Soccer Saturday

After two years of soccer 'clinics' (drills and little scrimmages) Carver's moved up to the big kid league and played his first real game on Saturday. It's designed to be rather noncompetitive, but I would be remiss not to brag that he scored his teams first goal. Of course with a field of five and six year olds there is a lot of magnet ball, yet at the same time we were all impressed at how well they stuck with the game. It was another moment of 'wow, he's growing up.' While he ran his heart out our little monkey found a huge hill of red dirt and climbed, dug and slid-that is when she wasn't trying to run out onto the field to join the game.

Jameson, Carver, Caleb and Harrison

Friday and the Festival in the Park

All week long we've looked forward to the Festival in the Park, one of our favorite traditions. There are art vendors, kettle corn, hot dogs, funnel cakes, fruit stands, wooden toys-you name it, they have it. They also have lots of kids rides and needless to say that is the highlight for Carver and Springer. Last year the huge slide was too taunting for Carver to try solo. Not this year. He and his pal Zach headed up those stairs and never looked back. As I stood at the bottom it was such a surreal moment; my little boy is just that-a boy. Wow!

Springer and I enjoyed the carousel and she and her daddy enjoyed the roller coaster while Carver and Zach rode together. It was a wonderful way to spend a late summer afternoon.

I enjoyed taking a look back on our time at the festival last year; hope you do as well.

Little Springer last year-and Miss "I do it myself"today

This year : roller coasters and huge slides-without mama or daddy.

Saturday Adventure

Not ones to sit idly we decided to embark on an 'adventure' this morning. In Carver's world an adventure need not entail scaling grand mountains or sailing the oceans blue-an adventure is simply going somewhere you've never gone before. For us that meant taking a 30 minute trip to a shopping area and cool playground about which we'd heard. It did not disappoint. The kids played on the most ergonomically correct and interesting playground you could imagine. No swings or slides, but lots of places to climb and glide and twist and turn. A great place for imaginations and loads of energy. We all enjoyed the sunny (albeit still very warm) weather and then took lunch at Five Guys (yummy grilled cheeses and french fries. As a side note about the fries....when I told C where we were eating he said, "But Mom, we DO NOT need to eat all of those fries; they give you too many and they aren't good for you!" Proof that he's listened to something I've said at least!) Anyway, a fun time playing, good eats (even a few fries!) and a little shopping...a great adventure to be sure!

Round and round and round she goes

As he stood on the top I said, "Carver, you're King of the World!" 'No, mom.' was he reply. ' I don't want to hurt God's feelings.' Perhaps he's been listening to his daddy as well!

Stage Lights

On Sunday, Carver's nursery class moved up into children's church. No more nursery; he now stays with us until the sermon and is then dismissed to children's church. As part of this celebration the children who were moving out of nursery lead the congregation in the call to worship (Psalm 117). Carver practiced for weeks and was so excited about his chance to be on the 'stage'. Well, they did a great job and when they finished G invited them to stay on the stage with him as we sang the opening song. Carver was delighted! He sang (and danced) his heart out. At the last chorus I went up to lead them down and back to their parents. Most of the children happily ran off to meet their folks, but not Carver. He sobbed. Big tears. As he sobbed he repeated over and over (relatively quietly and thankfully the music was loud), "I don't want to come down, I wasn't done on the stage!" "Can I please go back next week without the other kids?" Over and over.... Needless to say he's got the bug.

Dreaming of Kate Spade? Manolo's? Keds?

Last night before bed, Springer insisted on putting on her red shoes-and keeping them on.

G suggested we not fight it and we both assumed she'd pull them off before drifting off to sleep. She, in fact, did not. This is how I found her around 11:00 last night. When I gently pulled them off she began to sob-still sound asleep. She could not bear to part with her shoes even in her dreams. I feel the girl's pain; she got it honest!

(as an aside let me say that I have never slept in my shoes-not even my favorites!)

Greek Festival

Yesterday afternoon we enjoyed the festivities at the annual Greek festival. It's such a fun place and Carver and Springer are at the perfect ages to enjoy it. We all took lots of rides, ate delicious food, listened to music and visited with passing friends. A wonderful evening out!

Carver enjoyed his first ride on a Ferris wheel (he's on the left);

although he complained that it wasn't fast enough!

Meeting a Greek soldier

Daddy and Springer get dizzy!

I had not planned to ride the slide, but when her time was up Miss Springer refused to come down. She just plopped herself down at the top and smiled. After pleading and sending Carver up for her it was the only thing left to do-so we both enjoyed the ride down.

A sweet ending to our evening:baklava sundaes. Unimaginably delicious!

Scrumptious! Springer and Carver are newly devoted fans.

First Day of School

Our new fall schedule began this morning and I must say it felt nice. I think Carver and Springer would agree that after a wonderfully fun, schedule-less summer it's time for a change of pace. Today also marked Springer's very first day of preschool. She's been so excited and carries her back pack (or pack-pack) around the house. (Thank you again, Uncle Micah and Aunt Tricia!) With backpacks full of lunches, changes of clothes and various other sundries the kids lined up outside for some milestone pictures.

She did great by the way. Her teachers said that she was the only one who never shed a tear! She seemed to thoroughly enjoy herself-as did Carver, but that was never a question. He is now the oldest in the school and I am sure he'll enjoy every minute of his new status!

All packed up and ready to go...

Springer enjoys walking down the side of the stairs just like the big kids!

She went right to the sand tray and seemed oblivious to the

crying that was going on around her.
The cowboys...Carver and Dylan-together again!

He Lost It!

A not quite ripe enough peach....and a little help from mama!

Good Bye's to Miss Joneen

Miss Joneen has long been a part of our family. When Carver was one she began watching him one morning a week. She taught him 'up' and 'down' and for the longest time he called her "Miss Up Down"! We were so sad to say goodbye when he headed off to preschool the next year. When Springer was born I began hoping that Miss Joneen would have a spot available for Springer as well. Well she did and for the past year each Tuesday has found our family room full of little friends (there are 5 of us who share the morning) and Miss Joneen. As a mother of five herself I have been amazed at the energy and love that she brings our kiddos. She is right there on the floor having tea parties, reading books, teaching them, holding them and loving them. Her presence has allowed me a morning 'off' and has given Carver and Springer some wonderful memories. As Springer heads off to preschool as well next week today was our last day with Miss Joneen. We miss her already!

Making It Funner

Last night I asked Carver to clean up his markers as he got ready for bed. As I was getting his bed ready I noticed that he was sitting on the floor with his markers pretending they were airplanes before 'flying' them to their respective spots. Often times this would frustrate me because it takes a little longer to fly your markers than it does just to stick them in the case. But something about last night caused me to stop and say, "Carver, you know something I like about you? You always come up with a creative way to do things." He looked at me with a smile and said, "Well, Mama, there always has to be a way to make it funner." That really is his philosophy; whether it's putting on his shoes, putting away silverware, even getting into the car, he never takes the traditional route. Like I said this can be frustrating, but as my dad said when I relayed the story to him it would serve us well to remember this and take it with us into our day. As it says in Corinthians, "whether therefore you eat or drink do all to the glory of God. " Carver's doing just that-and enjoying the life he's been given. I hope each of you enjoy your week and remember to "make it funner".

And in this corner...

This morning began with a bit of a jolt. The children had their two year and five year doctor's appointment at 8:40. At 8:05 I woke up...not typical to say the least. Carver was watching cartoons and Springer was still asleep. It never occurred to me that I should set an alarm; what are the odds? I didn't sleep past 8:00 the whole time we were on vacation-why today?!

So needless to say, we hit the ground running-and made it dressed and reasonably pulled together on time (albeit a bit hungry).

Both of them grew so much since their last check up. Carver is just over 47" tall and weighs 60 pounds. Miss Springer was 31 pounds and 36 1/4" tall. I believe she grew 3 1/2 inches since February! No wonder all the clothes around here seem a bit shorter. The biggest blessing of all though is that they are healthy. I have been so aware of what a gift that is and it's something I try daily to remember and thank God. They can see and hear and laugh and run and jump...I pray nightly that the same may be true for many, many years.

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.