Let's talk about change

It's Friday once again and I'm participating in the fastest, funnest, 5 minute free write (say that 5 times fast).

Click Here to join the fun.Topic of the day...

CHANGE

The sight of those six letters makes me both cringe and tremble with excitement. Depending on who you ask at my house, change is a dirty word or an opportunity for adventure. Three of my friends are embarking on giant life change in the next few weeks. As they have announced their plans to uproot their families away from the only homes their children have ever known, I've thought a lot about CHANGE this week. Why do we fear change? Is it the unknown that frightens? Is it the litany of questions that will be fired at us in rapid succession from all sides? Sometimes change reminds us of a time when we leaped before we looked, maybe took a risk and it didn't go so well. It was painful. Gut-wrenching. We have regrets. 

Even when it scares me and I think I can't do it, I perceive change as an opportunity and it excites me.

The Toothless Wonder Goes to School

Eli had an unfortunate encounter with a play structure last weekend that sent his front teeth...well, north. Perhaps they'll re-emerge at a later date. Like a bear from hibernation. Wait, that's in the spring.
Anywho...
I've taken to calling him the toothless wonder. Today was his first day of pre-school. We didn't give him much warning since he has no concept of time. Once I showed him the backpack, he knew exactly where to stand on the porch for his picture. This kid doesn't miss a thing. 

To say he is proud of that backpack would be an understatement.

We rarely do anything just the three of us, so we made it an event. Steve came along for the photo op. And to meet the teacher.

He had a great morning. We celebrated afterward with lunch at Chick fil a. 

Caboose On the Loose

 When the big boys go away, the caboose comes out to play. I took these pictures last month when Andy and Luke started school and just rediscovered them today. I thought Eli would be so sad when he realized he was the only one left at home. He did cry when the boys were dropped off at school the first time and he wasn't allowed to stay. But once he realized all the fun he could have...like absolute control of the remote...the tears disappeared.

 He knew instinctively to go to the Lego table and inflict chaos and destruction on the treasured creations. Even if no one has played at the Lego table for weeks, somehow they KNOW when Eli has come within a 12 inch radius. Luke begs me to corral the Legos with our giant baby gate that now lives in the garage. No way. This is too much fun. And don't tell the older boys Eli eats all the orange lollipops while they are at school.

 He goes straight for Andy's toys and tricks out Lightning McQueen. Then he poses for the camera.

There's always time for a little Angry Birds on the Kindle before lunch. He's a busy fella. Pre-school starts tomorrow. I'm going to miss my sidekick but I would be lyin' if I said I wasn't looking forward to a little me time.

Soaking Up Summer

This is our last week of vacation before we start a long stretch of school on Monday. The boys tried a half-day outdoor camp through the YMCA and loved it. Luke wants to quit school and just go to camp. Pretty sure the novelty would wear off as soon as there's frost on the pumpkin.

A little pre-camp stick preparation. This is Andy's first time using a knife.Yikes! Luke and Andy were both expected to bring walking sticks on the first day of camp. They were so excited. The stick has their name and the camp name engraved, as well as a string attached for holding the merit beads they earn each day.

The project manager. He didn't go to camp but he is all about having his own stick. 

That's Luke in the middle working on his archery skills.

Today was Andy's chance for a boat ride. He's in the front. Doesn't he look thrilled? He says he was scared.

 Eli received a very special package in the mail today from Grandma and Papa. His very own quilt! He loves dinosaurs right now and he was thrilled to see the stuffed dinosaur inside. He hugged it, kissed it then immediately turned to his brothers and yelled, "Roar!" and pretended to bite them both. What a great sense of humor.

He took his quilt and dinosaur straight to bed for nap time. Such a cutie. 

Happy birthday, Grammie!

Grammie is 97 years young today. I can't believe it. My aunt helped her Skype with us this afternoon. Andy, Luke and I sang an abbreviated version of Happy Birthday. She didn't feel well today but I'm glad we could see each other.This is one of my favorite pics of the two of us together, taken about 30 years ago. Yikes. How can that be? I'm fairly certain I was a challenging child. My parents were busy running the family business and I spent a lot of time with my grandparents when they came to visit every summer. I guess my affection for books began at an early age.
Happy 97th birthday, Grammie! We love you!

The Magic of Seabrook

I don't know what it is about Seabrook...maybe it's the spectacular views that make us stand in awe of God's creation...or possibly the lovely cottages with all the amenities...perhaps its the feeling of being far from the ordinary grind of every day life. Whatever it is, we were big fans after our first visit three years ago and we couldn't wait to go back. It was worth the long pilgrimage from North Carolina to the coast of western Washington. We had a wonderful time, relaxing and playing with our extended family.

 The weather was gorgeous and we couldn't wait to get out on the beach that first morning. The water is icy cold but that didn't stop the kiddos from pulling on their swimsuits. Notice the adults wear sweatshirts with their shorts. The hike down to the beach is a little long but the trek through the forest is incredible.

 No two trees are alike and since we are in the dinosaur phase with Eli right now, we nicknamed this one the dinosaur tree.

Perfect day to build a castle with Papa 

Crab graveyard. Ew. 

Crab shells are good for something. They decorated the tree and called it Ft. Crabtree.

Hooray for cousins and Uncle Steve! A force to be reckoned with. (We missed you cousin Aaron, hope you had a great week at camp!)

I can't decide if I like s'mores by the community fire pit or an awesome sunset the best, but on this night, the sunset trumped even the most delightful s'more. 

Thank you, Seabrook! Already looking forward to our next visit.