April 25--Daddy and Lauren at Mote Aquarium in Sarasota, on the boat tour of the bay and Gulf of Mexico
Wow! A rare picture with Mommy, too!
Here is our little scuba diver!
If I touch the starfish, will it hurt me?
COUSINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lauren had talked for the past MONTH about getting to see her cousins...and here they are! They could TOTALLY be siblings! Isn't it amazing? (The kiddos were watching a movie.)
Lauren with cousins Kolby and Kasey.
Lauren grinding corn like the Native Americans did in the 1400's in St. Augustine.
Maybe she won't grow so fast...or any more...
When we got home from Florida, our grass was about to take over the neighbors' yards! Lauren and I ran from the "angry gardener" (Paul) who kept destroying the garden (of clover and weeds). It was a LOT of fun. Lots of laughter, running, and silliness.
Our neigh-neigh's niece, Arianna, had a visit to the neigh-neigh's. Lauren and I helped play, bathe, and set up her sleeping arrangements.
For Easter, Lauren received a nice surprise from Grandma Wade--her own planting kit and equipment! We got to "grow" the dried soil, add watermelon and sunflower seeds, and presto--Lauren has her own garden! The sunflowers are growing the best and most so far, but the watermelon have made a comeback all their own! Our recent water amounts have helped to grow things further. Lauren can now identify the letters S and W which stand for her seeds!
Logan is again playing baseball. After our trip to Florida, we missed the season beginnings, so we crashed Shelly's day to join them for the double-header and had a TON of fun! Here is Logan. His position is catcher. He chose the number 86--My favorite Steeler's player, Hines Ward's, number!
And Logan batting!
My therapist, Ashley, is having a baby! Here is her little girl! Beautiful! She is due September 21. I'll probably post a poll on baby names. We're stuck.
And Tweetsie Railroad has opened for the weekends! We joined the Donleys and Cadwalladers for a trip. Here are Lauren and Chatham!
And Lauren and Harris
Chatham and Lauren were ahead of Cara and Harris on the slide.
We all crowded onto the Mouse Train (for two rides) and the mousy conductor (no, seriously, she looked like a mouse!) took our picture. Who would have thought that we could get 10 people looking in the same direction at the SAME time?!
And of course it wouldn't be a trip without a little pout session from Lauren. Harris tried to console her.
And he succeeded! If that isn't husband material, to put up with her moods and turn them around, I don't know what it could be! Other than a best friend!!
Cara and Suzy on the Merry-Go-Round
Lauren and Harris
Suzy braved the rides and "took one for the team" and did TWO rides of Tilt-o-whirl with the kids. Lauren and Harris LOVED it! (This was after 1 round of the Sizzler--which I braved and made it!)
Chatham was content riding on the bench of the Merry-Go-Round.
Smile!!
Lauren's first recognizable drawing of a face! I about passed out when I saw it! Those scribbles have suddenly turned into meaning! See the round face, eyebrows (unibrow!), two eyes, rosey cheeks, long nose, and crooked smile. I LOVE this drawing!!
Now we are all back home, settling in. Paul's summer session classes have started. He has 3 summer classes all in May and June. He goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-10 pm. He will have two hellatious weeks where he will go Monday through Thursday from 6-10. Yikes!
Lauren has been accident free for so long that I finally told her I was done with Pull-ups...with great success! We'll keep some handy for long trips and over-nighters when on vacation or traveling, but otherwise, all is good!
Lauren has discovered the power of procrastination at bedtime..."Mommy, I have to pee." "Mommy, my earring is bothering me." "Mommy, something is in my room. A fly...or Catlyn." "Mommy, I'm thirsty." You name the excuse, she is working on it! She doesn't want to go to bed, but she doesn't want to wake up in the mornings either. Oh, well.
Grandpa McCaslin is now living at Corry Manor, a nursing home VERY close to our parents' homes. Now when we travel north, we won't have to take a 35 mile detour to go see him. He's very excited about the move, knowing that family will probably see him a little more. We're hoping he can resume physical therapy, too.
Say a prayer for all teachers...only 15 more days to go!
