Life has been so busy. I started a full time job July 1st as a Senior Institutional Research Analyst. It is a full 40 hours a week at a desk, so not much flexibility. I love the job, it is writing up research and doing data reports. It engages my mind, even more than part time teaching. I miss the flexibility, but I can leave work at work and that is amazing. It is hard to leave the girls so much. I am so lucky that my mom and Nick can cover. I know they are well cared for. This opportunity may not have been what I thought I wanted or when I wanted to start, but it is working for now. It is definitely an adjustment. One thing I negotiated was a week off for our beach trip. We flew into Charleston and drove to Kingstree, SC for one night (in which Fiona was up at least 6 times!) and then went to Garden City Beach and then back to Kingstree. It was wonderful to see my cousin Linda and her family. This was our first trip there that all 3 kids were around and all 3 are going to be married in 2017! What an exciting time. Our good friends from Lakeland also drove up to stay with us at the beach. We had a blast on the beach, watching the Olympics, and eating so much food. We went out for an amazing meal at a nearby seafood restaurant. It was Wednesday night, so we did not bother with a reservation, just went when Fiona got up from her nap. The only seats were on the deck, which we thought would be okay, but there was no breeze and it was so hot. A couple near us was all in the shade and moved to the sun, still nearby and we worried we were ruining their meal, it was even the ladies 70th birthday. They were regulars and knew the waiter, even gave him a hug. We all struggled to keep the kids in line. We went in frequently to wet their faces, heads, or just visit the fish tank in the AC. When it came time to pay, the waiter brought the bill but then when he took the credit cards, he said it was already taken care of. The nice couple had paid the tab for all 8 of us (Fiona did not order anything). It was a pretty sizeable bill and they even tried to downplay it. We all thanked them and had a nice conversation. What an amazing experience. We have decided we must pay it forward.
Fiona's first plane ride, well after the other girls. Sam was 6 months and Zoey was 8.5 weeks (house hunting in Lakeland).
Here are the pictures in random order.
We learned 5 kids will never look at the camera together. Fiona also really did not want her hat on.
We accidently coordinated.
The girls met my Aunt Nancy.
Samantha drew Stacy and me, a lovely portrait!
We have added a set of footprints since our last trip in 2013.
Fiona loved the beach. She begged to go out. We spent a lot of time in the surf.
Elephants!
She really wanted the birds. She would sign please and go after them.
Proud of herself for putting my water in the bucket.
She had no fear of the ocean, would just crawl out and fight me to go deeper, even after she was knocked over by waves.
She would pick up the sand and drop it in the shovel.
Stacy braided their hair.
With cousin Linda.
She had cute kittens that were staying until adopted. Fiona really wanted them. The big girls loved them, but they could actually pet them.
Zoey wanted to hold one for a picture, but got a paw to the face.
Nick boogie boarding.
Sunrise was about 6:30 everyday, Fiona made sure we saw everyone, even though that was 5:30 our time. Some days she was up when it was still dark, so it was not the sun. Nick took this one.
Linda got Olivia's toys down, such fun.
Lots of chasing in the waves.
nick tried some handstands.
Sam made Zoey into a mermaid.
I took this one.
Side eye that she gives me so often.
Requisite sand castle.
Sam dug a huge hole.
We watched lots of Olympics and some Voltron.
Zoey was so sweet with Rowan and it was great to see how she enjoyed playing with Nick. We miss those sweet boys.
I hope everyone had an amazing summer. School here starts on Monday. I cannot believe Zoey starts Kindergarten. Where has the time gone!
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