At the beach

We are at North Myrtle Beach for a week with JD's side of the family. I just love the beach. The kids love the beach. JD likes the beach. We are having a great time, even though it rained most of the day yesterday. Sunday and today have been beautiful--low 80's with just enough cloud cover so that you don't have to squint all the time. And playing in the water just wipes the kids out, so we've also had great naps! I've taken some pictures, but those will have to wait until I get home to download and post.

All right. Off to shower and then to dinner. We're having ribs tonight. YUM!!!!

We have a squealer

and his name is Pierce. I'm talking high-pitched, loud squealing comes out of his mouth at the most unexpected times. I don't remember Madelyn doing this. Man, I was so glad when he went down for his nap this afternoon. My ears needed a break. Madelyn just kept looking from him to me and back again trying to figure out what was going on. I was a bit confused myself.

I remember thinking when Madelyn was 18-months old that I was glad I was already pregnant with Pierce. (Don't know if I would have gotten pregnant so quickly if I had seen what was to come) That's when her opinionated disposition started to show. Well, Pierce isn't quite there yet, still 17 months, but he really does have some opinions. Sometimes he'll even squeal about it. I hadn't really thought about it as much with him until the squealing began. I guess I'm just experienced enough to know that it gets worse before it gets better...like Madelyn trying on 6 different things before we could walk out the door because something didn't look right, feel right, etc.

By the way, I do love my children.

Differences in the sexes

Madelyn: Pierce, do you want to play dolls with me?
Pierce: Yeeeaaah!
Madelyn: Here you go. She needs to go to sleep.

Pierce gets a huge smile on his face, hugs the baby, throws the doll down as hard as can, and claps and laughs.

Madelyn, a little upset: No, Pierce, be gentle. Here you go. Do you want to put her in the bed?

Pierce gets another huge smile on his face, grabs the baby, and throws the baby down the stairs.

Madelyn (runs off to get the baby): Don't cry baby. It's okay. He didn't mean to.

Pierce runs around and claps his hands

Octagons

Conversation in the car today:

Madelyn (pointing to a stop sign): Look, Mommy, an octagon!
Me: Wow, Madelyn, that's great. Where did you learn that?
Madelyn: Sesame Street.
Me: How many sides does an octagon have?
Madelyn: Eight. Mommy, how many angles does an octagon have?
Me: It has eight angles. Shapes have the same number of sides and angles.
Madelyn: So a triangle has three angles?

And the experts tell us that TV is bad for children...pfft! (somewhat tongue-in-cheek :-))

Not until I'm 5

Madelyn informed me again today that she did not want to go to Heaven until she is at least five. Her reason: One day we were talking about bicycles and she asked when she could get one. I told her she could get one when she turns five. (Not sure about that, though. Are kids ready to ride bikes before that?) Anyway, she has told me more than once now that she does not want to go to Heaven until she turns five because she wants to ride a bike first.

Wedding Weekend

We had a busy but wonderful weekend as we took part in JD's sister, Sarah's, wedding. I was a bridesmaid, JD was an usher and read scripture, and Madelyn was a flower girl. The wedding and reception were wonderful, Sarah looked beautiful, and Madelyn did a great job of walking down the aisle.


Sarah with some bridesmaids




The flower girls



The flower girls again


Madelyn claimed her dress was itchy and didn't want to wear it. We compromised, and she wore her bathing suit underneath her dress.


Mother of the bride with her little girl





My parents went to the wedding and then followed us home for a couple of more days of visiting.





The kids with my dad

Summer fun

We're heading out tomorrow for my sister-in-law's wedding, but I thought I'd post a few pictures before we go. Here are just a few of shots of the kids enjoying summer fun:

$3.79

That's what I paid for gas today. Yes, in Northern Virginia. Never thought I'd be positively impressed (Notice I did not use the word excited, for I am NOT excited about paying that much for gas. Also note that no exclamation points are being used in this post.) about $3.79 gas. Local folks, I paid this at the Safeway gas station in the Pan Am shopping center in Fairfax. One thing to note, this price was a discounted price, as I am a loyal Safeway customer and received a 10 cent/gallon discount.

July Pictures

It's August! Here are pictures from July.

Dance Moves