We just returned Sunday from Myrtle Beach. Brad had a conference and the family tagged along to make the most of the location. We had a really good time. The kids were good and they have finally reached the age where the beach can be fun. It's not relaxing like it used to be, but it is fun. Sam loves the ocean and likes to play in the waves. I feel confident enough in his swimming abilities that I don't feel like I have to be out there with him all the time. As long as I can see him, I'm comfy. He usually stayed reasonably close to the shore and conveniently enough, a tidal pool formed right in front of where I was sitting and Lily was content to play in that most of the time. This all worked out nicely for me since Brad was in meetings all day long and I had the two of them by myself.
After spending a day on the beach, I convinced them to spend the next day by the pool. That's where most of the kids their age were playing anyway and I thought they had a better chance of finding a friend there. Also, there was a water slide right next to the pool that they really liked. The hotel had an awesome pool. It was huge and there were plenty of chairs and complimentary towels. There were even waiters to bring things from the pool bar if you needed. I could definitely have spent a lot more time there.
We went out to eat each night we were there. We always go to the Original Benjamin's, which is a huge seafood suffet with all you can eat crab legs. My boys like those. Another night we went to the Dixie Stampede. It was outrageously expensive but the kids really enjoyed the show. Lily is really into horses and cowgirl stuff at the moment. As a bonus, she thought the Southern belles with their big hoop skirts were really princesses, so she loved it. Sam was his usual quiet self, but you could tell by his expression that he was pretty enthralled in the show. The last night we ate at old reliable... The Outback. We just cannot go anywhere without eating there but we always leave so happy and satisfied. It is truly our favorite.
We also spent some time at the Ripley's Aquarium. It was so neat. We got to see a dive show where a lady scuba dove into the tank to feed the fish. The sharks were out and about and really easy to see and the stingrays (my very favorite) were as beautiful as ever, although I was a bit disappointed in their touch tank. You had to reach way too far into it to reach the rays, so it was next to impossible for the kids to touch them. The best touch tank I have come across is at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (at least I think it's Fort Fisher). The rays come up and "wave" at you and the tank itself is shallow enough that you don't have to get your clothes all wet to reach in.
So this is my last week home before school starts. I have never been so sad to see summer come to an end. I know that I haven't spent much time on here elaborating, but I have had a really full and enjoyable summer. The time with my kids has been good overall and I have had plenty of relaxation time. I have spent quality time with my parents and my brother, and especially my husband. It has just been great. My goal is to try to keep myself from getting overwhelmed and caught up in work and try to hang on to my positive outlook. It makes such a difference in who I am when I don't have work bogging me down. I have to learn to balance that better, I suppose.
I do have a lot of stuff coming up soon. I am working on a baby shower for my friend Katie, a scrapbook weekend with my gal pals is in the works, Sam is going to give baseball a shot, Lily will be starting dance again soon, Wednesday night church activities and school are both going to start back up soon as well. I am trying to get a head start on my Christmas shopping so that won't stress me out at the last minute.
But for right now, school is coming quicker than anything else. I will have a student teacher this year, which I am really excited about. I've never had one before and I hope to be able to provide her with a good experience. We have a new principal and I have a new teammate. Lots of changes to keep things interesting. I desperately need to go clothes shopping for "teacher wear". I wish we'd go to uniforms SO badly!
Well, I am currently downloading several new sets of pictures to Winkflash if you're interested in checking them out. Lily's birthday at the "cowgirl restaurant" (Sagebrush), Discovery Place, Beach pics, Scheile Museum, etc. I finally broke down and bought myself an external hard drive this summer too. You can never have your pictures in enough different places. I would die if I lost my pictures. It is a thought too scary to fathom.
Like I said last time I wrote, I have become an insatiable reader. I read the final Twilight series book and the new Evanovich book while at the beach. I have deliberately NOT started a new book yet because the kids have Vacation Bible School this week and I really want to get some things done around the house while they're gone to that. Monday I got my bathroom and laundry room floor scrubbed... something I cannot do with them here because they walk all over it. Yesterday I froze tomatoes and finished catching up laundry from our beach trip. Today I spent a lot of time in the computer downloading pictures from my camera and editing those. It is rainy outside today so it is a good day for me to scrapbook if I can find something to keep the kids entertained for a while.
OK, so I guess that is it for a while. A few prayer requests before I go... Please pray for my friend Shelby's cousin who is very sick. She is 28 years old, has a 1 year old, and has been told she will not survive without a liver transplant. Also, my friend and fellow teacher Karen was diagnosed with cancer and needs your prayers. You can just never have too many people praying for you. Thanks.
After spending a day on the beach, I convinced them to spend the next day by the pool. That's where most of the kids their age were playing anyway and I thought they had a better chance of finding a friend there. Also, there was a water slide right next to the pool that they really liked. The hotel had an awesome pool. It was huge and there were plenty of chairs and complimentary towels. There were even waiters to bring things from the pool bar if you needed. I could definitely have spent a lot more time there.
We went out to eat each night we were there. We always go to the Original Benjamin's, which is a huge seafood suffet with all you can eat crab legs. My boys like those. Another night we went to the Dixie Stampede. It was outrageously expensive but the kids really enjoyed the show. Lily is really into horses and cowgirl stuff at the moment. As a bonus, she thought the Southern belles with their big hoop skirts were really princesses, so she loved it. Sam was his usual quiet self, but you could tell by his expression that he was pretty enthralled in the show. The last night we ate at old reliable... The Outback. We just cannot go anywhere without eating there but we always leave so happy and satisfied. It is truly our favorite.
We also spent some time at the Ripley's Aquarium. It was so neat. We got to see a dive show where a lady scuba dove into the tank to feed the fish. The sharks were out and about and really easy to see and the stingrays (my very favorite) were as beautiful as ever, although I was a bit disappointed in their touch tank. You had to reach way too far into it to reach the rays, so it was next to impossible for the kids to touch them. The best touch tank I have come across is at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (at least I think it's Fort Fisher). The rays come up and "wave" at you and the tank itself is shallow enough that you don't have to get your clothes all wet to reach in.
So this is my last week home before school starts. I have never been so sad to see summer come to an end. I know that I haven't spent much time on here elaborating, but I have had a really full and enjoyable summer. The time with my kids has been good overall and I have had plenty of relaxation time. I have spent quality time with my parents and my brother, and especially my husband. It has just been great. My goal is to try to keep myself from getting overwhelmed and caught up in work and try to hang on to my positive outlook. It makes such a difference in who I am when I don't have work bogging me down. I have to learn to balance that better, I suppose.
I do have a lot of stuff coming up soon. I am working on a baby shower for my friend Katie, a scrapbook weekend with my gal pals is in the works, Sam is going to give baseball a shot, Lily will be starting dance again soon, Wednesday night church activities and school are both going to start back up soon as well. I am trying to get a head start on my Christmas shopping so that won't stress me out at the last minute.
But for right now, school is coming quicker than anything else. I will have a student teacher this year, which I am really excited about. I've never had one before and I hope to be able to provide her with a good experience. We have a new principal and I have a new teammate. Lots of changes to keep things interesting. I desperately need to go clothes shopping for "teacher wear". I wish we'd go to uniforms SO badly!
Well, I am currently downloading several new sets of pictures to Winkflash if you're interested in checking them out. Lily's birthday at the "cowgirl restaurant" (Sagebrush), Discovery Place, Beach pics, Scheile Museum, etc. I finally broke down and bought myself an external hard drive this summer too. You can never have your pictures in enough different places. I would die if I lost my pictures. It is a thought too scary to fathom.
Like I said last time I wrote, I have become an insatiable reader. I read the final Twilight series book and the new Evanovich book while at the beach. I have deliberately NOT started a new book yet because the kids have Vacation Bible School this week and I really want to get some things done around the house while they're gone to that. Monday I got my bathroom and laundry room floor scrubbed... something I cannot do with them here because they walk all over it. Yesterday I froze tomatoes and finished catching up laundry from our beach trip. Today I spent a lot of time in the computer downloading pictures from my camera and editing those. It is rainy outside today so it is a good day for me to scrapbook if I can find something to keep the kids entertained for a while.
OK, so I guess that is it for a while. A few prayer requests before I go... Please pray for my friend Shelby's cousin who is very sick. She is 28 years old, has a 1 year old, and has been told she will not survive without a liver transplant. Also, my friend and fellow teacher Karen was diagnosed with cancer and needs your prayers. You can just never have too many people praying for you. Thanks.
3 comments:
Since no one has commented on the last few blogs, I was afraid you might think no one was reading. I am. Your parents enjoyed the quality time too. I'm glad you finally got the chance to learn to cook - Doug's way. Wish you didn't have to go back to school too. Thanks for the new pics.
O, I like the new blog layout very much. Good job. How do you find the energy? The time? And to think you're my daughter...Amazing!!!
Luv Ya
Hi Heather. It's Jennifer Philbeck State. I'm reading, too.
Hey Heather! I read too. Jenny
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