Casual Friday

Friday was definitely casual.

Matt wore shorts and flip flops to work.

FLIP FLOPS!

I hope the office manager didn't mind.

During the day the kids and I casually watched the thermometer in the kitchen window approach and then blow right past the100 degree mark.

Then we went to swim at Ian and Eric's neighborhood pool.

They pretty much just poached in the water.

What else could they do when it is One Hundred and Eleven degrees out.

(please disregard the boy in the backseat...I wouldn't want to embarrass him)

Later that evening, once it cooled to a casual 103 degrees, Matt took Lauren to see the Braves play the Nationals.

Their seats were all right.

Pretty close to the third base line I suppose.

Daddy and his girl 

(Lauren sporting her new Braves t-shirt)

a casual diva

They were so close to Chipper Jones that I believe he asked them to call him "Chip."

  

A girl can't be expected to watch an entire baseball game, right?!

Eventually she must walk around and enjoy all sorts of goodies and take pictures with animal statues.

It may have been a casual Friday but it's a day we are sure not to forget.

(record breaking temperatures and a Daddy Daughter date to the Braves game)

(I'm sure Tyler won't forget this day either once he realizes I posted his nose-pickin picture on my Facebook page and also this blog.  Sorry buddy!)

Half Empty

(half empty and long winded)

Lately my glass has not been full.

I've been feeling a bit "Half Empty."

About a month ago a neighbor and friend of ours was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer.  This news punched me in the gut and got me thinking about my own life story (and what challenges my family and I will battle in the future.)  Our neighbor Phil is going through chemo yet has such a positive attitude.  He's doing great but prayers are appreciated.

So.... now that I've mentioned that, I feel ashamed to complain about my trivial hardships but this is my 'Half Empty' post and I still have more to spill.

On Monday this week, Lauren, Tyler and Matt went into the woods in the backyard searching for the perfect tree in which to build a tree house.  Later that day Matt left for a work trip and the kiddos and I  enjoyed the rest of the day and went to bed as normal.  

At about midnight Lauren came into my room crying because her "bug bites itched."  I told her I was sorry but to go back to bed.  At 3am she came back into my room crying again because she still couldn't sleep because of all the bug bites.  I got up this time and sweetly tucked her back into bed but basically told her not to "think about it and just GO TO SLEEP!"

Well when Tyler came into my bedroom crying about his bug bites at 5 in the morning I realized something must be going on.  I had him show me his bug bites...and show me he did.  He had multiple bites under his armpits, behind his knees, on his back, up and down his legs but most of them were on his private parts.  What the heck?!  I then had Lauren show me where her bug bites were and it was the SAME thing!

After a consultation with Dr. Google I determined it was most likely Chigger Bites and then I called the pediatrician to make sure.  Doc confirmed my diagnosis and told me to treat it with colloidal oatmeal baths, Benadryl, hydrocortisone cream and ice.  It was a rough few days with a lot of tears, pain and anguish.  Bottom line:  Chigger bites are the WORST!  I didn't feel it was appropriate to take any pictures of the ordeal but I did snap a couple of shots when the kiddos started to feel better.

Lauren felt queasy for some reason (unrelated to the chigger bites) hence, the pink bucket.

We will be spraying our yard and possibly the whole neighborhood for bugs this weekend!

I'm also pretty bummed that one of my dear friends is moving to New York in two weeks.  (But deep down I'm happy for the opportunity for her family.)  Susan has always kept my glass more than half full and I'm going to miss her and her family a lot.  (Lately, when she's around I shut down, back off,  and refuse to acknowledge she's really leaving but I know she reads this and,  "Susan, I'm really gonna miss you!"  Okay, pass me a Kleenex please.)

Matt and I are going to miss Susan and her kiddos Ian and Eric, but we'll remember our exciting adventures.

Especially our bear sighting at the cabin in Helen, GA.

We'll also miss Susan's other half Dave. 

He takes the best Kinneared photos and always makes us laugh.

(for example)

And to top it off the temperatures today and throughout this weekend in Atlanta are going to be in the 100s.  106 degrees on Saturday and that does not take into account the humidity.

It was 102 degrees at 3pm today

(the heat doesn't stop T from snuggling with his blanket)

Having grown up in the Oregon chill and drizzle I swore I'd never complain about the heat and sunshine.  So although it being a soupy One Hundred and Two degrees here:  *I'm*Not*Complaining.* [said through gritted sweaty teeth.]

Matt was concerned this post would be too depressing and he asked if I was going to include something positive.  So here you go.  Although my glass seems to be running on empty lately there are plenty of things to fill it up.

Such as Tyler's t-ball swim party...

Bedroom decorations inspired by an American Girl Doll Magazine...

And headbands from Peru (thanks Grammy!)

Swim Lessons: friend or foe?

This is week three of swim lessons and holy suckerfish has Tyler improved!

He has gone from Afraid to Put his Head in the Water to Swimming in the Deep End.

I know he needs to be able to swim but I'm having trouble adjusting to my new roll at the pool.  So long to my days of lounging by the pool, chatting with my friends and occasionally glancing at my children in the shallow end deathly afraid of anything wet.  Now I am all eagle eyed and zoned in on my son who still dog paddles but thinks he does it well enough to survive in the Deep End.

check him out!

Here are some other pictures from our Thursday at the Pool.

He dives for torpedoes!

He also snorkels!

Who is this kid?!

Lauren and her friends in the Conga Line.

What a bunch of sweeties!

We LOVE our Thursdays at the Pool!

Weekly Menu 6-18-2012

Matt printed out some suggestions for dinner after watching the Food Network one evening.  In honor of Father's Day I plan to indulge him all week.  They may not all be healthy recipes but they sure look good!

While you read this post you may choose to play Tyler's latest favorite song in the background.  He calls it the "Set the World on Fire" song.


Monday:  Spanish Spaghetti, Texas Toast & broccoli
(The Spanish Spaghetti was awesome.  Everyone enjoyed it.  I omitted the saffron threads and used garden Rotini instead of the thin spaghetti.)
Tuesday:  Grilled Chicken with Mustard-Tarragon Sauce, green salad, Tomato and Corn Salad, fruit & kalamata olive bread from Fresh Market
(The Grilled Chicken was a hit with the kids minus the mustard sauce (I however, loved the mustard sauce.)  The tomato and corn salad was a bit too vinegar-y for the kiddos.  They took big bites expecting just corn and tomatoes.  yikes.  It'd be good for a summer potluck though.)
Wednesday:  Baja Style Fish Tacos, chips & salsa
(These were DeLish!  Everyone loved them.  I substituted Tilapia for the Halibut at the request of the supermarket fishmonger.  (Halibut is EXPENSIVE!)  This was the first time I've fried food since my brief stint with a Fry Baby in college.  The oil took awhile to warm up but once I got the fish floured, battered and in the frying pan it was a piece of cake.)
Thursday:  Corn and Poblano Lasagna, fruit, left-over kalamata olive bread
Friday:  cook-out at a friend's house
Saturday:  Chicken Fried Steak with White Gravy, potato dish, fruit & bread
Sunday:  pantry meal or left-overs

Ahhh Vacation

26 Photos of Vacation!

Ahhh Vacation.

This was only a half vacation because Matt was attending a conference but he was able to enjoy himself when the work was done.

Since Matt was already in Florida on business the kids and I loaded up the Denali and made the tri-state and 5 1/2 hour drive from Georgia to Miramar Beach, Florida.

And We're Off!

(It's okay to take photos and drive when you're in your own neighborhood right?)

Lunch in Eufala, AL

If you haven't been to Alabama here's the view from the 431.

(Is it okay to take photos and drive in sweet home Alabama?)

After a super pleasant and uneventful road trip we finally made it to our condo in the Majestic Sun.

I love hotel rooms and especially two bedroom condos.  I'm also a dork because I like to take pictures of them.  I don't normally post the pictures on the blog but just in case you're a dork like me I included them just for you.

A tour of Majestic Sun 0713A

from the front door looking in 

first door on the right

kids bedroom

kids bathroom

2nd door on the right

another view of the kids bathroom

kitchen

living area with a balcony

master bedroom also with access to the balcony!

master bath

view of master bedroom from the balcony

view of the living area from the balcony

the balcony looking South

the balcony looking West

We had a great time on vacation.  It was fun and exciting but also pretty darn relaxing which is what we like best.

We spent a lot of time in the Gulf of Mexico...

in the swimming pool...

on the balcony of the condo...

watching traffic back up on the beach access road after a wreck on the main road...

being goofy and gross...

riding jet skis after anchoring our boat on crab island...

and winning some sweet prizes at the Tappi Pool Party including the Explorer 100 seen in the picture below.

Super Stud!

After such an exciting week why wouldn't the Super Stud be Super Tired on the drive home?!

I hope you enjoyed these 26 pictures of our Miramar Beach vacation.

Now we start the 26 day countdown to our next vacation.

Viva Quebec, Canada

(how do you say Viva in French?)