Back to School

Good morning!

 The boys were back to school today.

 Yesterday, all 5 of us went to meet their teachers and drop off their school supplies.

 It looks like they're in for a good year.

 Jennifer asked if I shed a tear when I dropped them off this morning.

The answer was no.

As you can see, we were not in a sentimental mood this morning!

Harbor Island

There were other photographers in our group, so I only snapped a few shots with my phone. The kids played on the porch with this little lizard for ages. 

Our little island community had weekly 'Turtle Talks' and 'Alligator/Snake Talks.'  The boys and I (and a few friends) attended both and learned a lot. 

At least enough to recognize the marks from 'turtle crawls' where loggerhead sea turtles crawled onto the beach to lay their eggs in the night. 

One morning Chris and I went on a sunrise bike ride and spotted at least 5 turtle crawls. So the next two night we went out at midnight with red cellophane covering our lights to try to find turtles in action laying eggs, but no such luck. 

Eleonora and her cousins enjoyed modeling their sailor suits. 

The view from our deck in the evening. 

I almost forgot to mention that, while the sea turtles remained elusive, we did spot a large gator up close and personal. 

My dad was taking Jennifer, the kids, and me for a golf cart ride and Chris was biking alongside us. We got to the most woodsy street of the neighborhood, and there was an alligator, maybe 4-5 feet long, basking on the side of the road. Jenn immediately started screaming and gathering all the children to her to stand on the seat of the golf cart. Chris pedaled quickly past, and of course my dad went and waved his hat in the gator's face. It just laid there. 

We went back almost every day to try to see him again, but that was it. We had many more adventures which were documented by my mom and Jennifer, but it remains to be seen if I will share those pictures or not. Another highlight of the trip was a visit to the lighthouse.  And a 4th of July golf cart parade. And some friendly family swimming and diving competitions.

The Beach

We headed off on our traditional Honeycutt Family Vacation for our July 4th week off of camp. We often head to one of the closest beaches we can find, and this year that beach was on Harbor Island, near Beaufort, South Carolina. 

At the end of our 6-7 hour journey, we discovered that our house was not quite ready for us, so the owner of the house sent us to a restaurant called The Foolish Frog - her treat. These fellers tried the frog legs. 

We ate outdoors, right on a marsh, and we loved watching dozens of hermit crabs, and maybe even an alligator, and listening to live music, as we waited for our food. The manager even caught a hermit crab for the kids to examine close-up. 

This girl did amazing on the long ride there without a break from her toasty car seat. 

Do you think she could be related to this guy?  This was taken 7 years ago - the year of the beach with the wild horses, I believe. 

We woke up the next morning happy to have made it to our beach house. 

And some of us were ready to head straight to the ocean!

Summer Days

Caught these guys snuggling while they watched a show. The boys quickly covered up their bare chests when they saw me start to take a picture. Ha. 

This sweet boy just lost his two top front teeth. 

Excited about some super hero undies!

The theme at camp this summer is "Fishers of Men."

Last night after camp and baths and jammies, I took the kids to Jennifer's to help pack up a bit and these cousins were supposed to relax here and fall asleep together. You can guess how that went!

Green Beans

Our pumpkin vines have huge yellow flowers. (I'm afraid our garden plot may be a bit on the shady side.  Instead of Jolly Days at Shady Nook, I should now be Jolly Days in a Shady Garden.)

We are continuing to enjoy our days at camp. Here Eleonora is pumping up a raft. 

This was Josiah was we drove home today. Looking like a true camper. 

We came home for supper today because I noticed that there were some garden beans just begging to be picked. So Eleonora and Caleb and I did just that. And Chris volunteered to be in charge of the meat department. 

I modified a Paula Deen recipe and they were the most delicious beans I have ever eaten.  And to tell you the truth, I have not eaten many. But tonight I ate my whole pile!

A camp supper can be quite satisfying, but I'll tell ya, this was delicious!

Here is the recipe as I made it tonight:

• 1 pound fresh green beans
• 1 stripbacon, sliced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp seasoning salt
• 6 new potatoes, (small red potatoes)
• 1/2 onion
• fresh ground pepper, to taste

First I cut up a slice of bacon and browned it in a pot. Then I stirred the beans around in bacon fat and added the chicken broth (I like to use 'better than boullion', it comes in a little jar.) and the seasonings. Then put the lid on and keep cooking on medium heat. Meanwhile, slice up about half an onion very thinly and cut up the potatoes and toss that all in. Add a little more water if it gets too dry in there. Everything was done in about 30 minutes. Paula Dean cooked her beans for over an hour, but that didn't seem to be necessary. I also left out her extra bacon drippings and butter. Like I said, for a non-green bean lover, these were perfect!  It tasted less green-beany, and more garlic-onion-chicken broth-potato-flavorful-salty. Yummo!

Big Week

It has been a big week for us and it's only Tuesday. We dropped Josiah off for his first week of overnight camp. I am not sure that would have happened when he was only 8 if not for the fact that he sees 7-10 relatives daily. 

Also, Eleonora has spent her last night in her crib.  I put her down for a nap this weekend, then the next thing I knew she was happily playing with Caleb. Turns out that Josiah gave her some 'escaping lessons' last week. He told me she was 'hopeless', but apparently he underestimated his training abilities. I always thought three beds in her room was a bit much (although so perfect for slumber parties with the Traceys), so I was happy to have Caleb and Eleonora help me move the crib out this morning. She is doing great in her toddler bed!

And check out the notes Josiah has been leaving for me in the craft room. Too cute. Chris had my engagement ring wrapped in sourwood leaves when he proposed, if memory serves me correctly. 

If you need me tomorrow, I'll be attending a puppet show!

Summertime

We are enjoying the boys' first full week off of school. Here is Josiah with his sweet teacher on Report Card day. 

We have been doing lots of Lincoln Logs and Legos. 

And the summer reading program at our local library started on Tuesday. So far, Caleb and I have read about thirty picture books and all of 'Mr. Popper's Penguins.'  And I've been enjoying reading some Library books myself. I finished 'The Master Butchers' Singing Club' and now I'm reading 'Mayflower.'  Did you know that there was a 'Stranger' onboard the Mayflower named Christopher Martin who proved to be a "most difficult personality"?  And when the Indians and colonists started fighting in 1675, a man named Josiah was in charge of the Englishters?  Not very impressive namesakes there, fellers. 

Happy Summer Break to all!