Home Again, Home Again....

After a wonderful ten days away, we are home. Carver and Springer adored every minute with their cousins; I have never seen them laugh and play so much-and so happily (and without me!) It was a wonderful time with Nonna, Aunt Paola, Uncle David, Josh, Molly, Maggie and Jack. We miss y'all already and are counting the time until Thanksgiving. Now the readjusting begins...thankfully there are two more weeks before school starts back. I'm not quite ready for the fall, although a break from these awful temperatures will be welcome!

Carver has a special place in his heart for sweet Maggie. Although she is almost 3 years older they are the best of buds. She tolerates his following her around quite nicely. Before we left for the beach Carver told me that "Maggie must be thinking about me all the time!" I am sure she is enjoying a little personal space now that we're gone!

The Buzz Lightyear space craft (complete with the new costume

Carver received for his birthday)

Our littlest Buzz...takes a turn on Josh's surf board!

They loved the ocean-and the pool-and the Sugar Shak-and the golf cart-and the sand-and the...

Nonna and her little (and not so little) ones

We're already looking forward to next summer!

Beach Bound

After two weeks of 100 degree weather we are ready to head to the water

and cool off a bit. Oddly enough it looks like it will be a good 10 degrees cooler in Florida than it has been here. I am sure we'll return home with lots of stories and pictures to share!

Until then, enjoy these last few weeks of summer....

Happy Anniversary, G! I love you and look forward to our week together.

The Birthday Girl

We're headed for the beach, but I can't miss the opportunity to wish our birthday girl the happiest of days. Springer turns two years old on Sunday. That seems impossible on one hand and yet on the other, it feels like she has always been a part of our family. I cannot imagine our life without her infectious laugh, funny faces, adorable sense of humor, stubbornness (no idea where that came from), love of shoes and jewelry (again, who'd of thought?), sweet voice (deep, yet girly), funny way of saying things (until just recently Carver has been affectionately called 'Coco'), tippy-toe walking, great hugs, and joy galore. She is the little mother hen of her friends; always watching out for others (although not above inflicting a little pain) and taking care of the babies. I learn much from her love of life (she literally wakes up each morning jumping in her bed-"Watch, I jumping!"), her perseverance, her care of others and her love for her family (when her daddy walks in the door she rejoices like no other!). Her little life brings big things to each of us; I am honored to be her mama.

Springer, happy second birthday, sweet girl;

we love you dearly!

Springer's First Haircut

A bit too shaggy!

Ta-Da!

Springer's first haircut has not been delayed for any particular reason; she really hasn't needed one until lately. Since we're headed for the beach I decide that the week of her second birthday was the perfect time for a little shape up. In keeping with tradition she was allowed a lollipop while she sat for her cut. This was a first as well, and I have never seen her sit so still and so quietly! She just grinned and sucked on her 'pop pop'. Easy as could be!

And I must say she looks mighty pretty with her new do!

Five Years Old Today!

Five years ago today we had no idea of the joy, laughter, smiles, generosity, tears, hugs, kisses, knowledge, humility, patience, kindness and love that this little fella would bring to our lives. He amazes me daily; he keeps me on my toes; he makes me a better 'me', a more understanding woman, a needier follower of Christ. He loves each of us so well, so thoroughly and with such forgiveness when failed by us. I in no way claim his perfection, but today I will concentrate on all the amazing things he brings and gives to our family-and there are many.

We love you, Carver!

A "Pumped Up" Birthday Party

Yesterday we had a joint birthday celebration for Carver and Springer. We rented out "Pump It Up" (everything is made of pumped up vinyl-moon bounce, obstacle course, slides, etc.) for the birthday boy and girl and 25 sweet friends. Everyone from 2 to 62 thoroughly enjoyed it. It's nearly impossible to climb through a bouncy obstacle course without laughing! We ended our time with cupcakes (chocolate with peanut butter icing for the boys and strawberry for the girls) and ice cream. It was a perfect morning made all the more special by Pops and Nana's attendance. They definitely won the 'good sports' of the day award; they conquered everything that Pump It Up could dish out! Thank y'all for spending the weekend with us.

Pops and Carver work their way through the obstacle course.

Springer pulled off her bow early on and never looked back; this is the only shot I have of her sitting...that is until the cupcakes and ice cream came out!

Makes Sense to Him

Give me grace because in the next few posts you're going to hear a lot about the fact that my little boy is turning FIVE! Apparently, he is unfazed. A few minutes ago we were discussing his party and I remarked (for the thousandth time) that I could not believe he was turning five. His reply? "Well, it doesn't really surprise me. You know, five ALWAYS comes after four." Right.

Baby Teeth

Carver has a loose tooth.

After dinner tonight he complained that his tooth hurt so I took a look.

Well, the tooth in question appeared to be fine, but the one next to it caught my attention.

It wiggled!

I just about starting crying then and there! NO! Not a loose tooth; I can barely come to terms with the fact that in 6 days he turns 5. Not a tooth, too! Well his dad grabbed him and gave him a big hug (followed quickly with a 'do you want me to pull it out?' Carver had a look of terror as G was holding a drill when he proposed the question!) Thankfully it is not ready to fall out-perhaps we can make it to his birthday with all teeth intact. But, it will happen soon and then I'll be met with yet another visual reminder that my baby boy is growing up. Like I've said before it's what I want to happen; it's what should happen; it's what we work toward each day,

but boy does it get this mama's heart.

So, here's to our last days (weeks, maybe? please!) of baby teeth.

And he's off!

Back from Big Canoe

Sarah Curtis, Carver & Abigail enjoy a beautiful day in Big Canoe

Mr. Billy braves the waters with Abigail, Carver and Sarah Curtis

Sweet Abigail diligently tried to persuade her friend Carver to tackle the rock slide...
after much encouragement and almost doing it several times

Carver decided to wait until next time.

THE rock slide

After the emotionally tumultuous ordeal of the rock slide
a very happy Carver heads back to the pool...

and then out for a little canoe ride with Daddy. Back at the house and all clean!We're just home from a wonderful trip to Big Canoe(GA) ; our days were spent playing,
swimming, riding bikes, laughing, eating and just generally adoring our time with dear friends. We miss y'all already and look forward to more time together soon!

Sweet Feet

Walker's Birthday Party

Today has been quite the day of parties; Carver began his day celebrating Lawson's fifth birthday and then joined Springer as she enjoyed Walker's second birthday festivities. Both parties were water-themed so they are both good and water logged!

The birthday boy!

Mae (or Mae-Mae as Springer lovingly refers to her friend)

Springer enjoyed taking the vehicles on a little off-roading adventure. The water from the pool and sprinklers ran through the yard and created a perfect place for a little 3 wheelin'.
Preparing ammunition

Carver and Jack crack themselves up; although most often their humor is lost on every one else!

Two Fish

Not a single picture taken this past week; we've found ourselves at the pool more often than not and I just can't figure out a safe way to hang on to Springer, take a picture and not end up with the camera being turned into a toy. So... no shots to show for it, but both of them are really enjoying the pool. Our highlight of the pool this summer has been Carver's swim lessons. We've just completed his third week of private lessons and after a rocky start to his first day he has come along nicely. By the end of last week he was going completely under water and touching the bottom of the pool in 4 1/2 feet of water. That may not sound like much, but this from a kid who wouldn't put his head under water in a hot tub in February! With a little help he is swimming nicely (with his head underwater), working on his 'circle arms', touching the bottom, and learning to push off from the side by himself. We'll probably do another round of lessons before the summer's over, but I need to save my pennies for while! I have been amazed to watch this independent almost 5 year old become such a little boy. I am all too aware that he is growing up-and although it's what I desire to happen and what should happen there are days that it takes me a little off guard. It's nerve racking and frustrating at times, but when the day's done it's an awesome privilege to parent through this stage of his life.

Springer, on the other hand, was born a fish. No fear, goes underwater without as much as a whimper, pops up and says, "that was fun!" "my turn" (which means let's do it again). I have to watch her like a hawk or else she'll jump from the side unannounced or head to the three feet end in the training pool without a care. She's definitely working her Hawaiin heritage-complete with the tan. She's darker than the rest of us combined!

Raggs TV Show!

Our little TV star....it aired this past Monday.

Needless to say we were all thrilled to see him on air! Enjoy (and you may need to turn your volume up)! The first question he's asked is 'what is family?'

Long weekend in Virginia

G worked in VA this past weekend so we all headed north to spend time with friends. The first part of our time was in Williamsburg with Brandon, Liz, Caroline, Henry and new baby John Mac (Springer adored him!). For some reason my camera never made it out of my bag while we were there (mostly because the guys were working all weekend and with two moms and 5 kids there wasn't a spare hand for a camera!), but we did leave there with wonderful memories. When we left them on Sunday we headed over to Charlottesville to see Greg, Courtney, Caroline, Margaret and baby Ann (again, Springer adored her!). The whole trip was just wonderful and full of sweet times with the dearest of friends. Here are a few shots that I did manage to get during our time away.


In Williamsburg we stayed at the home of the Barrett's friends who were away.
They had an electronic horse in the garage-loads of fun for Carver. Springer was not such a fan!

Springer and Margaret at dinner on the 'mall' in C-ville.

the super heroes (and super friends) during a still moment
(not many of those-they were inseparable)

Accessory Girl

the cookie cutter as bracelet...she may just be on to something!

Georgia, Sweet Georgia

Although I've been away from Columbus almost as long as I actually lived there, it is still "home". The kids and I headed down there this week for a little family time. We stopped in Atlanta and visited M & T at their wonderful new home and then off to Pops and Nana's. We filled our week with lots of playing, a trip the the children's area at the museum, an afternoon walk around down town complete with a stop in at the church where we were married, and a morning swim in Robin Lake at Callaway Gardens. The sweetest part, by far, was the kids having down time with Granny, Pops and Nana. Needless to say there were tears all around when we headed out yesterday. There is something about being there that is good for my soul and it's extra special to share that place and its memories with Carver and Springer.

Carver & Springer loved the 'chalk board room' at the museum. As you can see Springer is by no means a follower. She found just about the only spot in the room that wasn't make of chalkboard-and drew there! When Carver climbed into the boat he closed his eyes and said, "look, Mama, I'm Jesus!" He cracks me up!

Carver lead Pops in the nightly calisthenics. We cracked up as they went through Carver's regime of push ups, jumping jacks and crunches. Pops would purposefully mess them up and Carver would just roll laughing-although when he had enough of Pops lack of cooperation he would come to me and very seriously say, "Mama, would you PLEASE tell your dad to do them the RIGHT way."

Granny (the children's great grandmother) was brave enough to accompany us to Callaway Gardens. The kids loved having her there and it was especially sweet to know that their first memory of this wonderful spot was made with her. She was quite a sport and we rewarded her with nachos and ice cream! Probably not such a fair trade! Springer never made it to the ice cream part-we wore her out a bit earlier!

One Hour

Yep. That's how long it took Carver to eat his dinner last night. One hour. Not a minute less. The obvious question is what in the world must I feed the child that would require an hour's worth of chewing-or not chewing in his case. Well, here's the menu...homemade chicken salad with lots of chopped apples and grapes, 1/2 of a whole wheat tortilla, roasted asparagus with fresh Parmesan and apple slices. For those of you turning your nose up at asparagus, believe it or not that wasn't the initial problem. He and Springer both eat asparagus without a fuss although last night even the asparagus didn't escape his displeasure! He gobbled down the tortilla and half of his apples and was quite happy until we said 'no more apples until you eat your asparagus and chicken salad.' Well he quickly deemed the asparagus "stems" "very yucky" (I added a little more Parmesan) and would not touch the chicken salad (which he tasted as I was making it and declared it "good".) We pleaded, talked about everything in the world in an attempt to divert his attention and finally just left the table completely (it didn't take the rest of us that long to eat our dinner). Eventually, G divided his plate into a 'must eat' section. Minutes passed. One bite of asparagus down and nothing more. We took away his night time reading. He cried. G and Springer left the room completely...he would not budge. We went upstairs to get Springer ready for bed (taking Lucy with us-he's too smart!) As we were upstairs (for all of 3 minutes) he, in a moment of pure "Carver drama" (Micah, this is completely you), went to the family room and retrieved a framed photograph of G and me "because my little heart was feeling so lonely". Oh my word, all of this over chicken salad! I was at my wits end so I said (in my nicest voice-truly!) "No problem. You don't have to eat dinner. There are a lot of children who won't have dinner tonight and one missed dinner won't hurt you. I'll bet you'll be ready for breakfast in the morning!" He looked a bit unsure and clarified that he really didn't have to eat. Then, in a moment of "what the ***** are you thinking he said "May I have dessert now?" I truly bit my cheeks to keep from laughing! Was he serious? He was. Now the tears really came. Then suddenly as if the rains parted and all became clear he said, "If I eat my dinner may I have dessert?" That did it. The child ate everything he had been asked to eat and enjoyed his fig newton for dessert. After all of that a fig newton did the trick! Who knew?! He thanked us sweetly for "giving me just a little more time to finish my dinner." He still went to bed without his bed time reading, but he was so tired that he fell asleep before I left his room. Ahhh....to be four and a half!