Birthday Boy!

He is 10 today! He is sweet and lovable and has a smile that everyone adores! He has his daddy's good looks and his servant's heart. God has great things in store for this young man!

He loves boats and planes and football and golf and basketball and baseball and archery and fishing and Moose and he loves to draw. Oh, and I can't forget Legos!

Last night was a family birthday dinner. Today he has the day off of school and he is going to lunch with daddy and shopping for an ENO. Later on next month his uncle is taking him fishing with a friend. Happy Birthday Little Man . . .

The Beach, Part Two

Lots of pictures left to post. Monday was Labor Day and we could tell. There were people everywhere. We didn't get to take our traditional family picture under the beach gazebo until Tuesday. Just because there were so many people coming and going. Monday we just hung close to the condo. Hung at the pool and just relaxed. The night before, we watched our traditional movie, Courageous. Hubby and I had gone to the movie theater to see it a bunch of years ago. It was such a good movie with such a great message. Our first year at the condo we let the kids watch it. Now it is a tradition.

Monday night the we were all super excited to watch our first Harry Potter movie. They loved it. I fell asleep. During my favorite part too. Well, one of my favorite parts in the book anyway and I really had wanted to see how they did it in the movie. Oh well. I guess I was tired!

Loved seeing daddy and EG holding hands walking down the beach. She love, loves her daddy. 

EG had to have a picture with her toes in the sand.

While we were walking on the beach, a young couple caught our attention and had to show us this crab. Boop chased it all around getting it's picture. EG and I think we found it's hole/home in the middle of the beach. He is kinda cute!

EG loved the water. We would walk ahead and I would turn around and she would be running and playing in the waves. And, of course, the sunsets on most nights was spectacular. Sunsets at the beach never get old. . 

The Beach

It has been almost a week since we got back from our much anticipated beach trip. Going to the beach is such, such a blessing for all of us! We know it isn't real life. We know it is a place for us to just unwind and relax and regroup. 

The week before, the kids ask if we can do this certain thing or that certain thing. Our response is "no." Not that we won't probably do much of what they ask, but we go with no plan whatsoever and no demands on our time. If we want to shop, we shop. If we want to fish, we fish. 

We spend most of our time going from pool, to hot tub, to beach. Repeat. It is just so good for our souls.

The view off our back porch. Pool and hot tub directly to the left. Beach directly across the street.

EG became an official swimmer on this trip. She was more than able to keep up with the big kids.

Once again, the majority of the week we were the only ones at the pool. Which worked for me because I didn't have to keep reminding them to be mindful of others. One particular day the kids, I felt, were being a little loud and disagreeable with each other. I said to myself "Geez, they are with each other all the time. Why all the fuss?" The next day I struck up a conversation with an grandmother type lady who was staying in the condo next to us. She, of course, asked about the kids and the whole school thing because it was the week after Labor Day. I explained we homeschooled and we go on vacation when everyone else goes back to school. She immediately said "I knew something was different. Your kids are quiet and so well behaved." I had to laugh inside because of my thoughts just the night before. The kids really were well behaved!

My people on the beach. The views the first night were spectacular. It was sooo good to be back and feel the sand in our toes. Our goal was to walk the beach every morning and every evening. That did not totally happen.

There was rain on the horizon the first night. LM was able to take a picture of the beautiful rainbow over the water and sand. So, so pretty.

The condo we stay in is super small. One bathroom for the six of us so it really can test our patience at times. Especially when you have to pee! But, the kids do their part to be considerate and somewhat thoughtful. I think because they enjoy our downtown just as much as we do . . . 

Crack Me Up

It is no secret that most law enforcement officers will never get rich doing their job. Many of them, including hubby, make much of their money working details. Extra jobs, over and above their 2 week, 80 hour shift work, that private citizens or businesses pay them directly for security. We were told many, many years ago, never to count on detail money for survival. And we have done that. Many of the extras we have been so blessed with come from that extra detail money.

Well, we returned from our week at the beach on Sunday. We no sooner pulled in the driveway then a neighbor we have just recently met came up to our driveway and started talking with hubby. Hubby explained during the conversation that we literally just got home from a week long vacation at the beach and were getting unpacked.

That did not phase our neighbor. He leaned up against our mailbox, preceded to pull up his pant leg and show hubby a dog bite he had just received. (He exercises in the neighborhood.) All the while asking hubby whether or not he should call animal control.

I had to laugh. Maybe my husband should hang out a shingle that says Attorney for Hire. Or maybe Doctor. I guess our neighbor takes public servant very literally! Don't misunderstand. My husband is more than happy to help and he answers questions like that All The Time. And is totally fine with it. (As am I.)

I, of course, just felt we should have charged $600 for the consult . . .

World War II

We just finished a book for book club about World War II. And it just so happened their was a World War II exhibit at our local history museum so I decided to take the kids. It was cute. They had a section where you had to look around and identify WW 2 airplanes. That was right up Boop's ally. They also had a table about ration cards and another table about how to signal using Morris Code and flags. They also had information on growing a Victory Garden among other things.

We enjoyed our little trip. It was made better by some friends joining us! EG got to have her picture taken as Rosie the Riveter. Just yesterday, when the kids and I were at a restaurant with both their Grandmas, EG looked up and on the wall was a picture/display of ration cards and she picked them out right away. Proud mama/teacher moment.

I love when I don't have to work so hard to coordinate stuff. And it all just kind of falls together. Some days it is confirmation that I am on the right track . . .

Golf

About 3 months ago, maybe longer, we were watching some big golf tournament on TV. In the latter part of my life, I was around golf. I caddied a time or two for my mom and stepdad. When I was older, I worked at a country club and one benefit of that was I was able to take a lesson or two. The Pro said I had a good swing but I think he just wanted me to continue so I would actually pay for my lessons.

Anyway, Boop really enjoyed watching the tournament and expressed a desire to learn to golf. Well, I know that golf isn't the cheapest sport out there and I sure wasn't going to dump a ton of money into something I wasn't sure he would stick to. So, I started asking around. Trying to find out the best avenue for a young boy wanting to explore the game of golf.

A man that I serve with at church, who is an avid golfer, volunteered to take him out and hit some balls. His wife about week earlier, texted me with a picture of a junior golf set at Goodwill for $13! So, Boop has a set of clubs, and the man has since taken him out and shown him how to hit the ball.

Daddy found him a titanium driver that he is going to cut down and I am going to get him some whiffle balls before we have a neighborly accident. My sister's husband likes to golf, so maybe one day they can go out and hit a bucket of balls. Paul can hit them but isn't much on the finer points.

When our friend dropped Boop off from hitting some balls I asked if I need to quit my day job and get ready for the tour. He kind of chuckled and said maybe in about 10 years or so.  Like so much in life "who knows" but is having some fun right now . . .

Harry Potter

We have got some mileage out of the Harry Potter series this summer.

Back in May, my sister mentioned that she was reading the first one and that it was good. She thought I might like them and the kids would definitely enjoy them. Honestly, I am not a big "fantasy" person. I have read the The Lord of the Rings and it was OK. And the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe books. Same reaction. I know, call me crazy. I remember when one of my boss's was reading them when they first came out. At least 15 years ago, I think.

I had been to our Goodwill book store and saw the first one and almost bought it. Just out of curiosity. But, I had told myself before I went in that if there was a book not on my list I would not buy it. I think I even mentioned it to the kids to keep me honest. I put it back on the shelf.

A couple of weeks later, I was at our local homeschool curriculum sale and a lady had the first three for sale. I happen to be standing next to a mom from our book club and I asked her about them. She whispered that she liked them and her kids loved them. That they even played dress up. (Her oldest child is Boop's age.) So, I bought them with the intention of reading them first.

Well, I know sooner got them in the house and finished the first one, then they all started bugging me about reading them. A few of their friends happen to be reading them this summer also. I got through most of the first one and then let them have them. They were hooked and it is almost all they talk about.

It has encouraged two of my reluctant readers to seriously read over the summer. We had to borrow the other four books from a friend. But, with four of us reading them, we have also had to get some from the library. Just to hard to share! It has been cool. The three older kids sequestered away in Boop's room all reading one of the books. They finally had something to talk about that they all could relate to. Super cool! And, of course, I knew what was going on because I was reading them also.

Nature Girl finished them all in like 10 days. Maybe two weeks. Little Mama is catching up to me with the fifth book and Boop is on the third. They have taken Pintrest tests to find out what house they would be in and what their Petronis would be. All three of them. Together. Boop has played spell games with his friends. The big girls giggle over Harry and Ron.

We have yet to watch the movies. When we go on vacation, Boop should be done with the third book so we are going to watch the first three movies. Everyone is super excited to see them. Daddy is probably excited to watch them just so he knows what the heck is going on. Half the time he has no idea if who they are talking about is real! Even EG gets in on all the action because of various videos on the Internet. The big girls are planning their Halloween costumes based on Harry Potter. And they have been teasing me about having a HP marathon movie night with friends. We shall see.

I try hard to avoid twaddly books. Books just not well written. I belong to a homeschool group that helps point to really good literature. And, about 2 months ago, they had a bunch of posts on Harry Potter and almost all of the moderators gave a thumbs up to the books. That they were well written and encouraged thoughts and ideas and had a great story line. I was sold. Some object to the magic or whatever, but we read a ton of fairy tales and mythology so I didn't see much difference. Plus, what great conversation starters at the house.

I have a little over two more books to go. I am curious how it all ends. I have to admit, I am ready to read something else. But, I will say it has been enjoyable and I am glad it was something I could do with the kids. And I am anticipating watching the movies with the family on vacation.

It has been a fun way to spend the summer  . . . .