Happy Fourth of July . . . Rock Hill Style . . .

Rock Hill celebrates the 4th on the 3rd so in honor of the 3rd of July . . . we had a fun-filled day!

For starters, we took the niece and nephew (Macy & Ethan), along with Campbell, Martha and myself to Carowinds. Although we a blast . . . note to self . . . the 4th of July holiday is probably the busiest weekend of the season. We missed that memo . . . the parking lot was just about full!

Here is the princess lounging by the wave pool

as I've said before . . . Carowinds makes kids sleep!

After Carowinds was the Rock Hill Red White and Boom . . . Well, little did we know the boom was actually just 2 blocks away . . .

Robbie and Campbell enjoying some of the festivities . . .

I used Campbell as an excuse to go on a train ride . . .does that make me a bad person?

Campbell and Ethan in the bounce house!

Before the fireworks began, we met some friends out for dinner . . . food was great . . . service was lousy and the furniture . . . well, you decide. Either it was poor quality or I'm (robbie) just fat!

Chrissy and Michael

Celebrating the 3rd in style . .

Ethan and Mitchell . . . being such good boys!

Proving that I need to lose some weight!

Fireworks didn't start until 10 and Campbell couldn't make it up that late . . . so we came back and did like every red-blooded American would do . . . we had ourselves our own fireworks show . . .

Yes, we're shooting fireworks out of a wine bottle and a root beer bottle . . .

Martha said that she wasn't allowed to shoot fireworks growing up as a kid . . . we couldn't tell from this video . . . "run . . . run!"

Ethan looking out for Martha . . . how sweet!

Happy Birthday America . . .

Campbell is a Shrimp!

Campbell finished her swim lessons today . . . okay, parent/child class . . . and she's loved every minute of every class. There was a total of 3 infants in the class. Over the course of the month, she's worked on getting into the pool, using her life jacket, the crawl stroke, back stroke, blowing bubbles, and going under the water. She was a champ at each of the skills. Because she was so good, she earned a certificate that certifies her a a SHRIMP. We think this is Campbell's first certificate . . . I have a feeling that this will be the first of many!

Here are pictures from today's class. Once child was sick and the other was on vacation so Campbell got one-on-one time from the swim instructor . . . and her daddy of course!

One Proud Mommy and Daddy . . .

Martha and I are two proud parents . . . She did this while at the nursery this morning. Needless to say, we've "borrowed" this walker for the week . . .

The Big Kids

Campbell has 6 cousins whom she loves. In order from oldest to youngest: Ethan, Matthew, Macy, Madeline, Jacob, and Zachary. This summer Campbell is so lucky to have 2 of her cousins, Ethan and Macy, with us every day. Ethan has always gone to our school district's summer program but that was cut due to budget issues this year. So, we worked out that I would keep Ethan and Macy for the summer while Emily works. It's perfect: Campbell has 2 playmates, I have some extra spending money, and Ethan and Macy get to do all kind of fun things that they may not have gotten to do in a camp or day care.

So far, we've gone to the movies, the library, Carowinds, the YMCA water park, and long bike rides. We have plans to go many more places. We are having so much fun! This week the big kids have been going to swimming lessons.

Ethan is a very good swimmer and is in the big kids' class learning different strokes...

like the freestyle...

and the backstroke...

Macy is working on more basic skills...

...and is becoming braver every day!

Ethan is quite the ham...

Macy looks sweet and innocent, doesn't she?

Mama's New Ride

Check out my new ride!

Campbell has a new ride, too!
(don't mind the nekkid baby in just a diaper...it was hot and she'd had a fever. Normally I insist she wear clothes!)

Robbie even made us personalized license plates.

It has all the bells and whistles:

A place for my water bottle so I don't die...
(which I thought could happen the first time I took Campbell and her cousin Macy for a ride and thought I could keep up with 7 year old Ethan on his bike early last week. Riding a bike is hard work! Keeping up with a 7 year old while towing 60 pounds of kids is even harder!)

You guys didn't know I was being literal when I said "bells and whistles" did you?

It even has a mirror so I can keep an eye on the princess.

Even Robbie likes my new wheels!

DAD

Dear Daddy,

Have I told you recently what a great daddy you are? I love that you play with me and make me laugh so much. I love it when you "throw" me on the couch and let me wriggle off. I always feel so safe when we play.

I have been having so much fun swimming with you at the pool recently and it's so cool to be the only daddy/daughter team at swimming lessons! I love watching Blue's Clues with you on Saturday mornings while Mommy sleeps and you're pretty smart when you figure out the clues! Keep on trying and I'm sure you'll start figuring out more...

Daddy, you are my hero! I was amazed watching you put up that ceiling fan yesterday all by yourself. It was so high and you were so brave!

I love you, Daddy! Happy Father's Day!

Your princess,
Campbell

Our First Family Vacation

Although we've been on several vacations, Folly Beach, June 2009 was our first time going anywhere as a 3-member family. We spent four wonderful days on Folly Beach . . . .literally.

We were able to spend time with some of our friends . . . . Amy and her daughter Louisa, Nicole and Eric and their two boys Hudson and Davis, Julie, Jean and her two girls Sydney and Abigail. Sorry we missed you Jennifer, Greg and Finley . . . I'm not sure why the doctor wouldn't let you travel 2 hours . . . it's not like you are 8 months pregnant or anything. ;)

Here are some pictures from our trip . . . enjoy!

mommy and daughter on the dunes

Campbell posing on a sail boat

Daddy and daughter time

Campbell enjoying the afternoon storm

Campbell in her perfect sized chair . . . thanks Jean

Beach baby!

Sand Castle building 101

Campbell and Louisa checking out the penguins at the SC Aquarium

The girls checking out the fishies . . .

Mommy . . . look at the alligator!

Thank goodness for this glass!

Time out . . . what did I do to deserve this?

Check out daddy's photography!

Campbell's first beach crush . . . check out that red head!

At the Crab Shack . . . Campbell playing with napkins INSIDE the bucket!

on vacation

Family and Friends . . . just wanted to let you know that we're on vacation and we'll be back shortly. When we return we'll post our pictures . . . until then . . . here is a sneak peak:

Shades

Campbell can now put on mommy's shades by herself. She's little Miss Cool!

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

a sunday dip

Here's Campbell taking a Sunday dip in her new pool.

The end of an era

Nine years ago this August I was a bright-eyed, idealistic, excited new teacher getting ready to start my first job. I had chosen to teach kids with disabilities and I wonder now if I really knew all that job would entail. Once I got in the classroom, I realized that it was something I actually had a knack for and I really liked it (despite the occasional breakdown due to difficult students, parents, or principals). I have been blessed to work with so many great teachers and therapists over the years. Whenever someone says they like something I'm doing in my classroom, I usually have to confess that I've "stolen" it from someone else.

Last school year I learned I was pregnant not long after the school year started. It seemed to have worked out perfectly. Campbell would be due in late April (or early May depending on which chart the doctor used) and I would take the remainder of the school year off through the summer and return to work in August. I remember talking to Winthrop University that December about getting a Spring intern since I wasn't due until the internship would be over and there wasn't any reason I would be leaving earlier. Little did I know that I wouldn't have made through an intern's first two weeks...

My school district was really supportive when I had to leave in January, first for bedrest and then for Campbell's birth. I used up my FMLA and they graciously granted me a leave of absence until the end of the school year. This enabled me to have the peace of mind that my job would be safe when I could return.

So, I stayed home with Campbell almost 7 months and although it was very tough, I loved it. I loved taking care of her and witnessing every little new trick and development. But, reality set in and I returned to work in August. We were so blessed that my mother (the famous "Nana") volunteered to keep Campbell for us. Her pediatrician basically forbade us from putting her in any sort of daycare during her first RSV/flu season so she was a Godsend for us. Campbell has flourished in her care and she has put up with my pickyness, germaphobicness, and general anxiety for the past 10 months. We are so grateful to her and have been so blessed.

Despite having Nana care for Campbell, I have really struggled with going back to work. Especially as Campbell has grown, developed, and become more "fun" it's been getting harder and harder to be gone from her so much. I love my students, I love the great people I get to work with, and I love feeling that I'm having an impact in my students' lives. I also love the income which allows me regular trips to Target and lots of freedom.

When it was time to sign my contract for the next school year, Robbie and I decided that I would not sign my contract and we would hope for a part time position to open up. With our current economy and school districts scaling back on jobs rather than creating new ones, we were taking a big leap of faith. After our visit to the MFM and discussing the risks of another pregnancy (read about it here), we knew this was a financial risk we needed to take.

As I've learned throughout Campbell's short life, God really does answer prayers and my special ed director offered me a new position she created. I'll be consulting with some of our programs to help them become more inclusive. So, today I packed up all my "gear" (it's amazing what one collects!) and walked out of my classroom for the last time.

I can't imagine not going back to the classroom one day, so I know I'll be back. I'll miss all of my "Special Friends" but I'm excited about spending more time with Campbell...even if it means I can't take as many frivolous Target trips anymore...

1st Day at Preschool

Today was a special day for Campbell. She had her first day at preschool. This summer she will attend a day school for a few hours on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We're excited about it because we think it will be good for her socialization and language skills. It's a big step for us since she's never been with anyone other than me, Robbie, or Nana (except our neighbor, Sarah, once, but Campbell was so happy to hang out with her buddy Eleanor that afternoon that she didn't miss us a bit).

We chose the school because my friend, Terra, sends her children there and will be teaching there in the fall. Terra was a student in the class I taught at Winthrop and my intern this Spring at school. She and I are a lot alike and she's just as ... I want to say "critical" (but that sounds harsh) as I am. By that, I mean that she thinks a lot about her decisions and isn't afraid to question. She's also very knowledgeable about education (of course she is...she had me as a teacher!) and I trust her judgment.

Campbell didn't cry when Nana dropped her off or while she was there. I left work during my planning time to run over there to check on her and take pictures. I had to hand the teacher in her class the camera to take pictures for me.

Campbell kept looking away from the camera towards the door where I was hiding. I think she may have heard my voice and was looking for me. Sniff, sniff.

All in all, we decided that Campbell wasn't thrilled to be there, but she wasn't terrified either. She did cry when Nana came to pick her up and reached for Nana. Nana says Campbell gave her a look that said "Where have you been and why did you leave me here?" I think the morning was the hardest on Nana.