Finally Together

Red, White and Blue

I trust that everyone had a nice holiday! We certainly did. We grilled out on Friday night with the Brooks and Langleys. My mom and RT also came down on Thursday night. She is always so much help! We pulled out the inflatable bounce/slide and the kids ran from that to the playroom. Then we all walked/strolled/rode the golf cart/rode bikes down to the lake to watch fireworks. I had a few other friends who met us down there to watch the fireworks. It seemed like a Hyde Park reunion once we got down there. I didn't realize that so many people from our church live in our neighborhood!

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We were going to go to the pool on Saturday, but decided against it. Instead, we had lunch with my mom and RT and then did a little shopping. I came home and cooked for my mom and RT and Chris and I went out for a date. Woot woot! Then we came back and played with some fireworks/sparklers. Good times, good times! Lots of pictures in the album.

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Next major event - to see my sister and nephews next weekend!!! We cannot wait to finally see them! Ethan has been asking for his cousins for well, years! Knowing that they have landed (he thinks that they have been living in the sky, apparently in an airplane!) and he has not seen them yet has been very frustrating for him!

From the beach to the lake

My in-laws gave us a free weekend at Myrtle Beach this past weekend. The only catch, a timeshare presentation. We do not like those at all, but it was well worth it. The hotel upgraded us to one of their suites which turned out to be a one bedroom condo. Full kitchen, washer/dryer, the works. I bought Chris and Ethan tickets for Father's Day to go to a magic show on Friday night. Ethan is still trying to do magic tricks. They loved it, especially the time spent together. Saturday was the presentation, so we stayed at the hotel in the morning and played at the pool. Emerson fell asleep in the van (my plan worked!!), so we were able to transfer her into the stroller for most of the presentation. Then it was off to dinner and mini golf. What is a trip to the beach without mini golf? That is Ethan's thoughts anyway! Sunday was spent at the pool/beach and then off to Broadway. We let the kids run through the little water area and then decided to try out Magi Quest. At first we didn't know what we were doing, but it turned out to be a lot of fun. It is basically a treasure hunt. We did some brief shopping on Monday because my work-a-holic husband wanted to get back to work by lunch. We really had a nice time getting away with just the four of us and are very thankful to Grandpa and Grandma!

We met our great friends, Jason and Sherry for dinner this evening in Elizabethtown. Then we went to their house at White Lake to hang out. They have three of the nicest kids I have ever met. Very polite and attentive to our little ones even though they are a good bit older. They took us for a ride on their boat, which was Emerson's first. Ethan wanted to go fast, fast, fast! There are pictures in the album as well as a few videos of Monkey Joe's from yesterday. Happy 4th!

Summer Nights

Our neighbors invited us to use their pool this week while they are vacationing. The kids have taken full advantage of that. Here are some pictures of their evening yesterday. There are several videos in the album.

UNCP Swim School

Swim school is going great! We have three more lessons and we'll be finished. Ethan was moved up to the advanced class on the first day. I think there were 13 children in his original class, but he was the only one moved up. One other child was asked if she wanted to move up, but she declined. Pretty impressive to me! I was a little concerned because of his age (the other children appear to be between 7 and 10), but I asked two separate swim instructors if they thought he was too young since his maturity level is not of a 6 + year old. They said that if I put him back in his original class, I might as well take him out all together. He has fully mastered all that that class has to offer. I am thinking about putting him in the Lumbee Games which are also offered by the college. It is basically a swim team. I haven't talked to Ethan about it yet, so I'll keep you posted!

Emerson has done great while Ethan is taking his lessons. I have not had any problems with her going near the pool. Luckily I have several friends with children her age as well and they pretty much entertain each other. I was afraid that she would try to jump in the pool because of her lack of fear of the water, but I have been pleasantly surprised. She does jump right in at our pool though. Completely under water too. Little fish. :)

We have a busy few weeks coming up, so I will try and do better blogging. We are going to Myrtle Beach this weekend and then in three weeks we are going to the mountains. I cannot wait for either trip, but especially the mountain one. We will finally get to see my sister and nephews! I miss them so much. I can't wait to see the kids playing with their cousins. Logan, my eldest nephew, has been asking when he can see Ethan since they landed in Tennessee. I sure wish they lived closer! :(

I have compiled an album of swim videos. They are short clips mainly taken for Chris to see the different things that are being taught. Hopefully he will get to come and see him swim towards the end of the week. Ethan would be SO excited!

Our Little Mouths of the South

FPWS Goodbye Ceremony

Ethan's class had a "Goodbye Ceremony" on Friday. The children sang songs and then were presented with awards. His teacher spoke a little about each child which I have on video in the album. Ethan wanted to be with Chris and I, so he got himself so upset that he did not do very well on stage. Nevermind the fact that he hates being in front of people! Thank God his other teacher pulled him to the side of the stage so that he could calm down. He eventually came around somewhat. I was so busy focusing on him that I failed to see Emerson running around on the stage. So far, she does not seem to have developed any social anxiety what-so-ever! I did not get many pictures of Ethan because he was just not a happy camper. I did take some of the decorations that I was in charge of. My in-laws as well as Chris came to help with the balloons, thankfully! We ate lunch at the school and came home for nap. You never would have known Ethan was so upset if you could have seen him running around during lunch with his friends. Baffling!

He has one more day of school left on Wednesday. We are so excited! The pool will be our home away from home for the next few months. We signed Ethan up for swim school at UNCP again this year, so that starts next week. People say I am crazy to have him take lessons again, since he can clearly swim, but I want him to be a good, strong swimmer. I was self taught and I want him to learn the correct ways! Pray that I can keep Emerson away from the pool while he takes his class!

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PS: In the web album, there is an album titled June 3, 2009 which has pictures of the Kickoff to Summer Reading party sponsored by the library. There are just a few pictures in there of the kids with some of the super heroes that I thought I would share.