Putt-Putt and Ladder Golf

Late one afternoon, we took the boys to play putt putt. We found one with a huge dinosaur that we knew would be a huge hit! Banks was a little dangerous with a metal club and I was glad to get out of there without any one ending up with a concussion. Hughes didn't see the need to start putting from the start of each hole and instead chose to place his ball right beside the hole. He then proceeded to celebrate after each hole-in-one with a loud "yahoo". Banks quickly picked up on Hughes' style and finished the rest of the course with lots of "yahoos".

Family Photo

The boys exploring the dinosaur's feet. David trying to figure out how he can make a come-back in our game.

Check out that form - PGA here we come!

In awe of their mom's putt-putt skills!

Now, on to ladder golf. It was a big hit on the beach with the kids and adults. Lots of games were played - some got killed while others barely won. It didn't seem like a game of skill but rather a game of luck.

Swimming

Let me introduce you to the newest aquatic member of our family - HUGHES! He swam everyday all day! The waves knocked him down and he got right back up. Banks was a little hesitant but Hughes was clearly in love with the ocean!

Fishing

My boys will grow up to be fishermen if there dad has anything to do with it!

Banks practicing his cast with his Superman fishing pole in his bedroom shoes and Spiderman swimmies. This child has got some style!

Hughes and Granddaddy fishing in the surf.

David and Banks trying to catch dinner.

David and his fish. Scary enough, they caught several little sharks. Even more reasons for me to stay out of the ocean!

Sandcastles and Holes

The boys did a lot of digging as well as lots of sandcastle building. Well, sometimes the boys supervised the sandcastle building while the men took over the shovels for awhile.

Hughes, Banks and Uncle Bo building a gigantic fort.

Hughes trying not to fall into the hole.

Kate getting water splashed on her. There were lots of water bucket trips to the ocean.

Banks cooling his feet.

You can see part of the fort in the background.

David's shark that Banks stomped on.

Pawley's Island - Holman Style

We just got back from a great beach vacation with The Holman Clan - 9 adults, 3 children. The weather was perfect and the drinks were cold. We couldn't have asked for a better beach week! I'm going to chronicle our week in subjects. Here are just a few random pictures of our week. I have a ton of picture of the boys and that's about it. David makes an appearance every now and then but the rest of the family is absent. I promise they were all there - Andrew listening to music, Deyna dodging the camera in her maternity bathing suit (Deyna you look great by the way), Casey and Neal relaxing, GiGi holding down the fort at Family Tides, Granddaddy and Dawa on long walks or kayak paddles, and me behind the camera.

Hughes in one of his many, many holes - digging in the sand was definitely a favorite activity!

Banks has sunblock in his eyes in this picture and was not a happy camper - too bad it was my fault- oops, sorry Banks! It was also the first morning on the beach so we had a rough start.

Granddaddy and Dawa took the oldest grandkids for a beach walk. Somehow it turned into swimming in the surf and being carried back soaking wet. From the way this picture reads, Kate is a lot lighter than Hughes!

Coupon Craze

Coupon circulars came out today. Of course, I perused the various grocery circulars looking for my kill. This is what I found:

BiLo

Fruit Loops (on sale for $0.98 and I had a $1 coupon so it was FREE)

2 Colgate toothpaste

1 Bageful

Harris Teeter

2 Hefty gallon ziploc bags

3 12 pks. of Coke products

2 4-packs of light bulbs

2 Kraft shredded cheese

Grand Total: $17.06

Amount Saved: $34.86

Tomorrow I hit Publix for a few more worthy coupons. I do love to save!

Little Fishies

Swimming lessons ended with a BANG - Hughes was so confident and comfortable by the end, it was kind of a shame that the class was ending. However, I will not miss that daily drive at 4:00. Instead we'll be relaxing at the water park, playground, backyard, or out on another adventure.

Mom and I met Michele and the girls (Anna Banks and Emma) swimming last night at a friend's pool. I was shocked! The reasons you ask:

A. both boys wore their swimmies willingly (Spiderman helped the cause)

B. Hughes floated around the pool like it was no big deal - kicking, blowing bubbles

C. Banks was relaxed and jumping off the side to an adult

Maybe I will have little fishies for children. I hope so b/c there is no other way to beat the heat than to submerge yourself in water! Check out the video proof of my fishies! You can also hear him answer my questions and show off his bubble blowing skills!

Chandler's Baptism

On Sunday, we had our Goddaughter's baptism. Chandler did great and was the perfect host for the brunch. We had a lot of fun and Suzie outdid herself with the food - she had a ton!

Check it off - Swimming Lessons Done!

Well, we're not exactly swimming yet but we're definitely more excited about the water. Hughes did great on his last week. I was actually able to stay in the area and watch him without him freaking out and getting out of the pool. The last day of lessons, BecBec and David came to watch. He kicked like a rock star, blew bubbles like a fish, and floated like seaweed. We're still working on water in the face/going under the water. All in all, he did great and I'm really proud of how far he has come.

We also finished up vacation bible school this week. The theme was Paul and the Underground Church. Each day we visited Paul who was under house-arrest and Sister Lucia who was worshipping Jesus in an underground cave. The kids learned about what it was like to be a Christian in the early Roman times. It was a great theme and I'm pretty sure all the kids loved it. Hughes did a great job. I wish I could have secretly followed his class around - I would have loved to watch him and his reactions to the Roman soldiers. Banks stayed in the nursery and I'm pretty sure he was about fed up being in the nursery for almost 4 hours every morning.

One last thing, the boys have gone camping for the wkend with BecBec and PopPop so that leaves David and I KID FREE! We're having David's law school study group over for dinner tonight and then the rest of the wkend is for the beach, movie, dinner, and our Goddaughter's, Chandler Steed, baptism. I'll post pictures of our beautiful Goddaughter on Sunday.

So, I'm off to do some more cleaning, stuffing things in closets, feverishly clean the boys' rooms and manage to get myself presentable in a hour and a half - wish me luck!

Oh, don't want to rub it in but WE'RE KID FREE!

All Warm?

The other day I came downstairs where Hughes was playing in the den and saw him curled up on the sofa with a blanket.  I had a pretty good hunch that he didn't have any pants/underwear on b/c I had heard the toilet flush from upstairs so I knew he had used the potty while I was gone.  So, I sat next to him on the couch and asked if he was all warm.  This is how our conversation went:

Me:  Are you all warm?

Hughes:  My tummy warm.

Me:  Oh

Hughes:  My hands warm.

Me:  Oh

Hughes:  My feet warm.

Me:  Oh

Hughes:  My teetee warm.

Me:   Huh?  Your teetee is warm?

Hughes:  Yeah, it warm.

Then, he continued to go on and name all different body parts and kept saying they were warm.

Hughes could care less about shorts and underwear.  Do all boys love to be naked as much as my boy?  

Day 5 - Swimming Lessons and Vacation Bible School

Hughes has turned into a fish over the weekend.  He started off with "wim team hard" and "I'm (s)cared" but he got in the pool and loved it.  I actually was able to stay in the pool area and watch him.  He smiled, kicked, blew bubbles, pushed off the side to the teacher, and just enjoyed himself.  I'm so proud of him and he's really proud of himself, too!

Yeah, for turnarounds.  Now, if I could just get him to like vacation bible school.  We had a tough morning transitioning.  Hughes wanted to stay in the nursery with Banks.  He was not happy with all the loud singing, commotion, and in general - just loud noises.  I left him crying with his group but the teacher said he quickly recovered as they got to the crafts and other fun activities.  I made sure during the morning that my 1st grade group did not run into his 3-year old group.  

Wish us luck with VBS and swimming lessons tomorrow!

Day 4 - Swimming Lessons

Today was the best day yet.  He had a little trouble warming up to the idea but once I got his shirt and shoes off he was fine.  He grabbed Hudson's hand and they marched to the pool together.  He, again, told me "wim team hard" but there was no fussing while he was in the pool and that, my folks, is a huge accomplishment.  I didn't stay in during the lesson but snuck in they last few minutes to watch him working one-on-one with the instructor.  I was told that she dunked each kid but didn't really get a response as to how Hughes did with that - I can only imagine!

So, we'll stick with the remaining lessons for next week.  At least, the crying has stopped!

Day 3 - Swimming Lessons

It went better today.  When we left the house to go the lessons, Hughes said he was going to swim "weally, weally, fast" like a "dark".  Okay, I thought, we're on a good page.  We get to the outside pool parking lot and he says he wants to play "baball", I said okay.  There is a basketball court right next to the pool so the boys get to play with the balls before swim practice.  Then, I tell him it's time to take off his shoes and shirt to get ready for "swim team".  Uh Oh.  Hughes did not like this.  He said "wim team weally hard".  I told him if the teacher wanted him to do something that he did not want to do just to say "no thanks".  I then told him to go line up and responded with "no thanks".  Reluctantly, he went over to the line and held Hudson's hand and they together went into the pool.  I left the pool area and Banks and I went and watched a game of raquetball.  Elizabeth came and gave me updates.  Basically, Hughes sat on the steps inside the pool facing the instructor and did everything he was suppose to do even smiling at times.  

Maybe this "wim team" is getting better.  I'm not sure how much he is learning but he is definitely getting more comfortable with the water.

Day 2 Swimming Lessons

Well, Hughes made it into the pool for half of the class before he started crying today.  Elizabeth took him over to the teacher to start class, he went into the pool all by himself, and started the class.  He worked with his teacher trying to float on his back, went back to the side, watched a few more classmates try to float, and then lost it.  The big mistake was the teacher then moved him from the wall to the steps.  Well, he happily proceeded to get out of the pool and search for me.  I was hiding while also watching him.  I thought if he didn't see me during lessons then he would be fine.  Well, I saw him get out so I marched right back to the steps and made him sit there through the rest of the lesson.  I did speak to the instructor after class and told her that if he starts crying tomorrow then to just leave him on the wall b/c if she moves him to the steps then for him the class is over.

Will Wednesday be better?

Two Little Monkeys

We had a neighborhood friend get married this past weekend out at Rockville Episcopal with the reception at the Sea Island Yacht Club.  Just the property of the yacht club was gorgeous.  Hughes and Banks had the most fun running around, throwing rocks in the water while getting all muddy under their Dad's supervision, watching porpoises off the dock, dancing to Plain Jane, etc.  We had a good time but think next time we'll get a babysitter for the boys.  Conley was the ring bearer of the wedding so Hughes and Banks had a friend to play with, too.

Swinging Monkeys

The band was really loud and Hughes was not a fan hence the fingers in the ear.

Swimming Lessons Day 1

Hughes started swimming lessons this week.  Yesterday was his first 30 minute lesson.  Hudson, his cousin, is in the class with him so I was hoping that it would go smoother with one of his best friends with him.  The teacher called them over, Hughes went willingly, followed the line through the shower and into the pool.  He was fine for the first 10 minutes - just hanging on the side like he was suppose to do.  Then, he saw me.  All hell broke loose - tears, yelling, trying to escape, incoherent sobbing, shivering, etc.  I went over to the steps of the pool and made him sit there.  10 minutes goes by and he sees a noodle that really interests him.  He grabs it and starts back into the pool with his class.  He lets his teacher work with him for a few minutes on the noodle and then we revisit hell - crying, yelling, MELTDOWN!  

Yeah, class is over.  We go for a celebratory dinner at Chuck E. Cheese.  I'm not sure what we're celebrating - Hudson's bravery in the swimming lesson or just the sheer fact that one torcherous swimming lesson is over.  Elizabeth did find out for us that if we're not satisfied by the end of the week with our 2-week session that we can get a full refund.  There are 5 little kids who will sink straight to the bottom if they let go of the wall, one instructor and 30 minutes.  Personally, I think those 3 things don't add up.  We're going to get through this week and on Friday, we'll make  a decision as to whether Hughes will continue or we'll get a refund.

Anybody know of a college student/high school student wanting to make some extra cash for private/semi-private swimming lessons?  Oh yeah, who also has access to a pool?  

Coupons

The last couple of months I have been clipping coupons and trying to cut our grocery bill down.  I've learned a lot and I've realized how much money I use to throw away - why I never saw all these deals last year is beyond me.  I've got some websites that tell me when to use my coupons, etc.  I wanted to share my latest grocery store run:

1 pkg. of solo cups  ($2.85)

2 1lb. bags of rice  ($2.78)

2 Lipton Family Tea Bags  ($4.58)

2 French's mustard  ($3.00)

1 French's Worcestshire  ($1.89)

1 Black Pepper  ($3.79)

2 20lb. bags of dog food  ($29.98)

For a Grand Total of $53.10 in groceries

I paid $16.82

This was at Harris Teeter during their triple coupon week.  I usually shop at Publix and always save at least $50.  I've joked to David that I'm going to need my own set of shelves in the garage for all my stockpiling!  I love this coupon/bargain shopper business - it's a game and I'm killing it  - can you tell I'm a little bit competitive?

More to come about the children but I couldn't help share my good news.  Who knows?  Maybe I've inspired you to start clipping and join in on my savings!

Happy Memorial Day

We have had quite a busy Memorial Day wkend and it was all fabulous!  Saturday we dedicated to the yard and left Monday for pure enjoyment.  So, bright and early we headed to Beachcomber Park out at Kiawah.  We were one of the first people there.  Last year, Hughes would not even go near the water.  He would only play in the sand.  Banks wasn't even crawling so he played with whatever was nearby.  BIG CHANGE this year!  Hughes is a waterbug.  All he did was play in the water.  Banks took some warming up but eventually he got waterlogged, too! 

Brothers

 Digging

He was so excited he could hardly contain  himself.

Banks taking a juice break.

Miller about to "water" Conley.

Hughes showing William the shell he found which happened to be the home of a hermit crab.

Memorial Day 2008 - what a difference a year makes!

Banks and Thomas just hanging out.

Hughes scared of the water.

An Experiment

Apparently, David is not the only one in our household that can do experiments - I can!  Lately, when I've asked Hughes if was a boy or girl, he would always respond with girl!  I even changed it up with boy or monkey, boy or turkey.  When he answered he was a monkey or a turkey, I just contributed it to him teasing me.  I wasn't that concerned by it - I kind of thought it was funny.  But the more I thought about it, I did get a little concerned.  So, I spoke to his speech teacher about it and she asked him the same question but with the choices reversed and he answered correctly.  So, we just figured he was repeating whatever the last choice was.  

Yesterday I did my experiment with the help of some jelly beans (thanks mom for the suggestion!).  I sat Hughes down and asked him "are you a girl or a boy", he answered boy, I asked " do you want candy or a kiss", he answered kiss so I gave him a kiss.  I told him if he wanted candy then he needed to say "candy".  We went through boy or girl with him saying the correct answer, we did what's mommy with him saying the correct answer, etc.  

All in all, I would say my experiment was a success and I got the positive results that I was looking for!  I learned that Hughes does know he's a boy and he's just not that interested in answering my questions when candy is not involved.