Precious brother
Not just a name
A helping hand
Thankful I shall always be,
Kijowki
Last night we joined family and friends at a Patriotic Concert on the beautiful grounds of Transylvania University and Gratz Park. This annual event is one of our favorites -- a time for picnicking, playing in the fountains, enjoying the music of the Lexington Philharmonic and Lexington singers, and participating in some Grand Ole' Flag waving.
My good friend, Sherry, and her beautiful family were in from Utah and we really enjoyed spending the evening with them. Sawyer and her oldest son, Adam, have been friends since they were preschoolers.
Sawyer and Adam decided last night to run in the Bluegrass 10,000 footrace this morning -- this annual event is part of our community's Fourth of July Celebration, and most of the runners train for months in preparation. Adam didn't even bring running shoes, so he and Sawyer left the concert early to purchase shoes at a local sporting goods store. Sawyer spent the night with him last night and they headed down bright and early for the race, which began at 7:30am. Once there, they decided they were really too tired to run because they stayed up all night talking and catching up.
Happy Fourth of July
Oakley is such a little creature of habit. She thrives on routine and she likes things orderly. She ALWAYS sleeps with the same teddy bear, rabbit and her pink blanket. She has to have all closet doors, dresser drawers and night stand drawers shut tightly before she can go to sleep. She says her blessing before EVERY meal, whether at home or dining out. And without fail, she washes her hands after going potty.
So imagine her surprise, when I suggested she go potty in the middle of the lake. Four adults and eight kids had pulled into a beautiful little cove to swim and play in the water. Oakley told me, rather discreetly, that she had to go pee in the potty. I explained that it was a long way to the bathroom at the marina and told her it was okay to go in the lake.
Fast forward to the next morning as we were loading the boat with our cooler, floats and towels for our day excursion. She told me that she had to go potty so I took her hand and we headed down the dock toward the bathroom at the marina.
We just got home from a fabulous week at Dale Hollow Lake! We vacationed with some of our closest friends, Joe and Nicole, and their four precious girls. It was a week of boating, swimming, campfires, roasting marshmallows, fishing, cliff jumping, tubing and skiing. The weather was perfect, the company was great and we all had a wonderful time!
The kids all got along so well and I think they really enjoyed each other -- I know mine did!! I've heard from all the boys that we need to spend more time together (and we do). Hagan is already plotting a get-together at a water park next week.
We spent the week at a cabin on one of the most beautiful lakes ever! We were out of cell phone range, and didn't have access to the internet, so I spent much of today catching up on emails and some of my favorite blogs . . . in between doing loads of laundry.
Although we had the best time, it was good to get home. Oakley didn't take a nap at all during our vacation because we spent all day on the water and she didn't want to miss a thing.
How sweet is that?!?
The Little Chap Who Follows Me
A careful man I want to be;
A little fellow follows me.
I do not dare to go astray
For fear he'll go the self same way.
I cannot once escape his eyes,
Whate'er he sees me do, he tries.
Like me he says he's going to be;
The little chap who follows me.
He thinks that I'm so very fine,
Believes in every word of mine.
The base in me he must not see;
The little chap who follows me.
I must remember as I go
Through summer's sun and winter's snow,
I'm building for the years to be;
The little chap who follows me.
The Princesses are hosting
Last Saturday Oakley attended a fancy Royal Ball, hosted by the Disney Princesses in honor of her friend Bianca's birthday. All the attendees were invited to dress in their favorite princess (or prince/pirate) attire.
So Oakley dressed in grandeur, deemed herself Princess Xinxiang, and joined Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Belle and a band of little pirates for a wonderful birthday party in honor of her school friend.
She was so proud of her dress and twirled around for at least 15 minutes before we ever left the house.
It was in the upper 80's that day, so by the end of the party, Princess Xinxiang was melting. When it's hot outside, her head gets SO SWEATY and she was literally dripping toward the end of the party.
