Ahhhh . . .

FINALLY - vacation.

It's How I Blog

I've decided that my type of blogging can be compared to DVDs of your favorite TV shows from Netflix. Some people like to watch for the new episode every week and some people like to wait until they can order the entire third season of "Charley & Co." as to be able to watch the entire season in one sitting. So for all of you out there that enjoy the "one sit blogging experience" stick with me!

No Words Necessary

4th of July

My brother Steve and his wife Vicki hosted our 4th of July celebration this year. They're in the middle and they have a pool so it was a natural choice!

She loves going to her cousin's house!

Eli and Maddie. He's 5 months younger than Maddie and 3 pounds heavier. Maddie's my featherweight.

Lovin' my baby!

Eli, Charley, Maddie, Josh and Emily

Ballerina

Charley had a few firsts this summer and one of them was ballet. She has one 45 min. class per week and she loves it! She does pretty well and what she lack in grace she makes up in energy! That shouldn't be surprising . . .

I just love her in her little baby-blue leotard and pink tights!

In the Pool

Charley took swimming lessons for the first time this year. She and her friend Abbie from church had a great time together and Charley just keeps getting better every time she gets into the water.

Now that's a happy girl!

Abbie's older sister Alex a little bored waiting for her turn.

Charley and her teacher Heather.

Abbie catching Charley. Notice how her hands are cupped to do so!

Enjoying a nice summer treat at week's end.

Maddie got in a little water time herself at my friend Lori's pool.

Our New Membership

We've been getting different memberships to local attractions and we decided this year it was time for the zoo. Our friends Megan and Spencer bought a membership for their family too. Our first day there was spent with them - and we had a lovely time :)

Randoms

Charley found my make-up again.



Prettiest loaves I've ever made.



Charley's getting into photography . . .



Ameri's getting Maddie started early! (Though I prefer volleyball!)

True blue through and through!

Charley's First Year of Preschool Comes to a Close

Charley had a great time in preschool this last year. It was great for both of us actually!

Charley and her best bud Ethan. They were quite the item!

Pony Rides

Our church put on a fair in May (yes May!!) and the girls got to ride ponies for the first time. Our friends got a couple of good shots. True to form, Charley is with Hadley and Maddie is pulling a serious face!

I'll give you patience

Ameri and I had a pretty rough week. We sat down to feed the girls dinner (which is always a challenge - they don't like to eat) and Charley was being her normal self. In other words, complaining about what was for dinner and taking FOREVER to eat it. Ameri looked at her and said, "Charley, Mommy and Daddy don't want to fight with you tonight, but we're losing our patience - so please eat."

Charley looked at him and replied, "Daddy, I'LL give you patience."

Oh, if she only knew how true that statement is!

P.S. We're going to the Coldplay concert tonight! Woo-hoo!!

How to win a war.

After watching Maddie destroy my home in minutes, I've decided that the way to win a war is to gather hundreds of precocious 18 month-olds and let them loose in war rooms and headquarters around the globe. They seem harmless at first glance, but, give them five minutes, and any semblance of order is literally destroyed. One can cover the "hard-copy", put a couple on the keyboards and two or three on plugs and wires. Mothers can be on hand to supervise, but we all know that mothers are too tired to really do much more than make sure that the wee ones on electric duty don't get electrocuted.

Just a thought.

Things I'm using as excuses. Poorly.

I think I've told some of you that I am a lazy person at heart. I could sit around watching T.V. or reading books like a champion. Unfortunately, or fortunately, for the lazy girl inside of me, I've been blessed with pure Hollingshead guilt, grate and grind factors. I have Guilt (yes, with a capital "G") when my children get neglected over a "Lost" episode (THANK GOODNESS for the internet, etc.), it Grates me when papers and junk start to pile up (a little O.C.D. factor I think!) and I Grind away at the kitchen floor or the bathroom sink until they sparkle to perfect perfection after Mr. Guilt and Ms. Grate have worked on me long enough.

Why these thoughts? Well, I haven't "talked" to you (those who care!) in a while because the "G" family has been knocking at my door. Pounding actually. I've been having entirely too much fun being "in charge" of organizing a family reunion, I need to go to "facebookers annonymous", Charley needs swimming lesson . . . and ballet lessons, Maddie needs to giggle, my desk was feeling neglected under several piles (hard to reach the computer actually), several frames needed to be hung (which we did - and they look fabulous if I do say so myself), I need to find a Thursday babysitter, Charley needs a squeeze, dinner needs to be made - as do breakfast and lunch, I need to read a good book every now and again, and, of course, Ameri needs some attention too. The bootcamp is still in Grate mode so I'll get that one organized when Guilt sets in and then Grind can take over.

There are my excuses. I just thought I'd dress them up for you.

Something to think about.

I haven't had the motivation or will to blog lately. But, the house is quiet right now so I'll take the opportunity to share a fun tidbit I found. I've been reading a book a client loaned to me called, "The Magician's Book: A Skeptic's Adventures in Narnia."

The author is not a religious person and she talks about her love of the "Chronicles" despite not being Christian. I'm enjoying seeing things from her perspective. She quoted a bit of "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader". Reading the passage (quoted below) and her thoughts on this particular part of the story got me thinking (no smart remarks!)

Here's the passage:

"The girl looked up and stared straight into Lucy's face. Neither could speak to the other and in a moment the Sea Girl dropped astern. But Lucy will never forget her face. It did not look frightened or angry like those of the other Sea People. Lucy had liked the girl and she felt certain the girl liked her. In that one moment they had somehow become friends. There does not seem to be much chance of their meeting again in that world or any other. But if ever they do they will rush together with their hands held out."

You might think it odd that this passage struck me, but let me explain. We live in a world now where a lot of our communication is via internet, texting, etc. I love the fact that blogging and facebook have reconnected me with so many old friends. Many of the people I communicate with through these two tools I've had long relationships with. Others - not so much. Regardless, even though I will never see some of you in person again in my lifetime, I know that if I do happen to get that chance, it will be a happy, comfortable meeting between friends.

Children are great at making friends instantly. As we grow older we kind of lose that ability. As adults we seek for too much information in the people we are meeting. Sometimes this is a necessary thing, but other times we get too curious. The nice thing about blogging and facebook is that we get to know, and remember in some cases, just the good things about people . . . for the most part! We tend to be more forgiving and more accepting. Curiously.

Soooo, in my deep thoughts and "Jack Handy" moments :) I'm thinking of the warm fuzzies you all bring to me.

On that note, I want to remind you that phone calls and face to face reunions should not be forgotten and replaced by texting, facebook and blogspot!! Love the ones you're with and cherish the ones you know! Give hugs to your loved ones and write a good, old-fashioned letter every now and again. You'd be surprised how much love you can send in a little envelope worth 50 (!) cents!