Beach Day!

I do indeed have a blessed life!

PS It isn't that we like Marie more and so she gets a life jacket. She was going out into the waves with Jim and Momma needed the security of the life jacket. Ty never ventured out that far!

Summer Day

Our front yard is well known in our neighborhood. I hope it is amusedly tolerated and not "oh those people with all the kid stuff in their yard." Because, there is a lot of stuff. The mini-rollercoaster, the slide, play sink are standards and then throw in the variety of child transport modules and it can get a bit much. But it is truly, truly fun. (And we always put the Slip n Slide away). Yesterday, Marie was enamored with the new bubble wands and spent a good half hour testing those out. Then she moved on to the stomp rocket. Always good. No rockets were lost in her work yesterday either, although one landed on the roof initially then slid down.

Ty, he is into the car. The car battery would last a lot longer if he would stick to the driveway. But, no, that isn't fun. So onto the grass he goes and then the car slows w-a-y down as it is not four-wheel drive. Yesterday he figured out how to 'neutral slam' it. He drives in forward gear and, without stopping, hits the switch to change it to reverse. Very fun when your sister is sitting on the back.

Ty taking a "short cut."

Then, there's water play. At the end of the slide, we have put a winter sled and filled it with water. No need for a swimming pool! Just slide down into the sled and you still get the splash! But if you do need your own swimming pool, just climb into the water play tub.

So, yes, people may prefer hastas and daisies to my romper-room motif but they will just have to put up with this look for the time being!

A little piece of the action:

Now She's Mad

It makes more sense if you know that Marie switches her d's and b's, switch them and you may be able to read her public service announcement.

Cars go fast down our road. I know, every parent feels that the cars go too fast down their road but in our neighborhood, ours is the only street that is not curvy and hilly. So when people get onto the Hillside Dr Straightway, they let it rip. They usually see the kids out and then slow down - after they have gone by! Both Ty and the neighbor boy who is two have gotten out into that road before a parent could nab 'em. It is a worry. So, yesterday, after what felt like the 100th car (probably was the third), I said, "That does it. I am making a sign." I did and Marie decided she wanted to as well. Mine is still sitting in the garage. I thought I would give hers a chance to work first. It is on the mailbox and I worried briefly if the postal carrier would take it personally. Then I remembered that he clocked at least 40 last time he flew through and decided I don't care if he does.

Just a Really Good Time...

We had an amazing but way too short time! I vowed, halfheartedly, to never leave the cabin and thanks to the rain and Ty's upset stomach, that came true. But rocking on the deck, overlooking the hills was not a bad way to spend a few days. The girls played Barbies, made crafts, did rocket balloons, a water balloon "fight" and just ran around together. The older kids played games, relaxed and taught the little ones the elements of "coolness." The adults ate waaay too much and just relaxed in each others' good company. Wish the miles were less and the visits more frequent!

Dress Up Night

We wanted to take a "Big Picture" of the girls. Much to-do was made about dresses, curls, lip gloss and hair beads. All the little ones were in an excited quiver about the fun of dressing up for the Big Picture. Primping and beading occurred and then they waited...

Finally, it was High Fashion Photo Time! The girls were in giggles because their loving brothers were making the silliest faces that only boys can do.


Then, Group Hug!

But, sadly, one little one felt awfully left out. Everyone else who was little got to dress up, why not him? So, we let him play along too. He even got a bead in his hair.
However, even though you can put the boy in dress up clothes but you can't make him be fancy at heart!

How They Spent Their Time...

Swimming in the "hot tub"


Shrinky-Dinkying and other crafts...



Bonding with each other...


Frequently Choo-chooing...


And Just Hanging Out Together!

The Players...

The often serious and elusive Ava B...queen of the dress up clothes. She will wear her hair short, Momma, and smile when she wishes! Adorable Princess!

Athletic Annalee...Queen of the Little Sisters of Atlanta. Everyone's Best Bud

Gorgeous Gracie...The Disney Princess and Queen of the Barbies. Marie was jealous of her fancy car seat the entire trip home.


Wisconsin Ava...The Other "Not a Little Sister" along with Marie. She and Marie learned some super cool moves from the older kids this week.


Marie...coming out of her shell and truly loving every second of it!

And Ty...always into something!

On Our Way...

We took off right after the 4th for a China Sisters Reunion. Again, a few families gathered together in Gatlinburg, renting a big lodge home in the Smokies. We drove down on the 5th and, needless to say, there were moments when it felt like it was a loooong ways away. But, all in all, the kids were great and enjoyed the I-pad just a bit. And sunglasses.







But the view and company were oh so worth the drive!

Revival

Marie went to Vacation Bible School. They had good tunes.