"It's Germy!"

We were on our way to Ceylese's house this morning for a play date. Grace and Bonnie were having their usual conversation where Grace makes a noise or sings the tune of a song and Bonnie copies her. It's a real treat for the ears bright and early in the morning. Actually, I don't mind it at all (in fact, I like it), but they are VERY loud.

We were almost to our destination and Grace was going on and on to Bonnie about something very important I'm sure, when all of a sudden she gasped and yelled, "It's germy! It's germy! Listen, Bon! IT'S GERMY!"

I nearly drove off the road. "Don't Stop Believin' " by Journey had been playing on the radio and was about halfway through when she had her revelation.

At least the child recognizes good music when she hears it. If you're a Journey fan, that is. And I'm pretty sure I'm going to have this song in my head for at least the rest of the night!

Together again

Today marked the fourth and final day of Grace's time at camp. It wasn't an overnight camp or anything, but I sure did miss her for the four hours she was gone everyday. I know someone else who is glad to have her home, too...

The kids were supposed to dress up like clowns today, but since I haven't the first clue as to how to accomplish that, Grace settled for her Camp Discover Me t-shirt and a matching bow.

She also just informed me that she'd like to go to camp again. $75 well spent, I'd say!

Church Camp

I always get a little anxiety the night before the "first day" of anything; especially when it involves one of my children.

This week, Grace will be attending camp with her friends, Handley and Avery, and today marked Day #1. Unlike her mother, Grace was not anxious at all. In fact, she was so excited to go that she walked right into her classroom without telling me goodbye. I think the other 2 girls did the same thing to their mommies, too!

I was so glad to see her when it was time to pick her up, and from everything she told me, it sounds like they all had a great day.

Bonnie and I hit up Hobby Lobby after camp drop-off, and the entire trip she kept turning around in her buggy seat to see if Grace was sitting behind her. I don't think she knew what to do with all the one-on-one time with me. Either that or she couldn't believe how quiet it was without Grace around! Maybe a little bit of both...

Playin' in the dirt

This...

is what was dumped in our driveway bright and early Saturday morning.

And this...

is who helped her daddy shovel it into the wheelbarrow and haul it to the backyard.

Grace's Good Samaritan act did not last long, however, because after one heave she declared it entirely too hot to be outside and that she needed to go in and "cool off."

Bonnie, on the other hand, would have given up all the Cheerios in her Snack Trap to go outside and help.

After 1,125 shovel-fulls, all of the dirt is in place in the backyard. We still have quite a bit of work to do in order to get the new bed along the fence finished, but at least the hardest part is behind us. And by "us" I mean Corey.

Grace's 3 year photo shoot

How could I forget to post these?! To see more of Grace's pictures, visit www.atfirstsightphotography.blogspot.com under the heading Miss G Turns Three!

Hilton Head

A few weeks ago, we were fortunate enough to get to go to the beach with our best friends, The Pittmans. Ceylese's in-laws own various time shares throughout the year, and every summer they spend a week in Hilton Head. Actually, the "kids" spend a week in Hilton Head, and Brad and Ceylese were gracious enough to let us tag along with them this year.

You'd think that 4 adults and 4 kids in a 2 bedroom condo would be an absolute disaster. Not this time! I am still in shock by how well everyone, i.e., the kiddos, got along being in such tight quarters, and we had the absolute best time ever.

Since we got there pretty late the first night, we didn't really do much of anything. That, however, is not at all indicative of how the rest of the trip went. We spent the next morning on the beach. Well, Corey and Grace and the Pittmans spent the first morning on the beach. I made the executive decision to wait until we were on the nice, gritty sand to put sun screen on the girls. You know, because it might rub off during the 2 minute walk to the beach.

My mistake.

Immediately after I applied the lotion to Bonnie, she rubbed her eye. Then stuck her hand in the sand. Then rubbed her eye again. The rest of the story is not pretty.

Needless to say we spent the next 2 hours in the condo. I did, however, manage to get this picture of her playing in the sand...pre-sunscreen and pre-meltdown.

After naps we headed back down to the pool, which as it turns out, is where we spent the majority of the week.

We took a little break to play in the yard...

and relax in the hammock.

I think Ceylese and I took 100 pictures just to get this one!

We also rented bikes, which I'm sure was quite a sight to all the locals who saw us riding them. Grace and Bonnie rode in their very own rickshaw towed by none other than Daddy. Brad and Mackenzie rode on some tandem contraption that had a bum handlebar and I carted Blake around in the seat attached to the back of my bike.

What about Ceylese, you may ask? Oh yes. She rode alone. The seat on Blake's and my bike was too tall for her and there was conveniently no way to lower it. I'm pretty sure that was the one and only time her shortness worked to her advantage :-)

We went to a horse park one day...

had more pool time...

and Grace had a LOT more beach time. She sure has come a long way since the beginning of the summer!

We spent some time in Harbor Town where we ate the most delicious seafood, played in the most incredible treehouse I have ever seen, and of course, ate more ice cream.

We had a blast and are so thankful for such great friends!

Happy birthday to me

What a great birthday! We enjoyed a delicious cookout at my parents' house last night and I got to do a little solo shopping today...what more could a 29-again-year-old-girl ask for?

Now getting to work on my 33rd, er, 29th year! Maybe I'll post the Hilton Head pictures some time this year, too...

Happy 4th of July

We enjoyed a great holiday weekend that followed our fantastic week at the beach! As soon as I have a chance to edit all 214 pictures (yikes), I'll post a few...

For now, happy Fourth (5th) of July! :-)