Lions Water Adventure (Kinston, NC)

The kids and I met up with a friend from college and her girls for a day of fooling around at the water park.  Tube rides, lazy river, and a water playground kept everyone occupied for hours. Unlike the ocean, Gabe was fearless and had a ball.  Plus there were 4 girls who were more than happy to watch over him and cater to is every whim.  Casey periodically checked in but enjoyed full run of this small water park. 

 

After a long day at the water park

Beach Bums

The moment Gabe got his cast off, we packed our bags and headed for the beach.  Everyone had a blast.  The girls and Casey are getting so daring in the water. It was fun to see them enjoying themselves so much but also a little nerve racking to see them so far from shore.  Lizzy is ready for surfing lessons.

Where I found Gabe

 

Gabe just about gave me a heart attack tonight.  I was making dinner while talking to my mom.  The other kids were playing some game were they had stuffed animals on leashes.  After about 20 minutes, I realized I hadn't seen or heard from Gabe in awhile.  Last time I saw him was when I told him not to put binoculars on the stove when I was trying to brown meat.  I queried all the kids and asked if they had seen Gabe.  When they all responded negatively, we started a man hunt.  Just before sheer panic set in I found him asleep with his "ba" on our shower floor with the bathroom and shower door mostly closed.  Odd and freaky.  He didn't get much of a nap today. I guess he was just looking for a quiet place to lay down.  He does think our new shower is pretty nifty.


Arkansas Cousin Camp

Daily dunk at cousin camp (aka bath time)

Lizzy trying to walk on water.

"Mom, watch this!"

Mad because he can't go in the water.

Playground- Consolation prize for not being able to swim

 

  

Reminds me of summers on my grandparents farm at the swimming hole

Throwing rocks with Aunt Kay

Gollum?

Dance

Rest in Peace Sad Sam

Sam was the best family dog you could ask for.  She shared 9 great years with us, minus the 3 weeks she ran away. We will miss you.

4th of July @ Festival Park

Working on an apple



Settled in for the show

They never cooperate for a group shot

Getting down to the Mavericks

When is it time for the fireworks?

Look, I got stickers

Look at my stickers

There is a saying, "Don't buy the cow, when you can get the milk for free."  I feel the same way about stickers.  Yesterday, I took the kids to the mall. The mall is a place I avoid like the plague, but Ava and Casey needed new sneakers and we needed to get a mattress for at Sears.  Recently a new play area was installed in the mall. I only know this because the other kids got new sneakers a couple of months ago. Anyway, the kids wanted to play a bit. A fair request if good behavior was present during our errands.  The kids were about 25 minutes into playing on the mini slides and rubber buildings/boats/planes.  The five minute warning had already been given, and the kids were wrapping up their game of jumping off of the Declaration of Independence. I saw Gabe and Lizzy launch themselves off the play structure, something they has done 50 times in the last 25 minutes, then I saw Gabe curled up in a ball crying.  I picked him up and he stopped crying within a couple of minutes.  Well, playtime was over and I took everyone home for nap.    Gabe was still crabby after a nap, and kept wanting to me to carry him. He perked up when we had pizza for dinner and he went to bed like normal.

 

However, he was still crabby and wanting to be carried when he got up this morning. At first I thought he was sick, but then it struck me that he hadn't walked since 1pm the day prior.  Hey, no judgment.  With older siblings, it is not uncommon for Gabe's feet to be off the ground.  Lizzy likes to give him piggy back rides, Casey will carry around in a bear hug, or Ava carries him like a little mom. Plus, I will often carry him for comfort, speed, or efficiency.

 

I didn't think I could just tell a 2 year old to suck it up, so I made an acute care appointment to get it checked.  Four hours later we left with this cool neon yellow cast.  No clean break was indicated on the x-rays, but in this age group they will cast fractures and suspected fractures to be on the safe side.  The problem area is the metatarsals in the foot, but since little kids tend to be escape artists, they gave him a long cast for the next 3 weeks.  The good news it that he should be rid of it by the time we head to the beach at the end of the month.

 

Show me your hurt leg, no your other one

Neon Yellow- He picked the color

Off and Away to Cousin Camp

Bye Mom and Gabe!

The Big Show

 

The girls spent the last week in theater camp singing, dancing, and rehearing for the Jungle Book.  No leading ladies in this group but they both rocked their parts.  Ava was part of the jungle and was on stage the whole time. She got to sing almost all of the songs, and had a dance solo as a prickly pear that pricked and poked Shere Khan, the tiger.  Lizzy was an elephant and a monkey and got lots of stage time as well.  Lizzy with her quirky style ended up as the senior monkey.  She got a microphone and a line in the play, as she introduced the King of the Monkeys, King Louie, and clowned around with him on stage.  Overall, the girls said it was hard work during the week, but they were really happy with the end result.  They learned a lot about theater, made new friends, and enjoyed being in the show.  Sorry, I couldn't video tape it, but I am sure the girls will be more than happy to reenact the whole thing.

Niki and Paris?

No, it is just Ava and her cousin, Reina.  However, I am still worried what the future holds.

Mom's Rules

We are on our own for the summer, while Ryan enjoys lovely Afghanistan.  On Day 1 of this journey, I treated the kids to McDonalds and the playground after we dropped Dad off and before returning to school.

Lizzy's First Communion

The Big 5.0!

Happy 5th Birthday, Casey!