Found

Things have been missing around my house. About a week ago, all of the boys' shoes disappeared except for Harris' current Crocs and a pair that we've set aside because they are too big. So, Jackson has been squeezing into those so he'd have something on his feet.

I also noticed that the new bath soap I bought for the boys last week disappeared. As did Jackson's new sketch pad. And the Thomas blanket that was on Harris' bed. And all of Jackson's Cars.

Last night, I was hanging something in Harris' armoire (notice Jackson in the reflection...)

and this is what I found.

Along with seven pairs of shoes, I found the sketch pad, the blanket, the Cars, and the bath soap. I also found the soap and soap dish from the playroom bathroom, another of Harris' blankets, and half of the toys from the playroom. How on earth I missed all of those treasures, I have no idea, but I did. I'm so glad to have found everything, and next time something disappears on me, I know the first place I'll look!

Daddy's Idea of Fun

Rainy Morning

Playgroup was at the aquarium today, and it has been awhile since we had been. Harris loved it... it was like he was seeing everything for the first time. He got so excited to see the tank in the enrty, he loved the turtles and the aligators, and he squealed at the snakes. I loved seeing it again through his eyes.

We were joined on this rainy day by by DuBose, Mills, Fordham, Pinckney, and Rutledge (yes, all boys!). The boys never seem to tire of the aquarium and always succeed in wearing themselves out... makes for nice long naps afterwards!

Afterwards, we headed for lunch at the old Just Fresh (which was better than its replacement!) and home for rainy afternoon naps. Thanks for the fun this morning... I'm glad we braved the rain and got a chance to play!

Picky

Yesterday Harris was not pleased with the outfit I had picked out for him (above). He disappeared upstairs for a few minutes and came back down with his choice for the day (below). I wasn't expecting the fashion interest to start this early!
*** Those of you who saw us last night might have noticed that he did end up back in my choice!***

Summer Lovin'

We have been so busy this summer, going going going nonstop, and we have had a blast. Yesterday afteroon was no different! We headed to the Daniel Island Pool for some fun with our friends, the Baileys, Eglestons, Lancasters, Halfords, Collins, Smiths, and Sanders. The pool was beautiful and had two waterfalls and a huge water slide... we were all in heaven! The kids had a blast (as did the adults!) and all did so well swimming and playing together. Above, Jackson, Mary Kathryn, Spencer, and Fordham waited patiently through the dreaded "Adult Swim". Jackson and Harris were both little fish, both of them jumping into the pool like crazy... I was so impressed. It was really the first time Jackson jumped in without being caught, and he did it totally on his own, so proud of himself!
After the pool, we headed back to the Smiths for a yummy dinner and were joined by the missing daddies, Kathryn and Bowen. The kids all had so much fun... I think there were 15 little ones 4 and under!


It was such a perfect summer evening with fun and friends. Thanks, Baileys and Smiths for planning everything... we had a great time!!

Wild Hill MTW 2007

"There isn't much better in this life than finding a way to spend a few hours in conversation with people you respect and love. You have to carve this time out of your life because you aren't really living without it."

This past weekend was our annual MTW trip to Wild Hill, and what a great weekend it was! I have come to rely on these rare weekends with my friends as time to recharge my "mommy" and "wife" batteries... I have realized that I am better at both roles when I have a chance to be "Amanda" for awhile. There is no better way to do that than time with amazing friends.

We spent time eating, laughing, eating, talking, eating, sleeping... did I mention that we ate well?
We even played blackjack for peanuts!

We attempted to determine the sex of Baby Bair (with Melinda's twin boys as an example),
but no luck... I think we are all just as anxious as ever to find out!
We really did have the best weekend with the best of friends. I can't tell you how blessed I feel to have been embraced as completely as I have by these amazing women. Thank you, Nancy, Aileen, Melinda, Caroline, Katharine, and Dorothy, for a great weekend and for your love and encouragement!!

"See, you and me

Have a better time than most can dream

Have it better than the best

And so can pull on through

Whatever tears at us

Whatever holds us down

And if nothing can be done

We'll make the Best of What's Around"

-- Dave Matthews Band

Edisto Beach 2007

Last week was our annual beach week, and we headed to Edisto again this year. We were joined by Granny & Grandaddy, and Uncle Scott, Aunt Amy, Lindsey, Kaila, and Connor. It was a fun week, and we had a great time watching all of the kids play, play, play at the beach.

Our first night there, we headed to the Sound for a "quick beach walk". We should have known that it wouldn't be quick, nor would it be a walk. Before we could blink, all of the kids were in the water! There was a beautiful sunset that evening, and it was a perfect way to start off the week.

Kaila, Lindsey, Harris and Aunt Amy building a sand castle.
This is how Jason and Jackson spent much of the trip! Jackson LOVED these innertubes, and he spent hours just floating and playing in them. He was a little fish... it was rare that he left the ocean by choice... we usually had to drag him out.
Grandaddy with his two little ones, Connor and Harris.
We fished several times while we were there, not catching much more than a few whiting. This was Jason's first fish, and the girls we so excited. They both tried to fish for a bit, but unfortunately, no luck.

We made a big family trip to the Edisto Serpentarium where we saw lots of snakes, turtles, and big aligators.

We made it just in time to see them feed the gators... each gator got one piece of chicken thrown at him, and they were satisfied. We were told that gators normally don't eat daily, as they eat one huge meal every once in a while. However, to impress their visitors, the serpentarium feeds them just a little once a day. It was interesting to hear all about the gators and to see them all together, the feeding was a little over-hyped. I can say, though, that Harris LOVED watching them eat... he immediately started laughing and saying "Ali EAT!!", entertaining all of the other onlookers!

Theat is Big George the gator behind us... it is hard to tell here, but he is huge!
Harris and Connor were helping grill dinner.
We played frisbee,

and T-ball.
One evening, we headed out to the beach to try to get pictures of all of the kids together... so crazy!! I think I have about 20 different attempts at getting them all looking happy, but this was the best I could do. Hopefully Granny & Grandaddy were more successful!

The rest of the family left on Friday, so we had a few days to ourselves. We headed to the Edisto Beach State Park for some shell hunting and big waves, and we had a picnic lunch at a small park we found last year. While we missed everyone else, it was nice to enjoy some quiet family time, too.

Jackson called this area on the sound beach "his pool" (I even caught him telling some other little boys to get out of HIS POOL!). When the tide was coming up, it filled in this little tidal pool in which he loved playing and searching for shells. We had a great time this year, both spending time with family we don't get to spend much time with and spending time just the four of us. Jackson brought home tons of shells so we wouldn't soon forget all of the fun times we had at the beach. Thank you to the Ayers and Barfields for a great time!

More Beach Photos