Amazing Wonders & camping at Tomoka State Park

Last week our church hosted "Bible School". We did the Amazing Wonders theme, and my kids loved it. I was heading-up kindergarten recreation, and didn't have a chance to go into their group worship time. I missed seeing the kids sing and dance in worship. Maybe next year I'll find a way to go. The kindergarten alone had 100 - 125 or more each day! My mom said that was the number of kids in their entire VBS. One day, the church had its largest number ever - 1211! Mega "Woah!"

One night we were so excited about VBS the next day we decided to sleep in our clothes. Major put his on, then took them off during the night, and put them on again when he got up!

After Ella Grace saw Major had his on, she got in on it, too.

Our camping trip was planned several months in advance, and at that time we didn't have the VBS dates. The kids had to miss Friday and the big program on Friday night. Needless to say, they were very disappointed, but I don' think they minded much once we got to the camp site!

After Jeremy got home from work Thursday, we packed up the Tahoe and headed out. Once we got there, threw the tent up and got our things arranged, it was time to celebrate Mother's & Father's Day with Jeremy's parents. It's hard to find something useful sometimes. I think this was the first time in probably three or four years (at least) that Jeremy's dad had not gotten a shirt from us. Promise to pick that back up soon!

 

The kids did most of the unwrapping.

Proud owners of a sign for camping!

Soon after that, Major had to get to "work." That's what he calls the digging and road making he does while we camp. He stays quite busy, indeed.

Thursday night, Major began coughing lots. Jeremy got up with him about 2:00 am and took him inside the camper for his medicine. Major ended up staying, and slept inside the rest of the time. Can't let that boy get sick - it's no fun for anyone.

 Friday night we went to the camp store where the Ukelele Lady performed. Kids loved it.

 And I think this was her husband. They ran the camp store together and he played and sang a little, too.

 This is another camper, George. George played a little for us, too, on his dulcimer.

 

We got to Skype with Aunt Lo-Lo, Mee Maw, Pop & Nana, and we tried showing them this view right behind our tent.

And we drove a little, too.

Saturday night we went to a program at the visitor's program center in the park. One of the rangers had all sorts of things like turtle shells, snake skins, and (deep breath) live reptiles of the same sort!

A snake skin - I probably could have touched this...but, I didn't. I don't think Grandmother was too thrilled with it either!

Ranger with a snake.

Jeremy holding, Major petting said snake.

Major holding it all by himself! He said "Dad! The head is going down!"

He was such a proud boy!

With a 3.5 foot alligator. The only kind we like!

 Sunday Jeremy fished a little from the bank, and then it began to drizzle some during the afternoon. It really didn't stop much before we left, and we all ended up bunking in the camper with Grandmother & Grandaddy. We hosed the tent down best we could and packed everything up. I think we were home around 2:00 and put the tent back up to clean it more and let it dry, cleaned the air mattresses.

It was certainly nice to sleep in my own bed Monday night!

Back to the beach!

Preparing the boogie boards while waiting on Dad to get back from his bike ride so we can go to the beach!

It feels like it has been sooo long since we have been to the beach (we did make a quick stop just to look during spring break when Grandmother & Grandaddy were here), we almost forgot the way!

just kidding. Jeremy was driving and he never forgets the way!

It was windy. The water had quite the chill at first. I enjoyed the sun, nonetheless. The kids enjoyed the sand, as always. And Dad, well, he just enjoyed taking it easy, greasy. (Not really, I guess I was the greasy, oiled-up one.)

Toes in the sand...

Ella Grace had the time of her life playing on a boogie board (they each received one as Christmas gifts from Grandmother and Grandaddy). Jeremy would pull her out (further in the ocean than I care to go), wait for a great wave, and my baby girl would come all the way to the shore - and if you happen to be standing in her path, she would intentionally steer it towards you. She is unbelievably fearless. I have none of that, so she must get it from her daddy.

Major and I stood about shin-deep. He would jump over the small waves, and I would pick him up over the large ones. We did bother to give them names. You know, because waves should be named. Even in the small lifetime they have. If they were small, he named them baby Jackson. From there, depending on the size they took a name of a grandparent. Or Uncle Bubblegum. There was even one large wave named God. Major said it was almost as big as our house. But, not quite.

And in the excitement of boogie boarding, my love buried his beloved Costas with houndstooth croakie at sea. Darn. it. His cap fell off, too. But since it only cost five bucks it came back. Fab.u.lous.

Our first day back at the beach was marvelous. Really, it was. Just like the first game of the season. It was refreshing. Gotta remember how it was we actually pack for the beach, carry all that stuff out, and how the load sometimes is a little lighter on the way back (because we consume a lot of snacks - swimming makes our tummies hungry!).

We love the beach.

A quick beach trip

I love Florida...well, I love being able to go to the beach so often and on a whim when we feel like it! Last Sunday (3/18) was one of those times. While Grandmother & Granddaddy were here visiting, we went to church, came home and changed and headed out for the beach. First, we stopped for ice cream then made our way to the beach. Even though we didn't have our suits on, didn't even bother taking toys or chairs, the kids just had the best time. That's what I love. The simplicity of it all. Enjoying the sand, who cares if its gets in your clothes or your legs are covered in sand. Yes, we had sand in Little Boy Blue's eyes, but it was the best time.

And can anyone look at that perfect color of blue in the background and believe there is no God? I don't think so!

I am in love with the color of my baby's hair! Just B-E-A-utiful!

Ella Grace, Major & I made a trip back home on August 1. Monday was spent in the car mostly. We finally made it to Pop & Nana's around 6:30 cst. What a relief to be out of the car (literally, ha! ha!). It didn't take too long for that explosion I mentioned before

And then a little later, Nana had just let Ella Grace carry a small bucket of beads and told her to hold on tight so they didn't spill....when they spilled...

Tuesday we visited my grandmothers (a previous post).

And Wednesday we hopped on Pop's yacht and headed for the lake. The kids had a blast! Swimming, floating, these kids were so tired that night!

Helping Pop drive.
We stopped for a swim break at Goat Island. Here you can see those famous goats!

When we launched Major said there was a baby turtle on this log. I told him I would take a picture of it when we got back. He reminded me and still said it was there. Can you see it?
Yeah, me neither.

When we had our share of fun at the lake, we made it back to Pop & Nana's. I bathed the kids and we got to visit with Granddaddy, Grandmother, Uncle Chris and Great-Grandmother.

It was definitely a busy day!