Where Does the Time Go?

Oh, how this summer is flying by! I can't believe it has been a month since I last posted anything! We've been busy, but other than a few specific things we've done, I can't really say what it is that is keeping us so busy. Just playing, I guess. :)

Actually, we do have quite a bit coming up that has definitely been occupying my time this summer. We are homeschooling this year. Yep, never thought I would be saying that, but we are super excited, and super nervous about this new adventure! I have never seen so many Amazon boxes arrive at once - every day is a new surprise filled with books for the upcoming year! This is actually the main reason I have not been blogging. I have been reading and choosing curriculum like crazy. It really is a bit overwhelming, but we're ready, almost. :)

We also have Mia's cleft palate surgery coming up on August 2nd. Not to sound completely "southern", but bless her heart. Most days I am really ready for her to have the surgery so we can move forward with her speech. Other days, I am terrified. I don't think anyone really wants to see their children go through something like this. I have also found myself feeling a little sad about the changes that will come from the surgery. That cute little "dimple" right above her lip will be repaired and eventually, through speech therapy, her words will become clear. Of course that is all good, but it is kind of hard too. I will miss the way she says words now. We are videoing her often to capture those sweet words now. My favorite being "daddy". :)

Stay with us! Lots going on in the Jennings household and a new blog design coming soon!

Snappin' beans!



Water play in the backyard!


Play date with my high school buddies and their children!



July 3rd - we had our friends, Cathy and Jay, over for an early 4th celebration. Somehow I managed to not get one picture of us all together. :(




This is Mia's "surprise face". We see it every time she discovers something new. Sparklers were a definite surprise! And that cute dress? A gift from Granna and Pap-paw. Yes, she wore it 2 days in a row. :)


We spent the 4th at Big Canoe - poppers, more sparklers, and a fantastic fireworks show!
Cousins Courtney and Trevor always add to the fun!



Today found us at the Aquarium! I took many pictures, but this was my favorite.

Indiana Tate!

While I was writing about our beach trip, I got so tickled when I saw one of the pictures, I decided I had to tell you about Tate and his obsession with Indiana Jones.

I can't quite remember when it started. And I do have to admit, he was probably way to young to be watching it, but again, I can't remember the circumstances around the first viewing. But, we have had a little Indiana around here for a couple of years, at least. I went back through all of the pics on my computer and found the ones we have of him dressed up as Indiana. Too sweet!

Let's start with the one from last week. He fell in love with this hat, an "official Indiana Jones" hat, when we were in Charleston last April. Yes, one year ago. He has remembered this hat and has asked when we can buy it for a year. So, we went back to visit the "Hat Man" and, guess what? They had a small one that fit just right. He is so proud of this hat!



Here are a few of the others:

Age 3 - yep, 3


4 Year old party with a very cool Indiana Jones cake!


Hollywood Studios at the Indiana Jones show!


Christmas 2008 - A new costume, age 4


Sleeping like Indie!


A favorite t-shirt!


Bear gets to play, too!


A new play set!


Age 5 - same cool cake!


Halloween '09


These are just a few! Indiana is with us quite a bit! This past Christmas, Santa brought Season 1 of The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones. We watch these when we just can't handle "the bolder scene" anymore. :) They are fun to watch and a little more age appropriate - lots of good history thrown in too!

I love these boys! They make life so much fun!

Life's A Beach!

We just returned home from our annual family beach trip with my mom, sis, and brother's family. Our journey this year took us to Wild Dunes, just outside Charleston. Keith and I have been to Charleston a few times and have always loved it. We took the boys last year for Spring Break and were excited to get back.

The first night was a little rough. Mia was quite clingy and didn't quite know what to make of the situation. A new "home", new bed, a different everything, can be scary if you don't understand what a vacation is. Trying to explain that to a two year old,who doesn't quite get everything we say yet, is hard. She's a champ though, we made it through the first night and she was good to go the first full day at the beach. Of course, with it being Mia's first trip to the ocean, we couldn't wait to see her reaction, and she loved it! It didn't take her long at all to jump right in the water. Playing in the sand was a favorite too!

Tate and Tucker really had a lot of fun this year. They always do, but they just seemed to really enjoy the ocean more. We had some yummy food, as always, and even took the kids on a fun "ghost tour" in Charleston.

Here's just a little bit of our fun!


Mia seeing the ocean for the first time.


Playing in the sand - brother is ready to hit the waves.


Growing up!


Hanging with cousin Ashton.


Bubbles!


All three together and Miss Priss was not in the mood!


We had a great time - the beach always brings new adventures and lots of smiles. I just can't figure out why I come home feeling like I need a vacation! :)

PS...

Tate to Keith: "Some pirates wear two eye patches."

Keith: "How do they see?"

Tate: "They poke a hole in one of the eye patches."

3 Months Home!!

3 months ago today, we met our beautiful daughter.

It's amazing to see that this little girl...

3/8/10

Is now this little girl...

6/8/10

It has been such a joy these past 3 months to have Mia home. Finally!

We love you Mia and are so proud of you!

It's Summer Time!

School is out and summer has started!

Friday we had our first summer outing - the Zoo! It was Mia's first trip and the boys 875th. Really, I don't know how many times I have taken them, but it is a lot. They have always loved it and we have our little routines down. Sometimes the whole Zoo. Sometimes just our favorite parts. Sometimes a picnic lunch. Sometimes pizza. It's just fun.







Saturday we ventured over to Nana and Poppy's pool. It was Mia's first time swimming and she loved it!







Sunday we had all of the grandparents and great- grandparents over for dinner. I am glad I remembered to snap a picture with the great - grandmothers.



Looking forward to more fun filled days! :)

All Done!

This time of year is always filled with excitement. The boys are excited to be done with school and are looking forward to a fun summer.

They aren't the only ones! Mommy has been looking forward to today for quite awhile. This is the first year I have felt soooo ready for school to be out. Honestly, one day last week, for just a quick second, I did actually think, "We're just done. Do they really need to go anymore?" I never would have just not taken them to school and they have had a great time with the festivities. It's just, I'm ready. Ready to have some down time. You know?

One of the most exciting things? Tate's graduation from pre-school! He has had a wonderful year - great teachers, wonderful friends. I can't believe he is old enough for kindergarten! The time does fly.


Receiving his certificate


The turning of the tassle


With Mrs. Bunn, his teacher


Isn't he cute? :)

Yellow Roses

This year on Mother's Day, there were other women who deserved acknowledgment, so we decided to plant a yellow rose bush in honor of Mia's birth mother and the nannies who cared for her in China. Why yellow? Because all the other roses in our yard are pink and because Mia looks beautiful in yellow. It's our favorite color on her.

Isn't she lovely?

We found a few minutes this weekend to take some photos! We bought this cute traditional Chinese outfit for Mia at our favorite store in Guangzhou, Michael's Place. She is growing so fast, I'm not sure how long she will be able to wear this one!








Although she is very girly, this is how we find her most of the time. :)




And most days, this hairstyle fits her perfectly - wild and crazy!



And for the rest of the Jennings household? Just hanging in there until school is out! Just a few more weeks - we are so ready for no schedule, hanging at the pool and just playing. And I can already tell you that at about 6 weeks in, I'll be telling you that we are soooo ready for school to start, and for us to have a schedule and structure. :) Guess we always want what we don't have.

Have a terrific Tuesday everyone!