Beach

This is simply to prove that we did go to the beach this summer.   I hardly took a picture all summer long, but we did enjoy many trips out to Folly this summer.

Swim, swim, swim

One of the best things we did this summer was join a local pool.  We really want our girls to be good swimmers, and the only way to assure that is with a lot of exposure.  Lily came a long way this summer.  She began jumping off the side of the pool, off her Daddy’s shoulders, and even off the swimming platforms.  After only two lessons, she began swimming like a little fish.  We are so proud of her and you could tell she was thrilled with her new skill.  She can swim above and below water.  Hopefully next summer we will begin learning strokes and maybe join a swim team.

Sarah Ellen is still a work in progress.  She has branched out some, but still prefers to play on the steps.  When she does leave the steps, she is sure to have on her life vest and at least one inflatable device around her.

3K Preschool

Sarah Ellen started 3K this year.  She seems so much younger to me than Lily did when she started 3K.  I guess she will always be my baby in my eyes.  Sarah Ellen was very excited to begin this year.  We are fortunate that a good friend of ours will be one of Sarah Ellen’s teachers.  I hope Mrs. Amy is ready for this girl!

   She ran right in, put her book bag in her cubby and was ready to start her day.

Sarah Ellen you are going to have a fabulous year.  You will be surrounded by love and fun.  I am excited for you to begin this year and watch you grow leaps and bounds.

Kindergarten

My baby Bean started Kindergarten this year.  We decided to place her in the 5K program at her preschool instead of moving her to  public school this year.  It was a pretty easy decision for us for many reasons.   She and Sarah Ellen will be at the same school for one more year (which I am going to cherish).  Her best buds Margaret Anne and Porter were staying.  And her teacher Mrs. Jenn is absolutely phenomenal.  There are only six kiddos in Lily’s class this year, and I know she is going to thrive and soar.

  Lily pointing to her own bin.   Do you think she has a few nerves going on?

Lily Bop, you went into kindergarten being able to read.  I can only imagine the things you will be doing at the end of this year.  Mommy and Daddy are so very proud of you.

Groovy Girls

A friend of ours recently passed on her extensive Groovy Girl collection to Lily and Sarah Ellen.  I’m pretty sure these Groovy Girls will be WELL taken care of.

How Did He Do It?

By he, I mean James.  By it, I mean get me to move.  Me.  The girl who thinks of her house as her nest.  The girl who grew up in the same house all her life.  The girl who swore we would never build again.  Doesn’t he get that I brought my babies home to this house.  I cooked family dinners in this house.   I’ve started holiday traditions in this house.

Somehow folks, he performed the impossible.  Not only that, I am excited about it.  It all started many months ago, when James suggested we build again.  That conversation ended with me in tears ranting that I wouldn’t leave our friends in the neighborhood and how James is just not emotionally attached to anything.  So maybe he caught me on a bad night, but remember my house is my nest.

After that approach, James did not mention it again.  Only because he was working on a better approach without me knowing.  One night after dinner, he said, “You want to go for a walk.”  This is something we normally do on a nice night, so I thought nothing of it and said sure.  As we are walking, he begins to tell me about this great lot around the corner.  This great lot, however, was not for sell.  Do you think that stopped my husband?  No way.  He looked up the owner on the tax map, wrote them a note asking if they were willing to sell, and sure enough after 14 years they were considering selling it. 

He definitely took the right approach this time.  The lot did all the convincing.  It has a beautiful marsh view and looks out in the distance to the harbor and the Cooper River Bridge.   It is framed in the front by two grand oak trees that spread their limbs far and wide.  I could picture our girls (and their friends) climbing these trees out over the pluff mud.  I could see them running to the house excited about the crabs they just caught.  I could imagine them paddling out in a kayak with their Daddy.  Yes, I could see this in our future. 

So guess what, now we own a new lot and are preparing to build AGAIN.  I ask again, just how did he do it?

I promise

I really mean it – I haven’t given up.  I’m just up to my eyeballs in boxes, packing tape, and eBay.  Yes, we are moving.  In less than a month.  I will be back.  I promise. 

Yes, the girls have started school – I will post.  I promise

Yes, we bought a lot in our neighborhood – I will post.  I promise

Yes, we are going to build a house – I will post.  I promise

Yes, the girls are doing new and exciting things – I will post.  I promise.