Kahdalea

Our youngest attended her first ever summer camp where she would be gone for two weeks!  It's a Catholic/Christian based camp in Brevard, NC.

Her cabin was high on a hill up these steps.  While it may not look tough, that climb to just drop her off made my calves burn for three days!

Inside the cabin with her group.  Her friends were from Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana, with very few from SC.  Her counselor was from France.

This is the dining hall.  It's definitely black bear country because we saw a momma bear and her cub on the way here.

Her cabin mates and counselors on church day.

 Some evenings were spent around the campfire (when it wasn't raining).

Meals and snacks were healthy, but they did get burgers on Saturdays!  That was her favorite!

The campers can sign up for whatever activities they want..hiking, backpack camping, horseback riding, archery, canoeing, sports, theatre, pottery/crafts, etc.  Here's a pic before one of their hikes.

The closing of each day was spent in reflection and comradery.  

One of the nights they spent watching the sunset.  No phones, no computers, just peace and a guitar, like the Sound of Music.

6th Grade Awards

The end of school awards are always an exciting time in our house.  We're a pretty competitive group. 😁

She was called on stage for awards, certificates, special honors, and medals. Below was one of her favorite projects displayed in the hallway.  

She then wanted an individual pic with her bestie...

her favorite teacher (GT - Social Studies) Mrs. Howell...

 and her Science teacher Ms. McCombs.

The award display... All A's, Mathcounts (state-wide math competition), Book Club, and "Most Intellectually Curious" in the Gifted and Talented program.

GT Trip - Disney & NASA

The last two days of her school field trip were just as jam packed.  We spent one full day at Disney (Magic Kingdom).  The friend with her had never been, so that made it extra fun!  

We rode most rides just once, but some were worth the long lines to ride a second time.

The Christmas store in the center of the park had Santa's sleigh on display.  She couldn't resist.

On our final day, we headed to NASA's Kennedy Space Center.  I could have spent two full days here.  

There was so much to see, but so little time.  I think we'll have to come back.

My favorite part of NASA was their Atlantis building.  It's named after one of their 5 shuttles in the program.

What I didn't realize is that the building was named that because they had the ACTUAL space shuttle kept inside!!  OMG!!!  Why did I not know this!!!  

I was completely in awe of this flying marvel.  It flew 33 successful missions, and that 33rd was the final for the entire shuttle program.  Just look at these rocket boosters up close!

There were mock cockpits with all the specific switches, gauges, and buttons in the same locations to make it as identical as possible.  The little one looks good in there!

But the best part was another hidden gem I wasn't expecting...a flight simulation of take off!  It was so real!  Way better than any ride I've been on at Disney, Epcot, or anywhere.  Photography was not allowed or I would have taken a ton of pics.  I have GOT to go back!

GT Trip - St. Augustine

Our little one took a field trip with her GT class (Gifted & Talented) to Florida.  After looking at the itinerary at the beginning of the school year, I wanted to go, too!  Bus left sharp at 5am...

Once we arrived in St. Augustine, our nation's oldest city, our first stop was their museum.

Although it was perfect for those a bit younger, we had fun with the exhibits.

Next, the trip included a boat and trolley tour.



The original town square was a Spanish settlement with some cool history.

They have gorgeous city streets like this one at Magnolia Avenue.

And a picturesque lighthouse to guide ships to port. There is an ocean current that leads straight to Europe from here.  That current is so strong that it cuts about two weeks off a sailor's time when using it.

After all that sitting, we needed to stretch our legs and walk around a bit.  For some reason my little one loves these statues.

There were ice cream shops everywhere!  The temptation was just too much.

While waiting for our "ghost tour", we strolled a bit around the fort.  

The next morning, we took a guided tour of Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the United States.  It's made of crushed seashells, or coquina, and was like a sponge that absorbed attacks.  It protected the town from pirate and British invasions.

That ocean current mentioned earlier proved a risk for many sea-goers, as pirates often patrolled those waters knowing that merchants would want to travel the shortest path possible.

There are some fun boat activities here that bring this history to life, including birthday  parties for kids or a rum party for adults.  I would have loved to bring my son here when he was 7!

And oh, I can't forget the old jail house in town.  I found my daughter lined up with the "chain gang".

But the sheriff caught up with her!

24th Anniversary

My mom and Mike had an unexpected opportunity to see us this past weekend, and we were so excited about their visit!

We took them to the park after church where we planned a kolache picnic.  

But the kids and Eric had a special surprise waiting...

We've had a standing joke for 25 years that his marriage proposal was the absolute worst!  Every chance I could, I reminded him of this.  I guess he'd finally had enough and found a way to redeem himself.

Ashlyn, our first child, showed up carrying two roses.

Then our second child, our only son, brought me two more.

It was at this point I recognized what was happening.  Mike is suspiciously taking lots of pictures and my kids never do this!

Our third child comes skipping in with two more roses!  I love how they planned this by their birth order.  Pretty clever!

And finally, 25 years after he first handed me a ring, my romantic husband shows up with the six remaining roses to make it a perfect dozen.

Gets down on one knee...



(I have to celebrate for a second so I can soak up this real proposal...)

And pulling out his mom's ring, he pops the question he never fully asked!!!   Of course, I said YES!

There was a crowd watching who cheered after I accepted.  That was funny.  I guess with three kids and all it's no longer obvious that we were already married.  

By the way, kuddos to the awesome photographers who captured this priceless moment from two different angles! (Luke's girlfriend was behind the tree and Mike was picnic level).

Here's a group pic of the whole family.  Great job organizing all this!  Awesome memory.

As we were packing up, another couple just proposed.  So we put those dozen red roses to good use and surprised the lucky girl.  I'll bet she still thinks her fiance planned that.

Strings

Our youngest has really enjoyed playing the violin.  It was her 2nd year to play and she's already challenging herself in solo & ensemble competition.  She and a friend decided to play a duet to Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

They were a bit nervous, but did amazing!  With a score of "Excellent", they were just one point away from Superior.  Here they head off to play for the judges.

I've added a link below to their final school performance as a class.
https://youtu.be/md3Z-XLoILA

First Communion Class

Back in September, I was asked to "sub" in the 2nd grade CCD class until they could fill it with a permanent teacher.  I fell for it hook, line, and sinker!  But these sweet children gave me just as much love in return for my time, and I'm so thankful for the experience.

The first sacrament we went over was Reconciliation.  It was a challenge to get them interested in doing this, and holding their attention to learn the prayers, but I was so proud that they did it!  After they finished, each received a ring and stole like the prodigal son.

And the best celebration was watching them receive Christ for the first time!  Sweet group of kids.

Even Eric participated by being my real substitute during a few classes, lectoring during the First Communion Mass, and assisting the students with crowing Jesus and Mary.