Holden Beach 2012

Ever since our kids have started leaving the nest, John has dreamed of having them all under the same roof for a week at the beach. The beginning of July brought about fulfillment (almost), of his dream. We were able to rent a good friend's ocean front beach house, which, wonder of wonders, has plenty of room for all of our crew. (The house actually was perfect for our family) The first day was spent with just the little ones, Daniel and us.

John's favorite thing to do is to  sit on the porch with his morning coffee and look at the ocean

Elijah joined him with his "coffee milk".

The first day the weather wasn't very bright, but that didn't stop our ocean lovers!

The first of many trips to the ocean

Once on the beach they wasted no time.

They both loved the ocean. Even Elijah showed no fear.

The neat thing about this part of the beach is that it is at the end of the island. Every day we walked to a sandbar that appeared at low tide. On the way there you could look down and pick up hermit crabs. I've never seen hermit crabs out in the wild before. It was a neat experience even for me!

Waving to Mom from the sand bar

This was one of the fun things we did while at the beach. (More to come in later posts)

Earlier I said John "almost" got his dream. Over the course of the week, we saw all of our kids, but we didn't have everyone all together at once. But, with life as it is today, we'll take that concession. We know we are blessed to have them all there at all.

It won't last long

Elijah is at a stage right now that I wish would last a long time. But, I know from previous experience, it doesn't last forever. This stage is the "Mom's the Best", stage.

 He expressed this ever so emphatically the other day. John was teasing me and Elijah forcefully chimed in with both barrels---

"You better leave my Mommy alone, she's the Queen of God!!

Now for any of my friends or family who may worry that I'm about to deem myself worthy of worship, never you fear. I'm very well aware that before long, Elijah will definitely realize the inaccuracy of his statement.  In fact I think that my halo is already starting to tarnish a little. Yesterday, my former little admirer told his "Queen of God" that she needed a nap. (A fact that was probably very true). When I asked him why he said I needed some sleep, he replied, "Because you're being very whiny!"

So my days of being the object of complete adoration by my little boy are numbered,(insert heavy sigh). I suppose that is how it's supposed to be. But, it is quite amusing while it lasts!

Swim Team Banquet-June 26, 2012

The culminating event of summer league swimming is the banquet. We gather together, close to 300 people, and celebrate the swimmers' achievements.

Abbey loved her trophy

This year was extra fun, as Abbey's good friends, Kylie and Darcy, joined our team.

Head Coach, John, describing Daniel's swimming, before he gave him the team high point trophy

Elijah wasn't overly impressed with the whole shindig. He's laying in his Daddy's lap, trying to amuse himself.

I've been the team coordinator for the past two years, so this was a huge undertaking for me. I certainly breathed a sigh of relief when it was over!  Even so, it makes me sad to see it end!

Our Tuesday night ritual

For the past twenty years, if anyone wanted to talk with us on a Tuesday night during the summer, they would have to head down to our neighborhood pool, or another pool in the TSA summer swim league. We have a long standing tradition that the third night of the week is reserved for swimming. This year was no different. As in years past, it is a family affair for us.

The boys coached:

Pre-meet pep talk

At home meets, Daniel did his customary "belly flop", to rally the troops.

Abbey swam

and played with friends.

Daniel swam his last season.

Being recognized before his last individual home swim

He broke several more records to leave as his legacy.

And Elijah became very good at entertaining himself.

Our team was very successful this year. They won 3, lost 1, tied 1 and forfeited one.  We celebrated with an awards banquet that I'll post about later.

It's immensely sad to know that Daniel will not be joining us on our Tuesday night ritual next summer. Unless, maybe he returns to coach! At least, Abbey and Elijah will ensure that I will be able to continue my Tuesday night summer obsession!

Backtracking...The fourth of July

This year we had a little glitch regarding our usual plans for the fourth. Our summer league team had a swim meet on the 3rd. Because I'm the coordinator of our team,  I had no option. I had to be at the meets. John and Daniel were coaches and Abbey was on the team. So, our usual 3rd outing with friends to a fireworks display was out of the question.

The morning of the 4th, we went to the kiddie carnival at our pool. 

They played the games

But make no mistake, the highlight was the candy they got as prizes!

For lunch we ate at the pool. Then enjoyed the annual pool games; diving for airheads (more candy, thus more happy D kids), big splash, belly flop and greasy watermelon race (won by our own Daniel).
It always is such a fun day!

We topped it off with frozen yogurt and a trip to the new fireworks venue downtown. We coaxed our friends, the M family to join us. Daniel even took time from his social engagements to spend time with us!

Kylie, Abbey and Darcy

We watched several street performances:

fire juggling

karate

That part of the night was great! But the reason we went downtown was a supreme disappointment!

The fireworks were so low in the sky, we couldn't see them. The ones we could see were partially blocked by the buildings.

Elijah, like all of us, isn't impressed by the no-show fireworks.

We still had a wonderful day. Spending time together, eating and laughing, yes it was a great fourth, even minus our usual fireworks display!

A New York pasttime

"Wanna play one of my favorite games?" Beth asked me while we waited for the subway to get to our station, during my recent visit.

"Sure!" I said, after all, I love games. I was totally unprepared for what her little game would entail.

"Spot the Rat." She declared and then watched to gleefully take in my reaction to her disgusting pastime.

 "Huh?? What do you mean?" She then explained that she had made up a little game and had played with her visiting friends. They would look along the subway tracks and try to find a rat. Hmmmm, ok, I began to look for a little mouse, thinking that I'd never be able to see one among the darkness of the track.

No joking, in less that 5 seconds Beth gleefully exclaimed, "There, look eating that apple."

Oh, my goodness! There was indeed a rat. Not a cute little mousey, mouse. I'm talking a big hunk-a, hunk-a rat! I looked around, and was amazed to discover that no one else was the least little bit fazed by the mutant Mickey trying to consume a bright green apple. He then gave up and began to run away.

I'm sure the crazy southern lady snapping a picture of a subway mascot probably piqued more interest than the big rodent did. But, in typical New York style, no one gave me a second glance.

Well, I always have said that my children teach me new lessons, and that day was no exception!

Rocko's Message

Anna and Jamie's  dog, Rocko, has an announcement....

Yup! I'm going to be a Mimi and John is going to be a Papa!

We've known for several weeks, but couldn't say anything. We are both very excited and can't wait to February when we get to meet this new little gift from God!

Rocko, on the other hand...

Doesn't seem to excited about his big news. (Or maybe it's just that he's not wild about wearing a shirt when it's a million degrees outside?)