Beach Boys

 Funny thing how only six kids this week was like a vacation.

I realized that this was the first time I had braved the beach with the kids by myself. We've had either babies or behavior problems that would be a safety issue prohibiting the beach without at least two adults. I feel like I've arrived!

 Low tide means head for the tide pools.

 Where little hands can find treasures.

 The big girls did some serious exploring.

 What have we here?

 Crabs!

 Never too young to learn about teamwork.

 Lift boys, lift!

 Better.

 Let's go over there.

 Hold on, let me fix the blanket.

 "Mom, look a cross." Heart soars.

 "Wait, we have to pound the nails." Heart swells.

 Love comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes.

These boys melt my heart. 

Grateful for pudgy hands and hearts that know Jesus.

Beach Girls

Would you believe me if I told you this was NOT staged? I was up on the beach watching the kids play in the water and couldn't believe my eyes. Often people ask if they are twins and I swallow hard because I think they are incredibly different.  Sometimes we have to look through another lens to see what someone else sees. Can you tell who is who?

 Definitely sisters.

  There you are, Miss Cora.

 And pretty in pink would be Miss Kloey.

When your sister is your best friend, even for 10 minutes, it's a very good thing.

Especially when you have a contest of "Who will move first?"

 Rarely do they play together like this. It was a joy to watch.

 And the big girl? When she wasn't exploring with the little guys,

or pretending to be annoyed because I was trying to take her picture,

 She was flying down the beach.

Because even big girls know how to have fun.

I Though About It...For A Minute or Two

Last week was Vacation Bible School at our church.

Due to other obligations I wasn't able to participate as an adult helper this year. 

However, I guess I have arrived at a new place because all seven of my at-home-kiddos went to VBS. 

Without me.

Which means, I was home without any kids every morning.

As I walked through the house tidying up the scatter and enjoying the quiet, I admit it.

I had a thought.

The one that ALL homeschool moms have at one time or another.

What would it be like if all my kids went to school?

My house would be clutter free.

There wouldn't be books and toys everywhere.

Nothing on the kitchen table.

Gasp! The floor would stay clean for more than 5 minutes.

All that time for myself.

No constant bickering/negotiating.

No opportunities to learn how to get along.

No teachable moments when messes are made.

No passing along of skills like cooking and cleaning.

No laughter and impromptu shows.

No singing "Clean-up, clean-up, everybody do your share."

Okay.

I'm over it. 

I love my life just the way it is.

Pictures of the Week 7/8-7/14

  The Stack

190 / 365

A little bedside reading.

 Working On Cloning

191 / 365

Be very afraid. I am trying to clone myself...

  Yellow Flowers

192 / 365

Found these on my table today.

  Herb

193 / 365

He came for a visit. He told stories. He sang. He joked. Love him.

 Back In The Saddle

194 / 365

Kloey is riding again. This week she went western.

  Boy Toy Fun

195 / 365

Big brothers come in handy when you are hankering for a ride.

 

Summer Joy

196 / 365

Is there anything more joyful than running on thick green grass through a 

sprinkler when the temperature says hot and your skin feels even hotter?

Boy Toy Fun

Hot this week and when the littles get antsy, 

Erik says, "Come on boys, lets ride."

One.

Two.

Three.

Fun.

Like monster fun.

Har-har-har-har-har-har-har.

Hardy-har-har. Can't you just hear him?

Headlights work. The little boys love their tractor rides.

Until the motorcycle showed up...

Fun On The Fourth

Somebody had the fabulous idea of decorating the limo and entering the 4th of July parade in our small town. Yep, that was me because that is the kind of stuff memories are made of.

The parade crew. I didn't get the memo about dark on the bottom. 

Guess I have my own fashion rules. :)

 During the parade line up I started to worry a little about Micah-do.

Maybe he wasn't feeling well. It took me a bit to figure out that Micah was overwhelmed with the crowd, the parade, and mostly not understanding exactly what was happening. We haven't seen this trauma behavior for a long time.

 Trey was loving every minute of it!

 When two 18 year olds WANT to march in the parade, it's a good day.

 The master minds, limo owners, cutest-grandparents-ever.

 The land of the free.

 The limo with flags flying.

  The little boys hung out the windows....

while the rest of us walked.

 Our very own newest American.

 The head.

 And the bum-per.

 Brothers of epic proportion.

 After Micah disappeared into the dark interior, 

I moved him up to the front seat for some grandmother TLC.

 We had a good time. Can't imagine doing this life without him.

 What a good sport.

 She helped Joshua and made sure he didn't fall out his side of the car.

 Cheers.

 The pop seems to barely be touching the surface.

 Grandma was loving it though. Micah wouldn't even 

give her the time of day for the first two years of his life.

 We got a bunch of hats at the Army Surplus store.

 Cuteness.

 Jaunty.

  Gorgeous.

 Happy.

 I have a penchants for numbers and couldn't believe that our registration # was 23. 

23 is my birthday, my oldest daughter's birthdate, one of my son's birthdate. 

Cool beans.

 After the parade and a wonderful lunch at Grandma's house, 

the little boys didn't want A to leave.

 i"m often asked if these sisters are twins. To me, they are so different.

 Next stop, the annual barbecue at the campground 

followed by a brass band concert and ice cream.

 Having a good time!

 Mr. G. couldn't keep his toes from tapping when the marches started.

 At the end of a very full day, this was the best I could get.

 On the way home, we were blessed with a 

magnificent hole in the clouds that lit up the sky.