Tuesday, June 18, 2013

A New Honor

Friday morning I went to the school assembly so I could see Jackson get another Merit badge.  He was so eager to get it.  I love that their school recognizes every day, small things  such as helping a friend or having their uniform on and shirt tucked in, by giving them merits. When they have 100 merits they get a badge that shows how hard they work every day.

NIK_2780

It was also the last day of school for our friends and neighbors the Thielmans.  I knew they would recognize them as well. We’re going to miss them!

What I didn’t know was that Jackson and Miller would be student of the week!  I was beyond surprised! Jackson has been Student of the Week quite a few times.  Every time we make a big deal about it because it is a big deal!  He and his class mates have been really good and are continuing to learn and grow even in the heat and with just a few days of school left.

NIK_2780NIK_2783

Miller’s class doesn’t choose a student of the week.  The Art teacher, who is also substituting in his class this week, chose him for her student of the week.  She said that every time he sees her work he tells her he really, really, really likes her paintings.  I can totally hear him saying that.

NIK_2788

We are so proud of these guys!

NIK_2791

NIK_2796

NIK_2797

Six more days of school!

Monday, June 17, 2013

Father’s Day Fun!

This year we tried to think of some things that Allen would love and made an attempt to squeeze them all into one day.

We had a yummy breakfast with home made biscuits.

NIK_2801

Sweet Jackson set the table.  The tablecloth was on upside down and he wrapped {wadded up}the napkins around the forks.  Tender!NIK_2802

We showered Allen with a few goodies.

NIK_2818

We explored in out back yard.NIK_2867NIK_2851NIK_2832

We spent some time at the beach.P6161323P6161326

P6161343

P6161332

We frolicked at the pool.

P6100336

We ate crab legs for dinner.

crab

That is NOT my picture

We crashed!

What a fun day for an awesome guy.  I hope you felt very special Allen.

NIK_2806

I heard recently that you should never marry a man unless you want your sons to grow up and be just like him.  I would be so honored if our sons were just like their dad!

may (87)

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Miller’s Big News

We have a new reader in our house.

He’s kinda awesome!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

What the Heck? Wednesday: Water Woes

Do you ever turn on your sink and nothing comes out?  When we lived in the U.S. this never happened.  Or it happened so infrequently that it seemed like it never happened.  It happens all the time here.

There are no good reasons for this to keep happening.  It just happens.  Sometimes it is Monday at 4 p.m., sometimes it is Saturday at 10 a.m.

The first year we lived here, the water would go off quite a bit overnight.  We didn’t really know it until I would go to turn on the shower and it would splash me in the face.  When it turns back on, the air in the pipes makes it go a little crazy when you first turn it on.  Nothing like a little cold water in all over your nightgown to wake you up!

We also run our dishwasher at night.  You know what happens when you run the dishwasher and the water goes off?  Plastic melts.  No fun!

You know when you really need a shower, like you just played tennis in the heat and humidity and you come home expecting a nice long shower?  Then you get in and nothing comes out.  Womp, womp, womp!

Recently, the water outages have been sporadic.  Saturday we had friends over for dinner and as we are preparing everything, the water goes out.  6 adults and 6 kids.  We just pulled the jugs of water out and kept on going.  Don’t think anyone really noticed.

Doesn't everyone save their milk jugs and fill them with water?  We keep several gallons under each sink so that when the water goes out {and you’ve already put a pump of soap in your hands}  you can still wash your hands and flush the toilet.

When we first moved here we heard all kinds of theories as to why the water was out.  We heard that all the water comes in on a barge {true} and that sometimes the barge doesn't get here before it runs out.  That could be the case, but then it wouldn’t come back on in a couple of hours.  We also heard that they turned it off at night so that the people who were watering grass wouldn’t waste the water. Hmm, seems like they would get found out pretty quickly.  Then there are the neighborhood conspiracies.  Some people think that it is the homeowners association turning off the water.  I’ve seen the guys who work maintenance around here have to come out late at night.  They looked like they had to {briefly} step away from the Heinekens, so I don’t think they are doing it.

So that means it could only be one thing.  Island Luck.  That’s what I am going to remember whenever I feel bugged by not having water.  It’s Island Luck.  We are lucky enough to live here and there are some prices to be paid for living in paradise.  Water or no water.  If we get desperate, there’s always the ocean!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Frame this moment

I want to frame these pictures in my mind so that I never forget what it is like with these two.

NIK_2692NIK_2693

NIK_1523

NIK_1631

I want to remember how loud they are, how wild they are.  How they can talk about farts, burps and poop all day long and never get tired of it.  I want to remember that Wipeout and America’s Funniest Home Videos have replaced Curious George and The Wiggles.

I want to remember that they still wake up and want a little snuggle, but quickly scamper off in search of mischief.

These are the days….

Friday, June 7, 2013

Flashback Friday

We’re so looking forward to getting back to SC to play with our family and friends!

DSC_0119 (2)

DSC_0709 (2)DSCN1207

IMG_3861

DSC_0037

 

DSC_0805

DSC_0992

We’re coming!!

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Grilling and Chilling

Grilling {or Barbequing as it is known around here} with charcoal in the rain.

IMG_1223

An alternative to this picture could be Dads in cargo shorts…or when toys are loved and left.  It was such a fun night!

I think it is fitting that there are no other photos from that night.

Thanks a million Peter and Olivia!