Galactic Starveyors

This week was vacation bible school at our church and the theme this year was Galactic Starveyors. While I served as the VBS nurse, Camden and his friend Casen enjoyed learning about the God who created everything there is, missions in Kenya, enjoyed worship with fellow believers, did crafts and more.

Casen had the option of going to VBS with me (as they had a program for Pre-K students whose parents were volunteering), however he chose to stay home with Shane and hang out with him playing X-Box, having their own VBS, and snuggling with Mollie (since Camden usually has her).

Enjoying some time with Mollie

Baseball Camp

Casen LOVES baseball, and all I can say to that is thank the Lord, Shane will have a baseball player! Camden played baseball, however was not a fan. He was a good little player, however baseball was just not his favorite - he much prefers soccer and basketball. When we asked Casen what type of camp he wanted to do this summer, he chose baseball.

This week, Shane and he headed off to 5 hours a day of baseball camp (Monday through today). Casen started off very shy the first day and would cry and not want to participate, but after he got in there and saw it was fun, he enjoyed it. Shane said he did a great job and had a good time.

I didn't attach it to this entry, however we have a video of Casen taking some swings and hitting a hat (Tennessee Vols hat) off of another kid's head - luckily he didn't actually hit the kid's head! Good times.

Casen's Five Year Check Up

Just as we were a little late with Camden's well check this year, the same held true for Casen. But as a said before, better late than never!!! Casen had a great check up - passing his vision and hearing. He weighed in at 51 pounds and was 3' 11.84" (can we just say 4 feet?). He was off the charts for his height and was in the 93rd percentile for weight. They still say his projected height will be 6' 3", but honestly I wouldn't be surprised if it is a tad more than that.

While at our visit, I asked Dr. Worrall about Casen being so knock kneed. He told me that so long as it did not impede his running or walking, not to worry. Otherwise, the solution is to break both femurs and cast them to make them straight. Uh, I do believe we are fine just the way they are - chances are he will grow out of it anyway!!!

After having a very successful year of not having any asthma type issues, they removed asthma off of his chart- yay!!! We will just continue to use Zyrtec as needed for his allergy symptoms. Hopefully, our next visit will be for his next well check.

Our Newest Family Member

I may have lost my mind - no, really . . . I think I did. Camden has been talking for the past year or two that he wants his own pet. Perfect - how about a  hermit crab or better yet a fish? No, he wanted a pet that would "lay on the couch with him and watch movies." This summer Shane and I tried to figure out a pet that would pacify Camden's want. One night while laying in bed I was thinking and thinking of different animals that would be easy to care for, since the boys are getting older and we will start spending more time away from home and instead be at sporting events. Oddly enough, a cat came into my mind. The next day Shane and I were talking about it and he said that he had started thinking about a cat. Oh heck - why did we have to both think of the same thing????? So that weekend (which was June 10th) we headed out to different shelters to look for a kitten. Of course, Camden was in love with them all. So it was up to Shane and I to find one that we felt would fit in with our family. We fell in love with one named Shelby.

Sweet Shelby

Shelby was a Siamese mix and was sooooo laid back - we thought she would be perfect to watch movies with him. Of course we were going to change her name since my sweet deceased dog's name was Shelbe. She was not ready to be adopted yet, as she had not been spayed due to her weight, but we told the lady we wanted her and she was to contact us when she was ready - which she felt would be a few weeks. That would be great as far as timing for us. Well, different things came up with the kitten and the lady kept putting it off. The summer was coming to an end, and I was worried because I wanted time with the kitten so we could train her to stay off of things prior to going back to school. So we decided we would go see what other kittens were available.

Yesterday we went back to a place we originally looked at and I liked called AAR (Abandoned Animal Rescue) and found a sweet little kitty who had the sweetest eyes. Of course Camden thought she was great, but it was up to Shane and me. We decided, why not? So we brought home 'Jewel' (which was the name she was given at AAR). After going through a list of names, we finally came up with the name we thought fit her - Mollie.

Our first family photo

Mollie

Mollie has thus far fulfilled Camden's wishes - she lays by him, sucks on his ears (like she is nursing) and seems to love him as much as he loves her. She is not so sure about Zach, so we are keeping them apart for a few days while she heals from her recent surgery (spayed). Casen on the other hand is petrified of her - so that is a work in progress. He likes animals, but sometimes is scared of them. Hopefully, time will fix that.

Shane found an updated picture of Shelby right after we got Mollie- after we saw her picture, we were so happy we got Mollie. :)

 

Panama City Beach 2017

Since we had such a great time going to Florida last year on vacation, we decided to do it all over again. Heck, we even liked the condo we stayed in so much, we stayed in the exact same place for an even better price due to the owner being in the process of selling it - yay for us!!! So after we picked the boys up from Kerrville, we got home, finished packing and headed right back out the door a few hours later to Lumberton to spend the night before heading to Panama City Beach.

We arrived Sunday afternoon to the beautiful beach. We unpacked our belongings and headed to Avery Island (the souvenir store) to let the boys pick out their souvenir with the money Nana gave them. They each picked a stuffed animal as well as a toy to play in the water with. We then headed to Pineapple Willy's were we enjoyed listening to some live music and had a great time eating with the help of our magician waiter who kept the boys entertained.

Precious cargo

Souvenir finds

Being silly while waiting for our table.

The next morning, the boys couldn't wait to get to the beach, however we had to wait a bit for the rain clouds to pass. Luckily, the dark skies were short lived and we were able to go out and enjoy a day on the beach.

Casen wanted to be buried in the sand

Since the boys are a little older, I planned a few 'fun' things to do that we did not do last year. First up was a trip to Shell Island on Tuesday via Capt. Anderson's boat. We went on an Eco-Tour where we fed the seagulls Cheetos, played in the beautiful water at Shell Island, looked at some of the sea life that they pull aboard with a trawl net and then went looking for dolphins.

Getting ready to board the boat

Feeding the seagulls

Fun at Shell Island

Sea life including sea urchins and skate fish

All the boats waiting to see the dolphins

Catching a nap on the way home

The boys napped on the way back to the condo, where we ate lunch, and then headed back to the beach. We played out in the water, where Camden found some amazing treasures - including a lot of hermit crabs and a few sand dollars. Talk about a happy boy! After we cleaned up, we headed out to a restaurant we ate at last year and enjoyed, Hook'd, and spent some time being silly. We then headed to the fun little theme park we found last year and enjoyed some fun rides.

Camden was so excited to find a
sand dollar in the ocean

Casen posed with it too

Camden's favorite hermit crab shell he found

My happy boy

So serious (and tired)

Casen was taking pictures . . .

About to enjoy our food at Hook'd

Casen wanted a silly picture

Fun times

Casen is my thrill seeker - he LOVES rides

On Wednesday, it again was rainy and a bit yucky outside, so we headed to Wonder Works. We had an awesome time there, riding a simulated roller coaster (Casen's first ever), laying on a bed of nails, playing with bubbles, playing laser tag - where this Momma (who has never played) beat Shane and the boy, and lots more. We could have spent a lot longer there, however we headed back to the condo so we could enjoy our last time on the beach before heading home. Due to the morning rains, the water was not as clear so our shell finding was limited, however we still had a great time.

Bubble fun

Simulated roller coaster - Shane and I spent a lot of time
upside down, while Camden and Casen took it a bit easier.

Laying on a bed of nails

My boys ready for Laser Tag (this was before
Momma beat them all!)

Surfer dudes

That evening we ate at a fun restaurant, Shuckums, where there are a ton of dollar bills hanging from the ceiling and stapled to the walls. The boys thought it was really awesome and kept wishing they had all those dollar bills for themselves (wouldn't that be nice).

We headed home Thursday, despite the boys wanting to stay longer. I think it is fair to say, we all had a good time and Panama City Beach did not disappoint, yet again.

The last family pic before heading home.