Rope Swing

We spent our last day of the lake relaxing as much as possible.  And by relaxing I mean us having as much fun and adventure as possible.  We had lunch at Tiki Hut and then found a good spot to swim for a little while.  After Hudson had another meltdown we decided to ride around so he could take a nap.  That's when we found the rope swings.  Robby gave it a try first and after watching from the boat Handley kept saying, "That really looks fun!"  I thought there was no way she could do it safely, but turns out there was a lower spot she could try from so as soon as she got the go-ahead she dove right in and swam over for her turn.  She loved it and Harper didn't want to be outdone so she decided to try, too.  They both took turns over and over again.  We finally pulled away from that spot, but the begged to go back next time we are at the lake.

Up next Handley decided that she was finally brave enough to give wake-boarding a try.  All week she had been talking about it doing it, but each time she decided she would rather stay safe and do it with Robby instead of trying by herself.  She was nervous, but really wanted to try, so Robby hopped in the water to float with her as she was trying to get up.  She really did great and was almost up after her first two tries.  She'll tell you she got up for 2 seconds before falling. Then the winds picked up and she said she was too cold, but we were so proud of her for trying.  I couldn't believe my ears when Harper piped up that she wanted to try after Handley.  She only gave it one shot before calling it done, but I have no doubt that both of those girls will be up before the end of the summer if they keep wanting to try.

Starting on Monday Hudson was super cranky and wanted to be held non-stop.  That only got worse on Tuesday and Wednesday and he was having so many meltdowns that I was about at the point of banging my head through a wall.   I made plans to leave first thing on Thursday morning so I could take him to the pediatrician's office before heading to the pool party for Avery's birthday that afternoon.   After a visit to the dr. it remains a mystery.  It's not his ears, not his molars coming in, no sore throat or any of the regular things that might cause little ones discomfort.  He did have an upset stomach for a few days this week so it could have just been a little virus. He seems to be over that part of it now, but he has been so clingy, needy, whiney, and unhappy that I still don't know what is up with him.  I'm not kidding when I say that he pretty much cried for 2 hours this morning.  All from separate instances, but he his having meltdowns over ever.single.thing.  He's also clinging to my leg and begging me to "HOLD YOU" as he likes to say.  I would love nothing more than to sit and hold him all day, but the reality is that I just cant.  I have two other children to feed, help dress, etc. and we had people coming to see the house this morning so I had to clean, put away laundry, make beds, and get us packed and ready for a pool party for another friend of Handley's.  All things that are practically impossible to do while holding an almost two year old.  At the party he got a little happier and did have fun playing some, but had a few meltdowns while we were there, too.  He took a 2.5 hour nap this afternoon, which was nice and when he woke up he seemed in a much better mood.  That didn't last too long though and this evening I was back to wanting to bang my head through a wall.  I'm usually so patient with him, but I am at the end of my rope. He is just so unhappy and so fearful of me not being right with him.  I'm wondering if it's some sort of separation anxiety (which has me even more worried about him starting pre-school in the fall).  Tonight while the girls were playing outside after dinner he just sat in my lap the whole time.  He was happy and looking on at them, but every time I asked him if he wanted to play he quickly told me no.  Then at bedtime he completely freaks because he doesn't want me to put him to bed. I have ended up rocking him the past few nights just to get him to go to sleep.  All of this to say that it has been a trying few days and I just want my sweet happy baby back.  If Monday rolls around and he is still acting like this we will be heading back to the pediatrician (or to a therapist for me).

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Memorial Day weekend at the lake and on the way up with the kids on Friday I stopped with the kids at Cracker Barrel (or Berry Cracker as Handley likes to call it).  I was stopped 3 times by 3 different people to tell me how well-behaved and precious my kids were.  There are few compliments I enjoy hearing more than that.  

Friday night at the lake we had dinner while we waited on the others to arrive and then took a golf cart ride to look for honeysuckles.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday were spent on the boat all day and grilling out at night.  It was cold in the mornings and we were all huddled under blankets wishing for it to get warmer. Those bundles under the blankets are our three kids!

But it warmed up quickly and we spent the afternoons playing on the beach, swimming and building sand castles.

Hudson was not quite himself all weekend and I still haven't put my finger on it, but he just isn't feeling 100% and has been super whiney, clingy and unhappy.  He did have fun on the beaches though and his favorite thing by far was collecting and throwing rocks in the water.  That wore him out and he and Parker got some good naps on the boat.

The boys all wake-boarded and Handley and Harper went with Robby a few times, too.  The queen of the tube was Handley and she keeps asking over and over to do that!

It was a great preview of what our summer weekends at the lake will look like and if this weekend was any indication, we are in for a wonderful summer!  Great friends, sunshine, fun music and food always make for a good time.  One of the favorite memories from the weekend was when we took the kids outside after dinner to play before bedtime.  Somehow that turned into a gymnastics show down complete with headstand contests, cartwheels, and us all laughing until our sides hurt.  Unfortunately, no one had a camera present to document that craziness, but believe me when I said it was entertaining for us all.  :-)

Starting summer off right

This week it finally got hot and allowed us to start our summer off right.  We tested the neighborhood pool yesterday and although it was a little chilly, it certainly wasn't as cold as I thought it would be.  Hudson wasn't thrilled when I put his puddle jumper float on and screamed "No!" and "Off!" for about five minutes.  I calmly kept telling him that he had to wear it or we had to go home and he eventually got over it.  Today when we got to the pool he grabbed it and tried to put it on himself so I guess he is used to it already.  He was also having a blast jumping off the side and even floating a little on his own.  Handley is an old pro in the water and Harper needs a little refreshing, but more for her confidence than her skills.

Earlier today we also had Harper's last gymnastics class.  We got to come out on the floor to see what she was doing up close and she was so proud to show off her stuff.  She's really talented at gymnastics and loves it!

Tonight we fought the heat and went to the food trucks again. It was SO hot and had us all wishing we had just gone back to the pool this evening, but we still had fun.  This week we stayed late enough to hear the live music and then we made a stop by the fire truck to visit the firefighters that were there for the night.  Hudson loved it most of all and just happened to have on his firetruck outfit!

Little Critter

So if today's events didn't actually happen to me I don't know that I'd believe them.  This morning we woke up to rain and thunder storms so we decided it was the perfect morning to just stay in our PJ's and relax.  Late morning I had just finally gone upstairs to get everyone dressed when we got a call from our agent asking if we were home because someone wanted to see the house.  No problem, I thought.  Then she said they wanted to see it now...like they are in our neighborhood and about to pull in front of our house right now.   I told her we could be out of the house in 5 minutes and then it was a mad dash to put away toys, grab everyones shoes and head out to the garage.  We got everyone in the car and then I ran back inside to grab something and as I walked back into the garage I looked up and saw something crawling along the track of the garage door. I screamed for Robby, he caught a glimpse and then whatever it was hopped into one of the coolers that is on a shelf right beside the garage door track.

Thinking as hard as I could about what I saw I thought it possibly looked like a chipmunk.  Since the people that wanted to see our house were waiting in their car for us to leave Robby said our only options were to leave it or bring the cooler in the car with us.  Neither of which I liked, but I certainly wasn't going to put it in my car so we just drove off and left it there!  I prayed it wouldn't hop out when the people looked in the garage.

I needed a few things from the store so we drove to Wal-Mart and just as we were getting out of the car a huge bolt of lightening struck very close to us.  SO, we just decided to sit in the car and wait it out.  We enjoyed some mighty fine "People of Wal-mart" people watching and when the storm didn't let up we just decided to make our way back home.

When we got back the kids and I sat in the car while Robby investigated the coolers and our little critter situation.  Turns out it was still in the cooler and it was, in fact, a chipmunk.

I told him to take it FAR away to let it go.  We waited out the storm and then loaded up in the truck for the release.  We drove to a little stream that is nearby and Handley was so excited to hop out and help while the rest of us stayed in the truck.

I like to see wildlife from afar, but it freaks me out a little when I see it in my yard and definitely when it is in my garage camping out in one of our coolers.

After all that excitement we came back home to let Hudson nap and Handley and I went back to Wal-Mart and this time actually got what we needed.  It took forever and I was again reminded why I don't do Wal-Mart on the weekends.

Bryn was coming over for dinner tonight and just about the time she was supposed to arrive we got another call that someone was sitting in front of our house and wanted to see it right then.  What are the odds that would happen twice in one day.  This time we just walked next door to visit with our neighbors while these people looked and after they left we had a fun dinner with Bryn, played catch with the kids and ended the night on a game of hide-and-seek.

Tomorrow is our first official day of summer break so we are all hoping for some sunshine so we can do it up right with the kiddie pool in the backyard.

Kindergarten Graduation!

What a crazy day!  Not only was it the last day of school, but Hudson had his last tumbling class today, Harper had her party, Handley had gymnastics and then they had the end-of-the-year ceremony and Handley's Kindergarten Graduation!  We are so proud of our little graduate!

Gigi was sweet enough to come over and watch Hudson part of the day and then was able to come with us for the ceremony tonight, which was as precious as ever.

Each age group sang several songs.  Tonight at dinner Harper was scarfing down her food so I mentioned to her that she must have been really hungry.  She replied, "No, I just want to eat good so I can sing really good tonight."  Makes sense, right?  She did a great job singing and looked so sweet up on the stage!

The Kindergarten classes signed to "What a Wonderful World" and then dressed in their graduation caps.  Mrs. Cindi called out each person's name to receive their certificates and then they sang, "First Grade, First Grade" to the tune of "New York, New York."

I definitely got teary during the graduation part tonight.  I've been an emotional wreck all day thinking about this being the last day of school.  This pre-school has been a huge part of our lives for the past 4 years and to think that we won't be here next year just makes me so incredibly sad. I want to believe I am making the right decision and I feel like I know in my head that it is (with regards to us moving and the logistics of everything), but in my heart I am feeling uncertain because I am going to miss the teachers, the kids, and the other parents. I can't write anything else about it right now because I know I'll start boo-hooing again, but I am just going to try to enjoy the family fun day put on by the school tomorrow and be thankful for the amazing people who have made such a positive impact on our kids.

Last Day of School

I can't believe today was the last day of school.  I don't think I really had time to process it because this week has been non-stop and we've been so busy every single day.  I am so excited about summer and having all three kids home with me.  However, at the same time I am sad because they have both had such a wonderful school year and amazing teachers so it is hard to think about all that coming to an end.

First day of school and Last day of school comparison pictures!

Harper's end of the year party was this afternoon so I got to spend some one-on-one with her.  After the party we ran a few errands and grabbed lunch quickly before heading back to get Handley.

They both came home with tons of goodies from their teachers, certificates, and all sorts of artwork and school work. Robby and I got a kick out of reading through Handley's writing journal tonight.  She's come such a long way since the beginning of the year and learned SO much! She had an excellent report card, too, so I surprised the girls with a special treat to kick off the summer fun.