Sunset Day 6

TTG and DCG
Originally uploaded by Julie George

Another day at the beach. Today the weather was absolutely perfect. The waves were pretty rough and there was a ton of seaweed washing in this morning but it did not deter the kids from getting in the water. TPG discovered that he could "boogie board without the boogie board" when he got caught by a wave and it took him all the way into the shore. He was pretty proud of himself. There were a bunch of older boys (around 11 or 12) out there body surfing and he thought he was pretty hot stuff hangin' with the big kids. DCG and AGW spent much of the time playing in the sand. After the beach we spent the rest of the day in the pool. We made dinner and then headed back out to the beach for some more sunset pictures. I think I was able to take some pretty neat shots so be sure to click on the picture of TTG and DCG holding hands to got to Flickr to see more. One more day at the beach and then we get back in the car for the 894 mile car trip on Saturday. I lay on the beach everyday and try to soak up the relaxing feeling so that I can revisit it during our car trip home. Hopefully I will be able to channel some relaxing feelings because I think it is going to be a pretty rough trip. We split the trip down into two days so the marathon trip home should be interesting. We have the portable DVD player, we have food, we have books, we have toys, but strapping two VERY ACTIVE kids into a car for about 15 hours will be a new adventure.

Cousins having fun

DCG and AGW hoola girls
Originally uploaded by Julie George

AGW and DCG have had tons of fun this week.

Linger Lodge-Day 5

We spent the morning on the beach (no photos cause I am tired of dragging stuff to the beach and then back again) The water was kind of rough but TPG and his friend were still out there trying to boogie board it. They got more tossed around then anything else but they had tons of fun. Then, they went to the pool and used snorkels and masks. It is so funny to see how outgoing TPG is when he is around other kids. I know I should not be surprised but believe it or not, sometimes he can be shy around adults and in strange situations. But, put a 5 year old boy in front of him and they are instant best friends. Makes me feel pretty good about the impending kindergarten first day. DCG and AGW played in the sand most of the time. They have really enjoyed spending the week together. Monkey see, Monkey do would be the theme of their relationship. Can you take a guess at who the ringleader is?

After the beach all 14 of us drove to Bradenton to the Linger Lodge for a late lunch. According to the Food Network, the Linger Lodge is "One Of The Top Five Weirdest Restaurants In The Country" I would have to agree with them. The kids both ate alligator and loved it-see pictures below. The picture below of the sign is actually made from dead, stuffed snakes and the place is decorated with many dead and stuffed animals-very appetizing. Needless to say, I did not eat much of my plain cheese pizza. I just could not stomach much else. The location of the lodge is absolutely beautiful. You can either drive to the place or take a boat, tie up at the dock and walk up from the back. We all went out to the Braden River in the back and actually saw an alligator swimming. Very cool.

Beach again tomorrw-if the weather holds up. If not, we will head to the G-Wiz children's science museum for an indoor day. Enjoy the pictures below. Also click on this Flickr link for some other pictures.

Aquarium-Day 4

Touching sting rays
Originally uploaded by Julie George

We visited the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota today. The weather was a little yucky so it was a good day to spend it away from the beach. The kids got to touch stingrays (they were slimy) pretend to be a shark, see a gigantic squid (ick, ick, ick), see tons of sharks, watch manatees eat and play, and watch a dolphin training session. We all went back to the condo and took naps and then it was back out to the beach because the weather had cleared. TPG met another kid his age on Sunday and they were able to reunite for some boogy boarding this afternoon. I am so glad that TPG had swim lessons this summer. I felt pretty comfortable letting him go out there without me making him wear a Coast Guard approved PFD (lifejacket) and me holding him to me at all times. He is definitely not a great swimmer but he knows how to get himself out of the water and keep himself afloat. Now to work on DCG. Later that evening we all went our separate ways for dinner. Our part of the George clan stayed in and grilled hotdogs on the community grill out at the beach. We plan on heading back out to the beach tomorrow and then Grandpa is treating us to lunch at the Linger Lodge. Once again, I have uploaded more pictures to Flickr and you can get to them by clicking on the picture.

Some more pictures of the trip

Take me out to the ballgame-Day 3

We went to see the Cincinnati Reds Single A minor league team The Sarasota Reds tonight. Lots of fun.

Longboat Key Day 2

Sunset on Longboat Key on the second day. Lots of time at the beach, time on the playground, and time at the pool. All of us are worn out but it was a good day.

Longboat Key

Sunset on the first night TPG and DCG
Originally uploaded by Julie George

We made the 14 hour drive to Longboat Key Florida without a hitch. We drove about 7 hours on the first night and spent the night in Macon GA. We got up and were on the road by 7am and made it to Longboat Key by 2pm. TPG asked about 1000 times if we were almost there and DCG kept asking to get up. Other than that it was a pretty good trip. The weather is beautiful. We went out to the beach on the first night to see the sunset. It was so beautiful. We spent the next day on the beach. TPG and DCG spent the whole time in the water. They had a blast. I made a promise to myself to not get burned on the first day. I usually get fried on the first day and then I am miserable for the rest of the trip. I held to my promise and did not get burned today! We shall see how I do tomorrow. Click on the photo for more pictures. I will post more soon.

Soccer Camp

Soccer Camp TPG
Originally uploaded by Julie George

TPG is attending soccer camp at EKU this week. He comes to work with me in the morning. I drop him off at the camp, come back to work and then pick him up and bring him back to my office for lunch. After he eats lunch, I set him up in the classroom next to my office. Today he is watching movies. I may bring something for him to do the rest of the week. Anyway, today TPG won the award "camper of the day" for being a good listener and trying really hard. He was awarded a an EKU soccer ball for his hard work. He came running to me after the camp and said "look mommy, I won a UK ball" I had to correct him and say "EKU, not UK" He is having a great time. Click on the photo to see more pictures of TPG in action.

Our garden

Our garden
Originally uploaded by Julie George

We doubled the size of our garden this year and it is growing like crazy. We are eating cucumbers just about every day. The kids pick the grape tomatoes off the vine and eat them right from the garden. I don't think that any of them have actually made it into the house. The corn is getting close and we have had green beans and yellow squash a few times each week since they have started producing. Click on the picture on the right for some other shots of the garden.

Ready for the Beach

We are heading to the Longboat Key in Florida in a few weeks. We tried out our new goggles today at dinner. They work!

Independence Day

IMG_0694
Originally uploaded by Julie George

Click on the picture for more photos of our Independence Day celebrations. More info on what we did later!

Visiting with a friend in Akron

The kids and I went to see a friend of mine from Berea College. She has two small children so we basically spent about 3 hours making sure my kids were not killing her kids (DCG and TPG) are both older. It was so nice to spend some time talking with my friend. We met our freshman year in college when our dorm rooms were next door to each other. We shared some wonderful times in college and even though we have not seen each other in a really long time, we still have so much in common. Life is funny that way.

I am going to try really hard to keep in better touch. I promise.

Week in Akron

Akron Zoo
Originally uploaded by Julie George

TPG, DCG and I are spending the week in Akron, Ohio with Aunt C. and Uncle A. and of course Sammie. We participated in the Ohio Special Olympics where JSG won a silver medal, visited the Akron Zoo, visited the Summit County Courthouse to see bad people dressed in orange, and of course spent a lot of time at the pool. TPG has been taking a few private swim lessons which have gone well. He even jumped off the diving board by himself today. Tomorrow we are going to the pool in the morning and then the kids are going to the movies with a friend while I relax in the afternoon. On Thursday we will visit with a friend of mine from college and visit with her two children. Thursday evening TTG, PopPop and Miss J will arrive and on Friday we will be in a neighborhood Independence Day Parade. The kids are having a good time. They miss their daddy and Dewey the cat. Click on the picture to see more photos.