Happy Birthday Little Man 152/365

It is hard for me to believe my boy is nine years old.  It seems like just yesterday I was looking at him for the first time.  He is such a pest, but he is my joy.  There is nothing like a momma and her boy.

We had a great day today.  He planned our day.  We went to the beach in the morning.  Then we had a late lunch followed by a trip to the bay for just he and I.  We found tons of fun sea life, lots of beautiful sand dollars, more sting rays (that I didn't want to see), a precious little starfish, and we watched as the ground looked like it was moving from the millions of baby crabs.  A trip to the pool was next, followed by dinner.  His dinner of choice was chicken noodle soup. Turns out he really isn't feeling as good as I hoped he would.  Happy Birthday Hunter man!

An Outing 151/365

The girls and I spent the morning with the dogs on the beach.  Then we headed to the pool.  The boys went out this morning on a fishing excursion, it is always part of Hunter's birthday present.  I sent a camera with the boys, but Paul forgot to take pictures.  He also forgot to bring the camera back, so we had to go hunt it down.

Once the boys were back, we headed out to Apalachicola.  We have never been, so we thought it would be fun to go and see.  Unfortunately, we were kinda late getting there, so the cute little shops were closing.

Noelle is still feeling down, but she stayed medicated most of the day, so she could participate in the fun.

Hunter on the other hand seems to be going down hill.  I'm hoping maybe he is just drained from spending to much time on the water in the heat, but I guess we will find out tomorrow.  Tomorrow is his birthday, so I'm hoping things look up for him.

Boogie All Day 150/365

Today, the waves on the Cape were perfect for boogie boarding.  So, the kids headed to the beach first so they could catch the big waves.  Hunter looks like a little surfer dude.  He caught a few great waves, and he also enjoyed watching the big boys who were really surfing.  

Hope had lots of wipeouts, but she stayed so determined.  That is one of the things that I admire about Hope, things don't come easy for her, but she will try, try, try again.  She had some success in the midst of all her failures, and they were enough to keep her motivated to keep trying.  Again, I am so proud of her and how far she has come.  She was still weak this time last year, and doing this would have been impossible.  She continually amazes me.

This one on the other hand is a natural.  She figured out how to read the waves, and she would wait for the big ones and get set up for it.  She would ride them in with a huge smile on her face, and a thumbs up.

At one point Noelle was frustrated that it came so easily to LeeLee.  She complained for a bit at how perfect LeeLee was, then she found her inner determination.  I must say, she ended up quite equal to her sister in the boogie boarding skills department.

Notice how dark LeeLee is, it is ridiculous how dark she gets.  We keep her covered in sunscreen from head to toe, and each year she gets so dark!  (Praise the Lord she is in America where we think dark is beautiful, because trust me, there is no keeping this baby pale.)

Noelle on the other hand, unfortunately has red cheeks.  She is allergic to sunscreen.  We still load her up with it, but the sunscreen actually causes her face to burn.  She also started running a fever today, and appears to have what LeeLee and I had last week.  She is hoping to kick it quickly because she wants to take a special outing tomorrow.

I got to spend some more one on one time with my little man today.  He and I went treasure hunting in the bay again.  We only saw one stingray, so our wading was much easier. We were able to walk out in the bay about 300 yards and we were only up to our waists in water.  That made for a fun time, we found all kinds of cool sea life.

Today Hope said, "I love the beach mommy.  I wish we could come here all the time."  I assured her we both had great minds and that we think alike.    Another great day has come to an end.

God's Glory 149/365

Today Noelle wanted to build a mermaid out of sand.  Her face could have used some more work, but we were very limited on our sand carving tools.

She was happy with the results though.  We talked about how some teenagers would probably come by and stomp it.  However, it was a giant lab that was the death of the mermaid.  He ran right on top of her.  The owners felt so bad, but we assured them that we would rather see her destroyed by a happy dog than by a person.

 As we worked on the mermaid, Hope built a castle of her own.  She was very proud too!

 LeeLee entertained the beach goers with her talents.  She impressed everyone around with god given abilities.

We met some really neat people on Saturday, and we were trying to help them fly a kite today.  The mom loves kites and had bought this trick kite.  After many failed attempts on her part, she decided to let Hunter try.  He was a pro.  She ended up giving him the kite because she thought he was the best owner for it.  It is a really cool kite and he is so excited to have it.

Just as I was thinking to myself that it was a no dolphin day, I turned around to see this.  It wasn't just a partial rainbow, it was the most beautiful full one.  It stretched from the state park all the way to the lighthouse.  God's glory at its finest.  I love the rainbow and all that it symbolizes.

As I walked off the beach tonight, I turned around to see the most beautiful sunset.  The storm was quickly rolling in, the waves were churning, and I just stood in awe of the majesty of it all.  Have I said lately that I love this place?

Feeling the Heat 148/365

Today was HOT!  The heat didn't stop the fun though.  Hunter scoped out an area early so we could have a bonfire tonight.  He wanted to make sure we didn't go another night without having one.

Noelle kept everyone else entertained.  She offered different "classes" for her sisters to take.  Of course they were thrilled to sign up for her courses.

LeeLee can be a bit of a troublemaker though, and she enjoyed squirting everyone.  I somehow didn't get a picture of Hope.  Maybe that is because she spent her whole day in the water swimming.  She is still so excited that she can now do it.

Today was only a one dolphin day, but it was a 25 stingray day.  That is a new kind of day for us here. At one point I was wondering why people pay good money to swim with these things.  Hunter and I found ourselves dodging giant stingrays.  They are beautiful, but all I could think about was the crocodile hunter.  We made it to safety just fine, but now I am wondering what tomorrow will bring.  We ended our day with our bonfire.  There is nothing better than smores on the beach.  I am now typing to the sounds of lots of little children sleeping.  My heart is full....and tired.

Wipe Out 147/365

We spent our morning down at the beach.  The waves were rough, so we had continual wipe outs.  I almost felt like we were even part of the game show.  So, we headed to the pool.

Hope learned how to swim today.  Woohooo!  This is a big step for our sweet girl, and I am super proud.  She just has the noodle here because she was relaxing.

The girls kept getting out and jumping in.

 This picture cracks me up.  It sums up their relationship perfectly, LeeLee leads and Hope follows.

 Hunter was so busy too, because........

somebody decided to take off and come join us!  We were all excited to see Daddy.  I don't know how long we will have him for, but I am thrilled to have him at least a little.

Annie is doing better today.  Luckily I travel with an arsenal of dog medicine, so I think we have her on the mend.

Today was a 12 dolphin day.  Every time I come here, I always pray on the way that I will see a dolphin, just one.  God always likes to show out, and he sends plenty of them my way.  I was thrilled today when one of my gifts was a baby dolphin jumping and doing belly flops in front of me for about 10 minutes.  God is so good!

We Have Arrived 146/365

Today we (the kiddos and I) packed up and headed for my second favorite place on Earth. We arrived here safe and sound.  We appear to have brought a very sick dog with us, so things might get a little interesting.  It is Annie that is sick, so I am praying that she bounces back.  We have hit the beach already, and we closed down the pool.  We ate a quick dinner, and healthy fruit was the only option for dessert. At least fruit is entertaining for some!

They Made It 145/365

I guess there wasn't really a question about LeeLee making it, making it to second grade that is.  After all I think she only brought home five papers all year that she didn't make a 100 on.  And let me tell you, she is hard on herself when she doesn't do something perfect.  She loves a challenge, and she hates failure.  That is what makes her such a great student and athlete.  Hope on the other hand was the one that we worried about.  She just really hasn't taken to school work all that well.  I asked at the beginning of the year about testing her for special education, but they wanted to do ESL services first.  So, we went with that path, and she unfortunately has fallen farther behind.  So finally Monday, all of her testing was completed, and we were set to have our meeting.  I braced myself, knowing that they were going to label her Mentally Retarded.  Being a special education teacher myself, I have had to give that label before.  I also live in reality instead of fairy tale land, so I knew exactly what the results of the tests were going to say.  I also knew that hearing them say it was going to sting a little even though it is something I already know.  So, I sat as they went over the test results.  I looked at the non verbal IQ results knowing exactly what they meant, I listened as they explained to me that she has significant discrepancies, and I waited for the words........that never came.  Hope clearly qualifies for services under the label that I really didn't want attached to her, but instead of using that one, they decided to label her OHI.  That is other health impaired.  I was a little stunned, because frankly, I would have given her the other label, but I think they were trying to be generous.  I am grateful.  This gives my precious girl three more years to not be defined.  This label though grants her access to all the help that she needs in the school as she moves forward to the second grade.  Her work won't be the same as everyone else, but she will be moving on.  I have requested that the girls be put in the same class next year.  They are not competitive at all with one another, and LeeLee is good for Hope.  I think it will honestly be a win win for both of them.  I am truly proud of how far Hope has come.  I realize though that we still have lots of struggles ahead of us.  I am so happy to have her home this summer so I can teach her.  She is such a pleasant student, so hopefully soon I will post about her reading.  Nothing would make me happier!

Pluffies Have Been Found 144/365

When Hunter was just born, sweet little Noelle came in the room.  She had a gift for him, it was one of these stuffed dogs.  As soon as he was old enough to grasp the little dog, they became inseparable. I bought a back up, just in case Pluffy One was lost.  One time he lost both Pluffies, so I made an emergency purchase of Pluffy Three.  Several weeks later he all of sudden remembered that he had hidden the Pluffies behind the couch in his room.  He pulled them both out and smiled so big.  Hunter was a non verbal child for almost two years (he didn't even babble), so his Pluffies never got names.

  

I had to go back and find this picture.  Hunter is three here and he was wanting me to come tuck him in, so he was laying on one Pluffy while holding the other patiently waiting.  The Pluffies have been washed many times.  Each time he would sit and watch them go round and round in the washer.  

The Pluffies went on an adventure about a year ago.  Even though he was no longer in need of them, their absence was noticed.  Everyone once in a while he has asked about them, wondering if they have been seen.  Today was the day they were to be reunited with their now big boy owner.  I had the kids cleaning out the basement, and there they were, tucked in the corner on the basement under layers of comfy blankets.  It was cute to see that the Pluffies can still bring a smile to this almost 9 year olds face. I have to admit, that they made me smile too!

Last Day of School 143/365

What a day!  We woke the kids up a little early so they could have a special last day of school breakfast at Chick-fil-a.  Then we go them off to school.  I came back to the house and made school lunches to deliver.  Then I headed off to school where I spent my day going to four parties, taking down graduation portraits, and signing yearbooks for the sweet 5th graders who I have subbed for tons.  We then had a dance party for the 5th graders where the end would be where they found out what teams they were on for middle school.  That is when our day took a turn for the worse.  Noelle and her best friend have been inseparable since first grade.  I have been trying to prepare her that they may be separated, but reality hit today when they were given their assignments.  Reality stung a little harder when you look at a few of the teams and realize that they were totally fixed.  I won't play the politics game, so unfortunately, my child got the shaft.  We will turn this into a life lesson, but for now we have tons of disappointment.  

After school we hung out with the playground group.  We have moms leaving us, and it was sad to walk away, knowing it will never be the same.

Noelle then headed off to a swim party with some of her 5th grade friends.  She had a blast, but when we came home, this is the face we found.  LeeLee currently has a temperature of 102.4.  What a fun way to start our summer vacation!  Today is one of those days that I just wish we could erase and start over, but  I will just praise the Lord that tomorrow is a new day.  

A Snuggle and a Slug 142/365

It is rare that Paul is home when the kids go to bed.  Since opening the new car business, he has had to keep late hours, which we all understand, but that doesn't make it any easier.  The kids miss him.  Tonight I had just sent them to bed when he came in.  Noelle remembered that she forgot the bring me the bathing suit to wash that she needs for a party tomorrow night, she she snuck up to get it.  She was excited when she saw her daddy, so she gave him a little snuggle.

Then she quickly started making fun of him.  She was doing the crazy sign when he turned around to see what she was up to.

Of course he had to mess with her back.  She went to bed all smiles since she had gotten in a little snuggle and some goof of time with her favorite man.

(don't worry, no children were harmed in the taking of these pictures)

Asian Supermarket 141/365

We took an all girls trip to the Asian Supermarket today.  It was a special outing for Hope, but the other two wanted to come along.  Her eyes lit up when she saw some familiar foods she has been missing.

She was excited about foods that have become familiar here that she loves too.  They even promised us that they would be getting in some dragon fruit....that is going to make her smile even bigger.

 These little jello treats made her so excited to find.  I didn't know she had them before, but we had given lots of them to our sweet kiddos at camp last summer.  It was a wonderful day for Hope finding all her special treasures.

LeeLee on the other hand didn't understand why Hope was so excited.  All she ever had in China was congee (a watered down version of rice.)  She walked around making a typical American face as she looked at all the strange foods and drinks.

(I had to come back and update after I posted this....I can assure you Noelle is not flipping off the camera in the first picture.  She was playing with her fingers and it happened to take when both her middle ones were up.....I had to laugh when I saw it.)

My Enterprising Son 140/365

Paul went to clean out one of our rentals, and came home with this stack of playstation 2 systems for Hunter.  Of course we have no clue whether or not they work, but Hunter sure wanted to find out.  He was talking about wanting the cords for his birthday.  I tried reasoning with him, by explaining that we already have a wii, and there was no need for anything more.  I wasn't getting very far until......we looked up the non working ones on ebay and realized he could make some money and buy something he really wanted.  So, Hunter's ebay adventure started today.  He worked with me to list them.  He was real excited when he went to bed because they were already at $25 and he has two watchers.  It will be interesting to see how much they go for.  I can tell you this though, I am glad they will be leaving my house!

We LOVE Mr. Penny 139/365

Mr. Penny lives in the hearts of our children.  As this school year comes to an end, I am reflecting on Dean Road a bit.  Mr. Penny is Dean Road.  He was that something special that set our school apart from all others.  You couldn't ever visit the school without giving Mr. Penny a fist bump, or in my case a hug.  He embodied everything that should be right in this world.  He always had a smile on his face, and was always strong in his faith.  He was a motivator, a mover, and a shaker.  He cared deeply for our school and our children.  Without him there, Dean Road just seems.....well....empty.  It is missing that spark that made it great.

Today the kids celebrated Mr. Penny at school with a picnic.  It was done to raise funds to help pay all of the medical bills.  His road to recovery is going to be long and hard, and my children have had to accept the fact that he will never be back.  However, today we are celebrating life.  I know that God has always had an amazing plan for Mr. Penny, and that plan wasn't finished, he still has Kingdom work to do here.  I just pray that he will find the strength to do it.  We love you Mr. Penny!

Noelle Graduates 138/365

Today my first born, my baby, graduated from elementary school.  She delivered an amazing speech to the crowd.  Notice her teacher in the background wiping a tear.  That is because Noelle was talking about her.

 With a quick handshake, she is on her way to middle school.  I don't think I'm ready for that.

Noelle was blessed to meet her best friend in first grade, and they are still the best of friends today!

 Mrs. Cain has been such a blessing to us this year.  Noelle has loved having her for homeroom.

This teacher however, has meant the world to us.  Noelle had her for 1st, 3rd, and 5th.  So 60% of her elementary years were spent with Mrs. Bass.  She is not only a great teacher, but she has also become a good friend.  She is truly Noelle's other mother.  In fact, Noelle asked her if she would take custody of her if something happened to Paul and I.  Of course, Mrs. Bass said yes. I don't think I could sing her praises enough, you'll just have to trust me on how amazing she is.

I am one proud momma.  Noelle is such an amazing girl, and I know she will tackle middle school with grace, confidence, and ease.  I pray that she remains firm in her faith as she moves through the years ahead.