Year #7 Here I come....

It is hard to believe as I sit here and write this that my summer break will be completely over when I wake up in the morning.  It has gone by so quickly and Ford and I have made lots of good memories together.

I am sad to go back and leave Ford, yet I am excited about a new school year.  I actually know a lot of the new third graders coming up and hopefully I will have some of them in my class.

I am sure some of you read into my blog posts last school year that it was a tough year for me.  It was.  I won’t lie.  A lot had to do with my attitude and some things were out of my control.  I have felt extremely convicted of that all summer and have prayed for a better attitude and school year. 

 I grew up thinking that all children came from a home like I did.  I was raised in a Christian home with two parents who loved and adored me on a daily basis.  Not all kids grow up that way.  Some children come to school hungry, tired, dirty, or with bruises on them.  Now I can’t control what goes on when they leave me each afternoon but I can ensure that I give them 100% each day and make them feel safe and happy when they are with me.  I can make a difference in a child’s life and would like to think I already have, but that I do not know.  Please pray for the teachers as they begin a new school year.  We really need your prayers on a daily basis.  The education system is not what it used to be.  Year #7 HERE I COME!!!!!!!!

We got a good rain last week and Ford needed to play outside in it and drink water from the gutters. 

 

Friday we took a field trip to the Memphis Childrens Museum.  Gran, Aunt Ashley, Molly Cate, Caroline, and Jack came along for the trip.    

 

Flying an air plane   

 

Ford was driving his new Cadillac Escalade when he fell out the door and busted his lip.  It still looks pretty bad.  

 

He thought it was pretty cool that he was on TV.       

 

My sewing days are not over.  I won’t have near the time to sew anymore, but I plan to do some when I can.  I went and bought a pattern to make john johns and some new fabric.  I will keep you posted….       

 

Friday night we had some friends down to eat with us in Como at the Steak House. 

Daniel, Trey and Brad       

 Leah, Kristy and me    

 

Taylor, this is JUST for you.  Here he is in his Roll Tide shirt.       

 

We made a crumb cake this morning and he helped me lick the bowl.  Trey missed out since he was still in bed!  And I know you love the matching pajamas!!!

 

We had to get in a little swimming this weekend…….

Remember to go vote on Tuesday!

Toes In the Sand- PART 2

I will go ahead and warn you now that there is a LARGE volume of pictures so you need to prepare yourself.  No, I didn’t load all 316, but close to it.

PART 2

On Saturday, my birthday, we changed locations from Baytown to Hidden Dunes.  My side of the family had come down for the annual Anthony family beach trip.  It’s always a necessity to grocery shop for the week since 10 people can eat a lot of food.  Ford thought he was super cool in this car buggy. 

One of the rooms in our new condo (dad prefers to call it a “villa”) had bunk beds.  I knew Ford wouldn’t sleep in there and I was right.

Oh and look what I got for my birthday………  The Chinaman!!!  Now it’s my turn to think of some creative way to give it back to Ken and Ashley.  (If you are confused, or a new comer to my blog, this little Chinese statue has been going back and forth between my brother and I for about 8 to 10 years now).    

Sunday night we went to eat at the Louisiana Lagniappe.  This is sort of a yearly tradition.  Since I don’t eat anything that swims I stick with the steak. 

We must always play on the dock after we eat.

One of my dear old friends from West Point (yes, we lived there back in the late 80’s and early 90’s) just so happened to be in Destin while we were there.  I hadn’t seen her in about 8 years so we met up to say hello. 

Ford was not interested in our reuniting and decided he would rather run outside.

On our way to the beach… Ford and Molly Cate stopped for a picture!   

This has to be the sweetest baby that God ever made.  He was a trooper all week.   I love baby Jack!

Daddy and Uncle Ken taking Ford for a ride

BoomPa with his two grandsons    

Ford and Jack    

Most children do not like to get sand or salt water in their mouth.  This did not bother Ford, better yet he ate the sand and drank the water!      

One afternoon Ashley and I were laying out and Trey came down to join us.  After about 5 minutes (if that) he decided that lying on a towel wasn’t fun and he wanted a chair.  Ashley told him that the people next to us left and he should use one of theirs until they got back.  He decided that was a good idea and grabbed a chair (I would have never done such!!!).  As soon as he got situated I heard a strange noise and Trey had broken their chair and was basically eating sand!!!!!!!!!  It was the highlight of my day!  This is him fixing the chair….

Caroline and Ford decorated themselves with stickers

And then they decorated BoomPa!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday night we went to Baytown to eat at Hammer Heads and to partake in the big kids’ night they put on.  While walking to our destination Ford decided he should carry Molly Cate’s doll. 

We paid $10.00 for a wrist band so Ford could go down this slide twice.    

He did like his new accessories.    

And the carousel ride with his Daddy.   His momma won’t ride anything like that because it makes her sick! 

One day we took an outing to the Bass Pro Shop.  Ford played in the sand, watched them feed the fish, and found a 4-wheeler to ride. 

We went walking on the beach to look Ford crabs one night.

He found some big friends to play with…

On Thursday we were invited to ride around on our friends’ yacht.

This was attempt #1 at a nap.  It doesn’t look like much sleeping is going on.

Attempt #2 worked

Thursday night we drove down to Sea Side to eat at Bud and Alley’s.   

Uncle Ken attempting to throw Ford in the air.   

 

On Friday we made a trip to the outlet mall.  Trey and I separated and my trusty side kick came along with me.  He started acting like he might go into full on terrible two’s mode so I suggested a snack.  We walked into the chocolate factory and he decided on a chocolate covered pretzel.  We found a nice little table outside and began enjoying our snack.  Trey walked by and said “I would never have bought him that.  He will have it all over himself.”  He did.  But I come prepared and had baby wipes in my purse.  Everyone needs some chocolate now and then.    

 

Notice his cool new shoes….  Converse Dr. Seuss style!  Now if he isn’t going to be the coolest kid in preschool I don’t know who is…???...      

 

Our last day on the beach…. Not many men would wear such.  Ken isn’t scared. 

 

I think Ford might be a “tad bit” Type A.  He wouldn’t get out of the shower until all the products were lined up.    

On Friday night we went to eat at Captain Dave’s

And during the 45 minute wait we played race car several times  

 

And Aunt Ashley entertained him as well.   

The beach was wonderful as always.  We had a great time and made a lot of fun memories to last forever.  Thank you mom and dad for a fabulous week.