Vacation Day 2

What a week! My one goal was to make some lasting memories for my kids, memories like I have of summer vacation spent in Pensacola. I truly think this goal was achieved. Our day-by-day: Day 2


Sunday, July 1, 2012, was to be spent taking Nanny to Three Rivers Baptist Church, visiting and relaxing while we waited for Daddy to arrive. Getting two kids, who stayed up way past their bedtime were too excited to sleep because so much vacation excitement, ready for Church Sunday morning proved to be a little bit of a chore. But, believe it or not, we arrive at Nanny’s house, 30 minutes across town, on time. Well, “on time” for what we thought was the start of Worship Service. However, about ten minutes from Nanny’s house we discovered that Worship Service actually started in oh ten minutes!! Being late did not deter us from our plans. We escorted Nanny to Three Rivers Baptist Church, where we arrived fashionably late and made a grand entrance, ha! Thankfully, they were having a special July 4th service and we arrived during the special music program so there was not really an interruption!! The pastor and his wife were so excited to see Nanny and Nanny was so happy to be there. I was just thankful to spend Sunday morning in Church with my Nanny. Service was followed by a potluck lunch…yum!

We could not leave Seminole, Alabama without paying Aunt Ann (also known as Amen) and Uncle M.T. (called Uncle T by Caroline) a visit. We officially met Pal who is the most adorable and loving little dog, I mean family member. The kids had so much fun playing with Aunt Ann, Uncle M.T. and of course Pal! We couldn’t leave Aunt Ann’s without a prize…that violates some longstanding rule, right? Well the kids each had a banana and I left with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and a few hot peppers for David. I have such fond memories of going to Aunt Ann’s house (which is where Nanny lives now) when I was a child. She always had a prize drawer full of the best cereal prizes and toys she picked up here in there. Uncle M.T. always supplied cool pens and order books to play office. They are the same with my kids. There is always a prize, a toy and SO MUCH love!

Nanny was not feeling well so we dropped her off at her house before heading back to change clothes and spend a little time in the…WATER! I didn’t realize how bad Nanny felt until later in the week :(.  Once back at the Bayou House we changed our clothes and had a snack.  It seems like when we are on vacation these kids are ALWAYS hungry!

I forgot to mention that on the way back from Nanny's on Saturday evening we did a little exploring and discovered Perdido Kids Park.  We literally just did a drive by to check it out before calling it a day.  But, on Sunday after some time in the water we decided it was time to pay the park a real visit!

So back to the WATER...the kids packed there things in the wagon and were ready to spend the afternoon playing!!  And, boy did they play!  We swam, we built sand castles, we caught minnows and tried to catch blue crabs.  We searched for hermit crabs.  We watched the birds and the jets.  We had a WONDERFUL time together!!

We played in the water for a couple of hours before deciding to change out of swimsuits and try out that park we found.  What. A. Park.  Perdido Kids Park is an awesome place take children of all ages to play.  There is a Big Kid area and Tot area.  There are misters that are fun for children and nice for adults if you are just a little hot.  The kids of course made quick friends of other children there...Austin met a sweet little girl and Caroline met a mischievous little boy! 

After leaving the park, since we did not have anywhere we had to be, we took a right towards the water instead of heading back to the Bayou House.  Well, what did we discover but Big Lagoon Park!  The super friendly Park Ranger gave us a free pass to tour the park before sunset (well 8:00).  Another place was added to our "places to visit while on vacation" list!

We made a quick trip to Publix before heading back to the Bayou House.  It was almost time for Daddy to arrive and our family time to officially begin!!

Here are a few pictures:

Caroline before church

Austin Kieff on our way to church

Playing in the water AT LAST!

Hot and read to play...not take pictures!

Future Blue Angel Pilot

My busy bee

My wall climber

Big Lagoon Park

Jumpstart and First Day of School

Austin Kieff had Jumpstart a few weeks ago.  It a wonderful program that allows Kindergarten students to become acquainted with the school, their teacher and new classmates  in a few half-day sessions before school starts. 

Austin Kieff was excited and nervous.  I felt the same way.  It is so hard to believe that my baby boy is going to "Big" school.  I definitely feel like he is ready.  FUMC Daycare and Preschool did an excellent  job preparing him during his time there.  Mrs. Maxine worked with Austin Kieff this past year and made sure he was ready to start this new chapter in his life.  I wish I were as well prepared as Austin Kieff!  No amount of planning has prepared me for this milestone.  I wish the hands of time would slow down.

I am so proud of the little boy my baby has become.   He has definitely been a blessing.  He loves the Lord and his family.  He is smart and kind.  I pray he maintains these characteristics as he grows into a young man...thankfully I have several years before this happens...but I know, time flies!  Blink!

Austin Kieff is in Mrs. Jones' room.  His friend from FUMC and Church  is in his class!  Several other children he met at Jack in the Box and VBS at Hebron are also in his class!  He had a rough first day at Jumpstart, but things have been great the rest of time.  He finished the first week with ALL purple dots! 

Walking to the Elementary School

Standing in front of the High School

Being a little silly on the first day!

Standing outside of his classroom 

Miss Daisy Has Joined the Family

I knew this day would come, eventually.  I must say, though, I was not quite ready for it this early for Austin Kieff.  I also realize that he is growing up and his interests are changing and definitely diverging from mine!  I also know that this is the way it is supposed to be.  He is growing up.  If I had written this post  when I planned to, I would add something like, "after all, he is starting Kindergarten soon." 

Well,  here she is, Miss Daisy and a few pictures from our first "date":

Austin Kieff was so excited to meet Miss Daisy

and so very proud!

Check out this detail

It even has her name on it!

A little saddened by the "made in China"

Miss Caroline is just as excited to meet Miss Daisy!

Future Hunter?

Cullman

We had a fun, if quick, trip to Cullman a few weekends ago.    The kids and I met David in Troy.  We are definitely enjoying this "work truck" deal.  We were able to leave straight from Troy (David left his "work truck" at the office) instead of waiting for David to get home so that we could load the truck up!  It only saved about 45 minutes, but every minute counts when you are traveling with small children.

The kids were wired when we arrived at David's parents' house.  Caroline was the first to notice that Uncle Chris was not there to greet her.  Her disappointment was short lived.  Not only did she get some very much enjoyed one-on-one time (well almost since she had to share them with Austin Kieff!) with Grandmother and Granddaddy, but when Uncle Chris arrived the next morning, he had Hunter with him!  This made for two VERY happy children. 

We enjoyed two fabulous breakfasts prepared by David's Mom and Dad.  We also shared a couple of yummy meals off the grill.  We spent time with Great Grandmother, Chris, Hunter, Mr. Charles, Mrs. Brenda and of course, Grandmother and Granddaddy!  David was even to visit with one of his high school buddies.  We left Sunday morning so that the kids and I could go to VBS at Hebron with my Mom. 

Here are a few pictures that cannot even attempt to capture the fun these kids had:

First Time!

I think he likes it!

Caroline went for a ride, too!

She is a pro!

Hunter and Austin Kieff

My boys

Mini-Vacation

The kids and I left this past Friday to go to Pensacola.  We spent Friday night with Nanny.   It was almost 10:00 when we arrived and the kids were live wires!!  All the pictures from Friday are on my cell phone and I am having trouble posting from my phone (they are on FB!).  Austin Kieff and Caroline were all over Nanny...hugging,  kissing and saying "I love you."  It was late when we finally went to bed, but both kids were up super early!  Nanny cooked bacon, sausage, eggs and biscuits.  Austin Kieff was in heaven and Caroline enjoyed her favorite food (eggs) even more so because Nanny cooked it!

We left Nanny's and made a quick trip to Wal-Mart for snacks and drinks.  Then we drove over to Aunt Sue's and Uncle Bob's house.  We were excited to see them and the kids were surprised because I had not told them that Uncle Spencer and Alison were going to be there!!  We followed Aunt Sue to Joe Patti's where we bought some beautiful tomatoes and Georgia peaches (which were delicious!!).  Austin Kieff and Caroline were not too impressed with the seafood market, but the big boats outside were a hit!  Captain Joe's boat had two little dogs aboard which we watched for quite some time.

The trip across the 3 mile bridge and over to Ft. Pickens road was definitely a walk (or drive!) down memory lane.  I have so many fond memories of staying with my Grandparents in Pensacola as a child.  Aunt Ann always took us to Pond Creek which I have always thought was the coldest, most refreshing water around.  Aunt Susie usually took us over to the beach.  We had such fun summers and weekends with our family and cousins!

When we arrived at the Beach House both kids were asleep!!  This was perfect because I was able to unload my car and help unload Aunt Sue's car before waking them up and taking them inside (yes I kept a watch on the temperature inside the car...).  Bedrooms were on the second floor and the living rooms and kitchen were on the third floor.  The views were amazing!  Out the front was the beach.  Out the  back was the canal.  "Water everywhere" according to Austin Kieff!   The kids did great going up and  down the stairs.  They both loved the room we stayed in and had a blast in the HUGE shower.  The outside shower was also a hit for both kids...neither has one ounce of modesty right now, ha!

Sunday morning I had grand plans to take pictures of Caroline and Austin Kieff. Needless to say, it did not happen as I had hoped!  Grady, Mary Margaret, Jacob and Lily arrived around 4:00.  Aunt Sue had prepared a yummy shrimp boil.  My kids were super excited to see their cousins!   We spent Sunday night and Monday night at Aunt Sue's and Uncle Bob's house.  There is so much more to tell, but  these pictures will have to do for now!!

My camera fogged up and most of the pictures are blurry...not to mention Caroline did NOT want

her picture taken at all!

My sweet boy!

Beautiful

Spencer's Boat

Getting ready for a boat ride!

Alison

Captain Spencer

Sweet Caroline

Aunt Sue waving goodbye!

Beach Time!

Austin Kieff LOVED "sliding"

Sliding-walking to the water's edge and running/sliding back before the waves knock you down

Beautiful Sky