More House Pictures

I took these a few days ago and thought I'd already posted them. Anyways, here they are:

This is the library. It was actually the original dining room, but with this massive house, it was the smallest room in the house. We decided it was too small for a dining room, so we made it into the kids' library. It's off the kitchen, so we figured it would be a great room to do homework, art projects, and such. I waited to take a picture because my dad had to move the chandelier and put up a ceiling fan (thanks, Dad!). There are two matching desks...one for the computer, and one is for crafts/artwork/homework.

I put the kids' Pottery Barn chairs in the corners too so they have a place to read. I had Madison's angled, but Alex didn't like it like that. They've really been enjoying their computer. It's nice to show them how to use the kids' games on Nick Jr. and for Madison to learn email. She's loved sending messages to Edward and other family members.

The almost-finished dining room! I still need a nice picture over the buffet, but it's coming. I know the picture I want to buy, but the picture is in Myrtle Beach, and well, I'm not. There's the chandelier my dad moved from the library to the new dining room. This was a formal living room right next to the family room. We decided that wasn't necessary, especially with a playroom upstairs, so we made it into our dining room. It's a great size, and we entertain a lot (well, when we have friends :)

Standing in the real living room, looking at the dining room and front of the house

The Bus Stop and Irene

Day 2 of Back-to-School...

Madison wanted me to take her picture again because Luke was in a picture-taking mood. So, here they are together for the second day of school. The boys start preschool in two weeks.

All ready for school, today with lunch in hand.

Finally, a picture of my crew!

Madison went off for another great day at school. As her day was ending, I was getting ready to walk down to the bus stop to get her. The boys and I had been keeping an eye on the weather as Irene was approaching. Here's Irene 15 minutes before the bus was due.

Here's Irene five minutes before the bus was due...

So, the boys and I dug out our umbrellas, dusted them off (you know, from not using them for three years in Arizona!), and we walked two houses down to the bus stop. We had two umbrellas, and it was not raining yet...

We came home looking like this! Just as we arrived at the bus stop, it LET LOOSE. The umbrellas didn't seem to help much as it was raining sideways. I tried to shield us, but as you can see, it really rained HARD. The kids thought it was awesome, as they love rain after three years in the desert. Madison came off the bus, laughing at the rain, and took off running to the house. The boys and I followed with the umbrellas. We were quite the sight. I decided to go ahead and get them their baths because it wasn't like we were going back outside to play, and they were soaked. Glad I did, as we lost power about 20 minutes later, which was just annoying. The power came back on about 5:30, and I was able to cook up a quick dinner before heading to bed.

Irene has moved on, thank goodness. We got about two inches of rain and a TON of wind. The kids got a great memory of their bus stop run in an approaching hurricane.

First Day of First Grade

We had a busy morning. Madison started first grade today.

The morning started with Alex getting up first. He's almost always the first up. I told Madison I would make her favorite breakfast, and she asked for waffles. Alex was also very excited to have waffles.

Luke was up second, as he normally is. He, too, enjoyed his waffle.

Madison was very excited for school. She didn't get all silly about it; she was just excited and ready to go. She really enjoyed her chocolate chip waffle I made her.

Before school, she was even able to chat with Edward for a couple of minutes.

All ready to go!

She wanted to show off her new backpack. She has a matching lunchbox, but today was also a big day...she decided to buy her lunch. I think she will normally pack her lunch, but I thought it was a good idea for her to buy on the first day so she, and everyone else, would be in the same boat about what to do.

Alex has been carrying the bus around, saying, "Madi go bus."

Luke, being four and stubborn, didn't want his picture taken with the other two.

Here, he is demonstrating how the bus works. He wanted his kitty to ride the bus.

Madison really wanted a picture with Luke. I snuck this at the bus stop.

Off she goes...wow, she's got a lot of new things going on today!

I hope you have a wonderful first day, Madison. We love you and are so proud of you being such a big, brave girl!

More Yardwork...A Work in Progress

I've been working on the yard despite the terrible humidity. It's still a work-in-progress, but it is getting better every step of the way.

For now, I put in a small garden at the bottom of the stairs. The main plant is an Oleander. I still need another Chinese Holly Bush, but Home Depot was out of them today. Notice, Alex has been "mowing" the yard too. He parked his lawn mower at the base of the steps.

The vegetable garden is growing like crazy (I'd say like a weed, but there aren't any weeds in it, haha). I just planted the left last Wednesday. It is full of pumpkins and gourds. I know it's late to plant them, but the kids are SOOOOO excited about our garden, so for $1.89 for the seeds, I decided to humor them. The garden on the left is doing really well for three weeks along.

I put in this garden too beside our air conditioner unit. I really should have taken a picture before because it was full of weeds and just a mess. It is really wet there due to the a/c water runoff. So, I tried to find plants that love water. I did the same thing last time we lived in NC, and I found that my Hostas did really well. I still need something else, and I'd love to find a Tropicana. I love those, and they do really well in a moist environment.

That's the latest update. I also have to mention I bought a new "toy." Some humor themselves with new phones and gadgets; I bought an edger. It's absolutely awesome, and my yard looks great after using it along the driveway. I know my string trimmer can function this way, but it's much harder to use that, and I just couldn't get it like I wanted it. The edger is a keeper and a great purchase in my book.

Charleston

The kids and I just returned from a weekend in Charleston. The Army has a lot of retreats put on by the Army chaplains through the Strong Bonds program. Edward's unit had one this past weekend for deployed families, and it was a much needed trip for us. We found out about it at the last minute due to my info not being added onto their email list like I had thought, and we were able to get the last spot. What a blessing. It was so nice to meet a few ladies and have a few hours of childcare! Thank you to the Army for paying and putting on such needed and enjoyable events.

The mornings were filled with meetings, which was fine. Saturday afternoon, we had "family" time (of course, I say this minus Edward). I knew Alex needed a nap, but there was no way he would just lie down and nap in the room. So, I decided to drive from our downtown hotel out to Ft. Moultrie on Sullivan's Island, on the tip of the island. Going to Clemson, I have made many trips to Charleston and knew this would be a nice, laid back, safe place for the kids.

At the museum there at Ft. Moultrie, there is a walkway to the docks. The kids loved walking down to it.

You can see how excited Alex was about the trip to the fort. Part of this was in my plan. Our free time was from 1-5. Alex normally naps at 1, and I knew walking around in downtown Charleston did not equal quality naptime. He slept well at the fort, as it was quiet and peaceful.

View of the bridge from the docks.

Luke didn't want to be in the picture.

Ft. Moultrie behind us

Inside the fort

The LOVED the cannons. In fact, they loved the whole fort more than I expected. I knew they would enjoy it, but when we left, Luke told me, "Mommy, I love this place. We have to show Daddy."

Ft. Moultrie sits on the beach. There isn't much of a play area, but we walked over to the beach to show the kids. They thought it was so cool to have a fort on the beach. We talked a lot about history, pirates, and "bad guys" attacking the fort.

Alex kept saying the sand was "Hot" even though it wasn't.

During our meetings, free childcare was provided, and it was much appreciated. I enjoyed meeting the ladies and hearing their stories. A lot of emotions ran through that room over the weekend. It was a needed getaway. I'm very grateful we could attend.

A Finished Living Room

The couch we ordered back in June finally arrived today! We were told originally it would be in "soon," but really backordered was the correct terminology. The chair came immediately, and now finally, the couch and the coffee table arrived.

We couldn't believe how nicely the colors in the coffee table went with our room. Now that it is here, it looks even better than I would have thought. Plus, our end tables, bought at a different store in Arizona are almost a perfect match!

The Vegetable Garden-A Week Later

Edward wanted to know how the yard was coming...

I bought more sod to fill in the dirt where they put in the patio. It's coming along very nicely.

This was all dirt when Edward left.

We put in two vegetable gardens.

A week later, we have veggies growing! I just put the second planter in yesterday with help from my mom who was here. Today, the kids and I planted gourds and pumpkins. I told them it was late to plant pumpkins, but I'm humoring them.

Left to right: carrots, beans, onions, broccoli, and cucumbers.