Five Brown Kids

Tyrone had an Anesthesia Conference at Kiawah Island last week and I went too.  It was the most relaxing thing I've done in a year.  Tyrone had class until noon each day so I read and walked on the beach or biked on the island until he got back and then we ate, napped, biked and read on the beach.  My typical home day is full from 6 am to 10 pm with the non-stop needs of 5 children and all their activities.  It's amazing how much time there is in a day to play when there are no children!  I'm back to work but I have fond memories of four whole days with nothing I had to do.... Saw my first wild alligator.  Just crossing a little wooden bridge on my bike. Went in to Charleston one evening to wander around and eat at Rodney Scott's BBQ.

Taye turned 16!  We had a low key birthday celebration.  He went shopping for new shoes with Tyrone.  We took donuts to the end of swim practice and all his teammates sang happy birthday.  We had yummy supper and cake at the end of the day. Taye's swim consumes a significant percentage of our family income so I think this less expensive celebration was just right.  I think he looks happy.  Can't believe Baby Taye is so grown. I took Scotia and Blythe and Isabelle to Three Bears Acres, they got filthy dirty and soaking wet and had a blast.  This slide is a favorite.  Blythe would woosh down by herself. So brave. Taye starting working as a lifeguard.  Checking off all the appropriate miles stones in preparation for adulthood.  These hanging baskets on the back porch are so much prettier in person.  You can see them from the living room and kitchen and they make me happy.  Lots of plant watering every day. Scotia and Taye are both...

We are one year into our new house.  I love it even more than the first time I walked through.  When the listing showed up with a half finished basement we jumped on it fast, and in hindsight it was a great move.  The house has bedrooms for all of us (Before Big D arrived, at least).  Girls and boys both have separate play rooms.  I love the quiet, private cul de sac we live on tucked in amongst the trees.  I love how modest the house looks from the outside (and then when you walk in, wow!).  Our neighbors are great and best of all I am close to the gym and school and carpool for swim and SuperTarget. Before - with those awful brown shutters Current - Grey shutters and big flower pots Before - Living Room move in day Current - Living room Before - Girls Playroom After - Girls Playroom After - Girls Playroom Before - Basement Bedroom and Bath Before - Basement Bedroom After...

I asked Scotia's fourth grade teacher to take a quick selfie of the two of them for Scotia's memory book and she sent me a bunch of pictures and a collage of selfies from the whole year. Scotia had a wonderful year and loved her teacher dearly as evidenced by the fancy haiku she sent the day after school got out. I'm a serious public school fan! 

Another relaxing and fun girls weekend. Friday we checked out the Luckett's spring market and watched Emily do her thing working at Miss Mustard Seeds booth.  Saturday morning Courtney and I rented kayaks at the Keybridge boathouse and paddled down the Potomac (see the backside of the Lincoln Monument?). Such a fascinating way to see the city. I loved it. We ate at Malmaison (20 steps down from the boathouse) after kayaking and it was fabulous. Highly recommend.  A little shopping in the afternoon and then Cafe rio before the ride home. 

The girls made me breakfast in bed. Scotia is turning into a really competent cook. The omelette had zucchini, carrots and peppers which had been lightly sautéed. Super yummy!!