Vacation

Our vacation to the beach ended with Joshua announcing, "I wish I could stay here until I was old and needed a wheelchair to go to the pool."  All Dave and I could say in response was, "we know, us too."

Anna Ruth's chariot to and from the beach each day

Most days she was fine on the beach as long as she was in her own personal pool and nowhere near the ocean.

We indulged in much seafood eating!

This picture sums up most days at the beach.  Joshua wanting to get in the water and swim to the end of the horizon and Anna Ruth screaming bloody murder whenever she got close to the water.

The pool became tolerable to the princess but she was happiest when being held.

Rarely to our kids get to sleep with us or really anywhere besides in their own beds.  But I think both of these 2 enjoyed a snuggle nap that day.

Anna Ruth's favorite part of the beach was chewing on the sand toys

Joshua's "cannon ball"

dolphin in the water... not shark

Joshua in the water...not shark

She finally got in the water the last day there and actually seemed to enjoy it.

This is the first family vacation we have taken with just the 4 of us.
We had a great time and can't wait to go back...soon!

4 for 4

Joshua spent last week in Birmingham with Aunt B and Abigail.  And if that weren't enough excitement in and of itself, he was able to attend KidLife (VBS) at Dawson.

We talked to Joshua twice during the week and were given typical Joshua reports of things were "good" and "fun" but no other details.  

Amelia pick him up Friday in Birmingham and for the first 30 minutes in the car on the way home he sang the songs he had learned complete with choreography.  He talked about the Bear Family who helped lead worship time each day and recalled several Bible stories he learned.  

How exciting that such memories, songs and scripture can be written on his heart in just one week.

(below is a picture of the preschool worship time)

And let's not forget that Aunt B loves to have fun with her nieces and nephews!  So naturally there was park time, splash pad time, movie time, and who knows what we aren't being told about.

Typically when you hear someone is 4 for 4 you think, "wow, that's great."  Like if a kicker is 4 for 4 in field goal attempts or a batter got on base 4 of 4 times in a game = thumbs up!  

Well not so when 4 for 4 pertains to the stomach virus.

While Joshua was in Birmingham, Anna Ruth brought home a stomach bug from school.  We were thankful that Joshua was not home as we had a day and a half of gross with her.

However, shortly after getting him home Amelia got sick and then a few brief hours later Dave got sick.  So now there are 2 sick parents (laying motionless on the bathroom floors) and 2 well kids practically fending for themselves for Friday night and Saturday.  

Just as we were heading to bed Saturday night Joshua yells from his room, "Mama, I'm sick!"  

And so we waved the white flag of surrender to the stomach bug as we were now 4 for 4 in 5 days.

In the wee hours of Sunday morning while hovering over the toilet, Joshua leaned into Amelia's face and screamed, "I feel like I'm dying!" which on the surface is pitiful but sent Amelia into a fit of laughter and turned out to be the adopted theme of the weekend.

Thankfully, we have all recovered and returned to the land of the living by Monday afternoon.

The new week has brought with it swimming lessons for Joshua. 

retrieving a ring from the bottom of the pool

practicing his technique

swimming back to the platform after jumping in (and having to stop and fix his goggles)

He has loved the lessons and has decided, "By the end of the week I am going to be swimming under the water like a speed boat fish."

graduation

Joshua has officially graduated from pre-kindergarten.

He hosted special guests for his graduation celebration lunch

His class made hand print t-shirts for the celebration and got to stand on a stage in front of all the parents.

Joshua's teacher introduced him as the "professor" because "he always knows the answer." 

We are grateful the Lord provided a place like the CLC for Joshua to learn and grow and make some great friends.  And as one of his classmates said, "Joshua, now we can finally go to kindergarten!"

the season is winding down

 Baseball season is finishing up.  Joshua has loved playing t-ball.

After being thrown out at first one week, he developed a "strategy" of hitting down the 3rd base line and "running like the Flash" to first base.  (he hasn't been thrown out since) 

 

One of the highlights of each game it to see friends on the opposing teams.  These two boys are come of Joshua's favorite friends.  After this game Joshua told us, "even though we were on different teams, we can still be friends."

Anna Ruth has enjoyed baseball season too.  She especially likes that she gets to eat pretzels during the game.

 Last night's game was cut short by a downpour.

Joshua got to play in the field but didn't get to bat.

Here he is "practicing" his throw.

After we got soaked and made a mad dash for the car the traffic was so bad in the parking lot that we just sat and visited for a while.  After about 10 minutes the rain stopped and the t-ball field was empty.  Since Joshua didn't get to bat in the game, he and Dave ran out on the field for a little batting practice.  Joshua got a hold of one that Dave pitched to him and hit it to the fence.  He ran the bases and slid into home.

What I would have given for a picture of the smile on his face!

The last game is Thursday.  We're hoping it isn't rained out.

Happy Birthday Ladybug!

We had a family party to celebrate Anna Ruth's 1st birthday.

I think AR's expression to hilarious.

"Why are all these people singing to me?"

"This center of attention thing is kind of fun!"

"Hmmm, what do we have here?"

"It feels like nothing I have ever had before."

"It tastes like nothing I have ever had before.  I think I might like this."

"This thing is ok, but I think I would rather have ice cream."

the "big" kids

Lottie and Aunt B were sweet enough to come to the party.

 

The Gladney side

everyone (minus Monica Lee who was the photographer)

loved having Monica Lee with us

the Nolen side

Besides the birthday girl these cookies were the most popular thing at the party

a sleepy birthday girl snuggling with Gran

We had a great day.  Anna Ruth got a chair, books, Snow White toys, a car to ride in, a Minnie Mouse doll, a suitcase, new shoes, a pink elephant, several new outfits and a puzzle.  What a blessed little girl to have so many people who love her!

(see the other new post below)