Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 9:49PM
We are in the middle of a change here, which I didn't really need to say, but felt like I did need to say, in order to say please hang in there with us as we work out the kinks (and by "we" I mean Mike) and get things cleaned up. Hopefully it won't take too long. Ha, ha.
Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 9:41AM Oh, laundry, oh, oh, laundry, oh...Wherefore art thou, laundry?
Oh.
laundry Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 12:18AM Our final full day at the beach was full of fun; we made the most of every minute because the following day we would be packing up and cleaning the condo in order to return to Orlando...and reality (read: a LOT of laundry). The waves that day were huge for this beach. The surfers were very happy, but the waves were too strong for the kids to go in; the current would have sucked them out right off of their feet. We made them stay on the beach and just out where the waves broke and the surf came gurgling and swirling over the sand. They made the best of it and since they couldn't get out the boogie boards they grabbed some nets and went fishing!
Cousin N. (in the white shirt) was the fishing pro! He caught about six, one pretty good sized one.
Cousin J. was right on their heels, net in hand. If N. bent down to get a look at what was swimming by, then J. was bending down peering closely into the water. He had to be careful, he's shorter! That water would come and smack him in the back and knock him down!
Catching fish; eating fish. Of course, these were from a bag, not the ocean.
My girls...
Normally, Eliana wants to do whatever Michaela is doing, and will follow her wherever she goes. On the beach the story goes a little differently. Here comes the water...
There goes Eliana...
From a safe distance she stomps her foot and shakes her hands and shouts,"COME! ON!"
A ball lured her back down...
It sneaked closer and closer to the water...
but she would not be fooled...
She ended up playing happily under the umbrella, by herself sometimes...
and with company at other times...
My sister-in-law and her husband (my brother-in-law-out-law?)...
They took care of me a lot while we were at the beach. Wendy bathed my big kids, and helped them get to bed. She made them dinner and sent them to brush their teeth. She put sunscreen on them. She watched them outside. Actually, it sounds like she took care of my kids, huh? (Where was I? What was I doing?) And do you know, Bobby thinks I'm funny. That is just the best compliment ever. If I can make someone laugh, then I feel complete. Thanks, Bobby, for laughing at me. With me. No, at me. This is one cute boy.
The suits match, but their personalities are so different. Well, actually they are very similar in confidence and opinionatedness, but at the same time it is expressed differently. I hope they are always good friends.
Like their moms.
It will be interesting to see how Eliana fits into the girls' scene over the years. Right now it works out because she wants to be where they are and they love having her around.
A dad in the pool is like a cookie with milk...it's just better.
They sat outside and ate their lunch, all six of them. They all looked so big, even Eliana. I got tears in my eyes. Is something wrong with me? I am Hallmark's dream target.
While Eliana took a nap the rest of them were banned from the apartment wanted to stay outside and read...
By the end of the day everyone was worn out. While I got Eliana settled and Wendy was taking care of the girls, the boys got to work on this project...
They built this giant tower using all of the Legos, except the ones with wheels, and they did it together. This is what I think of when I think of our time with family. Building, together. Building our relationships, building our memory stores up, and lots of together; at one point there were ten of us staying here.
We're home now; leaving is always hard. As Wendy and I hugged at the airport, there was that final squeeze, and she said,"Don't make me cry now!" I put on a big smile and shook my head,"No!" We have the next time to look forward to. Besides, we need to catch up on some sleep. Watching movies every night is totally fun, but we are not in college anymore! There are children who wake up in the morning and want breakfast.
While it's hard to leave, I also have a lot to do around here! Our summer is far from over...
life together in Uncategorized Friday, July 10, 2009 at 11:33PM A bounce, a flounce
A swirl, a twirl-
There's nothing like
A little girl;
With hair to brush
And songs to sing,
Babies to hold
And legs to swing,
They occupy
Their precious time
With coloring pictures
And clapping rhymes.
They match their clothes
Run hand in hand;
They make up dances
And dig in the sand.
They work together
To get a job done,
They love cute purses
And eat chocolate for fun.
Even though girly
From head to sweet socks
They'll play some ball
And climb on rocks.
Side by side
Through thick and thin
Not just cousins and girls,
They're friends.
poetry in Uncategorized Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 7:21PM 
He's an imp and an angel, a dreamer, a tease An explorer of meadows, and a climber of trees.
A runner of errands, and doer of chores. Who tears his best trousers, and tracks up your floors. He's a solemn young man with some mud on his feet, And a daredevil riding his bike down the street. A bundle of questions, who wants to know "why", The world goes around and the stars fill the sky.
But adventurous, timid, excited or quiet, There's nothing so new that he won't care to try it. And just when your temper and patience wear thin, He'll look up at you with an innocent grin. And your heart melts again with your real pride and joy, In that mischievous, wonderful treasure--- your boy!!
Take the time to hold his hand and build castles in the sand
Take the time to share his dreams and travel through rocky streams Take the time to hold him near and tell him he has nothing to fear
Take the time every chance you can before your little boy's a man. Little boys come in all shapes and sizes, Shy and adventurous, full of surprises, With misshapen halos and mischievous grins, Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.
They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while Nothing can brighten the world like their smile. And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!
*All poetry in this post is anonymous and from an online source.