The Benny Boy

Finally! A picture of me and one of my children that I actually don't mind!!

Thanks, Reagan, for taking this!

Reeves' First Dove Hunt

Cooper asked Bryant this week if he and Reeves wanted to go dove hunting with him and some other guys at a place up in Summerton. Of course, he jumped at the chance. I must admit, part of me was a little sad that I wouldn't be there on Reeves' first hunt, but an even bigger part of me knew that this was going to be a super special day for R and his dad, just like every hunt I have ever been on with my dad has been. And since I stay home with the boys, I get to have a lot of special times with them that Bryant often misses out on, so this was really good for them.

Cooper picked them up around 1:30 and they headed out. Reeves was so excited. He was dressed all in camoflauge. He had his camo stool all loaded up with ear muffs and snacks. He wanted to bring his own gun, but I think it will be a few years before he makes that step. He has to be a good retriever first.

I took a picture of the boys before they left. (This would be the last time I would see Reeves awake that day.)

Here is my little bird dog ready to go retrieve.

I sent the little camera out with Bryant, and I'm so glad I did. B got a bird, so Reeves got to really see what it was all about.

I remember doing the same things at my father's feet. For some reason, the first few birds are so fascinating.

Bryant said he examined every bit of it, and then even noticed that after a while, the body was becoming stiff, so B got to have the rigor mortis talk with him. Maybe a bit early, but if he's gonna hunt, he's gonna learn about it. I'm just glad he wasn't freaked out by it.

Reeves took some pictures of the field.

I must say, I'm pretty impressed with his eye for composition. What a perfect place for a hunt.

He got a really good picture of B in the blind.

I'm so glad they got to have this special day together. I can't thank Cooper enough for including them. It meant so much to both of them, and it brings a tear to my eyes to realize just how fast Reeves is growing up.

UPDATE: I just learned today that Reeves apparently told his daddy that he also needed some camoflauge boxers. Maybe Santa can hook him up.

A Whole Hand!

I promise to do a post with actual writing soon, but in the meantime, this very informative picture will have to do.

I can't believe he's really five! He already looks more grown up than he did on Sunday.

Sunday at Sandy Point

After a whirlwind week/weekend of (out of town) car trouble and tons of fun, we threw the boat in on Sunday and headed out to Sandy Point. It was, after all, Reeves and Bryant's birthday weekend, so we just had to do what they wanted. (One day is not nearly enough time to celebrate.) The ride from Wappoo was brutal. We were getting pounded by an outgoing tide with an incoming wind. The bow of that little Montauk was getting so beaten that by the end, we were all huddled in the stern. The good news though is that, since we couldn't go faster than a snail's pace, we weren't tempted to push the throttle and consequently, the engine didn't overheat. (See, there's a silver lining in every situation. It's always a small victory when a twenty year old motor successfully gets you anywhere.)

We eventually made it to Sandy Point and quickly settled in.

Of course we just had to bring our aunt/nanny with us and Henry. Lol is never one to turn down a day in the boat and we are always happy to have her with us. (She makes the best sandwiches!)

It was a perfect day for floating and playing. We ran into Joe and Micky B. on the backside in the little creek, and all the boys instantly made fast friends. This was great for us because it made our whole level of parental involvement go down significantly! (Of course, my camera was all the way back on the boat, and that was just too far to go to take any pictures of all the romping around in the mud!)

Did you know that Bennett could walk on water?

Finally, after a cut on Reeves' hand (can you see the enormous gash that nearly severed his hand completely from his body? Hyperbole? Maybe.) and a tide that had come in a good bit, we headed home. But not, in true Bryant form, until after we had passed right by our landing, out into the harbor, under the bridge, and then back.

He never wants to see a fun day end. We rolled into the driveway with two unexpectedly awake boys, but it wasn't long after a showers and supper that their heads were weighing down their pillows. It truly was a wonderful family day that I hope to repeat many times this summer.

Daddy's Old Stomping Grounds

On the way home from Saluda on Saturday, with Daddy's birthday looming on Monday, the boys and I stopped by Presbyterian College to take a picture in front of Neville Hall. This was were Bryant had most of his classes while in college. Needless to say, after much bribery and me even having to walk away once, we were finally able to get a good picture. Seriously, this is the LAST shot that I took that day. It took a bit of convincing to keep the boys from telling Bryant where we went on when we were coming home. I even had to yell a bunch of jibberish once to cover Reeves' voice when he was attempting to tell his father that we did NOT go to his college on the way home. But it was all worth it to see the happiness in Bryant's eyes when he opened his present on Monday morning. He is now really looking forward to returning with them and really being able to walk them around campus.

Spring Break - Filling the Void - Day 5

Our last day of spring break was filled with an extra special trip to Folly Beach. Luckily, some of the daddies were off and were able to come with us.

Somehow, things are even more special when Daddy can be there. This was the first time we have been to the beach this year, and it did not disappoint.

The Halfords, Collins, and we all packed up lunches, dusted the cobwebs off the beach toys, and loaded up the vans with, as usual, way more stuff than we needed to bring. But, the best part about going to the beach this year is that the children are a year older. This means they are more able to fulfill their proper roles as pack mules. Even Bennett was able to carry some stuff down. Oh how I have dreamed of this day!! Finally, something is draped over his shoulder rather than he on mine! Naturally, they are much more willing to haul the stuff TO the beach rather than FROM the beach. It's almost like the salt, sand, sweat, and heat makes them uncomfortable. Who knew?

The children had a great time getting the sand between their toes again.

Holes were dug, castles built, moats were filled.

There were more trips made to and from the water line than I could have counted. They played and played nonstop.

Some of them even went in the water, which we couldn't believe. The weather was beautiful and warm, but the water was still quite chilly. Ah, to regain the reckless abandon of childhood.

Eventually, Reeves and Eliza had to take a well deserved break.

We finally headed home, sandy and sunkissed, for some extra long naps. It was the perfect way to cap off an amazing spring break.

Spring Break - Filling the Void - Day 4

Have fun at Grandmomma and Grandaddy's!!!!

Spring Break - Filling the Void - Day 3

Please excuse the delay in this post. There have been some major (lack of) internet issues at our house, but luckily a new router seems to have resolved the situation!

Anyhoo...

Day 3 of our 24/7 childcare adventure was thankfully filled with the birthday party of a dear friend, Miss Annie-Boo. Hard to believe this little angel is already 4! We celebrated with a super fun party at Hazel Parker playground. Dorothy and Gregg had thought of everything, including getting enough pizzas so that the adults could eat as well.

It's hard to pass up a $5 Hot n' Ready! The kids all behaved beautifully, playing their hearts out in the warm sun and only occasionally stopping by their respective parents to have an empty bubble jar filled or to request another piece of pizza or the opening of a juice box. It is amazing to me to bring these children to parties now and know that they are pretty well self sufficient. Although it was only a few short months ago that I was having to keep foot to foot with Benny, he and "My Best Friend, Pincky" can now go and play together without too much interaction from us. As long as we eyeball them every couple of minutes, they are fine. They basically know their boundaries and theoretically know what kind of behavior we expect from them. Of course, none of this would be possible without the village we all have created to raise our children. (I never thought I would ever agree with Hillary!) The younger ones come up seeing how the older ones, siblings or not, and this in turn shapes their own behavior. Thank you to all my girlfriends for raising the kind of children I want my own boys to be. It has made my job immensely easier! Of course, the dads also have a bit to do with this village. Here are two of them who have gone out and hunted and gathered that elusive pizza for their youngest ones.

Due to the unfortunate timing of a 2 year old potty break, I missed getting good pictures of Annie Boo blowing out her candles. After eating way too much pizza and cake, it was all we adults could do to just sit and watch the little bodies run and play. I again wonder where they get the energy! Oma spent some time giving JJB III advice on the finer points of being a chicken fan.

Thanks, Annie Boo, for being born and for being such a dear friend! We had a ton of fun at your birthday party, and it was an excellent way to check off another day of spring break!!

(Blogger will not let me move these pictures where I want to!!!)

Spring Break - Filling the Void - Day 2

We had our annual BUGS Baby (and I use that term loosely as a couple of these "babies" will soon be taller than we are) Easter egg hunt today. Thank you, Amanda, for hosting us. Your yard was perfect for our intimate 21 child group. While part of me does miss the big one we have done for the past 3 or 4 years, an even bigger part of me was so thankful to have today's hunt with just a few children. Of course, there are many little ones we sorely missed, but I think this scaled down version is a bit more manageable. And it was so good to see old friends we haven't seen in ages. Tradd is groing up way too fast!

We started with lunch, and then, with the children re-energized and chomping at the bit, we released the hounds. We had divided the yard into two sections - one with numbered eggs for the older kids and one with plain eggs for the little ones. It was perfect, both sets were totally entertained and challenged. Of course, after the hunt, it was time to crack some eggs and chow down on the delicious cupcakes Melinda had sent. Nancy and I both found this little session between Bennett and Ellie to delicious to pass up. (Unfortunately, I had not adjusted my shutter speed so these pictures were way overexposed, and I have not yet reinstalled Photoshop on my computer, so this is what you get. Sorry.)

Then it was time for fun on the slide, or as my children like to call it (if they called it anything), "Let's see just how close to dangerous we can get before the grown ups stop us." It all started out so innocently with a simple train of girls going down the slide. Don't they look precious? Then the boys got involved and it quickly deteriorated into a precariously balanced human tunnel. What is it with testosterone that makes a classic, simple toy like a slide not quite exciting enough? Please notice here that that is Eliza sliding underneath Reeves. Of course, there was one casualty, but luckily, the injuries were nothing a big hug and some magic kisses couldn't fix.

This was a perfect way to carry on this well started spring break. The boys and I had a great time. Thanks again, Amanda, for letting us all invade your homestead, and thanks everyone for continuing to create these special memories for all of our children.

(And as a bonus to help fill our void, Reeves had t-ball practice at 5:00. Another hour taken care of!!! Woo-hoo! But that's a whole other post.)

Spring Break - Filling the Void - Day 1

So here we are on the first official day of spring break.

Today turned out to be a wonderful day filled with friends and fun - relatively impromptu gathering at a park near our house. The weather held off long enough for us to have lunch, play, ride bikes, and get all soaking wet in the fountain. Reeves and Spencer quickly tackled the "Hill of Doom". (Reeves and Fordham have ridden this before, but it takes an older first grader to come up with such a fearsome moniker.) Those boys were unstoppable. They never got tired of pushing those bikes up the hill and then racing them down. Bennett, on the other hand, quickly tired of pushing his bike up the hill and then ... pushing it down. I must admit, I was a little worried that he would try to ride it down with the big boys. Maybe he does have a little caution in him and there is a chance that he won't be the first of our children with a broken bone.

After a while, we went on an adenture over to the fountain and memorial. Aileen and I briefly questioned letting Reeves, Spencer, and Bennett ride so far ahead that they were out of our sight, but I assured her that Reeves knew where he was going and there wasn't really anything up there that could hurt them. Naturally, as we approach, we see that workmen have blocked off the whole memorial for cleaning or something. (Great, I just sent my two year old unsupervised into a work zone. Please add that to my Uber-Mommy status.) I think Bennett was the first to ride his bike through the fountains. Once the others realized that he was not getting in trouble for getting wet, it was katy-bar-the-door. Off went the shoes and socks, up rolled the pants legs, and, in one case, who needs anything but the undies? Wilson took great pleasure in getting his bicycle super clean. I wish my children had thought of that!The children had a blast. I think part of the fun was that this was really the first warm day where they could truly enjoy getting playing and getting wet. It was a true taste of summer (isn't that what spring break really is?), and they loved it. Like Aileen said, "These are days they are going to remember."

After the playground we headed back to our house so that Rossi wouldn't have to drop Aileen and her kiddos off at Tire Kingdom to wait endlessly for their car to be fixed. (Yes, you heard right, Rossi drove out to carless Aileen's this morning and not only picked her and her children up, but also their two bikes. What an awesome friend!) Anyway, what was supposed to be a play for the rest of the day, turned, for the most part, into a watch cartoons afternoon. But honestly, that was OK by us. We were tired, and we hadn't done half the things they had. Luckily for me, everyone stayed for dinner. And I say "luckily" in all honesty. Feeding my children is my least favorite part of motherhood, and somehow, I find there is power in numbers when it comes to mealtimes.

Thanks for such a wonderful first day. I can't wait to see what special memories the rest of the week holds in store for us.