Beach

I love going to the beach.  Its a fun place for all of us.  My family (my parents, my sister's family and ours) has been meeting for a week in the summer for several years now.  I love that we have this time set aside for all of us to spend this time together.  We've been to the beach and also to the mountains.  Both are fun.

We spent a week in Myrtle Beach in June.  This is a beach I've been coming to most of my life.  We've stayed in the same place for many years too - my children's whole lives.  It is a sweet tradition to share this with them year after year.  I have so many memories here.

We had an amazingly beautiful week!  The temps were in the 80s which was perfect!  No rainy days either.  We couldn't have asked for me.  Here is a glimpse of some of our fun.

My children love the water.

 And the sand.

 We took turns cooking dinners and had the whole family over for meals.  Its fun hanging out with cousins.

 The evenings were perfect for a game of sand volleyball.

 Or just more hanging out on the beach.

 One day we went to ride the Skywheel.  A one of a kind Ferris wheel.  The tallest in the Eastern US and is built right beside the beach!

 We rode in air-conditioned cars.

 The view was amazing

 We also played putt-putt.

We celebrated Daniel's birthday.  He likes being able to celebrate with our extended family.

Joshua made a treasure hunt for him.

 Complete with buried treasure.

 Some evening photos on the beach.  Playing in the water.

Checking out Brad's sandcastle.

Cousins.

 Sisters.

 My family!

Overall, it was a wonderful week.  I love being with my family!

I'm thankful for this amazing creation.  There is so much to enjoy at the beach.  Being there with people I love just makes it all the better.  Looking forward to the next time we are able to go!

Blessings
Leslie

Gifts

Gifts come in so many forms.  I think sometimes I just need eyes to see them.  Sometimes they are obvious and other times you have to be alert to them.  Its good practice to learn to look for them as I think that cultivates a heart of thankfulness.

I was blessed to meet up with an on-line FIAR (Five in a Row) friend this week!  She was here with her two children for a camp and we were able to spend a fun afternoon talking and playing games before they headed home.  Maria, I loved meeting you and your children!  I hope we'll be able to do it again soon!  What a treat to meet someone that you have talked with on a forum or in an email.  I loved hanging out with y'all!

Yesterday was a sweet day with my family.  I was awakened to have breakfast in bed.  Yummy!

 Rebecca also made me a yummy lunch which I don't have a picture of.  She and Roger helped cook dinner.  One of the treats of having a birthday (for me) is not having to cook or clean the dishes!  :-)  It was a low-key day just hanging out with my family.  (With some cleaning & decluttering thrown in for fun.)

We also received a package in the mail yesterday.  For Eliana.  It was from the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center.  

 It was a goodie basket.

 Beautifully wrapped.

 Filled with all sorts of treats!!!

 Eliana loved pulling out each item.  She would often stop and say "for me?".  Yes, sweet girl.  For you!

 She was sent food, snacks, a book, magazines, coupons and lots of information to read!  It's a wonderful package.  I started looking at one of the magazines and there is even an article in it on the connection between Down syndrome and Celiac  Disease.  :-)

 We ended our night with dessert.  Rebecca even made a separate banana pudding with GF cookies in it for Eliana to have.  It was yummy and the perfect way to end the day.

I have also been given the gift of encouragement by friends who have sent birthday wishes and also many others who are praying for me and our family.  This is a gift that I treasure.  I am blessed.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father  James 1:17

Praying that you would see God's beautiful gifts all around you!

Blessings

Leslie

Field Day

For the last several years we have had a Field Day as our last field trip of the year.  I love this tradition.  I think the kids really enjoy it too.

We go to a nearby park and set up games on the large open field.  We gather together to start our day with prayer.

I'm thankful for this sweet circle of friends.

I love seeing Eliana with one of her best buddies.  Just cute!

We have the students divided by ages.  The participate in some individual events.  Like the 50 yard dash.

Don't you just love this smile!!!  It blesses my heart to see him joining in and having fun with his friends.

Softball Throw













Broad Jump

We also have team events.  Like the egg and spoon race.

Three legged race.

An interesting variation on the traditional race ... hopping the entire time!

Sack Race.

When it's over, some played volleyball and kickball.  And frisbee.  There is always time for frisbee.

I love this.  I love seeing these two together.  She thinks he is awesome.  I think the feeling is mutual.

We also had a picnic lunch.  Awards were given out and notecards indicated best records in each of the individual events.

 We finished by honoring our seniors.  We wanted to do something special for them - nothing too big or elaborate.  Something to mark their time in the group and also bless them for the future.  This is our groups first graduating class.  Some of them have been with the group from the beginning.  They took some time to share their future plans with all of us.

 Then their families came up around them to pray over them.

 A picture of each graduate with his mom/teacher.

 We also each brought cupcakes to share with the group.  Can you pick out the ones we brought?  Rebecca made them in honor of his new school.

 A fun day.  Sweet memories.  Friends and family.

 This makes a fun ending to our year.  (Only this year we actually had one more field trip that we rescheduled.  Since all of the seniors couldn't be there though, we chose this event.  It was really the best day for it and hopefully makes a easy, memorable new tradition for our up and coming seniors.

 Blessings
Leslie

PS  I'm almost finished with my May wrap-ups!