Week 16~ Swim Little Fishies

It is appropriate for me to include swim team/lessons in my 52 weeks as we spend each day of summer at 2 different pools. If we go to our neighborhood pool, that makes 3 pools in one day! My little fishies love to swim and I am thrilled! Some of my fondest memories are from waiting between races at the meets enjoying my pack of powder jello. I guess I thought it gave me the extra boost I needed to win the race. James is swimming on the Sha-Mel-Lon swim team for the 2nd year and enjoying Sour Airheads after his races. I won't say that he absolutely loves it, but he does enjoy it. It's a lot of work and that's not quite his style. Cate is in her 2nd year of swim lessons with Missee Fox, our very own swim hero! I can absolutely say that she LOVES it! She has no fear when it comes to the water so I am determined that she become an avid swimmer. After watching Cate's swim lessons for 2 days, James asked today if he could go back to Missee Fox. Swim fishies swim!

 

 

 

 

Week 15~ Deveaux Bank

I have found it... Heaven on Earth! Who knew that about 5 minutes out of Cherry Point Landing in Rockville exists one of the most pristine spots in the world? Deveaux Bank and Horseshoe Sandbar are nature at it's finest. You could travel the globe and visit many exquisite places, but none would compare to this little spot. The sand is as white as snow and the water is crystal clear. While Botany Bay filled it's shoreline with boat after boat, we sat just across the water all by ourselves. It was fabulous. The kids played in the tide pool on one side and the ocean on the other. Jetty swam until she couldn't swim anymore. The dolphins taunted my camera and me. They were flipping and jumping all around us, but didn't allow a single photo to be taken. They are determined to remain mysterious I suppose. Deveaux Bank, we will be back... time and time again. Maybe we'll wet a line next time. I bet there are some big red's lurking in the surf!

 

 

 

 

Week 14~ Watermelon Time

 

We're a few days away from summer vacation and that means it's Watermelon Time! Watermelon has to be one of the finer things in life. It the Seyle household it ranks right up there with shrimp, fresh fish and a cold beer (for the adults of course)! Next year I am planning to move my garden to a much larger area in my yard. Then I will be able to grow my own watermelons, mmmmmmmmmm!

Week 13~ Riverbanks Zoo

James' last field trip of his first grade year was a fun day at the Riverbanks Zoo.
The highlight of the trip for the children was riding on a charter bus with fold down seats, televisions and a bathroom on board! A week later, James is still talking about the seats on the bus. James' teacher even let Cate ride the bus with her for the last 2 miles of the trip. She was so excited thtat she finally got to sing, "The Wheels on the Bus," on THE BUS! When we all arrived at the zoo, the best adventures of all were behind us on the bus. Our little group enjoyed the day and I know Kevin and I came home much more tired than the kids.
Some quotes from three 6 year olds, one 3 year old and one 34 year old...
1. Look at that monkey's butt, it's bright red! (the baboons)
2. I'm hot!
3. The elephant's poop is bigger than my head!
4. Ouch, I think that bird just bit me.
5. I'm thirsty.
6. Can we stop walking now?
7. Get out of the tigers habitat!
And favorite one of all...
8. I don't know how you do this everyday! After 11 years of teaching, finally Kevin has some little teensy weensy bit of understanding of why I come home completely exhausted each and everyday. Maybe now I will get my "Me time" for a few minutes.

 

 

 

 

More Week 12

James and Cate were good sports as we cruised along at trolling speed towards the landing. It was past dinner time and we had been on the water all day. We were rescued by our dear friend Rob who towed us the last little bit which would have taken us well over another hour to reach.
It's always an adventure on the water and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

 

 

 

 

Week 12~ Sunday on the Water

I have not fallen off my project, I promise. The camera has been clicking away. I sat down tonight to edit James' field day pictures from today and 2 hours later I am finished with all of the pictures I forgot were on my camera!
A few weekends ago, we had a wonderful day on the water. On the way home, we ran aground and HARD! We clogged the motor big time. Kevin tried to suck the clog out with a juice box straw and only succeeded in burning the roof of his mouth so badly from the water that he is still recovering. Once we realized we were going nowhere S L O W L Y, we sat back and enjoyed the ride on a trolling motor. James and Cate fed the seagulls potato chips which made for some amazing pictures of the gulls in action.

 

 

 

 

More Week 11

 

Week 11~ The Garden

For weeks now we have watched our little garden grow. The zucchini seems to be growing over night, but has not produced any veggies yet. Tonight we harvested our first sweet peas. It was literally only a James sized handful, but they were so proud. I blanched them and prepared to freeze them until we had enough to make a meal. The kids had other plans, they ate them all before I could freeze them. James said they were delicious... success!!
The other veggies aren't far behind, our cucumbers have big yellow flowers, our tomatoes are green and our zucchini has flowers ready to bud. Look out Earthfare, here comes Seyle Fare!!

 

 

 

 

Week 10~ The First Tooth

Like learning to read and color in the lines, loosing the first tooth is a part of first grade, it just is!

 

 

 

 

So, I'm taking the easy way out for week 10 in my 52 week project. James lost his first tooth today and it seemed like a memory that needed documenting. This little moment in time caused me to reflect on James' first grade year. What is it about first grade that makes it so monumental for children and their parents? Some things just have to happen for every first grader. Things James has learned in first grade: 1. I can read, a huge accomplishment 2. I'm actually pretty good at math. I got that from my dad. 3. I can write stories that make mom and dad laugh out loud and ones that make mom say, "aww." 4. I've learned to ride a bike with 2 wheels. 5. I can swim the length of a pool. 6. I've learned that the big kids will push me around in the hallways and there is nothing I can do about it. Sometimes it makes me cry. 7.Mom will pretty much let me get away with anything in her classroom if I will just be quiet and let her work. 8. Mom doesn't like all of my friends. Some things my friends are allowed to say, I am not allowed to repeat at home or I get in big trouble. 9 I don't like to wear my glasses. I hope I don't need them forever. 10. I will get hurt on the playground, it's part of recess. 11. My mom will support my teacher always. 12. My mom makes me do things over and over until I do it right. I still don't like to do it right the first time.

I can't believe my baby boy is about to finish his first grade year! This is so cliche, but seriously, where does the time go? I'm not ready for him to grow up, not at all. At least he still sits in my lap, wants me to hold him when he's sad and lets me lay with him at night before he goes to sleep. Love you, sweet baby James!

Week 9~ Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

 

 

 

 

Monday night James was invited by his good buddy to participate in a relay on the field at the Riverdogs Baseball Game. It was a school night, the game didn't start until bedtime, they really had to convince me to go. I'm glad we did. It was a beautiful night, the peanuts were good, the beer was cold and we all had fun. James even hugged Charlie the Riverdog, a first ever for him. All of this and the kids were in bed only an hour and a half past their bedtime. This mom is relaxing a little bit and giving in to the fun more often, yeah me!

Missing Home

Over the past few weeks I have found myself really, I mean REALLY missing my family. I think it all stems from my visit over spring break and my parent's recent birthdays. I was only home for a few days but many things had my emotions stirring on my ride back to Charleston.
1. Our visit with my G-mom: As my grandmother walks down the hall pushing her little walker on her way back from lunch, her face lights up when she sees James and Cate running towards her. "G-mom!" they yell. And so begin my tears (inside only of course). I walk into my 96 year old grandmother's new humble apartment in a retirement community, I have to hold back the tears. She loves her cozy little studio which is all that matters. She lives to go to the cafeteria for meals so she can visit with the other ladies. This comes from my grandmother who was still driving to bridge, church and any other social event in town less than one year ago. Life is catching up with her after 96 years. Her mini-refridgerator is covered with pictures of my children that we send her. They crawl all over her and take little rides on her sit and walk, while we visit. She couldn't be happier! She makes the comment to me that she is so happy. She thought she would miss her home, the only home I have ever know her to live in. She says she doesn't miss it for one minute. She was having a hard time filling the days, she was so lonely. We leave after many hugs, I miss yous and I love yous and I can't help but thank God that she is well in body and mind. I can only hope to have a mind as sharp as hers at 96 and a body that still lets me go to the cafeteria for my meals on my own 2 feet!
2. My family is all in Spartanburg without me: My parents are in the same house that I grew up in. My bedroom is the same bedroom that I have slept in since 4th grade. I am a grown woman with a wonderful husband, 2 children that are the center of my world and I still call 146 Mills Ave my home. It always will be. There is some comfort to be found in that although it may seem a little weird to some. Kevin used to tease me when I said that I wanted to go home, he gave up a long time ago. While I sat and visited with my parents, brothers and nieces it hit me and hard that I am the only one not home. It hurt. I am happy as can be here in Charleston, but it's not home to me still. My nieces are so close to my parents. James and Cate are too, but they miss out on the little things like having LuLu and Granddaddy at the soccer game on Saturday. Everyone is so close and I kind of felt like an outsider. My mom's heart would break in half if she knew for a second that I felt that way. It's no one's fault, 200 miles is not that far, but a lot farther than 2 miles!
3. I am becoming my mother in so many ways and I'm proud that I can say that. If only I could make my children listen to me and behave the way my mom could with us growing up. She never raised her voice, not once. I wish I could say the same!
4. My mom's advice is like solid gold to me. One day I will tell her.
LuLu's words of wisdom include:
*Take 30 minutes for yourself everyday. No one else will care if you take that time for you and no one will tell you to do it. You have to do it for yourself.
*Be proud of who you are and never veer away from that person
*Juliane... you can't say that about someone!
*Juliane... be nice
*Go to sleep, everything is better in the morning
*Tell your children no sometimes, it's ok
*Insist that your children always use their manners. It will make them successful in life.
*I am proud of you
*I am lucky to have you as my daughter
*We are two peas in a pod, you and me
*I love you so much my Jules

I didn't start writing tonight with the intention of sounding down and out. All of this and more has been sitting on my mind since I got back home and I finally felt the need to get it out. It's just for me!

Week 8~ Strawberry Time

 

 

 

 

It's strawberry time, a sure sign that summer is on the way! We picked a ton, ate a lot and brought home several pounds. Strawberry pie, strawberry bread, strawberry sauce for ice cream, strawberry smoothies, strawberries, strawberries, strawberries... I LOVE IT!

Week 6~ There's a new playground in town!

On a school night about 45 minutes before bedtime we decided to explore the new Bees Ferry Landing complex. The kids were thrilled. What mom? You are really breaking your rigid nighttime routine on a school night? Maybe you are a little fun after all! What a fabulous new complex and it's actually close to home. Nothing fun is EVER close to our house. The gnats almost carried us away. At one point I had one in my eye so I couldn't see and one up my nose so I couldn't breathe. It was great! The kids loved the great new playground.

 

James spotted this weird looking little seat. He sat down and said, "It doesn't do anything." After I told him to pick up his feet and tilt a little, this was the result. Much fun was had on the little seat that doesn't do anything!

 

Cate explored the whole playground in her typical style... Push me on the swings, get me out, help me on the monkey bars, watch me slide, look at me jump from this thing to the bar above my head, can I do the spinny thing too, push me again, and I have to go potty... all in about 5 minutes. I love my little tornado!