Tag and I'm Back

Well, hello there. Didn't expect you to still be there. Hm. Nice to see ya.

It seems there's a bit of 'blog tag' going on that I have fallen into and must now participate of suffer the consequences...whatever they may be. The rules are as follows:

1. Go to the 6th picture folder and pick the 6th picture.
2. Post and wax nostalgic about said picture.
3. Tag some peeps.

So, here goes....

Here stands the family...in the year 2000. Wow. This is before we took on the family size that makes people gasp. Bryanna was 6, Britty was 4 and Ben was almost 1. This was taken in our front yard on Easter morning. Don't we all look snazzily dressed and such....well, Jeff by his own standards, anyway. I especially *heart* that our 1988 Toyota van is in the background. What a beauty...the high schoolers where my husband teaches referred to her lovingly as "The Space Shuttle". She was the most reliable vehicle we have ever owned and had the supernatural ability to heal herself while parked overnight of all kinds of ailments...like squeaky brakes, or rattles, or shakes. The funnest part was watching shows like "The Amazing Race" and seeing her siblings all over third world countries. When we finally had to let her go, she had close to 200,000 miles on her cute little self and only one door was fully functional. We were going to keep her around long enough for Bry to use as her "cool" first car, but didn't have anywhere to store her. Poor Bry.

Here are the people I will now inflict with the tag:

Becky
pFamilyGal
Patience

How To Accessorize

I was in need of a hutch to store all my craft supplies. You know. The ones I never get to use because I'm much too busy and just the thought of pulling it all out makes my toddlers twitch with excitement at the possibility of getting into it all while I'm not looking. So, I checked Craig's List...the next best thing to Ebay and found one that would work. And just look at the cute little accessory that came with it! Jealous are ya?

The Most Wonderful Place on Earth

I was able to meet up with some high school friends at what must be one of the most wonderful places on earth: The Smith Memorial Playground. I have lived within 15 miles of this place and did not even know it existed! How can this be? Do you see all the fun to be had here?





There was so much more....but I was too busy playing to take pictures. The Playground is most famous for its two story high wooden slide that was first built in 1905. When my mom was a little girl growing up in Philly she came to this park and rode the same slide! No! Not in 1905! Sheesh people! Be nice!

Last Fling of Summer

Nutrition 101

Jessica: After I'm done my cookie, can I have dessert?

The Olympics according to Jessica

So, our family was all sitting together watching the Closing Ceremony. The part came where all the athletes were all walking into the 'Bird's Nest' and mugging for the cameras. Jessica sat and stared as they all gave the obligatory peace sign and smiled. After awhile she looked at me and said, "Mom, why do they all like the number two so much?".

On a commercial I asked all the kids what their favorite sports were to watch these past two weeks. I got the answers I thought I would...

Bry: swimming
Britt: gymnastics
Ben: I forget
Jessica: Hide and Seek, Playing Tag and Playing Princess

Bon Appetit!

It takes years to train a palate. It's important to expose your child to many differing tastes and textures. My friend Becky has done this. When her girls were toddlers they would eat things like roast duck and brussel sprouts. My Jessica......not so much:
Disclaimer: No I did not let her eat this.

In and Out

If you enjoy eating,


then it's important to keep in mind the formula of calories taken in versus calories burned in order to maintain your physique. Just ask Jacky....

Heights

Remember a little bit ago we were at the campground? Well, it wasn't all bad. In fact, they had a super fantastico water slide that the big kids LOVED. You remember....where the lifeguard chain smoked while watching my children? Here they are at the top of the staircase waiting their turn--see them waving at me?Here's a better view of what that staircase was like. Um, yea. I don't do heights. But, in the spirit of motherhood and family fun, I tried it. I was pretty sure when the kids came running up behind me grabbing my arm excitedly to tell me about their last ride I was going to plummet to my death by falling between the cracks of the staircase. What? It could happen!And here are their cute little faces when they reached the bottom. And miraculously, no one plummeted.



They also had a cedar lake. My husband, who is from NY, was all "Wha? Why is the water brown?" Apparently, he didn't grow up swimming in cedar lakes like me and was a bit put off...well, I can't really blame him. I didn't even go in. The kids loved it though. Here's a little video of all the big kids racing Dad into the water. They had a blast.

The End. Again.

I found some more pictures on my camera that I forgot to post...you know, proud Mom and all that.

Britton: Breaststroke

Britton: Butterfly

Ben: Breaststroke

The End

Today was the last swim meet of the season for my little swimmers. They did a great job and both girls have qualified for Championships. Here are some fun videos of youngest to oldest (Ben, Britton, Bryanna) doing Butterfly.








Ben freestyle:



Britton backstroke and fly:Bryanna free:

Three For Sunday

I know. I know. It's supposed to be "Five for Friday". Well, life gets busy and this will be more fun. I promise.

So, the husband and I took the big kids to a campground this weekend in South Jersey (Yes, there is a need to differentiate). Let's just say it was a bit, how shall I say this delicately....hick. Here's how I knew:

1. It seemed people had enough money for tattoos, but not teeth.

2. The lifeguard on duty spent most of his time chain smoking...I'm pretty sure that would have been frowned upon by the American Red Cross who gave him his certification.

3. Last, but by no means the least, there was a wedding at this campground...at the banguet hall. We then saw the bride and groom proceed back to their Winnebago with a "Just Married" sign hanging out front. Even the family dog celebrated with a glow in the dark blinking collar.

Because

It's Friday. And Jessica and I are happy about it.

Overheard

In the back seat of the minivan where two toddlers sat:

Jessica: Stop yelling at me, Jacky!

Jack: Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Jessica: Mom, he's yelling at my heart and now its broken.
(Jessica was channeling a little Olivia Newton John by the way.)

Fourth of July

We had a great Fourth. Here are some shots of the kids at the parade.


And of a little someone enjoying his slice of Fourth of July blueberry cake....

Family Vacation: The Surf

While on vacation last week (has it been a week? Sniff. Sniff.), my two oldest girls had the amazing opportunity to attend Hakilua Surf Camp, a ministry of my parent's church (Nags Head Church). Both girls were able to spend three solid hours with one on one instruction and had the best time. And, they both got up to a stand and rode a wave! How cool is that???

Family Vacation: The Beach

There are those among us who enjoy the beach, who can play for hours and explore and jump waves and be happy.




There are also those among us who come to dread the beach. The sand! The sand! Dread to the point dropping to the floor in pain and agony when they see their rash guard coming towards their blonde head. But, their Mom still makes them go.

*Some photos courtesy of Nate Lawrenson*

Sneak Peek

Wow. Just wow. We had an amazing family vacation in the Outer Banks to celebrate my parent's 40th wedding anniversary. I have a ton of pictures to download and edit, but for now, here's a little sneak peek at our fun:

To Hair or not to Hair

My eldest daughter feels neglected. She thinks I don't blog about her enough. As mentioned before, I told her this is a good thing. She doesn't shove M&M's up her nose or rub her hands in her hair while eating ribs, so what's there to blog about? Well, her hair of course!

So, a poll. Which do you like better?

naturally curly:











straightened:









Her father, who passed on the curly hair, votes natural. Duh. I also vote natural, but for selfish reasons that include a half hour of my life being gained back from not having to be the straightener. Hmmm, what to do with that extra half hour? I could hit the spa for a massage! I could meet friends for coffee! I could go para sailing! Or, I know. I could read Sarah Boynton books to little people. Yea, I'll do that last one.

That's what friends are for...

We were driving on our way to a practice of some sort and passed a house that had one of these...all set up and ready to go.
Jessica: Mommy! Can we play there?
Me: Nope, honey. We don't know them.
Jessica: Yes we do!
Me: Oh, we do? What's their name?
Jessica: My Friend.

Musings

I was in the kitchen. Jess was in the next room working with Playdoh. She wanted me to bring her a plastic knife to work with and so yelled:

"I need a life!"

Mommy's Little Carnivore

Happy Father's Day!

I don't think I've ever met anyone else in my life who is more selfless than my dad. When I see men who must have their "toys" and golf days and boats and 'guy time'...it is so foreign. My dad had none of these. My dad's job is one of hard physical labor repairing over head cranes. Last year for the first time, I saw one of these cranes close up and personal. What? You climb on those? You walk around up there? I had no idea how daunting they looked up close. My point? My dad had a physically and mentally stressful job and yet came home expecting nothing like golf days or time to read the paper or time to play the latest video games. He just dove right into whatever we were doing...serving up dinner, changing diapers, getting bathes and pj's done, playing softball catch out back, folding laundry, rocking a fussy baby...all in his work boots. He showed all his children, humbly, without even knowing it what a servant leader looks like. My husband and I have a running joke when he won't drop everything to do my bidding...."I'm not your father." he says. It is true that my dad had been known to run to the store just so we could have sprinkles for our ice cream cones when we ran out, but much more than that. He put his family first and their needs and wants before his own. He still does. He is spending this Father's Day alone because his daughter's well being and support is more important than his special day. That's just like my dad. Happy Father's Day, Dad! We love you!


To the Father of my children:
You are strong.
You are consistent.
You are loving.
You are fiercely loyal.
You are patient beyond measure.
You are a leader.
I love you.

A Request:

For those of you who don't know, my sister Tricia ,who received a double lung transplant a few months ago, is headed back to the hospital for a Pet Scan and a biopsy due to a growth on her lung. She and her husband Nathan attend Nags Head Church in NC and their Pastor (Nate's dad) has issued this request on Nate's blog:


I'm pirating Nathan's blog for a short request since his readership is way more than mine.

A great suggestion was made to his last post about dedicating the hours of 7-10AM EDST tomorrow, Wednesday, June 11 to pray specifically for Tricia's tests and her health. I've asked my church to join in and now am asking you to be a part of a huge breath of prayer ascending to the throne of God on her behalf.

If you can and will find a quiet time during those three hours, please do so. I'm seeing to it that our church will be open for those who want to come here and pray as well, although your location isn't important.

Thanks for all the support you have given thus far. Their journey isn't over and you're needed again.

Rick Lawrenson

It sure is HOT here!