Summer Update

I can't believe we are already well into June! Our summer has been going well, and the kids are keeping me plenty busy. My husband's work schedule has changed, leaving me with even more mommy/kid hours. It's not been bad though. As the days have gone by, we have gotten into our summer groove I think. We have just eight weeks left in Mississippi before our big move to Washington DC. We go on with our day to day life here, but the move is never far from my mind.

Beth and Matt are taking swim lessons this summer, and I'm really pleased with how they are both doing. Matt is the better swimmer...he has always been my water baby. Beth is getting more confident and making a lot of progress as well though.

Carrie is spending most of her time with our new family members - two little kittens. One we named Tunsas, and the other is named Waffles. Just what I needed - four kids and four cats! As soon as Carrie wakes up she runs downstairs to find her kitties, and then all we hear for the next hour is her giggling and their little feet bouncing around my house.

Katy is getting ready for her birthday....which is tomorrow! My six year old Beth sighed last night and said "I can't believe Katy is turning one....time just goes by so fast." I guess she has been picking up my thought process. A birthday post will be coming soon.

We managed to get away for a camping trip this weekend. It was our first camping experience with kids in tow, and I think it went pretty well. This was real camping...just a tent in the woods and the things we brought with us. We were on the banks of a creek, and we spent most of our time swimming and trying to stay out of the heat. We all had a good time, but I think we've decided that Katy is just too young. It was impossible to keep her clean and dry. I don't ever mind my kiddos playing in the dirt, but I enjoy giving them a bath at the end of the day. By then end of day one she was just covered in dirt from her head to her toes, was damp and sweaty, and was putting EVERYTHING in her mouth. All the big kids on the other hand did fantastic! I think when Katy is three (like Carrie is now) we will be able to camp with ease. By some miracle (I think they were just totally worn out) Matt and I got all four kids to lay down and go to sleep in the tent, and we spent a long time just sitting outside enjoying the moonlight streaming down through the pine trees.

Here are Matt and Beth heading off on their fishing adventure.