Fort Pulaski & the Junior Park Rangers

On Sunday last week, I awoke with renewed energy and the desire to “get out and do something” rather than just sitting around Mom’s house all day. So, I decided to take the girls to see Fort Pulaski. It is very close to the house, only a few minutes away and on the way to the beach. The weather was perfect for some outside activities – overcast, windy and relatively cool (for June in Savannah, anyway)

— at the moat before we went into the fort.

— exploring the tunnels.

I was sending pictures to my brother all along the tour. He texted back and asked if the girls had run through the tunnels, replying “It’s mandatory when you are there.” That was one of our favorite things to do when Mom would take us to the fort as kids. The girls followed the tradition, exploring every nook and cranny.

— exploring the earth berms

— being impressed by the cannons

— what can you see? the lighthouse?

— yes, I got in a few of the pictures!

We watched the cannon firings – which I totally loved and I think the kids were okay with – not too crazy about the noise. It was quite impressive to imagine 35 cannons firing simultaneously in the heat of battle. And that was just the Union cannons. The Confederates had their own, firing at the same time. I couldn’t get over the thought of the noise, the chaos, and the heat/smoke/fires/damage. War is a messy, messy thing.

The girls had workbooks they picked up at the visitor’s center and once they completed them they had the opportunity to be signed in as “Junior Park Rangers.” They were pretty excited about the prospect and I thought the workbooks were a great idea to get them to look beyond the obvious and really SEE the fort, it’s history, and the stories behind the structures. I thought the park service did a great job with the books. They were age-appropriate (5-8 yr and 9-12 yr) and the girls enjoyed them, for the most part. Not sure if other National Parks have these, but if they do, I’d recommend that you check them out.

It was a great day and we had a marvelous time. I think my favorite part was watching the girls experience for the first time something that I loved so much as a child. It’s neat seeing those memories reawaken and go full circle with your kids.

Back home again

I’m slowly catching up on “real life” after being gone for almost ten days. I unpacked the suitcases this morning and put everything on my bed so I have to put it away before I can go to sleep tonight. (I hope!) The girls’ bags are next and I’m hoping to get those put away today as well. Laundry is caught up, thanks to doing a load or two at Mom’s before we came home.

Monday’s drive was wet and rainy – I think we drove through some “monsoons” as I haven’t seen rain that heavy in a while – you could hardly see in front of you.

Now, I’m just trying to get into a rhythm for the summer days – work for me and play for the girls. Trying to find that balance between working every waking hour because I don’t have anywhere I have to be and making time for some fun with the girls. I’m planning a few vacation days here and there with no specific plans – I think the girls and I will wake up and decide on the adventure of the day depending on what we feel like. Maybe the zoo, maybe the pool or something like that. I want to keep it easy and simple this year.

Later this week, I’ll share a few pictures of the adventures we had in Savannah last weekend and maybe a few more from my work trip, but how exciting are airport pictures and office buildings? I’m not so sure.

I’m hoping to get my Project Life pictures printed and in the album this week – I have two weeks’ worth to catch up on and a TON of pictures from last week. I’m excited, though, not overwhelmed, and can’t wait to write down the stories.

Friday night SuperMan and I will be going to the Shakespeare Festival – we’ve gone every summer since before Big Girl was born. This week’s production is a musical version of Twelfth Night. Should be interesting. I love this company and they always put on a top-notch show. I’m thinking about packing a picnic dinner to enjoy before the show – they have outdoor seating and the weather is supposed to be nice. Might be a nice (cheap) date night idea…

Gracie cat is sick – she apparently got into a scuffle with another cat (we think) over the weekend and we came home Monday night to find her with an abscess the size of a golf ball on the side of her neck. I took her to the vet yesterday and they lanced it, got her cleaned up and put her on antibiotics. (gross) She ended up with a bath, too, but her reward is that she gets to stay inside with us for a few weeks while she heals. She is pretty happy even though she is sick – just purring away 24/7. Scooby is rather nonplussed about the whole thing and keeps giving me dirty looks like “I can’t believe you let HER in here.” She’s been annoyed with Gracie ever since Gracie was a kitten and used to run circles around her. It is no surprise that she is not happy to be sharing her people and house with her, but she will have to deal with it while we nurse the sick one back to health.

Well, I’m off to catch up on more of the never-ending, always-growing to-do list for work. More pictures and stories coming soon.

Just hangin’ on…

It’s a wild ride around here –

I’m just hangin’ on – that’s about all I can do right now. Craziness.

Last week we wrapped up school for the year.

Last weekend we celebrated the holiday weekend with a trip to an arts & crafts festival on Saturday, some much-needed pool time on Sunday, and Monday was filled with gardening, shopping and more family time. It was so nice to have SuperMan home with us for three full days.

This week, Little Bit has dance recital rehearsals and recitals and then the girls and I are headed to Mom’s for “Ammi Camp” – which is where the girls will be while I’m travelling for work.

I’m printing pictures today for my Project Life pages for last week- hope to have those on the blog later this week.

Other than that, It’s just the usual – work, packing, and sneaking in some pool time when we can.

Movin’ on Up

Sigh.

My baby’s not a baby anymore.

She is now officially a sixth grader.

And while I am so very, very proud of her and her accomplishments, I’m absolutely shattered that she got so big SO FAST and howintheworldamIamothertoasixthgrader?!?!

Please excuse me.

I must have a moment.

Field day = Hell?

I didn’t think I would be back this soon, but as this is my outlet, my place to let the silly thoughts in my head roam free, I guess I need to be here.

Today the girls have field day – I remember hating this day as a child. I mean, truly loathing it. I would dread it as the day would arrive. It was what I imagined as a child that Hell must be like.

I mean, seriously – Field Day in the South – in MAY – when the temperatures are already hovering near 90 degrees, the humidity is 90% and they want you to stay OUTSIDE and RUN AROUND!?!?

Yeah, hated it.

The only thing I was remotely good at was the tug-of-war. And that was because of my strong legs, thanks to dance classes. Everything else was just misery to me. I mean, why are we RUNNING AROUND A TRACK? No one is trying to kill us. There are no bears or tigers chasing us? To me, that is the only justifiable reason to run – especially in the South Georgia heat.

My girls, however, love this day.

Crazy.

I think they must get that competitive, athletic streak from their dad. I am pretty darn sure they didn’t get it from me! He, however, is not only very athletic but extremely competitive. (one day, remind me to tell you about how “interesting” it gets when the three of them play games together. Uh, yeah.)

So, they’re looking forward to the tug-of-war, the relay races, the water sports (don’t remember those from MY field days) and the other activities they’ll be doing today. They even asked me to make them a breakfast that would give them “lots of energy and speed” for the day.

I’m glad they like it. It’s certainly better than knowing you’re sending your kids off to be miserable for an entire day. I’ll be there in just a little while, snapping pictures and cheering them on.

And of course, I’ll share those pictures with you next week!

So, off to slather on the sunscreen and get my camera batteries charged.

Make it a good day, folks.

Flower Child

Big Girl had “Poetry Café” day today at school.

Apparently, it was some throwback to the 60’s and they were all supposed to dress like hippies and read poetry that they’d written.

When I was growing up, we dressed as Colonials and celebrated Georgia Day.

Not hippies.

My, how the times have changed.

She IS adorable, though, isn’t she?

My little Flower Child.

sigh.

(and the wrist is wrapped, for those of you who will want to know, because she tumbled off of her(my) bike on Saturday and sprained it. we’re in the klutzy stage, I think)

Beautiful Dancer

It’s that time of year – we’re gearing up towards the recital season …

Yesterday was visitor’s day at the dance studio. We got to see Little Bit go through her dances for ballet and jazz. She got her costume (always exciting) and got to try it on. Some alterations will be necessary (as always) but it is an absolutely adorable costume. It’s a “convertible” costume, so we only had to get one costume for both recitals (yay for the pocketbook!) She wears a tutu and some adjustable adornments for the ballet dance and then a sequined skirt and bolero jacket for the jazz dance. Too, too cute.

I thought I’d share a few pictures from yesterday…

Here is a video of her jazz dance – so cute!!

And a few more pictures for you…

Sweet girl. Smile

And all was right with the world again…

I got a very pleasant surprise last night. SuperMan came home with a present for me. A very nice present. At least to me it was.

You see, about two (or three?) weeks ago, my dishwasher died. And I was very sad. You know how much I like to cook, and if you have been following this blog for any period of time you’ve probably heard about how messy I am when I cook.

I make a big mess – lots of dirty dishes.

And when you don’t have a dishwasher this is a very sad thing. I have been trying very hard to minimize my dirty dishes, but that is just not an easy thing to do…

So, I was totally and utterly thrilled when SuperMan told me he had a present for me – and I walked out to his truck to see a shiny new dishwasher in the back!

Hip, Hip, Hooray!

So, after dinner, I suggested that maybe, just maybe SuperMan might want to install my new toy for me?

And of course, he was only happy to do so. (yippee!)

Isn’t it a beautiful thing?!?

Yes, I’m a happy girl this morning.

Very happy, indeed.

The PBA will have to wait a while

Big Girl’s birthday is this weekend. So, last night we celebrated with dinner out at her favorite restaurant, some fun bowling and capped the evening off with dessert at the local yogurt shop.

The bowling alley was crazy busy – which, I guess, is to be expected on a Friday night – but we had a great time regardless of the crowds.

The girls decided they want to go bowling every Friday night (uh, no, I don’t think so – too expensive these days!!!) and they actually bowled pretty respectable scores.

Big Girl, who is not competitive (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) at all, was obsessed with beating her DADDY’s score. And she almost did!

me?

Well, I was just hoping that I’d break 100.

(I did, but just barely.)

SuperMan says bowling is like riding a bike – something you never forget. Well, that may be partly true – I did remember how to hurl the ball down the lane, but the knocking down the pins trick will take a little more practice.

The most important thing, though, is that this girlie had a good time. It was all about her last night – and I think we successfully celebrated her birthday – or at least started to celebrate it. I am sure there will be more to come, especially since her actual birthday isn’t for a few more days.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl. I love you so.

Menu Plan Monday

We had such a fun weekend. Hiking and exploring in the mountains, enjoying the beautiful weather and glorious views. The leaves were gorgeous, the temperatures just chilly enough to warrant a nice, roaring fire and yet not so cold that we were stuck in the cabin all weekend. It was just about perfect.

We enjoyed some of these:

And lots of this:

And some fantastic vistas:

And now we are back to real life today. No one wanted to get up this morning, we were all still in vacation mode. The creatures were happy we were home, though, and Scooby Cat has been following me around like a little black shadow ever since I walked in the door last night.

Still figuring out what we are going to do exactly for meals this week. Some of it is easy – leftovers from the weekend, or food I bought to cook but didn’t cook because Mom had other things to cook. Some of it is based on special requests from the little monkeys…

Monday: Chicken noodle soup – special request from the girls
Tuesday: Hamburgers & hotdogs (leftover from the weekend)
Wednesday: Lasagna – I’m craving it.
Thursday: not sure yet – most likely leftovers.
Friday: Pizza! (with extra sauce from the lasagna)
Saturday: grilled steaks (leftover from the weekend, but frozen so they can wait) with baked potatoes and grilled veggies

That’s it for me. What are you planning for the week? Have you taken up my challenge? Three menu plans for the next three weeks?

I’m also doing some baking today – need to make some fresh bread and I’m planning to use up some brown bananas by making a double batch of banana bread. I’m also making some baked oatmeal for my ladies’ bible study group tomorrow morning. Busy, busy, bee!

And now I’m off to catch up on email and other things online. Limited internet and phone access over the weekend. It was glorious, but now I need to see what the world was up to this past weekend!!

Hop on over to orgjunkie.com for some more great menu planning ideas!!

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