't have hands."


wouldn't have guessed that was where he was going...

THE GREAT NOSE DEBATE OF '09

Stick? Or Celery?
I have never noticed how creepy the whole
"two eyes made out of coal" thing really is...

FINGERS CROSSED!

for a snow day...