Some New Things

Here's a list (I'm a fan of them) explaining some new advances, new realizations, and new occurrences in the last few days and weeks.

1. Collier is "walking" now. He's been standing up from a sitting position for a few weeks, but this week he started taking steps on his own with no encouragement. Sometimes his little expression when he's walking on his own says, "Yes, I can do this...that's it...steady." I think the most steps he's taken in a row is probably five, but it's still a surprise when he comes walking in from the next room.
2. Hamilton started putting an "s" at the beginning of some words. Instead of "why you 'pank me?" this week, a few times he said "don't spank me" as he shook his head. Yes, we've had lots of spankings this week. Most times Hamilton still calls it a "'panking 'tick"--an old paint stirrer. Part of me is happy he seems to be outgrowing the no-"s" way of speaking, but it's also really cute and fun to hear.
3. I survived my first week of summer with all three kids at home all day every day. We planned several playdates, visited the library, and hung out at the pool yesterday. It's been a long week, so I'm rewarding myself with a date night on Saturday with Mr. Morgan. I'm planning for us to see Snow White and the Huntsman. He's been talking about seeing the other Charlize Theron movie.
4. Claire has embraced her "teenage summer" by sleeping in late, losing herself in a book series, and seeing her neighborhood friends. She has still managed to be helpful to me most days, and Mr. Morgan has her cutting the grass as part of her chores.
5. I've been sent almost a dozen hacked/spammer emails from three different friends whose Yahoo accounts have been compromised. Two things: I'm thankful I use Gmail, and Yahoo email sucks.
6. I've also decided that voicemails stress me out. To have a voicemail waiting on me makes me feel like a failure--I've failed to answer the ringing phone in time, I've failed to click over fast enough from my previous call, I've failed to hear my phone ring or turn the ringer on, I've failed to give the caller enough information previously such that an interrupting phone call is necessary, etc. Emails sitting in my Inbox and text messages waiting to be read do not have the same effect. Why is that?

A Day at the Beach

If you've ever described something as "a day at the beach" and meant that something was easy or relaxing, then you weren't talking about spending a day at the beach with little kids. Mimi came for a short visit, so we spent Friday at the beach with the kids. Since Travis was also in town with Cheri for a wedding and festivities, he got to come along as well. Taking the boys to the beach is a big job, but they do love it--and they look so cute in the sand (even Hamilton's ghostly shade thanks to sunscreen).

Sharing toys at the beach was just as difficult as sharing at home. Also at home, we keep Collier's pacifier in at times to keep his drooling in check, but at the beach we kept his pacifier in to discourage sand from going in by the shovelful.

Hamilton splashed in the shallow water, and he loved seeing the kite-boarder just beyond the swimming area.

Claire's half day of school meant we arrived later, but she made up for lost time by searching for shells nearly the whole time.

After lunch and more beach play, Collier was zonked. Mimi rolled him a bit in the stroller where he promptly fell asleep.

We propped him up as best we could in the shade, but the poor dear was so sandy and sticky from salt water that he didn't sleep long.

On the Water

Last weekend we spent Saturday morning boating around the Charleston harbor with friends who own a boat. We took both boys, so this boat ride was not relaxing--but it was fun after Collier got used to the wind and sea spray in his face. The boys looked so cute in their life jackets, though poor Collier was so front-heavy in his that it was hard for him to maneuver.

After a picnic on the boat, we anchored for some swimming and jumping off the back of the boat into the cold water. The boys quickly fell fast asleep in our arms for the last 45 minutes as we rode around the harbor, which was much more relaxing for us. We look forward to more boat rides this summer!

Year-End Events and Videos

In the last weeks we've attended three year-end events for the kids--Claire's orchestra party, her piano recital, and Hamilton's family day during his last day at school. May is so packed with these events!
Our whole family enjoyed the orchestra party and picnic at Splash Island. Claire loved showing off her two brothers to her friends, and Hamilton loved flirting with Claire's friends.

Claire received an award for "perfect average" in strings class.

Her best friend Cady got several awards too.

The girls love their sweet teacher.

After the picnic and awards, we played at Splash Island. Hamilton saw a little slide and immediately--and uncharacteristically--wanted to slide down it. He got wetter than he was expecting the first time, so it took a few more times of trying to finally get him to come down the slide again. But he finally did! Many times he slid down after that, though I had to be right there to catch him. He didn't like getting his face submerged in the water at the end.

I caught him on video one of the last times he slid.

Collier spent some time crawling in the water too, but it was so "cold" (overcast, a little breezy, 75 degrees) the day we went. So he really loved being wrapped up in his fluffy towel after his few minutes of playing in the water.

Mr. Morgan stayed home with the boys, and I took Claire to her piano recital. Though she didn't play well at all considering how she plays sometimes, we had a great night with just us girls. Her best friend Cady came to the recital with her dad, and we all went out for frozen yogurt afterwards.


During Hamilton's last day of school, the parents were invited to come for outdoor games and a cookout. When Collier and I arrived, we found the boys already sweaty on the playground.

When it was the two-year-olds' time to play in the jump castle, I was hopeful Hamilton would love it. After a near disaster on the slide, he wanted to get out. He apparently hasn't been on enough slides to know how to do it. The second picture shows his upright position just before he tumbled onto his face at the bottom.

This shot with the boys' teachers was the best we could do, since sometimes two-year-olds don't like to be cooperative.

And here's the famous "Mih Ah-jee," so you'll know whom Hamilton's talking about. When she was his teacher at the beginning of the year, she was the first person he mentioned when he heard anything about school or teachers. She was also the first person he prayed for every night back then.

If you're still reading this long, catch-up post, you'll enjoy this video. This night just last week when Mr. Morgan was putting Hamilton to bed, he asked Hamilton to pray. Hamilton prayed for all his family which he'd never really done before like this. So Mr. Morgan left to get his phone, asked Hamilton to say his prayers again, and this video/voice-recording is the prayer he got. Sweet Mr. Morgan added the subtitles which make it even cuter.

May Mayhem

I've done it again. So much time goes by between posts that, dear reader, I'm sure it's hard for you to stick with me. My time is so divided and rationed with two rambling boys, a maturing middle-schooler, and a sweetheart husband. My house doesn't get cleaned nearly as often as it should--though in fairness to the other "less busy seasons" of my life, it never did. My list of things to share seems to grow exponentially the longer it takes me to post.

1. We're busy around the Morgan household, as I think everyone is especially in May. Claire and Hamilton both have year-end events next Thursday night, and Claire's already had two year-end viola concerts. Mr. Morgan and Grandma Judy attended her first concert. Claire's in the middle of this sea of performers.

Claire's two best friends joined her for a banana split following the concert.

2. It's been 10 years since I graduated from college, and during alumni weekend I got together with my roommate and suitemate from freshman year. We toured the campus which has WAY more stuff than when we attended--new buildings for just about every department, more "green space," and a much bigger and oh-so-necessary library. We were slightly jealous of the new students, as we listened to our tour guide talk about all the improvements. I also felt old seeing the potential students, but the distinguishing part of the campus--the old buildings, historic homes, and large live oaks--hadn't changed a bit.

We dined at Palmetto Cafe in the Charleston Place hotel, which was delicious, but the skylights created unflattering shadows for the only picture I snapped of the three of us.

A few shots from freshman year really bring back the memories.

3. The boys and I have been thoroughly enjoying Sandra McCracken's new album for children. We've been listening to the few teaser songs she released for free a few weeks ago. Yesterday the full album went on sale. For anyone with little ones, it's a great listen for you and your kids. And every song teaches a big truth in a simple way, using my favorite phrase "little one" in each song. Hamilton loves each song, asks for each by name, and knows most all the words. So cute. And he's learning awesome truths like, "Little one, in the storm God cares for you."

4. Hamilton and Collier escaped for a few days with Mimi and Pops at the farm last week. I got lots of house projects done, so I was happy. The boys spent a day at the Tweetsie Railroad riding a real train, so Pops and Hamilton were both happy. (I'm not sure which one was more excited about the train ride though.) Read all about their adventures. Mr. Morgan and I ate dinner in peace with no squealing and no feeding the ravenous monster that Collier has turned into. We even had enough energy for a date night.

5. Claire and I relished our rare girls' afternoon (because the little boys were away) that we spent at earthArt Pottery. Everything about our experience was delightful. I have not stopped talking about it to everyone I meet! We'll go back soon to finish our clay hand-built pieces that we started.