Ready or not here we come.....

It is September and school is in full swing!!  We have truly enjoyed this summer, and even though it is time for school I am sure we still have one more swimming or fishing trip left in us!!  In August, I could not seem to get myself ready and I think it is because I have enjoyed watching the boys grow & mature right before my very eyes!  Each day they have embarked upon a new adventure and I hope this school year will be a fun adventure for both of them!!

This year both of the boys are going to school.  Carson will be in the first grade and Mason will be in 3K. It is so very hard for me to believe how fast they have grown!!  As each day goes by, I try to write down something they have said or done.  As we began to get ready for the big first day, I overheard this....

Carson: "hey, buddy..I want you to know that you are going to have a fun day at school. You might get a little sad or nervous, but just know I am right down the hall. 
Mason: okay?
Carson:  Ya see, you will have centers, toys and the playground.  And all I will have is work-Reading & Math. It is harder to be in the first grade, so you enjoy your day and know that momma will be there to get us in the afternoon."
Mason: Sounds good to me!

As I hugged and loved on both of them, I thought to myself "Lord, please let me get through this day."  I know that may seem silly, and maybe it is. But, I ultimately have to trust that they will be more than just educated in the hands of the individuals at this precious little school.  I truly want them to have some fun while learning some good "stuff" along the way.  And so, I move into this chapter of our lives...even if it is the chapter with a little more homework :)               

Sweet Summertime 2010

As much as I hate to say goodbye to summer, I do have to realize all good things come to an end!!  I can cope only by knowing that we will make a few more fishing and swimming days even after school starts. This has truly been a summer to remember....we are now a camping family!! 

Tony and I have discussed several recreational items like campers, boats, & swimming pools, etc. because we all love outdoors(especially the boys).  We decided to wait on the pool and let the boys get a little older.  And, then it happened-a camper auction.  For those that know Tony, he LOVES a good auction.  So, he was off and I stayed home(because he loves to go but rarely comes home with an item).  A few hours later, he calls and says keep a watch on the driveway because he would be there in a few minutes.  I was shocked when he pulled in with a very nice camper(it looked as if no one had even owned it).  I have to admit that camping did not seem very appealing to me, but I wanted to give it a go for the guys in my family!!

We LOVED it!!!  Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Al  was our first adventure, and the boys were thrilled with excitement!!!  We could barely get unpacked and they were ready to ride bikes to see the lake.  Mason was overjoyed with the gator sighting signs(Carson not so much).  We fished, picked blackberries, rode bikes, and played on beach until we could barely move. 

Our next adventure was to Dauphin Island-one of our most favorite places to fish.  We went out on a limb(because of the nasty oil spill) and booked a few weeks in June.  I am so glad we did because the campground beach was spared oil because of a small barrier-Sand Island.  We could still enjoy the beach, fish a little in the bay, and ride bikes until our legs were like jello!!!  We also joined the swim club(could not think of allowing the boys to be in the water with all that was going on).  We were literally up from daylight to dark! Typical day-ride bikes to the beach, play in the sand, ride to pool for some swimming, squeeze in lunch, hop on boat to just ride or fish a little(only on bay), throw dinner on grill while Tony or myself would ride bikes once again.  And most days, Tony would find a way to get back on the boat and go speck fishing, even if it was late-a big thanks to Neil and Hayden Ray for that!!  :)  Whew!  Some days I thought this camping adventure is not as relaxing as I imagined!!  But, I have to say...we enjoyed every minute of it!!

We met up with so many good friends and family-some we knew liked to camp and others we did not know they even owned a camper.  Some of them I have known for a long time and it was so good to re-kindle those relationships.  My friend Denise and her little girl Carlie were there and Carlie even remembered Carson when he was a baby and that she like to steal his pacifiers(and take it home in her pockets)!!  Good times with good friends & family = great memories!!!

Carlie & Carson

This was great opportunity for us as a family.  We had extended family that stayed a few days at a time, and the boys really enjoyed the sleepovers.  We also made new friends especially Carson with his friendly personality.  A few days after we get there, I noticed 2 little girls making frequent visits to the playground or by our camper....and oh boy I was not prepared for that!!!  I became very good at my responses when they were looking for him, and eventually they must have realized that I was a natzi-moma !!

This was a summer for me to realize that the simple things in life matter the most!  I guess I have always known that, but we really lived it this summer.  Just simply riding bikes to the dock to catch minnows or throw the cast net absolutely thrilled my boys!!!  Do not get me wrong, we had a blast doing all the fun stuff that kids love-play dates with friends, visits to pools, slides, seeing the reptiles, splash pads, aquarium visits, lake visits, & so much more. Those fun little trips were such good min-trips visiting with our wonderful friends(mine & theirs).  Each time we left the camper for a few days, the boys would start asking how long before we would go back(and I have to admit Tony & I were just as bad)!!!   And, I loved it all-every minute of each adventure this summer....but more than anything, I have loved being with my little family and realizing how blessed I am and how the small things in life are truly the most rewarding!!

A few of my favorite moments....

Mason on the dock catching some minnows

Lessons on throwing a cast net

Mason, Carson, & Bayleigh

Fishing is one of their favorite things to do!!!  Notice Mason's face: disappointed because he said that fish was much to small to even keep in the boat "just let him grow bigger, Daddy".

Hunting for squirrels, if only to catch just one 

Pool time-this became a daily duty that I really enjoyed!!!

As you can see, both of the boys were very relaxed!!!

Sweet treats!!!

Our entire summer was such a sweet treat!! 

Our summer adventures have turned into good memories!