Cashing In the Rewards Points

Chapel and Eli have been working hard of late. Since the day school started back, big sissy has helped me get the babies to the car by holding their hands and getting them down the stairs, putting on her and Eli's shoes, buckling Eli's car seat. Really, that is a lot for a 5 year old. I told her last week that she deserved a reward for all of her help. After the house was painted, we have also had the kids working diligently to put things back where they belong. Not easy after playtime. Not only have Chapel and Eli picked up their toys, put their shoes in the shoe basket, and helped clean up the living room and kitchen areas before bed, they have also cleaned up after the babies with little complaints.

This weekend, Chapel asked when she was going to get her reward. I had kinda forgotten I had promised a reward but it so happened that I had a credit at the Wonderworks toy store and an appointment near by, so I decided today to cash in the points and make good on the rewards. Chapel's surprise was a set of Calico Critters (with twin babies) to go with her Calico Critter house Papa Ed recently gave her. And Eli got this GREAT bulldozer that he has had his eye on for sometime. And let me tell you, those kids were so excited when I picked them up at school and told them they had a surprise waiting. I know it may be a Monday and not a special day for gifts, but my helpful, sweet babies deserved a reward and I am happy to let them know that I appreciate their help and I am so glad they have been doing a great job! Oh, and the little babies enjoyed all the playtime as well.

Dog Days are Done?

Living on a small, vacation destination island makes you acutely aware of when summer is "over". Today Brett and I had NO problems parking at the pier for our Sunday breakfast - a huge sign that the summer is drawing to an official end. School has started back, there are fewer tourists, the days are getting shorter....but unfortunately there has been little break in the heat. It is still pretty unbearable and hot and humid. I am looking forward to the dog days being over and for that cool invigorating breeze that comes with fall to roll on in and inspire me. By the end of summer, I am just done with heat. To cool things off a little, we met up with a friend and her daughter today at the James Island County Park and enjoyed both the new and improved kids playground (which was hot) and the splash fountain (which was quite refreshing). The big kids loved the water and the babies loved climbing up and down the slides. And mom loved the fact that soon we will be able to do these in jeans and sweaters. Well, not the splash fountain, but the playground......

The kids all hot and sweaty:

Much better after some time in the water!

Kinda Sappy But True

Last night was Back To School night at Ashley Hall. For those of you who are not familiar with the school it is an all girls school from Kindergarten thru the 12th grade. Eli, however, attends the Early Education Center or EEC as it is known, which allows both boys and girls from ages 2 to Pre-K. So I went to meet the teachers, tour the classrooms, and go over the class curriculums for the upcoming year. And although we have been a part of the AH family since Chapel was 2, I feel like this year is so completely different. Chapel has moved to a new building on the campus, has a new carpool line, goes to the cafeteria at lunch instead of having lunch brought to the classroom, and gets to enjoy a separate "big girl" playground. I could not be more proud of her and her ability to adapt to these new changes. Anyway, last night Jill Muti, the head of the school, gave the most inspirational speech - I think I got teary eyed at one point. And I am not one for inspirational speeches, but as I sat there listening she said so many things that made total sense. Jill said we have to guide our girls, but give them room to make mistakes. And we have to be role models and set examples for them in our daily lives so that they can develop confidence and become independent women. As parents, and especially busy mothers, I think we sometimes forget exactly how much our children can read from our expressions, our sighs, and our body language. Ms. Muti encouraged us to examine all of these as they are the biggest factors influencing our children. And I must say, it is a tall order to fill. To be patient, to listen, to make the time. The philosophy of the school and learning program is that parents with the combined support of the educators and curriculum, the girls (and boys) of AH will be equipped to handle whatever life brings to the table. Each day I feel more up to the challenge, and I just hope I can provide the love and support and stability each of my children need to reach their full potential. And I hope to do this with a smile on my face. And as my babies grow and learn I remind myself that I am still learning, too.

Flip This House

Finally! The painting project on the first floor of our home has ended and I am so pleased with the results. Brett and I moved into our house four years ago and we literally hung our pictures on the nails that were already in the walls. And while the paint colors were not bad, they were light bluish gray and yellow and did not reflect our personalities or our modern furniture. We have been hoping to paint and redecorate for some time now and these new bright paint choices have been just the inspiration.  The biggest change we made, however, was not color but furniture arrangement. We are making a bold statement and moving the television out of the living area and into a smaller former study which we have now renamed the “family area”. We also flipped the couches from the study and living room and in place of our TV we have our book cases and photographs and I love the finished product. And even though I am excited that the television is no longer the focal point of our home, I readily admit I miss watching the TODAY show when making the kids breakfast – because Matt and Meredith and Al are like my BFF’s in the morning. But with this new arrangement I hope we achieve a cozy space where our conversation, and not the conversations of others will be the focus. 

As for the paint and redecorating - the inspiration will continue to the second floor very soon. 

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

There is a term in psychology used to define positive stress in our lives. It is called eustress and it is different from distress because it is a healthy stress. I am currently in state of eustress. Can you guess why? School. That's right, school started back today and I am feeling the changes. Changes make me nervous. All of a sudden I am responsible for getting Chapel and Eli to school by 7:45 with hair combed, teeth brushed, uniforms and clothes wrinkle free, homework and bags packed. And honestly I am "eustressing" to death - I don't want to be the mom rushing around at the last minute, I want to be organized, prepared, sending my children off with a kiss and smile every morning. So here I am, starting a new year with a renewed vigor, hoping that I can help my children make the most out of their learning experience. 

But enough about me! Chapel and Eli went today to meet their new teachers, see their classrooms, and drop of their school supplies. Chapel is officially in Kindergarten now and Eli in Primary. Eli has Ms. Case (who taught Chapel in Primary) so I feel very certain his year will be wonderful. Chapel has moved to an entirely different building across campus and her teacher will be Ms. Prause. There are several familiar faces in her class, girls that have been going to Ashley Hall since they were also 2. What is so exciting is that Chapel gets to take, as part of her curriculum this year, violin, dance, swimming and French. Eli also gets daily French lessons and is now old enough to do after school swim lessons. YAY - we are estatic about another wonderful year at an awesome school. 

Unfortunately for this post my pictures aren't great. I actually forgot to take ANY in Chapel's class but got a few in Eli's class. First day back is hectic and eustressful for all!

Where Did These Babies Go?

Today Jude and Conor visited Dr. Hutton for their 1 year check-up - yes they are 13 months old but I generally run a month late with their visits! I am happy to report they are happy, healthy TODDLERS now. Yes, they have officially passed the infant/baby stage and are now toddlers. Sniff, sniff. 

It is unreal when I compare their stats from birth to present day. I can't believe how fast my babies have grown and the sweet, adorable personalities they have developed.

Conor Johanna (Baby A)

6 lbs 1 oz and 18 inches at birth

20 lbs 6 oz and 28 3/4 inches at one year

Conor is hilarious - she can laugh, dance, and cry all at the same time. She gives the sweetest hugs and kisses and has proven to be an independent little girl. She can also say several words including Chapel, thank you, cat, mama, papa and dada. (However, you must imagine them all spoken by a one year old.)

Jude Jameson Lucas (Baby B)

5 lbs 14 oz and 18 3/4 inches at birth

19 lbs 12 oz and 29 1/2 inches at one year

Jude is a mama's boy. He is a little shy, very clumsy, and has a temper, throwing down his bottle or toy when he gets angry. He is also very physical and his new favorite activity is to crawl up and down stairs. Which does not mix well with being clumsy. His favorite words are what, mama and dada. 

I Scream, You Scream....

As parents, we try our best to make our kids happy, to show them a good time and teach them how to enjoy life. Brett and I are forever planning fun things to do: Disney World,  My Little Pony shows, dinosaur museums, pirate museums, gold mining, Chuck E Cheese, the Cabbage Patch - the list goes on and on. And while our kids love doing each of these things, I learned a valuable lesson last night. It is also the most simple, unplanned things that make them just as happy. Like buying an ice cream from the ice cream truck. When they heard the music from down the street, they starting jumping up and down as if it were Christmas morning and ran to the sidewalk looking from side to side to catch a glimpse. After what seemed like an eternity, the driver made his way to our house and the kids looked over all the choices printed on the side of the van before making their final decision. As I watched them sitting on the stairs eating their treats, it really was one of those "priceless" moments when you realize something so simple as a Spiderman ice cream can make a child just as happy as the biggest and best toy in the world. And I have to admit, my chocolate ice cream bar made me pretty happy, too. 

Supplies are in Demand

Do you remember the Trapper Keeper? Well, chances are your children or your grandchildren won't. Buying school supplies when I was little was so easy and fun. You went to Wal-Mart or K-Mart and got a new book bag, a few spiral notebooks, a Trapper Keeper, some pencils and paper and if you were really lucky - a cool lunch box. Well, those days are long gone. Brett and I took the kids to Target on Sunday to take advantage of the tax-free shopping weekend. We walked in with our Kindergarten and Primary school supplies list and went to work. Instead of being a relaxing pick out your Trapper Keeper kind-of experience it was more like a scavenger hunt or race against the clock. Stock was low. People were scrambling to get folders in the specified colors. Glue stick and scissors were being taken off the shelves at lightening speeds. Brett and I talked across aisles, using two buggies to amass the items from the endless lists we were working from.... Who even knew crayons twist these days? Or that classrooms need you to supply plastic storage containers, kleenex, and hand sanitizer. I am pretty sure I still have about 5 items to buy that were sold out on Sunday, but take a look at all the loot we did get. School starts next week, supplies are in demand, and we have (most) of what we need!

This Lobster Made My Day

Today we went for our daily breakfast on the Folly Pier and they have this new machine out in front of the restaurant. It is one of those arcade like games where you put in money and then guide the big claw around until you hover over a stuffed animal prize. When you get to the perfect place, you press the button and the claw goes down, grabbing the prize. You know exactly what I am talking about, right? But imagine this game with the prize being a LIVE LOBSTER in a tank of water!!! Brett is excellent at games like these so he put in $2 and on his first attempt - no luck. But the second try, he actually won a lobster. It was so crazy, this live lobster with rubber bands around his claws was dispensed like a Coke or pack of M&M's. The restaurant manager came out and brought us a bucket and explained they would cook it for us for free but we had just eaten, didn't want to walk home with a live lobster, and actually didn't want to hurt him anyway, so we just asked if he could be returned to the tank. Which he was. But not before we took some pictures. The kids, and cousin Bren, loved it. Squealed with delight it was so funny. It was actually pretty exciting. I asked Mel, the manager, what the market value would be, about $24, and if many people ever caught them, not really many at all, she said. 

It was all just such an odd concept....it really did make my day!

Today=Thumbs Down

Today we had to tell Meredith and Reese goodbye -it was difficult and it was bittersweet.  Brett and Robert are going to have to deal with me being very needy for the next few months. We did have a fun night last night, though. We met mom and dad at the Mellow Mushroom for dinner. All the grandkids were together so we got a picture of them on the back of mom and dads BMW with the PAPA x 5 license plate in full display. It was nice to have everyone together before half the family leaves for Germany! You can follow Meredith's family and their new adventures at www.barbergutenblog.blogspot.com. 

Old Friend, Older Artifacts

One of my oldest friends is visiting us this week, Jennifer. Or Jennifer Juice as we nicknamed her in college - she is from Conway and went to Clemson and roomed with me and Meredith for several years. Jennifer and I can go for months without talking or seeing each other but when we do connect it is like no time is lost. We just know everything about each other. And she has known Robert, Meredith and Brett as long as I have so it is a reunion of sorts when she comes to town. Did I mention Jennifer is also a school teacher and great with kids....that goes a long way when you visit the Barker household! And she is the best kind-of houseguest, you don't have to tell her to do a thing - she just knows how to help. She gave Chapel and Eli a bath last night, unloaded the dishwasher, put away toys. It's like I've cloned myself. :)

We are finished with camps for the summer so this week has been free time. Yesterday we went to the aquarium and today the Charleston Museum. It's a great place to take kids, there is a ton of local history to be absorbed, a huge polar bear with a plaque that states the bear has absolutely nothing to do with Charleston but kids love it, and a special room where the kids can dress up as colonial characters and play in a little house. Meredith, Reese and Robert also joined us yesterday and today so we really are making the most of our little reunion. Brett, unfortunately, has to work but we catch up him at the end of the day.

Bye-Bye Barber BBQ

Robert, or Uncle Ra Ra as my kids call him, hosted a going away BBQ for Meredith, Troy and Reese last night. It was great to see all of our friends from out of town and those who live in town but for some reason - the life is busy reason - we don't get to see as often as we would like. Although we give Robert a hard time, he is an awesome host and he takes his job very seriously. He perfects his yard (including setting off two yard bombs), plans an elaborate menu, scrubs his house and has even been known to have his bathtub refinished before a party in an effort to make everything "just so". Everyone was in great spirits, even the guests of honor who should have been sobbing at the mere thought of leaving all of us behind to move to Germany. Germany! For four years! My friend Missy and I agree we are in denial about the fact that Meredith is actually moving. I suppose it won't actually seem real until she is there and I am not able to see her or be on the same time zone and call her every morning when I am driving the kids to school. I suppose this will be the start of new routines. Like phone dates or international texting or ichats or something..... How do people deal with LDR's these days? Oh well, enjoy the pictures of our Bye-Bye Barber BBQ - we sure enjoyed the good time.

Oh, and as a side note, since everyone was gathered I took that opportunity to really push people to read my blog. So if I have any new readers today, thank you very much!