Day-Cation: Out and About in the Sunny South

Good Buddy, Melzana, is "Planner Extraordinare".

Oh my stars - detailed, prepared, fun.

Well....she did me a huge favor and made all the plans for a long day trip.

Mom, the girls, Mel, and I set out for a day filled with simple -- but wonderful --memories.

Melzana and the girls in front of her junior high school

I treasure old buildings!

The girls on Mary Street

It's an old, old brick street.

Mercy me.

We ate at a rather historic, vintage restaurant.

There's lots of history in this place.

Cocounut pie

This is the chocolate pie.

I had to take pics of these unbelievably humongous desserts - sitting in a cupboard.

Yup. We ate these!!

Had to tote a lot of our meal in "to go" boxes. 

Leftovers for later

Here we are on the balcony of a very old, famous hotel...overlooking the small town. 

We went in, drank their peach tea, looked at artwork and photographs, then headed out again.

Stopped at an independently owned bookstore - quaint and cute!!

Melzana and the girls in front of the courthouse (Mom is keeping the car cool for us.)

Went to Hang Out with a Cowgirl Friend and Her Family

That's Donna's niece riding the pony.

Donna "Faye" - just our made up name for her - is one of my besties.

That's Marty- Donna's brother, Aubree's daddy, and Summer's hubbie.

He's a certified nut.

He "walked the girls" around on this pony, Smokey.

There's Aubree in her cowgirl boots.

We're looking into Molly taking riding lessons, learning how to groom and work with horses.

We'll keep ya posted.

Emily's First Time to Run Cross Country

Yup. 

Running in the woods.

Sniff.

Em is the girl in blue shirt - far right.

Running "interests" Emily...so...we are pursuing it.

I believe it's time for my older girls to find a physical discipline that gets them out and about - in nature, under other teachers/coaches, with other kiddos.

She's been doing her daily (M-F) movement DVD's (Classical Stretch) for about a year and is in good shape.

Of course, beginning a regimen with an organized group is at a whole other level.

But this will be good for her, us...

The life lessons she is already being exposed to -

Personal goals

Training schedules

Learning about specific nutritional requirements -- and when they're needed (before/after training)

Hydrating

I think the biggest lessons we discussed in advance -- that I wanted to I instill in her are these --

** She will be behind

** She will be last

** She is running with state champions 

** Her head will tell her she is way out of her league

** She will begin thinking this was a mistake

** She'll feel the effects of  4:30 on a July summer day in the Deep South -- sweltering and humid

BUT, BUT, BUT

** As other beginners join the group, you will have runners behind you

** As you practice, you will not stay "last"

** You are brave to train with state champions, and you can strive for hard earned honors if you so choose

** It's sometimes good to be "out of your league" with others who can challenge you to do more than you ever thought you could

** It's normal to feel you've made a mistake when you've chosen a positive path that many others will never choose.

You'll be a better person for simply having the experience.

** Try to have a good attitude about the weather. "It ain't goin nowhere."

So - this is where we are right now.

I'm having to process team practices (not close to where we live) -- driving home to get her there after my full day of teaching and staying late at work for meetings....with zero time to spare before the cross country runs begin.

God's got a plan.

This may or may not be her niche, but I'll do whatever I can to assist her and guide her as she develops along the Lord's path for her life.

Chick-Fil-A Dress Like a Cow Day

....and hold a cat

eat free entrees --

Hummingbird Feeder Going Up

You Don't See One of these Balloons Too Often

Happy 100th Birthday, Mrs. Ouida!!

She's funny, witty, compassionate, giving  - and a prayer warrior. 

Such a spitfire.

How blessed are we to know her?!

Folks wrote her tons of cards.

Her surprise was that people gave money to fund the digging of a well in an Aftican village - via Samaratan's Purse.

Whoo hoo!

We bought this beeswax design while in our outing.

Went to a Honey Farm

Older generation of original farm operation --

The lady, Mrs. Flora, grew up on this property and lived here 79 years.

What a history.

She said she played on these grounds as a little girl.

It was beautiful - a little slice of the country on the outskirts of the city.

Cookie gave the girls sparklers on wooden sticks...3 feet long.

Safety first. 

Went to watch fireworks display 

"Mom - I can't even hold all my laughs in.

I'm having so much fun!"

(Mary -- playing at home with cats while in her ladybug tent)

Mary's Creation of Old Glory

She did a great job of cutting out stars but got weary.

Can't blame her.

We borrowed a star puncher-outer and finished the final 35 stars likety split.

Mary learned how many whites stripes were needed and where to place them.

Great job, Little Patriot!!!

Beignets for Breakfast

This was on our To Do List - have beignets.

We knew of one place where we could go find them here in the sunny south -- at a Shipley's Doughnuts.

We haven't had these in a year or two -- just a unique, special treat for our simple summer fun times.

Mom spent the night with us at and got to enjoy the powdery treat, too. Always glad to have her come and join in on adventures.

Patriotic Celebration

Missionary Came to Visit Mary's Wednesday Night Class

I love for my kids to have the opportunity to learn from real live missionaries!

Splish Splash - Fire Dept., Watermelon, Library Event

Shaun snd Maria joined us.

Mary is keeping her "hold" on buddy, Shaun.

Emily before getting sprayed with fire hoses.

Molly having fun with the water -- fast, pressured, and interesting