Double Digits

This girl just turned 10 years old! 

She is amazing.  She is sweet.  She is kind.  She is smart.  She is innocent.  She is growing up too fast!  

I believe that she seems to be growing up too fast because the older she gets, the more activities she gets involved in and the more chaotic OUR schedule becomes. That is the case with both Abby and Gracie.  Yet I cannot complain because I thoroughly enjoy watching my children have fun, discover their talents and create friendships. 

It has been a busy summer.  Horseback riding lessons, swim team, a week at Grammy and Pappy's house, a trip to Florida to visit Lala and Poppie, a short trip to Disney and some time spent at a few Florida beaches.  Sanibel Island was our favorite beach!  Lots of relaxation and many shells to be found.  We also enjoyed a trip to Savannah, Georgia on the way home from Florida, complete with a haunted carriage tour of the historic district and dinner on the river front.  Crab cakes and shrimp and grits.  Yum! 

Gracie at Downtown Disney - The girl knows how to vacation!

Resting and fueling up at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

Trying to cool off in Savannah, Georgia

Shells from Sanibel Island Beach

Gracie riding Lemon

Beach Vacation 2011

Family, food, sand, fun,waves, lounging, books, lazy moments, kids playing, cameras clicking, kids fighting... 6 adults and 5 kids, one house :)  Wouldn't have it any other way!

Well, actually I could do without any fighting from the children, but then I am a realist. 

Family of 11 - Markos' first vacation with us!

Kenzie and Abby helping Markos jump his first waves.

Gracie and Daniel - best buddies

Abby catching waves!

Darren on the boogie board

Come get me Pappy!

Well THAT didn't go so well!

Always willing to smile for the camera!  Thanks Gracie.

 Sore shoulders for daddy on this vacation!

We have a hard time with family photos!

A Winning Season

The end of the swim team season means it is time to reflect.  How can I not when I see my child skipping toward me with a beaming smile and a trophy?

It goes a little something like this...


Start of swim season = my husband and I pump the kids up about swim clinic and remind them of how much fun they have at the pool with their friends, what great exercise swimming is, how great it is to be part of a team, etc.
The kids whine about how it is hard work and they have to swim laps, laps and more laps.

Mid-season =  the kids love it!  They beg to go to the pool early and stay late. They can't get enough of their friends and they see the progress they are making in their times.  As they collect their ribbons throughout the season the Personal Best ribbon truly means something to them.  As parents, mid-season is when we start getting tired of working the 4-5 hr long swim meets in the 98 degree heat, packing the cooler everyday and buying twice the groceries because the kids are burning off every calorie they consume.  We ask ourselves... "why did we sign up for this?"

End of the season =  the kids still love the meets.  Darren and I are burned-out.  They want to stay until the last event to cheer for their team and see the final score even if they aren't swimming the last relay.  Abby is begging to join a year-round swim team.  Gracie is swimming the butterfly like a champ. 

Final reflection:  I LOVE swim team for the sake of my girls.  I love that they get great exercise and have great friends on the team.  I love that they admire a few amazingly talented swimmers on the team and yet are happy with their own progress and individual achievements.  I love that a trophy lights up their faces.

 (I love that swim team is over for this summer.  But I will also love when it starts up again next May.)

Gracie on the starting block

Waiting patiently

  

Abby at the end of year picnic