OBX 2013 - Day 2

Every morning, after breakfast, we donned swim suits, loaded up all the gear and took the short walk to the beach.

Thankfully we had some helping hands this year.

Like our darling surfer girl.


And our little man who has to do everything just like his sissy does.

There was a big storm over night and the current changed bringing in the warmer water.  It was pretty overcast so we were thankful the water wasn't arctic any more.

Camden would not believe that the water was warmer and opted to stay out on dry land.  He got to work building a sand castle.



While Riley played soccer on the sand with Daddy.



Eventually, we were able to convince Camden that the water was not as frigid as the day before.

"I'm coming water!!!"






Meanwhile, Riley was out riding the waves again.

After a bit it started to rain and it was getting chilly down by the water.  We hurried home, took warm showers and ended day 2 snuggled in the big bed watching a show.

OBX 2013 - Day 1

Usually we go OBX and then SML in August one week after the other. This year we went two months early and in reverse. Packing up to leave the lake isn't too sad when you know you're heading for the Outer Banks!

A couple years ago, we learned the hard way to leave early when we head for the beach, so we arrived way before our house was ready. Thankfully it was hot and gloriously sunny so we parked our car at the house, pulled a driveway deck change, and ran for the water.



Hello OBX, we missed you!



The water was FREEZING.  So Riley and Camden would dash into the water, squeal loudly, and then spend time in the sun warming up.


Or eating.


Time to hit the waves!




It was too cold for pretty much everybody, but Riley who insisted on boogie boarding all day.  Thankfully her Daddy was willing to take one for the team.


TG finally pulled her out of the water and she laid out in the sun for a bit.  Hello, 5 going on 16!

Hubs and little man warmed up man style and tossed the football around.


We spent hours on the beach that day because everyone was just so happy to be there!

Fun Pajamas

Almost every time we go to visit Gigi, Papa and Lolo there are new pj's and other fun things waiting for Riley and Camden on their beds.

 My kids love pj's! Especially the super cute ones that Gigi gets them. After bath time they put on a show in their new duds.

SUPERMAN!


Our little diva proclaimed these, "Just too, too fancy!"


Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!


Thanks for making sure they can sleep in style Gigi!

SML 2013

For the third summer in a row we went back to Smith Mountain Lake for a group family vacation.

We didn't waste our time getting into summer relaxation mode!  We were packed and on the way to the lake as soon as school was out. Upon arrival we quickly donned swimsuits and headed down to the little beach area on our favorite rental property.

The water was a little colder in June, but we still enjoyed swimming around the cove. This year 5 of the 6 kids were old enough to swim with floaties!   Under close supervision of an adult enjoying float time of their own, of course.



The property has a super long driveway, perfect for down hill races.  There's plenty of room for chalk drawing too.  Hubs graciously took requests from the gaggle of little girls.




Speaking of little girls. Here's 4 of the 5 cutie pies ready for a golf cart ride to the marina.

No tie-dye tees this year, but we did manage to get a pretty cute family pic.

And one of my babies being silly.


The lovely marina staff gave all of the kids popcorn to feed to the carp that hang out by the dock.

Little man was more interested in eating the popcorn himself, so his was gone in double time.

There is an awesome fire pit area in the backyard perfect for roasting marshmallows and making s'mores.


Somone had more than his fair share of the tasty treats.

After a day of rain we were so relieved to see the sun shining on our last day!  This was our second year renting a boat from the marina that's just around the corner from our house.  

Sassy is an old boating pro.  She loves nothing more than to be out on the water with the wind in her hair.


We swung around to the section of lake by the dam.  It's got a perfect area for circling and tubing.  Almost everyone on board took a turn this year!  Even me, though I insisted on slow speed.  My kids on the other hand were shouting for us to go "Faster and faster!".

The view from our corner of the lake is amazing.   I know they aren't quite the Rocky Mountains, but Smith Mountain isn't too shabby.

After we took the rest of the crew back to the house for lunch, our little family went back out in search of the emerald green water we had seen on a golf cart ride a few nights before. It was beautiful!  Sadly the photo doesn't really capture how green it was. It was also FREEZING in there, but the kids and I braved the temps for a swim.


Even though I'm excited for all the fall fun and the holidays, just looking at these photos makes me wish it was summer again already.


By this point the sun was behind the clouds and we were all a little chilly so we slowly made our way back to the marina.


We are so thankful for the chance to get away and enjoy time with our friends on this beautiful lake. Until next summer SML!

First Day of School!

My baby turned big boy had his first day of preschool today.



Oh man, looking at this picture now I just realized I sent my poor son to school with Hello Kitty tattoos on his forearms.  Hopefully he won't hold that against me some day.

But, my goodness, how did he grow so big? (He would tell you it's because he eats his vegetables, all lies, unless you count chicken nuggets as a vegetable.)  I just want to scoop up every inch of his gangly self, force him into a swaddle and rock him quietly in his room again.  Knowing Camden and his love for all things Mommy, he would probably enjoy that.

It's taken Camden a little bit longer to get used to being away from me than Riley did, but over the last two months he slowly became excited about school.  I think watching Riley go to school each day played a large part in that.  All day today at random moments he cheered, "First day of school! First day of school!".  He was a little more tentative as we made our way through the crowd to the door, but he gave me a confident "Goodbye Mom!" and sweet kiss before he walked in.



I was fine all day, probably because it was insanely busy here with all the kids. I was okay as we loaded up to take him to school and as I walked him up to the classroom door with flowers for his teacher. I bounced back to the car and then made the mistake of looking at the picture I snapped of him on my cell phone to send to the family.  Something about those big backpacks on such small people always gets me.  Mostly happy tears for the beginning of a fun and exciting time in his life, but yes some sad tears for this last-first milestone I'll ever celebrate with my children.

I was early to pick him up, and I enjoyed watching him play on the playground with some new friends. When he saw me I was rewarded with a loud, "MOMMY!" and very big hug around my knees.   He couldn't wait to show me the picture frame he made and ask me if we were still going to "Sweet Frogs".  Watching him devour his brownie batter (all me) yogurt with gummy frogs and marshmallow toppings (all TG) was the perfect way to end the special day.

Dear Camden,
You are the smartest, sweetest, funniest little man I have ever known.  We all love you dearly and enjoy everything about you - from your hilarious one liners to your rough and tumble nature.  We can't wait to watch you grow and see all you learn this year.  I love you to the moon, and back again.
 

Today Is Your Day

Riley started Kindergarten today.

It hardly seems real that my first born is old enough for school. I'm not ready yet.

Riley on the other hand has been ready for a long time. I think she was as young as 2 when she started asking about Kindergarten and when she would be old enough to go. I'm sure for her the last three years at home have seemed like an eternity.

But for me, it will never have been long enough. It's like that cliche Semisonic song says, "every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end". This very exciting beginning of her school years marks the official end of the beginning of her life, as my baby, in the cocoon of our home and my care. From here on out the majority of her days will be spent in the care and tutelage of her teachers each year. After five and a half years of teaching her lessons ranging from compassion to her alphabet all I can do now is supplement her learning, encourage her spirit and pray for her.

To my sweet Riley,
I pray that you love school and learn more each year about just how wonderful you are and all the amazing things you can accomplish in this world.

You got what it takes to win,
Today is your day to begin.


Part of the fun is the climb,
You just gotta make up your mind.


That today is your day,
And nothing can stand in your way.


I love you forever and ever.