Becoming Village People

Here we are on golf carts traveling around The Villages. The kids love the fact that we can go ANYWHERE (Walmart, Starbucks, dinner) on our golf carts. OK, I love it too!

A Virtual Date with Mrs. G!

Awesomely fun Mrs. G asked for people to play with her. So, here it is: the heart of our house!



This was quite a challenge and I was apprehensive about participating because although my house is incredibly well built (by my husband!) and incredibly well lived in, I have had a very hard time finding "soul" in it. I moved in this house 3 years ago into a space vacated by my 3 older kids' mother. Between her leaving and my arrival it was sort of a bachelor pad (which means it was set up purely for function, not so much with style in mind.) This resulted in some odd decorating, such as kitchen chairs in the living room so you could play video games better, recliners in the middle of the room because that was the best t.v. viewing spot, etc.  When I moved in, I had a difficult time transitioning. I had to leave my sweet little house that was PERFECT for me and decorated with color and all the THINGS I love and instead move to a house that had all the PEOPLE I love.  I chose the people, of course, but since then I have been struggling to make something in this house my own.  Also, I didn't want to move in and immediately start making drastic changes.  Just having me around was drastic enough!  One thing was clear right off the bat though; this house had nowhere near enough space for my books! So, my sweet husband built this bookcase.  We went together to find the absolutely most comfortable couch on the face of the planet which is perfect for reading, snuggling, or even watching your favorite episode of iCarly (over and over and over!)  The back of the room is the play area for the kids.  It has a bin of toys, a bench full of baby doll clothes and various animal shaped pillows. The couch usually has a bunch of blankets and pillows on it.  This is also where I take Hannah to snuggle if she wakes up in the middle of the night or is not feeling well.  We have spent several very early mornings curled up on this couch together!  

Baby's Bathtime!

Hannah has just become very interested in baby dolls.  From what I can gather her babies are very dirty, require make-up, and don't mind a little roughness.  In the end, the babies are "All Clean, OK?"

Sleepover x 6!

Holly had 6 girls over to spend the night.  They spent a lot of time riding around on the golf carts and some time scaring me to death with images of ER visits while on the go-cart.  They climbed the rock wall and made "shake it yourself" ice cream.  We went to the campsite for hot dogs and s'mores.  There was a bit of dancing in the moonlight then a rousing game of "truth or dare" in which the little brother got "pantsed" and decided to call it a night.  He's still a little mad about it! The next morning (they woke bright and early at 6 am) we had some blueberry muffins and hot cocoa for breakfast.  Then they went on scavenger hunt that took them all over the place doing different tasks!  I think everyone had a great time!
 


Some of us are a little sleepier than others!

Ms. Brown Thumb

My dear friend has thrown herself into gardening this year. She is such a show off! 

I, on the other hand, went to Lowe's, bought a plant and put it out front.  I understand that the second part of this should have been....then I watered it, and sang it songs and it thrived throughout the long, hot summer.  Sometimes it's hard enough to get myself watered.

Toys are the Perfect Father's Day Gifts!

Both Paul and his dad, Grandpa Ken loved Christian's remote control dragonfly so much that they each got one for Father's Day!  The boys spent a large portion of their day flying big insects around, having altitude contests, then practicing their tree climbing skills after their bugs got stuck!

Who Needs Water? We Have Found Other Uses for a Pool

Remote Control Lift Off Site

Sea Turtle Sanctuary

Photography Backdrop

Strength Training

Jungle Gym

En Pointe!

Holly got her first pair of pointe shoes last weekend.  The girls had a sleepover at the dance studio, then drove to the city to be sized for their shoes.  We spent several hours the next day sewing elastic and ribbon onto her shoes with dental floss.  I have blisters on my thumb!!  These pictures are from their first pointe class.  It looks a little painful to me!

The Longest ABC Song Ever

Somewhere between G & H she seems to lose focus!  By the way, she is not looking for beer, she is just playing in water.  Hannah loves to fill various items with water and then dump them!

Friends!!

We had some friends over yesterday and it was a great day to play outside!  We climbed the rock wall, rode the go-cart, explored the cave, went on a scavenger hunt and ran through the sprinkler.  Hannah just followed along all day trying to keep up with the big kids!  I have never seen such a group of dirty, worn out kids!