Back to the screech of reality

We spent one last weekend trying to figure out some plans for our move and enjoyed celebrating Memorial Day with Gigi and Papa. Today, it's back to real life: laundry, meals, cleaning up and cleaning out, the final days of school, and the constant screech of the cicadas.

We'd heard the cicadas were coming, and this, of course, is their big year in Nashville. They are annual visitors here, but every thirteenth year there is an exceptionally large number of them. It's taken some getting used to, but the kids are finally warming up to the idea of giant bugs swarming around outside. The noise is crazy at times and I've come inside on more than one occasion with my ears ringing because of the sound.

I laughed as we crossed into Tennessee yesterday because I immediately heard the familiar din even through the windows of our car.

Check out all of those empty skins.

This was early on in the experience when Ella and Jack were trying to get their courage up to touch a live one. Here they are taking a closer look at a few that were no longer buzzing around.

Ahhhh-dorable

Ella absolutely sparkled on stage. My girl loves to dance and she loves the spotlight. It was a precious thing to witness.

Can you tell she was ready for the big show?



New favorite picture...



I asked if she wanted to stay with me for a little bit longer since none of her friends from her class were backstage yet. She was eager to sit and watch the video from the earlier performance.



Daddy and the boys had some fun while they were waiting.





Ella is the blur just to the right of the middle. Unfortunately all the performance pictures look like this!



She was so excited to bring home the bear she danced with and Daddy surprised her with a flower. Love that smile!



We left a little early because it was seriously miserable in the auditorium. The air conditioning was not on, so the 1500 bodies combined with temps in the upper 80 was not optimal. I wish I could say I had a great attitude about it, but I would be lying. I was slick from all the sweat and Sadie only wanted to be in my lap the entire time. Not a pretty moment for me but Ella was pure sweetness and can't wait for the concert next year :)

Anticipation

It's the day of the ballet recital...finally here!
And the babes are all napping in hopes there's no tear.
The costume was hung by the front door with care,
to prevent any wrinkles that could later be there.

The pink and purple sparkles, they glisten and gleam,
and Ella is so excited she tries not to scream.
The stage and the music, the dance and the lights;
a little girls dream and a mama's delight!

Field Day

Yesterday we got to go hang out at school with Bo for a little bit. It was field day! We had a great time watching the kids do a few games and then we enjoyed a picnic lunch with everyone.

Water Game


Bo was fully concentrating on not spilling a drop!



And a good hustle back to the line to hand off his scooper.



The boys won this round. Bo was excited!



Water Break



Then, it was time for the baton and hurdle relay.



My favorite shot of the day...



Bo's team won that game as well, so there was much cheering.



Lunchtime!



It's so fun to see Bo for lunch and to enjoy interacting with all the other kids in Bo's class. It's such a sweet group of kids.

Sadie and her Papa

We went down to my parents a few weeks ago to try and figure out some details for our move, and I heard Sadie yammering away in her room long before the other kids were awake. I scooted her out of there and was changing her diaper in the hallway when my dad came up stairs.

Sadie took one look at my dad then buried her face in my chest. She kept looking at him shyly as we talked for a moment and made some flirty eyes, but it was clear that she was a little hesitant to embrace him fully.

When he showed up at the beach, it was a totally different story.

She wanted in his arms or on his lap. right away. every second.

Exhibit A


So happy to snuggle.



Do you want your Papa, Sadie?
Please. she signs emphatically



Please just let me stay in Papa's lap!



And this was the scene any time he walked away, put her down, or I interfered with her snuggle time!

The Beach {part 2}

The fun continued as people began arriving Wednesday afternoon, and we all got to enjoy the perfect weather and the salty breeze.



Finding a restaurant that easily accommodates a party of 18 [plus three in utero] is no easy task! Dinner on the water was big fun. Sarah got the money shot of all 18 of us!

I'm not sure why, but this may be one of my all time favorite pictures ever. It may just be the pregnancy hormones, but I get teary every time I look at it!!

Waiting for the food...no problem! Ella is happy to entertain with her jumping routine.

Wow, can't believe our family keeps growing!

A sunset, a view of the ocean, a salty breeze, grass underfoot, and evening perfection realized!

So glad Aunt Hannah was able to join us after a grueling week of finals. She and Jack definitely "match" in the hair department.

All the grandkids with Gigi and Papa. Crazy to think that this time next year there will be quite a few more in this shot!

A second attempt at a Gigi and Pap shot on the beach on our last morning there; we'll just say not everyone was feeling it!

Poor Jack was done with the beach :(

Going to the beach as a mom is definitely not the same experience that I remember from the vacations minus all the little ones. Regardless, it was really wonderful to have a week away from real life and to walk in the sand for a few days. The reality of all that's coming in the next six weeks has me ready for another vacation, but I'm afraid this one will have to hold me over for a while!

My sister-in-law, Emily, also did a picture recap, AND my sister Maggie finally joined blog world so go check it out!

The Beach {part 1}

J and I started talking about family vacation options for this summer a while ago. Our last vacation was one night away, and that was almost three years ago, so we figured we were due for another one! When we pulled out the calendar, we realized finding a week in June or July would be nearly impossible. J isn't really free to take vacation in the month of June since he's wrapping things up with his fellowship, and July will be pretty full with a move and the start of a new job.

So we settled on a week in May and decided that Bo would just have to miss a week of school. We planned to have a few days with just our crew, and then we were able to see all of my family for the last part of the week.

Getting ready to go out to the beach an adventure. There was no small amount of sunscreen used on any given day!

Ella was thrilled with the sunscreen process.



Sadie didn't seem to mind too much either.



The boys, on the other hand, were much happier when the daily slathering was over.



There was much dancing on the beach.




And we made sure there was plenty of shade to play in as well.



We had a great time in the sand.




But Ella seemed to enjoy the beach most of all.



The boys were much happier at the pool!



I also enjoyed not having to make every meal that we ate all week :)




Sadie + straw + water=almost an hour of fun...



...even though the water was really cold!



We had fun outside the water too with bubbles




and kites!