1st Grade!

Sniff, sniff...How in the world has 6 years gone by...All I can say is hold onto those babies, spend as much time with them as you can, don't worry about silly stuff like schedules and spend long days on the beach soaking up family time. Thomas started 1st grade at Ashley River Creative Arts this week. A complete change from what we were planning, we got the call about 2 weeks ago that his number had been called. Because of all the nos in our search for a school for him we had decided to home school him. Thomas and I were really excited to give it a go. The next several weeks at ARCA are a trial basis for us, although if each week is as good as this then I think we are there to stay. The hardest thing is that he is gone from 8-3! They keep them busy though, PE, Music, Drama, Spanish, Library, Lunch, most of them twice a week, recess daily and more! They have about a dozen field trips throughout the year and more!

Boredom...

I feel like we had this rockin' summer, went away to Kanuga came home and it all just stopped. The boys have been bored stiff for 2 weeks now. With Hartley recovering she can't be out in the heat like we were, 100+ here each day before the heat index and I don't want to take her places like Ready Set Jump because of the germs... I am not ready for Thomas to be gone daily from 8-3 but am a little bit relieved that he won't be so bored anymore! I'm having 2nd thoughts about the situation and just trying to give it to God and leave it there. Thomas belongs to our Lord and he knows whats best for him. Today the boys, I mean children and I, went down to the Kapla store in downtown Charleston. We met some friends there from K5 and played with blocks, built some fun things and then got a little candy treat afterward. The store is neat. They want you to come in and play with their blocks but here's the problem, all over the store they have creations that if you breath on them the wrong way they will come tumbling down, hundreds and hundreds of pieces! My guys were actually pretty good and Haryley mainly just sat with me, I was a nervous wreck! We could only do about an hour and had to get out of there, nobody wants it to be your child that ruins a masterpiece! It was so good to get out for a little bit and see our buddies, such a special class that was! The picture of the boys was taken when I went in to check on them. They were in their room for some quiet time, suppose to be on their own beds, pretty sure that was the morning they broke one of my wilow tree status and we had a big old lesson in mommy giving them Grace, actually was a great lesson and it sunk in! Anyway, they were suppose to be on their own beds, I went in to check and they were playing quietly together, what a nice surprise!

We have had a very sick baby. Somehow, somewhere Hartley picked up Salmonella! It started on our trip and then got a lot worse when we got home. Monday night her fever was 105.2 in the ER, Tuesday 104 and then she seemed to get a little better. I'll spare you the details but it's really yucky. I changed 6 diapers today all were g-r-o-s-s. She can play for a few minutes but tires easily and is generally grumpy because she doesn't feel well. No solid food as it tears her tummy up..We go back to the Dr tomorrow for another check. We are so thankful she did as well as she did, salmonella can be so serious!

Kanuga 2011

Crazy traffic on the way up there..7 hours to do a 4 hour trip going 5 mph for nearly an hour and half...
Truth be told the trip nearly didn't happen this year. Thankfully we have a husband & daddy who worked super hard to make car repairs possible and our trip. We love our week at Kanuga and our dear friends. This was our 4th year and we are so thankful! The trip was not with out excitement though, Thomas was stung by a wasp, got his fingers slammed in the door, West had another terrible asthma/croup attack while we were there, Hartley had terrible diareah that resulted in blood and a fever, still going on today.. The blessings outweigh the chaos by a mile though. The children played and played and played, loved camp, stream exploration, playing in the lake, baseball, fun with friends and more. Tommy got 2nd in the road race again this year only being beat by Laura who runs for LSU, had a wonderful time in the staff vs guests softball game, took a nap everyday he was there and enjoyed time with his family. We can't wait for next year!

Strep, SI, and sink baths!

Strep, Sullivan's Island and a sink bath. All S's...Thomas came down with strep on Saturday out of no where. He was really really sick, vomiting, laying around all day, high fever, miserable. We started ABX and then he got better, sweet Westy came down with it today, same symptoms as Thomas, started ABX and he's on the mend also. So glad this has happened this week and not next!
We've continued our Tuesday tradition of Sullivan's Island yesterday. We go there at 1 and left at 5:30, it was a long fun, and beautiful day out there! Off to Moes for Kids night and then by Darrin's house on the way home for a few minutes.
My sweet Hartley had her first sink bath tonight and she loved it! I let her play while I cleaned up the mess from dinner. For the first time ever she pulled to standing! I quickly sat her down...she is my latest to do things like this. Thomas was pulling up at 7 months and baby girl will be 10 months on Saturday! Happy just to crawl around, no pulling or cruising yet, which by the way, I am totally fine with:)
Westy had a bad fall in Stride Rite this week, strep and a goose egg, not fun for him! Thomas and West will come in Hartley's room while I am getting her down to sleep. The rule is that they have to lay on her rug and not make any noise. After a long fun day of the beach and friends they both fell asleep at my feet last night, such a precious site!

Swimming success!

Swimming success yet again with Mrs. Viv. It is amazing what she can do in 5 days, just 30 minutes. Although West was swimming like this last year he hadn't been in a pool since last summer and early this summer fell in. He was truly frightened and poor thing was so anxiety ridden before hand it almost made me cancel. So glad I stuck it out! Thomas on the other hand is now what I would consider 100% water safe. My goal for him was to learn how to tread which he did successfully! Enjoy the videos and pictures.