handsful

The “ick” has hit our house, in the form of the flu.  Ethan is hardest hit, and his asthma makes it even worse.  Marley feels worse today than she did yesterday.  Payton dealt with some nausea and a headache today.  Abbey has some achiness, Lainey has had some digestive issues, and Randy and I have had a headache for two days.  We brought this home from NC, after our kids got together with their 12 cousins.  As of tonight (if I’m counting right), 13 of those 17 cousins have the flu.  Amazing :)

Such a perfect Lainey expression.  Sweetness and sneakiness, all in one. 

When I read other families blogs – which I love to do – I tend to go to those that blog consistently.  I love reading their stories, seeing what’s new in their lives.  I try really hard to do that here, but I’ve failed pretty miserably lately!  It isn’t that life hasn’t been bloggable.  Randy says I rate our experiences based on how well it would fit into a story here.  heh heh.  It might be true. 

the little gymnast…she started 3 weeks ago and LOVES it. 

I’ve been so consumed lately with getting our homeschool year started, planning for the co-op class I’m teaching, adding back in the kids weekly activities that were off for the summer, dog-sitting (which means trips back and forth to their house daily)…you get the picture.  I’ve barely had my camera out lately at all.  Next week will be even crazier, as we pack for our trip home to NC. 

So, bare with me as I get back into the swing of things, find my rhythm, and learn to get less sleep.  Just kidding about that last one.  I’m the kind of gal who NEEDS sleep.  In the meantime – another picture of L.  She’s a hilarious “poser” lately.  She twists, jumps, makes the goofiest faces – I click and she’s beside me in a flash, having to see the results of her work. 

Next post – pictures of our resident pre-teens and teen.

…just can’t wait to get on the boat again.  Are you humming the tune, yet?? 

hold on, kids, daddy drives fast. 

The girls in your usual spot at the front of the boat. 

Holding tight to Ms. Lainey.  Too bad I wasn’t quite as careful with my sunglasses.  They’re currently enjoying the bottom of the St. Johns river.  Dang. 

Ready for a swim?  Notice the quirky FOUR pontails she had to have that day. 

Nice and refreshing…

Ethan, in mid-laugh.  Blowing up the tubes, now…

Lainey joins the girls, her first tube ride!

She liked it, but didn’t love it. 

Payton, our creative cartoonist. 

Marley, lover of all creatures great and small. 

Abbey, extroverted leader of anything/anyone that’ll let her. 

Ethan, budding lead guitarist…and wanna be wake boarder.  Here he is practicing. 

and, Lainey…the girl who will try anything once.  And, usually do it again. 

A little knee boarding to round out the afternoon.

And, then we headed home.  Once there, something reminded me that I forgot to put on sunscreen.  Must have been the extreme heat and sensitivity that I was feeling on my back.  Oh well…it was a great day on the river anyway.

What we’ve been up to these last precious days of summer vacation :)

Tired but happy, Abbey LOVED her week at the church and working all 14 clubs that she helped lead!  We are extremely proud of her…last year, we couldn’t have paid her to participate in Power Up Clubs.  The thought scared her to death.  This year, she couldn’t imagine NOT doing it, and it shows how much she has matured both mentally and spiritually.  She can’t wait for next year! 

Power Surge (our end of PUC extravaganza at church) was a huge hit with all the kids, especially Lainey.  She rode down a water slide, had her hair sprayed with red streaks (kinda hard to see), and slurped down a whole BLUE snowcone! 

Ethan takes guitar lessons during the school year at our homeschool co-op on Fridays.  For the summer, our friend Steve came over every Monday night for one-on-one lessons.  EJ absolutely eats and breathes the guitar, and he’s been practicing A LOT.  Steve has mad skills, and Ethan soaked it all in.  He learned so much this summer, we’re so glad that Steve had the time to work with him! 

Speaking of guitar, Abbey is taking a beginner class at co-op this year.  Ethan is trying to give her a jumpstart!

someone’s hair FINALLY grew long enough to squeeze into pig tails!

She’s shoutin’ it from the rooftops :)

No, we didn’t get another dog…we’re dog sitting for our friends so they can spend their last days of summer in the Florida Keys.  Cammie is a cutie, but Jack keeps looking at us like “is she…uh…staying?” 

There is more I could post, but it’s been a llllooonngg day, so I’m closing this post.  Yawn… Happy almost end of summer, ya’ll. 

My husband has an addiction.  The bag was stuffed full.  Using two bags would have been, well, going overboard. 

I bought this for Randy last Christmas and I think he likes it more than anything I’ve ever given him.  Not bad for $14.95.  And today, when we were at a Super Target, and came across a wall full of self-serve Jelly Bellys seperated into individual flavors (cause, let’s be honest, who really likes the licorice and buttered popcorn ones anyway?), he was like a little boy in a candy store.  Well, literally. 

Do you like Jelly Bellys?  What’s your favorite flavor?  Randy loves bubblegum and hot cinnamon.  I’m partial to banana and toasted marshmallow.  We give the popcorn ones to our dog.  :)

For the past few days, we’ve spent our evenings de-weeding our pool area.  And, there’s a reason there’s no before shot.  I would have died of embarrassment.  I mean it was BAD.  We’ve been so busy with summer activities, there’s been no time.  Everytime we had time to do it, it rained. 

Anyway, so after working so hard in the FL heat, we were hot.  Covered in mulch and assorted yard debris.  Basically icky.  So, there was only one thing to do. 

Who needs showers?  For that matter, who needs swimsuits?

Chlorine works about as well as soap, right?

We all thought it was a good idea. 

And, in case you were wondering.  I got in too, though not exactly voluntarily.  My sweet husband felt the need to grab me and jump in with me. 

I think some of the best memories of family are the ones that aren’t planned.  :)

Ethan’s newest passion…fishing in the pond behind our house. 

lots of time in the pool, trying to beat the FL heat.

on your mark…

go!

no fear

maybe we’ll just float around some

all smiles :)

great form, Marles

And, someone is learning to swim these days…