10 on Monday

• I survived Saturday with Jerry in school and the kids at the beach.  In fact, we had a really good day.  It was hot enough to be in the water, but cool enough to not feel like we were going to bake.  We tried out our new shelter and it worked great!  I even changed clothes in it! 

• I also survived Elijah’s graduation.  We got there in plenty of time to get a good seat.  The kids processed in, the priest said a prayer, the director said some words, the kids sang and got their diplomas, then marched out.  It was very sweet and very quick.  Following the graduation, there was picnic on the lawn.  I went to retrieve Elijah and Jerry took Grace outside and ended up getting a place in line to get food (good thinking!!)  It was a very bittersweet day.

• Last week I took Grace to the library to go to Dance Day.  She had a lot of fun and, of course, had to dress the part.  On Saturday night, we dropped the kids off for a Parent’s Night Out and one of the “teachers” said that Grace was showing them all some impressive dance moves.  I guess we have made the right choice in putting her into a creative movement class next fall at the local Dance Coop.
                               
• Elijah opted to dress a Batman for his “pick a letter and dress as something that starts with that letter.”  I knew it was a toss up between Batman and Spiderman.  Had to do some quick artwork on a t-shirt the night before, but it turned out okay.

• Not to be outdone, Gracie wanted to be a princess.  This is well and good, but we were heading to playgroup.  So Made her a princess.  We went to the park.  I wanted to do a loop first to check for blackberries.  This prompted THIS face:

• On the loop, that Grace went on grudgingly, I found not a few blackberries, but a TON!!  Enough to make 10 jars of jam and have enough left over for at least a pie.  SO yummy.  SO hard to stop picking. Sigh.  Grace and her friend (and mine) got to go out for ice cream when we were done.  The kids were very patient!
• I am so proud of the kiddos.  Both were holding their own on the boogie boards at the beach.  Twice Grace went head first over the front into the water, and twice she shook herself off and went again.  She is going to rock the swim lessons this summer!
• Elijah has learned to read the waves and knows when to jump on and ride.  He very much wants to surf, but I think we have a few more years (and mom’s heart needs that amount of time, at least, to prepare) before this to happen.
• This week has a feeling of a bit of insanity to it.  I have moved up a notch on the C25K, Elijah is home full time now, he is winding down his tennis lessons, Jerry is in class two nights a week, I and Grace have doc appointments on the same day within 2 hours of each other.  But playgroup is going to the beach, we are going to a playdate tomorrow, and this weekend is a long weekend with more beach time and possibly a trip to the zoo!
• Two weeks from yesterday we are heading to Edisto Island.  I’m SOOOO ready.  I’m also ready to head up to the mountains for a long visit.
• Jerry and I celebrated 11 years of marriage Saturday.  We went out to dinner and then to a movie.  My parents are celebrating 41 years today.  They are spending it in a posh Biltmore condo (they won at a silent auction.)  They are an inspiration to me.  May they have many more and may we strive to meet their standard.