September 11

I was trying to figure out the appropriate way to spend Sunday, the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on our country. The kids don't know a thing about the day, have never seen images, have never talked about it, so I knew it was up to me to make the day special in my eyes, to remember all those lives lost.

I knew there was going to be a special presentation at church, so I was a little nervous about the oldest going into service with me. Thankfully there were no photos included in the presentation, she is still oblivious which is fine with me at age 7.

We heard from an American Airlines pilot who lost many of his colleagues that day. What is typically his flight, 77 from Dulles to Los Angeles (which eventually hit the Pentagon), was scheduled for another pilot that day. He was able to help support the families of those that lost their loved ones, the most memorable moment, his pick up of the deceased pilot's car from the airport parking lot. He also told us about his orders to fly that flight 77, changed to 149, for the first time once it was reinstated September 21, 2001. He told us how the crew prayed together before take off and when they landed, how they all cried that flight 77 had finally reached its final destination.

We also heard from a couple who owned a bed and breakfast in Cape May. How they took in a man with no luggage, no home address, no phone number and no credit card number in October 2001. The couple's mission, to take in all who are weary and weak and need a place to rest, housed this man for weeks while he got his life back together. He had lost 13 staff members in the towers falling and was not able to get to his lower Manhattan apartment due to the damage and toxic smoke. He needed that place of refuge and the B&B was able to help him start healing from the horrific events.

It was so touching to hear these stories.

(A fantastic Raven's win should be noted for making the day exceptional)

The evening was pretty special as well.

Our little town unveiled a memorial statue, dedicated to all first responders, especially those who lose their lives in the act of saving lives. The statue is one of the I-Beams from Tower Two of the World Trade Center, the stone that supports it was found near the crash of flight 93 in Pennsylvania and the flag flying was flown over the Pentagon days after the attacks. Three local men came up with the design, local high school students help weld the piece together and the town came out to pay tribute to all first responders. It was a wonderful ceremony and quite emotional to watch local fireman touch the I-Beam and start crying.

I love that this town paid tribute to the day in such a special way.

The child that will sleep anywhere

First child, I was the sleep nazi. That child slept in her crib for every nap and bedtime, not a chance of her being lulled to sleep in the moving car, stroller or rocking in someone's arms, she was to learn how to fall asleep without any aide.

Second child, still the sleep nazi. But probably because first child had places to go, things to do, he fell asleep in the car more than once. But I really focused on being home when it was naptime so he could teach himself to fall asleep as well.

That is what I learned from the books. And it worked. Much to the chagrin of my mother-in-law, the babies could cry in their cribs and eventually learn to soothe themselves and fall asleep.

Third child. His life has been in upheaval since the day he was born, well, even before then. When I arrived home from the hospital, the house had to be packed for our move. He didn't have a schedule, it was pretty much survival. Pack, eat, feed baby, put baby back down, sleep, repeat.
The books say not to start any type of sleep, eat schedule for at least four weeks after birth, so I was relieved I had time to let things slide. Little did I know that with the third child you let a lot of things slide.

Whether it is his personality, parenting the third child or a combination of both, this child has never had a sleep, eat schedule. It does not suit him and because life was so hectic, I couldn't obsess about not doing it "correctly." HA! As if there is a perfect way to parent any child.

This laid back child sleeps anywhere, eats foods the other two still do not eat, and is up for any adventure. It is terrific! But he does have sleep issues. I question whether his bad sleeping habits (up past bedtime most mights, up in middle of night some nights, up early some mornings) are due to his personality or my lack of teaching him a scheduled sleep pattern.

But who has time to care?

Instead I cherish that he wants me to lay down with him so he can fall asleep easier, that he falls asleep in my arms out in public, or that we find him on the steps, couch, floor happily sound asleep.

The good in growing older

There certainly is a lot "out there" telling us we need to stay young

First day of school!

The second grader!



The new sheriff of Kindergarten



The bus stop and all the neighborhood kids.

Busy, fun July

Jackson turned "free" and enjoyed a birthday lunch before we left for the beach.



A rainy day spent at the aquarium on Roanoke Island. The kids enjoyed petting the stingrays and watching the diver swim with the sharks. A highlight of Avery's day was finding a mako shark tooth in their outdoor dig.


I remember our first trip to the Outer Banks. Avery was six months and terrified of the sounds of the waves. We didn't spend much time on the beach at all. Each year we have visited we have spent more and more time on the beach.
This is our best year yet. All three kids love the ocean! Avery and Charlie are body surfing, Jackson jumps and rolls in the waves crashing on the beach.
This photo is called "little 'old' men sitting on the beach".

Intro to Camping

The kids and I have wanted to go camping all summer. Stephen thinks Jackson is a bit young (and crazy) to adventure very far. So he compromised and set up the loaner tent from our friends in our backyard. The kids had so much fun packing for the camping trip, setting up their sleeping bags and pillows and dancing around the yard.
We kept the kids up late telling ghost stories and climbed into bed around 10pm. Everyone did so well, fell asleep quickly and slept through the night (except for the potty break!).
It was the perfect night for camping and we all had a great time.

Blueberries from the farm

The kids were so excited to find so many ripe blueberries and they were HUGE! Not to mention delicious.





Most were this size or bigger.

I pretty much stopped eating blueberries from the grocery store because of their lack of flavor. We have been spoiled this week with these tasty treats and we look forward to going back this week for more.

I had all of these recipes in mind to use the blueberries in, but we ate so many that we only had enough for blueberry pancakes.