Beach Fun

We joined the ECDC crew for a fun day at the beach.

We are serious about sun protection in this family.

"Never miss a joy in this world of trouble- that's my theory!

Happiness, like mercy, is twice blessed. It blesses those most intimately associated with it and it blesses those who see it, hear it, touch it or breathe the same atmosphere."

Kate Douglas Wiggins

Eckerts Galore

The Eckerts were here for a long weekend. They left Monday and I must admit that we are all a little blue. We had so much fun catching up and playing. We enjoyed the beach and the backyard, took a bike ride, BBQ'd a few times and just enjoyed time together. We played hearts one night and I am, indeed, the biggest loser. Still fun. 

I used to recognize this in Ron after we'd visit his brothers, but now I can say it for myself and my girls as well. Time together with the Eckerts fills us up and makes us better people. I adore them.

My camera is not working. "Someone" pushed the lense in and now it won't work. I have my phone, but why bother when you're in the presence of a photographer? Ask him to be a friend and then check out his photos. A.m.a.z.i.n.g.

Life on the Farm

The girls and I ventured to Zoomar's this morning. We had an adventure there once before. You can read about it here. We purchased the usual goodies for the bunnies and guinea pigs. I bought 2 baskets this time, as to give Sadie a shot at feeding the animals. Rosie chose a variety of fruits and veggies and Sadie chose a basket of carrots. Rosie confidently showed Sadie how to disburse the goods and handle the guinea pigs so that they wouldn't get "a little nervous." Although, come to think of it.. I don't think I have seen a guinea pig that isn't nervous.  Every time I turned around, Sadie was munching on the carrots, but I still think she got the general idea. I walked away thinking that these little animals eat better than most of the world. 

Next, we headed to visit the goats and sheep. If you remember our last trip to Zoomar's, you'll recall that the goats are a little aggressive and team up to try to escape. The farm has built a holding pen just outside the actual pen to prevent the goats from getting loose on the farm each time someone leaves. Today, 2 goats had managed to finagle their way through the first gate and were busy in the "holding pen" trying to get through the last gate and out into freedom. Rosie, not realizing what the purpose of the gates were for, kindly opened the "holding pen" gate open for the goat and he happily trotted through into the open. A goat was loose on my watch. Similar wussy OC folks were visiting Zoomar's as last time, and people began to scream and scatter. I don't know what came over me, but my Boondock's Oakhurst roots kicked in and I proceeded to run after the goat, wrap my arms around him and wrestle him back into the big pen. He complied, but not without a little fight. The Zoomar's keepers patted me on the back and thanked me and asked me about my gentle, yet thorough, goat handling techniques ; ) I looked over at my girls and they were both pressed up against a fence with wide eyes. 

Rosie said, "Woah, Mom! That was crazy!  Good job!" 

And then we rode the train.

The End.

 You don't need a license to drive on the farm. 

Baby, you're a firework!

Our weekend started with a camp out in the backyard (for daddy and Rosie) the small fry and I 

had our own camp out... in the house... in our own beds :)

 The 4th of July came to our house and brought the Hunts, Mimi and Papa, plenty of good food, a lemonade stand, glow in the dark bracelets, apple pie, and a smokin' firework show.

This one decided that the Jello salad and corn worked well both on the head and in the tummy. She also was the only one to get a 4th -of -July- pre-firework-show-bath. 

 

 

Pandamania

Ahhh, Chadder, so we meet again.

In case you missed out on my Chadder-anxiety from last year you can read about it here.

I chose something a little more in my comfort zone this year when the children's ministry director asked, and signed up to teach a preschool class. On the way to VBS on Monday, Rosie asked me if she could be in my "PBS class." Oh yes.. 2 Eckerts turned Red Pandas! We had great fun!

 Sadie was the one who took one for the team this week... hanging out in the nursery all day from about 8:30-12. She had fun playing with her friends... but she was exhausted by the time I picked her up each day. Today we went back to the classroom so that I could clean up and pack up our stuff. Rosie and Sadie were playing in the "house" in the classroom. I looked over and Sadie was almost asleep in the doll bed. Rosie had put a blanket over her and was rubbing her back. I snapped a quick picture and them took them home IMMEDIATELY. Thanks for hanging in there, Sadie.

Go, Team, Go!

Shooter Eckert rules the wood floor most Sunday evenings.

His greatest asset is his cheering section.

Come join us... the team manager always has snacks and water to share.