Camp Out

Friday night, Jack and Carter went camping at Stone Mountain. It was Carter's first not-in-a-backyard camping trip. They set up Carter's own tent, cooked "hobo camp meals" (hamburger patties, carrots, potatoes and cauliflower) in the fire, and made s'mores. At the crack of dawn, they climbed Stone Mountain. After packing up camp, they did some more activities at the park before leaving.

One final stop: Nana and Papa Jack's house, to fulfill Carter's most prized request. To shoot a B.B. gun.

The boys had fun! Ellyson and I had our own living room camp-in after G&G went to bed. We watched Tangled and ate chocolate chip cookie bars. In the morning, I treated the little three to Waffle House, where each of them ate an entire waffle.

Splash Pad

This morning, I took the kids to a splash pad in Athens. We went last year, too. But this year, the kids were so much more independent and interactive. And not wearing diapers (especially since Grant has FINALLY started pooping on the potty). Sorry, I failed to warn of potty talk. But then again, I'm not sorry, because it is so exciting to have all the kids potty trained!

It was great. We packed our lunches, alternated our time between the splash pad and the adjacent playground, and spent three and a half hours there! That was $5 admission plus three gallons of gas, well spent! In fact, all four (yes, all of them!) kids slept on the drive home.

And you guys, I bared my belly again. And aside from Grant's fascination with my misshapen belly button, it went unnoticed. I mean, I have returned to my when-I-got-pregnant-with-Ellyson weight (and plan to keep it that way) ... but seriously ... guys, post-twins, my stretch marks have stretch marks! Feeling comfortable with letting people see them, has been a big step for me.

Playground Time

This summer, I am taking the kids on a tour of playgrounds near us. So far, we are on Day 3 (excluding the long weekend) of summer break, and we've visited three playgrounds (two were new to us) in that time.

I had planned to stay home today - minus a trip to the grocery store. But the bickering and fighting by 8:30 a.m. had me re-thinking that plan. At this rate, we will be having daily field trips.  When they're at the park with friends, they're playing, not fighting! One way or another, it's going to be an active summer.

Sending Hugs

I have the most creative, thoughtful (and Pinterest-savvy) husband. He came across this idea and sent it to me. One of my grandmothers, who lives 700 miles away from us, is not doing well right now. She is on year 11 of a battle against advanced ovarian cancer.

Since our kids can't be with her to give her hugs, Jack suggested we send hugs to her. She received them today, and my aunt sent a picture of the kids' hugs wrapped around theirs GiGi. How cute is this idea?

Make Some Noise

The kids were chanting "make some noise." Grant takes his role of drummer very seriously.

Summer Dresses

I dusted off my sewing machine last week, and made two new summer dresses for Ellyson. I modified a long-sleeved pattern, and my arm-hole calculations were off on the ladybug dress, which resulted in some awkward creases - but I correctly adjusted the sizing for the owl dress.

Field Day

Yesterday was Carter's field day at school. He missed his kindergarten field day due to having his tonsils removed that week. So he was thrilled with anticipation as this field day approached. The part he most looked forward to? Shave ice. But in the end, he enjoyed it all (or at least that's what he told us). His class played tug-of-war and a wet sponge relay (which is good since it was about 90 degrees out). Then he and his partner did skiing, golf and hula-hoop activities. 

I had to work Tuesday, so couldn't attend. But Papa Jack attended and took pictures!

L Is For the Way You Look At Me

Part of my Mother's Day gift was updated pictures of the kids for our house. Jack bought wooden letters to spell LOVE, and I helped wrangle the kids while he took their pictures at a local garden. I think we've officially hit the I'm-too-cool-to-really-smile-for-pictures phase for Carter, but have hit a full-fledged ham phase for Grant!

Preschool

How do I spend my work mornings? Chasing this crew! This week, I will close the book on my first year as a preschool teacher.

I have signed on to teach again next year. Hopefully we will have enough one-year-olds for a one-year-old class again. If not, I may end up assisting one of the other classes. It took me a couple months to really get the hang of lesson plans and scheduling activities, so I'm hopeful that a second year at the same level, would start off on a more confident foot.

I also have really been enjoying my volunteer time in Carter's class, and may consider returning to my post-college role of substitute teacher, if at some point a preschool position isn't available for me.

Snellville Days

Last weekend while Jack and Carter were seeing the new Avengers movie, the little three and I met Jack's parents at the Snellville Days parade. The theme this year was super heroes. Grant was really excited to meet the Hulk. Graham was excited about seeing Chopper, the minor league baseball mascot.

It was hot. We seem to have passed our four weeks of spring, and ploughed into summer. Don't let the jackets fool you; they wouldn't give them upn

Pool Party

Yesterday was Carter's BFF's birthday party. She had an indoor pool party. The kids had so much fun, and so did we! Carter rode a giant water slide over and over. The twins kept asking to get back in the water. Ellyson had fun keeping up with the other younger siblings. I know I commented during spring break, but it is so much more enjoyable now that the kids can have fun, out places.

In other news, I wore a bikini for the first time in almost five years. *gasp* In public. I still have a couple pounds to go, to lose what I've gained in the last year (having our house on the market, moving, and an out-of-commission treadmill were a lethal mix). But my wrinkly belly and stretch marks are here to stay. And I'm okay with that.