A Week at the Beach

Nothing says "school's out for summer" like our family beach trip. Generally, the minute school is over, my entire family heads down to beach where we merge for a week of mayhem and laughter.

After a long... as you can see LONG... car ride, we final got to Florida! Now it was time for lazy mornings at the beach to afternoon outings. Time to bring the fun wherever we go.

One of my favorite restaurants at Pier Park is Hofbrau Beer Garden. It's where our kids have to endure our crazy antics... and sometimes try to pull some of their own. Or at least the boys pretended like they were studious and the girls proper. Both fleeting...

And because it's the end of May, we got to celebrate my nephew's birthday. Traditionally we will have Japanese food. Kai put his rock climbing skills to work and got a wild hair to climb their entrance sign.

Midweek called for something different. So we took an excursion to Rosemary Beach, where my brother and the girls took a few fun photos between shopping...

But nothing says family vacation like the beach. The quite lull of the ocean. The casual relaxed atmosphere.

We even found time to get away from the kids and spend a few hours together alone on the beach!

On one of the last days of the trip, we took Callie to Destin (& Sandestin) to do a little shopping. On the way we stopped to eat at Tommy Bahamas. I had no idea what to expect, but we were all very surprised and delighted with our meal.

We would definitely come back!

It was not hard to describe our vacation: it's doughnuts and bacon, and early trips to the beach. It's seafood (& chicken), and trips to Publix. It's afternoon naps to evening card games. Reading, resting, and time together.

It's Raining Awards

Jackson must be doing something right, as he has been showered with awards lately.

His CyberPatriot's team was recognized at the school board meeting tonight. I am very proud of him, his teammates, and teachers.

However, I may have been prouder of this team's collective wittiness and possible rebellious nerd-punk teenagerness. 

When they were asked for their team name, which they didn't have, they said Team Hydra. They are either a Greek mythological creature with reproducing heads when cut off or the a Marvel subversive organization dedicated to global domination (based on this creature). I am thinking the latter. Either way cool!

I am not sure how many people got it, but it was funny. Go Team Hydra!

The school board meeting honoring their achievements was not enough. No they need more praise! Just what teenagers need, more people telling them they are right.

No, it's actually a good thing to be honored for the hard work they put into this competition.

Their team was getting recognized by the CyberPatriots organization as well at UAH. His team did some amazing things this year, they came 2nd in the state of Alabama, and within the top 3% Nationally. This is after they went through multiple rounds... always in Alabama's top 3.

Very impressive for a Sophomore team. And one that the teacher did not think would do well. They really surprised everyone.

Shortly after these picture were taken he was chosen to speak on the news about his team and experience in CyberPatriots. I was very proud of him!

And all of this right after he went to the ACTE fair to participate with his team in a computer programming competition. Where they won first place.

It is raining awards...

Soup... my enemy

With all my nervous system problems, I tend to wear my lunch. My mouth evades me!

Callie and I had a girl's lunch... were she was able to demonstrate my soup eating skills, or lack there of!

I only wish I looked as cute as she did while oops-I-missed my soup.

Pay it Forward

Our neighbor is in the process of going through a divorce. Her life has been turned upside down, and she has been left juggling so many new things. Her yard was starting to show that she needed some help.

So, with a bit of persuasion, Jackson decided to cut her yard for her. And it was a monumental task...

Let's Dance

It was Callie's big night! She had been practicing all semester with her dance company. She had to perform two dance routines and she was slightly nervous. However, she didn't have too much time to think about it, because I had to spend half the day prepping her hair for the performance.

She looked lovely...

 And we were proud parents!!!

After the mandatory pictures with your parents before you go to any special event were taken it was time to go. We collected all her things (after checking and re-checking that we had them all).

The performance was at Lowe Mill, which on a Friday night was magical. After taking her to the dance company, Marcus and I had two hours to look around and eat. We found one of our favorite food trucks, I Love Bacon, and ate while listening to some folk-jug-band music. With still time to spare we decided to look at the local artists inside the building.

It was like we had a date night!

But soon enough it was time to watch Callie. Her first dance was to Journey's "Lights". It was from her Lyrical class. Sadly, she was on the opposite side of the stage so I couldn't take as many pictures as I would have liked. But I did get a few...

We sat through many performances, but were excited when it was time for her second dance. The jazz dance was to the song "Fame" and this time she was on our side...

 Time to throw the hat...

and dance like you mean it...

At the end of the performance they handed out trophies, and she was so happy. I cannot say how proud I was of her. Her naturally shy temperament seemed to disappear while she danced tonight. And she danced her heart out!