Happy Father's Day

On Father's Day, we let Scott decide what he wanted to do for the day. So, we loaded up his boat and hopped in the car and went to the lake for the day. We went to Brooke and Michael's lot and let the kids swim around for awhile.

My new favorite picture

Scott definitely got his workout that day!

Party in the Hood

Last Saturday, one of our neighbors hosted a Pig Pickin complete with a band and a caterer. The food was great and the music was so much fun. We all had a great time!

This guy was a great blues singer!

I ran another 5k!

Last Saturday, I ran another 5k with the girls from the neighborhood. This was indeed the hardest run so far. It was VERY hot and a VERY hilly course. I had my worst time yet, but was glad that I actually finished it without getting sick or passing out.

More Beach Pictures

Sorry about the delay in adding more pictures from our beach trip the other week. In my haste to pack, I forgot to pack my camera battery charger. I usually just snap pictures left and right, but by the end I really had to pick and choose when to take pictures. Unfortunately, Cooper didn't get the memo. While I was getting ready for dinner, I found out Cooper was busy snapping away and nearly drained my battery.

The last two days of our beach trip, the weather was a little overcast and the kids were getting tired of the beach. I had enough juice to take a few pictures at the beach and out to dinner.

The kids found a nice father that was helping them dig to China.

Cooper was absolutely terrified of this crawfish. As you can see, Caroline had fun with it.

On the last day at the beach, we took the ferry from Southport to the Fort Fisher Aquarium. More pictures to come whenever I get the disposable film developed!

Me and Coop in Athens

Cooper and I are in Athens this weekend visiting two of my best friends, Sally and Jenny. Sally and Tim live in Athens with their cutie-pie daughter, Charlie. Jenny flew in from Ohio and is also visiting her sis, Jody, in Atlanta.

We went to the local children's park this afternoon. It was pretty darn hot, so we didn't stay as long as we would have liked. Usually Cooper is always the youngest child tagging along with the older kids. Today, he has been the big man and is doing nicely playing with Charlie. Caroline has definitely been a good example to him. He has been very gentle with Charlie. Very sweet!

Too cute! They did this on their own.

Charlie is a ham!

Aunt Jenny getting some quality time with the kids.

Cooper loves him some Jack-in-the-Box. It gets him every time!

We completed the night with cheese dip for dinner!

Caroline is heading up to Ohio tomorrow morning to visit Two-Mama and George for the week. Say a little prayer for them to make a safe trip to and from Ohio. This is the longest time and farthest away that she will be away from us. I miss her already!

Day #2

Our 2nd day at the beach started out great! We got out on the beach earlier than usual. The kids had a ball digging and playing in the sand. Later, I taught Caroline how to ride the waves in the ocean. She was not scared at all and didn't mind the salt water and sand. Cooper, on the other hand, had issues. He apparently got chaffed pretty bad in the nether regions. Luckily, it was nap time so we went ahead and went inside to lay down. We caked him with powder, so hopefully he will feel a little better in the morning.

They started dropping sand drippings on each other.

Luckily, Caroline is a good sport when Cooper accidentally drops the sand on her face.

Little Stinker

Caroline in the shade with Daddy.

Look at that sweet, cute smile on Cooper. I could eat him up!

Their silly face picture.

Me and my girl - best buddies!

We had to have a silly face picture, too!

Our serious, normal family look.

Our first day at the Beach!

We arrived at the house in Oak Island, NC late, late Friday night. The owner called on Friday afternoon and said the renters left early and we could come earlier. So, we did a quick packing job and headed there after work on Friday.

Most of their day at the beach consisted of jumping in the waves. Cooper was hesitant at first, but got very brave by the end of the day.

Caroline is such a sweet sister!

Scott got his casting net out and caught a few bait fish. They had fun putting them in their lakes that they made around their sandcastles.

We stayed in for dinner tonight and relaxed. Here is Caroline playing Webkinz with her pug.

Our neighbors had a great fireworks show tonight. Cooper especially LOVED it!

My Baby is Growing up too fast!

Well, today was the last day of school for Caroline, which means she is not my little kindergartener anymore. I am sooo happy for her, but feel a little sad, too. She has grown up so much this year. I guess it just scares me to see her grow up anymore!

We were in a hurry this morning, so I didn't get a picture of her going to school on her last day. This was the best I got!

Today was also Awards Day at school. They split the awards between K-2nd and 3rd-5th. Unfortunately, I was a little late getting there from work and missed most of it. I decided to go at the last minute because I had this feeling that I should be there. I asked her teacher last week if Caroline would be getting any awards because I wanted to make sure I came if she would be getting anything. Her teacher said that she didn't know of any awards for her and I felt then like she kind of blew me off. Of course, if I was around 17 kids all day I would be a little flustered myself.

This teacher is great with the kids but not very informative with the parents - very frustrating! However, Caroline adores her and has learned a great deal from her this year and I am thankful for her. She actually cried a little last night when she realized she wouldn't see her all summer. Yet, I digress.

So, what do I find out when the Awards ended? Caroline won 4 awards - more than any of the other kids in her class! (Not that I was comparing or anything!) Proud does not even describe it, but pretty ticked that I missed it. She won the 25 mile ribbon for running 25 miles during the school year. Then she won "Improved Fitness", which means that she improved in at least 4 out of 5 fitness scores from the beginning of the year. Next, she won 2nd place in the entire kindergarten classes for the Fire Safety Poster that she drew/colored. (We hadn't heard anything about this!!) Lastly, she was recognized for when her artwork was displayed at the Fall Art Exhibit earlier this year. Did I say that I am ticked that I missed this?

After the awards, the kids went back to the classroom so their teacher can give out the class awards and to watch the class slideshow. Caroline was awarded the "Best Illustrator" for her class. I guess you are catching on that she is our little artist of the family? I have laughed so hard at her stories and drawings that the teacher has sent home recently from what she has done the whole year. I will have to take pictures of them so you can get a chuckle. (Let's just say that Mommy is at LEAST a C cup!)

No more Rats' Nest!

She did it! Caroline has been growing her bangs out all year long. In fact, she didn't want her hair cut at all this entire year. Her longer hair was pretty in the morning after our hour long fight with the brush, but she looked like a rugrat by the end of the day when we picked her up.

On Saturday morning, Scott asked Caroline if we could please get her hair cut shorter. Without flenching, she agreed. Within an hour, we were at the hairdresser cutting off her nappy locks!

TA-DAAAA!

Fun Day @ School!

Well, Caroline's first year at school is coming to an end. I can't believe how fast this school year has flown by! Everyone has commented about how much Caroline has grown since last year. I have been so impressed with all that she has learned.

Today was Caroline's Fun Day at school. I was fortunate enough to take off 1/2 the day to hang out with her and her friends. They had about 25 fun stations that they could go to all throughout the school campus. Ahhh, to be a kid again!

The Sit-Up Station. Not much fun to me!

Obstacle course

Stilt Station

Hot Potato

The best part of the day was the Tug-o-War. Their class made it to the finals, but lost the last game. So cute!

I love my girl!

Sprinkler Fun!

On Saturday evening, I pulled out the sprinkler for the kids in the front yard. They had an absolute blast and could have stayed out there all night long. Luckily, we had popsicles to lure them back inside into the bathtub!





They look like they are up to no good.

Look who had to potty!

It was a good day!

On Saturday, the kids and I drove to Charlotte to meet my friend, Stephanie and her kids, Molly & Liza, for the day. We met for a quick lunch and went to a great little park in Dilworth. The kids had a great time! Caroline and Molly played great together!

Cooper found someone at the park with a rocket that is pressurized by water and air. He helped bring water to this dad almost the entire time. He squealed with laughter each time it went up. I am thinking this would be something fun to do in our yard this summer. :)