Honey Owns a Hybrid

OK, Honey has been talking about buying a hybrid for some time now. When we were in the mountains there were several & so she really had it on her mind. Morris found out that they had ONE on the Toyota lot that someone had ordered & couldn't end up buying...so before I could even get this info. to Honey, she was out at the Toyota dealership just to "look" without even knowing that they had one. I met her out there, along w. Papa & MJ and you guessed it...Papa bought it for her! She is SO excited & feels so smart sporting around in her hybrid...50 miles to the gallon!

Happy Mama

Mom & I made a little trip to Milledgeville yesterday to have the girls' pictures taken at the Governor's Mansion. Kyle Hitchcock, a photographer in Milledgeville, met us there & worked her magic...she was absolutely amazing & so EASY to work with. On top of her sweet personality & talent, she waived the $100 session fee because we were her 100th client! She surprised us with that info. AFTER the shoot - you all know that put a smile on our face! Thanks, Kyle, for capturing these precious memories for us...

http://www.kylehitchcock.com/- click on "proofing" & then "portrait photography" & type in your email address to view our photos.

Thanks, Keely

MJ LOVES her Ruffle Bloomers - how stinking cute are these (no pun intended)! My sweet college roommate, Keely, sent these to MJ. What a nice surprise finding these in the mail today...thanks so much, Keely!

LG & OJ

LG: "Mama, this orange juice is so sweet...it pokes my cheeks. It tickles, too & makes me laugh!"

Busted...

I'm in bed reading a book, MJ's taking a nap & LG is watching Noggin (best channel EVER)...LG had asked for a snack (why wouldn't she, we only ate lunch 5 minutes ago) & I told her to bring me the animal crackers & I would give some to her...she didn't return. A couple of minutes pass & I think I hear crinkling of a bag so I stop reading and concentrate on the sound - I must just be hearing "things." Then I hear it again...stop, concentrate. And then the following conversation takes place:

Mom (from my bed hoping not to wake MJ - too lazy to walk in den): "LG, are you eating marshmellows?"

LG (from den, too lazy to walk to my room): "Wwwhhhhaaaatttt?"

M: I repeat my question...and then quickly hear the crinkle sound again.

LG walks in my room with the family size doritos bag and a grin on her face.

M: "Geese, are you eating doritos? That's enough, let's put them up." LG (saddened): "But Mama, there so cheesy-peesy" (whatever that means)..."And now I need something to drink."

Latest Addiction

All I can say is Facebook...it is after midnight & I can't stop...for those fellow fb addicts, you know what I'm talking about.

KANUGA '08

Saturday - It all started in 1962

May the fun continue...


Kanuga 1962: Cabin 19...2008: Cabin 19

Well, we made it to Hendersonville, NC down the inviting driveway to Kanuga...basically this is like the camp from the movie "Dirty Dancing." Families stay in cabins & there is also a 3 story Inn. Honey & Papa met at Kanuga in 1962 and well, we know the rest of that story! I found out on this trip that Papa worked at Kanuga for about 5 summers after they met. We stayed in the Inn & are hoping for a cabin next summer - they are extremely hard to come by b/c everyone wants one! There are NO PHONES, TV, AC or CLOCKS in the rooms/cabins. You leave the windows open and the fan going all day to keep the room cool.

Kanuga Daily Routine...

8am - Breakfast (loud speaker plays song over campus to let you know it's time to eat each meal - everyone eats together at tables of 8 - we were paired with Mike & Scott & loved them!)

8:45 - 12 MJ to Clubhouse (nursery)

9-12 LG to Kid's Camp

9:45 -12 Watercolor Class & Wine Glass Painting (also had wood carving & basket weaving)

pick up girls

12:30 Lunch

2-5 LG back to Kid's Camp

6:30 Supper

8:00 Nightly Entertainment

Having every meal prepared & served to you & not having to clean ANYTHING up was wonderful! Our week basically consisted of a lot of sitting on porches, rocking, reading, playing, napping, eating, swimming, walking, painting, guitar playing by Papa, singing by Papa & LG, dancing by LG & MJ... did I mention napping & eating? Glorious...

Sunday - Making Friends

Bryce, LG & Caulder met at the waterfront & never separated!

Mrs. Caroline loves painting the kids' faces


LG's swimming band - yeah!

Today was a day to "take in" Kanuga...nothing was planned but our meals of course. We spent a lot of time at the waterfront & LG actually took the swimming test...she did great & was awarded a GREEN wristband, which is the best & means you can swim in all the swimming areas. We were so proud!

Lola Grace was jumping off of the floating dock &, according to LG, Bryce was scared to jump from the dock so LG had the GREAT idea to hook their life vests together - the "tail" part that goes through your legs - so they could jump together! You can imagine the panic that went through my body as I watched this happening from FAR AWAY (with NO bathing suit on)! I had to yell to the lifeguard & try to explain what was going on...long story short - I ended up YELLING at LG, as the lake has been silenced, & everyone listened to the psycho mom (that would be me) telling her daughter to unhook the life vests & NOT to jump in while connected to Bryce! Meanwhile, Bryce is trying to get off the floating dock by going down the stairs while LG is connected to her & LG can't quite figure out why she is being pulled down the steps, too! LG & Bryce were "hooked" together for the rest of the week...

Monday - Watercolor & Street Dance

Happy Girls........swing yur partner, round & round!

Time to say goodnight!

OK, for the record, I'm a "wanna-be" artist. Lately, I have been interested in painting & the Watercoloring class gave me the opportunity I needed. Lynne Baldwin was our teacher all week & she was amazing...extremely talented, helpful & encouraging! I enjoyed EVERY minute of it. We had class in Jackson Hall cabin every morning & painted from 9:45 - 12:00 then I walked to pick up the girls. The cabin windows & door were open so we could feel the breeze, hear (not see) the kids happily playing nearby (and NOT be responsible for them - the BEST part), listen to the birds, feel creative, stare into space, meet new friends, watch others paint, give/receive compliments, ask questions, learn, mix colors, watch ants crawl around (honestly, this bothered me at first, but then I learned to just watch them & not have the desire to get rid of them). I found painting to be so peaceful, mind-clearing & relaxing.

Lynne started the class with a sunset painting...I, of course, thought, I don't want to paint a sunset...so I picked a picture of the Kanuga waterfront (one of my favorite views) & went to work...and...then...quickly realized I should have done the sunset so I could follow Lynne & learn as I go. Oh, well...next year I will follow her lead!

After dinner we took the girls to the Street Dance with the Whitewater Bluegrass Band - what fun!

Tuesday - Tye Dye & Bingo

LG's tye-dye creation

LG made a tye dye t-shirt at camp today...so cute! After dinner the 2 of us played Bingo with everyone...really hard to keep up with her cards & mine...after every letter/number they called she would SHOVE the card with excitement IN my face & say, "Mama, do I have that one?" I would respond with, "I'm not sure, LG, the card is too close to my face & I can't read it." This happened every time without fail...better luck next year - maybe we'll actually win a prize!

Wednesday - Carnival

Decorating a visor..................Painting snakes

Carnival - Mama, I "caught" some candy!

Kanuga style dunking booth...

Kissing Booth (Daddy said this was the only time LG could kiss a boy for candy!)

When I picked MJ up from the Clubhouse today, they said she had a runny nose, sneezed & coughed a lot...Noooooooooo!

After lunch, MJ made her 1st trip to the Kanuga beach with H & P...she loved it! Papa played with her in the water while Honey "rested" under the umbrella.

LG didn't have camp this afternoon so we went & did some crafts together...Madelle, B & C came along too. They all painted snakes & decorated visors.

3 pm, Chris played in the staff vs. guest softball game & the guests won! The four of us caught the tail end of the game.

LG & Bryce enjoyed the Carnival after dinner...lots of candy & cookies were eaten! Lollipop tree, kissing booth, dunking booth, tattoos, face painting, number-cookie game, putting game - endless fun!

Thursday - Finished Product & The Ark

BEFORE the ark ride...

Whose idea was this? Come on, guys...faster!

1st Watercolor ever painted................2nd Watercolor

Well, all good things must come to an end...MJ came down with a cold, so she didn't go to the Clubhouse...Daddy stayed with her in the morning so I could finish my watercolors - thanks, YTB!

After supper, we all went for a "ride" on the red ark...hilarious! Lifeguard Ben could barely get the rope untied it hadn't been used in so long...that should have been our 1st warning. Anyway, we made the most of it, made it out about 40 feet from the dock & came back...short trip but I think we laughed the whole time, including when a spider the size of a 1/2 dollar jumped on my leg - aagghhhh!

LG, Chris & I went to watch Steve Brogan, a ventriloquist. He had 4 "dummies" that he used & "picked" on 2 guys in the audience - he was pretty funny.

Friday - Wine Glasses, Road Race & Dam Swim

Here they come......Daddy putting on LG's running shoes


And, they're off........Comin' round (up) the mtn...


The WINNERS

Tybee Glasses for Honey & Papa

Another great day...I painted wine glasses & Chris ran in the Road Race - yes, he won the WHOLE thing. LG ran in the Fun Run (Daddy ran with her) - she didn't quite know what she had gotten herself in to but she finished and came in 1st for the 3 & 4 year olds (and yes, she ran in a skirt) - we were all so proud of her!

After lunch Chris & I enjoyed a walk around the lake while H & P read on the porch & listened out for "napping" MJ through the baby monitor. Memories...turtle on limb in lake, spider webs, forest "feel", tree roots along the path, children's laughter swimming in the lake, fresh air, clear blue sky, beautiful clouds, geese in lake, wonderful talks, beautiful views, rugged terrain, small cliffs leading to lake, tranquility, splashing, trees, trees & more trees, natural, relaxing, peaceful.

Chris & I did the 5 o'clock "dam" swim- all the way to the lake dam and back! Pretty exhausting...I was so proud of myself! Lifeguard Ben followed us with the yellow board & a noodle (that I made him take in case I came close to death & needed to stop, as if the yellow board he was on & the lifeguard rescue float wasn't enough). But I am proud to say, I swam the WHOLE way (1/2 mile) without needing help - ok, I needed help but I refused it - I'm determined when I want to be-ha! And, yes, I'm STILL sore!

After dinner, LG went fishing with B & C & then we enjoyed the Talent Show followed by the slide show from the week.

Saturday - Kanuga Toast & Chocolate Milk

Bryce, LG & Caulder

Depression had set in...we all woke up for our last prepared 8 am breakfast - so yummy; especially when you don't have to cook it or clean up! Mom, Dad & I took down as much Kanuga toast with jelly as we could & I enjoyed my last choc milk...until next summer! The guys took LG & MJ in their car back to Georgia - ya'll are the best! Mom & I sure did enjoy our ride home. Thanks to Honey & Papa for a WONDERFUL week at Kanuga!

Grilled Cheese & Swimming

MJ eating her 1st grilled cheese...don't know that she really tasted it since the pieces were so small, but LG enjoyed feeding her!


MJ is ALL smiles

LG put this bathing suit ensemble together...old, too small, paisley top from last year with new heart print bottom...I sweetly told her that the top/bottom didn't go together and she said, "it's ok, Mama" so I went with it...My little "trend" setter...or something-ha! And, yes, I try & always get her to wear a bow when we go to the pool so I can easily & quickly spot her in the pool.

Yummy

LG & E enjoying Chick-fil-a icecream

4th Festivities

So Yummy!



We enjoyed a beautiful 4th...Daddy played golf in the morning, then we all headed to the pool for some lunch & watched the pool games...and, yes, you know Daddy participated & WON the beer dive with Adam Griffin - they stuffed 56 beers in there shirts/bathing suits in 30 seconds...Chris said he almost drowned! We then hurried home to get ready & met the Bozwell's at Marguerita's for dinner...there was ALOT of cheese dip consumed &, of course, MJ got a piece of lettuce in her mouth somehow so we had a little choke "scare" that included a finger swipe by daddy. We then headed to ihcc for the kids festivities...cotton candy, snow cones, face painting, jumping things, slides - a kids paradise! LG had a blast & her RED cheeks proved it! At dark, we enjoyed a wonderful fireworks show which didn't phase MJ at all!

Gas

Conversation at home with LG today while we were getting ready for the pool - I don't know what triggers these little thoughts of hers...Here goes...

LG: "Mama, I love gas."
M (trying not to laugh): "You do? What kind of gas?"
LG: "The gas in our car."
M (a little relieved but not really): "Really, why do you like it?"
LG: "Because I like the way it smells."

Waiting for Daddy

Summer Movie

I took the girls to see Alvin & the Chipmunks this morning...LG LOVED it while MJ hung in there for a while & then she enjoyed crawling around on the Ebola infested star-carpeted floor (lots of fun for me!). For $2 you get a ticket, kids popcorn & drink - I think that's a great deal! When we came home, LG played some "music" of her own with some kitchen bowls - MJ got so excited watching her. LG played a little "hard rock" & broke 2 spoons - oh, well.