Beaching It

 Nothing better then loading up the car, grabbing some boiled peanuts and a watermelon on the drive, and arriving by sunset to New Smyrna Beach.

After a little confusion, we headed down for an evening swim.

 They were excited for the day ahead - friends!

 Of course, we enjoyed a Clark Family Crab Hunt!

 And another successful Clark - Lee Family Beach Event!

Best of Intentions

Sometimes you have the best of intentions...

 Like the time I thought taking Ellison, Dylan and Olivia to see a play... by myself...

 I should have turned the car around.  I almost lost mind.

 Like the time Dylan wanted to save the crawfish at the crawfish boil...

one was eaten by a bird, the other was eventually boiled.  Child crying? Oh yes, I had one of those!

And of course, I can't forget the time I gave each child $10 to spend on a hat craft project.  I can't forget it because I am still cleaning up from it!

 Don't judge people... it happens to us all!

Star Wars Glam

 My little girl has certainly changed over the years... or has she?

There was time that Ellison refused to wear anything but fancy dresses paired with sparkly shoes, necklaces, rings, and a pair of fabulous glasses. She has long turned in her dresses and accessories for shorts and sneakers.

This year, she developed a love for all things Star Wars and begged for a Star Wars party.  One thing I do know about Ellison, she may have said bye to fancy clothes, but she is still a glamour girl at heart.  So when I proposed a Star Wars themed Glam Bus for her 8th birthday, she was ecstatic.

  I picked up her friends from school and we all walked home.  On the walk, I learned that many of the girls did not expect an actual bus.  They were shocked to turn down our street and discover that Ellison had not been exaggerating.

 The bus was awesome.  There were several stations, including manicures, massage chairs, karaoke, arts and crafts, hair, and video games.

As the kids entered the bus, Star Wars music placed.  I added in a Star Wars themed lightsaber / bubble wand craft, tattoos, and photo props.

Ellison had a great 8th birthday!  I think she is going to have a fabulous year!

Going Green - Ellison's Birthday Wish

 If you know me well, then this may truly shock you.  I have a compost bucket next to my kitchen sink and a garden that is actually producing vegetables and herbs.  I mean the shock is real.

 The things you do for love and your children.  Ellison had several requests on her birthday list in regards to going green. A few of the items included a compost, garden bed, and seeds.

 Ellison's Papa came over to celebrate Ellison's birthday and build a garden box.  It was pouring rain, but that that didn't stop him.

 And after all of her hard work, we have an amazing garden.  I am loving the fresh herbs and delicious produce.  I only wonder why I did not have a garden earlier.  Oh yes, I know why... I did not have my best gardener, Ellison, to take care of it!

Q & U Wed... again

Ellison would like to know if Q & U renew their vows yearly or if this is a remarriage... oh my. The questions of the world. 

Please check out Dylan's "fancy attire". 

We will miss Father Russell.

I had to include a photo of Ellison's "fancy attire"from the 2013 wedding of Q & U.

NSB... We are Back

 So the Graham vs. Jenn Beach Debate has come to an end.  Our first 2016 day at New Smyrna and Graham finally admits that NSB is the best beach.  I think the quote was, "this beach is the best".  I win.

A few pictures from our first 2016 NSB trip:

We Love Babysitting

Check out Ellison. She was so mad that Reid was not next to her.

The best thing about having older kids is that my life, while chaotic, is a different type of chaotic that affords me the opportunity to babysit my nephew, Reid.  Ellison and Dylan come along and we get to explore life with a baby... and then walk away.  We love our sweet man, Reid!