Wild-Hair Friends and an Apple-picking Adventure

We all have that wild-hair friend. You know the one I'm talking about. The one that's always got an idea on a whim and can somehow suck you into it. I love friends like that! Your wild-hair friends are often the same friends who are there to encourage you on your worst of days. They're your "build-a-bridge-and-get-on-over-it" friends, who will quickly remind you that life is too short to sulk or be the victim. If you don't have a friend like that...find one!

One of my wild-hair friends happens to be Anna. If you know my Anna, then I need not explain. She's tried it all. She's won some. And lost some. But has never let it stop her from moving on to the next thing! She's someone who has a knack for getting me excited about life. I just love her.

Anna and I go way back. We were the best of friends in  high school. Cheerleaders. Impulsive sleepover buddies. Karaoke Queens. Double Daters. You name it. We did it together. We remained friends through college, weddings, babies, and all. She's one of those friends who I may not talk to for a while but it seems no time has passed at all when we finally do catch up.

Any who... Anna called me last Friday with a plan to go to Sky Top Orchard in the mountains of beautiful Zirconia, NC. Fortunately, living in Columbia, we're only a couple of hours away from the beach or the mountains, so making a day trip is a piece of cake. It's one of the reasons I love where I live.

Shan and I had a laundry list of chores to do on Saturday that was kind of looming over us. Going to visit the apple orchard at Sky Top was also on our to do list, but we've kept putting it off because of other things. {It happens to be on my 40x40 Challenge too, that I haven't done so well with.} So we decided the chores could wait!

We hopped in the car and headed to Sky Top early Saturday morning. That place is like the Disney World of apples, y'all. They make the most delicious Apple Cider donuts. And I don't even like donuts!!! Oh and the mini apple pies made me want to slap my momma! I also can't wait to try all the great recipes I've pinned to use all the apples we picked.

For the boys, we kept it a surprise where we were going until the mountains began to peek over the horizon - which happens to be one of the most amazing sites. They were super excited to see what this was all about, as were Shannon and I. We told them we were meeting friends there and that made their anticipation even greater. We spent the rest of the drive giving hints and playing the guessing game.

Just so you know, it's best to get there as early as possible...like 9ish. We arrived about 10am. The weather was chilly with a beautiful October blue sky. We picked a ridiculous amount of apples, sipped hot cider, fed goats, petted animals, ran through the bamboo forest - which made me feel like I was stuck in an episode of Dora the Explorer - and bought apple everything to bring home. But the best part was making a memory with my boys and Anna and her family. I can't believe we waited so many years to make the trip. But now, it has definitely made it's way onto to our must-do tradition list!

 

Thank you, wild-hair friend, for a great idea and for giving me one more thing to be excited about! I love you! {Oh and why didn't we take a normal pic of our 5 children?}

 

 

Find links to Days 1-31 here!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes...

Happy Labor Day!

Wow! It's September 1st and we're already going into the third week of school.

The last 2 weeks have been filled with lots of "mommy emotions" as my three little vessels have sailed through the doors of their schools and have yet to look back. We've shaken it up a bit here in The Acres. I guess it's my version of a mid-life crisis with age 40 quickly approaching. As if Sam starting MIDDLE SCHOOL wasn't enough, Fulton and Oliver have both started a new (to them) school. They now attend the school for which we are zoned and where Sam was in 5K and are no longer in the Montessori school - which is our district's lottery program.

This black and white-traditional school-Libra kinda girl has preached on this blog for 5 years about my love for the Montessori philosophy. That love still remains! If someone had told me 10 years ago that I'd be an advocate for something other than rows of desks, text books, tests, and homework, I'd look at them as if they had 9 heads. The Montessori environment was great for Sam and seemed to be a good fit so far for Oliver. But Fulton demonstrated that a different style might be better for him. And that is perfectly fine! I feel blessed to have a child who can - and more importantly - feels comfortable expressing his desires for his education. All that said, we are truly grateful that our neighborhood school is a FANTASTIC option for the traditional setting and we are delighted to be part of such a great community. {Now, if some smart person could just develop a program to incorporate aspects of both traditional learning and Montessori principals the world would be the greatest place ever.}

It was a decision we did NOT make lightly. There was lots of prayer involved over the last year. And I know I like to think I'm wonder woman, but - Surprise! - I'm really not. So it made sense for us to move Oliver too, because there was no way this momma could do 1 in a new middle school, 1 in a new traditional school, and 1 in Montessori. I'm not that organized.

Any who...the beginning of another school year has come to pass. Shannon always laughs at me because everything I do, I view as a first or a last. Where does that fall in the categories of pessimist, optimist, or realist??? Sam walked confidently into his first day as a middle schooler. {Side note: So those of you who questioned my decision to do Montessori and asked, "How in the world can a Montessori child transition into a traditional middle school?!?!" Well...it happened and it was BEAUTIFUL!} We dropped Fulton off successfully at his first day of 3rd grade in a new school.  And with Oliver it was a first and last for both of us...his first day of Kindergarten and our last-first drop off for a Kindergartner. :( It truly seems like yesterday that I sent Sam off for his first day and now my little Ver is gone too.

It's true what my mom told me. Don't blink! Because there's something about the swiftness of time from the moment they walk through the doors of Big Boy school. Before you know it they'll be on their way to college. So while we are embracing some big changes in their education this year, we are also trying to savor every minute with them being "little". Some days I want my babies back so much it hurts. Other days, I'm excited to see who it is that they are becoming. I know God has great plans for them!

Cheers to a new school year {and new schools}, sweet boys!

 Fulton 3rd, Sam 6th, Oliver 5K

 

 Off to their new school! Go Braves!!

They looked a little unsure as I walked away from their classrooms. But I cried happy tears when I picked them up, as they were both very excited from their first day in a new school!

 

 Sam and his buddy Henry heading into the abyss.

Their commentary in the backseat as Katie and I approached the drive way of the school for drop off was absolutely hilarious.

There were several nervous squeals and a few "oh! I don't know if I can do this." But they did. And lived to tell about it!

Summer Highlights 2012

We are always a little sad to see the lazy hazy days of summer come to a close. This year, because of the school calendar changes, we had an extra week or two to enjoy. It was wonderful thing. It allowed us to squeeze in a couple of extra adventures.

I thought I'd share our summer highlights...

(There are a gazillion pics, but I blog mainly to preserve the memories for my sweet boys.)

Edisto with Friends

We had a great Memorial Day trip to Edisto with friends. (I posted about it here.) It was definitely a highlight so I re-posted it!

Boppa's Birthday
My Dad's birthday is June 1st. We celebrated at mom and dad's with my brother (Uncle Clayton, Aunt April, Madison, and Emma) and his family. The kids had an awesome time playing chase, kickball, and splashing with Oliver in the baby pool. They love seeing each other and I just wish it was more often! The moon that night was an amazing sight...I snapped a crummy pic with my phone that doesn't do near the justice.

The Baker Beach Vacay

Mid-June we savored every minute of our 10-day stay at the beach. We go with Shannon's family every year to the Garden City/Surfside area. His mom and dad, as a tradition {along with 4 or 5 other couples}, enjoy the "camping life" and we stay in a condo near-by with Shan's brother and sister-in-law (Uncle Randy and Aunt T) and and their girls (Kirstin and Madeline).

This year we were so delighted to have Shannon's cousin David and his children, Robert and Katie come in from Texas to visit. They stayed with Shan's Uncle Terry at our same complex. There was a lifetime of memories made among the cousins. TOO MUCH FUN! We are excited that David's wife Kitin will be able to join us next year. This year she was concentrating on some much need r&r at home and recovery. We are beyond happy that she is now in remission!

Annual Cheesy Beach Pics

Cousins

Kirstin 13, Robert 11, Sam 9, Katie 8, Madeline 7, Fulton 6, Oliver 3

The Fabulous Baker Bunch

Some Shady Characters

The Beach Boys

Soaking It All Up

And later...back at the camp

  

All Beached Out

As a newlywed and new mother I couldn't understand why in the world someone would want to stay in a camper for a week at a family campground. I personally, was accustomed to the oceanfront vacays my parents always took us on. Camping was out of the question. But MY HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED! I am now the mother of a 9, a 6, and a 3 year-old boy and they love every minute of it. We are surrounded by the ocean, pools, mini-golf, playgrounds, duck ponds, nightly activities, an arcade and a camp store. there's no need to leave the campground. Never a dull moment.

There are some fantastic qualities to a family campground. I have never seen so many walks of life in 1 place...more so than Disney World. And they have some really funny rituals - too many to get into - but funny nonetheless.

But there is one I just can't resist posting about. It's the Golf Cart Strip where there's a whole-lotta-hands-slappin'-goin'-on! Decorated carts, loud music, dancing...etc. Think Vegas on a very mini scale!

Let's take a look...Shall we?

(see video below)

Awendaw

My cousin Allison, her husband Ed and their son Kyle opened their beautiful home in Awendaw to us again this summer. We spent a relaxing long weekend on the boat, cruising the Intercoastal Waterway.  I was so excited to get to go this time, as Oliver is old enough now to participate in the festivities.

The big boys enjoyed a day of off shore fishing. {Poor Shan got sea sick so he wasn't having that grand of a time, but S & F loved it!} Allison, Oliver, and I boated to Bull Island and played in the tide pools, collected sea shells, and had a picnic lunch. I can't complain at all...lovely day.

The next day we all went out on the ICWW and attempted to go shark fishing but the bait fish were a little hard to find. So instead, we took an amazing and long scenic tour. I snapped some pics of my dream house, a famous shrimp boat, a precious blue house boat that I must have, and my boys enjoying their life at sea. We topped our day off with dinner at the IOP marina. It was a another lovely day!!!

Sam and Fulton ADORE their big cousin Kyle. He is very musically inclined and oh-so-cool to my 9 and 6 year old. When we weren't on the boat, they were having mini jam sessions in Kyle's room and Shan and I were enjoying catching up with Ed and Allison and soaking in the amazing view from their home.

I have to admit...I'm sold on life-on-the-SC-coast. Shan just has to say the word and I wouldn't hesitate to change my blog name to "CTBaker left the Acres".

Our trip had a bonus...On the way home we stopped to visit my best child-hood friend and her family in Mt. Pleasant and got to meet her newest sweet baby girl, Aldyn Parrish Gage.

She is so sweet and tiny. I can't wait to see her again!

I feel like we lived in the water, sun, sand, and bathing suits this summer. We had a few trips to the coast and some refreshing days at the pool with friends. All-in-all...I wouldn't have changed a thing! In fact, it just might be a tough summer to follow. We were blessed with an awesome opportunities.

Now, if I could just get in school-year mode. Hmmmph.

XO,

VBS 2012

I had all intentions of doing a couple of posts this week, but it has ended up being one of those weeks where I haven't had a chance to come up for air. Shan is traveling and I am flying solo. It's a really big week for my volunteer obligations with Junior League and church, so finding the time to sit down and blog has been tough.

This week is also one of my most favorite weeks of the year. IT'S VBS WEEK at our church!!! The week is filled with positivity, joy, good thoughts, and reminders that we have a loving, mighty, and trustworthy God. Without fail, each year I am moved to tears at some point. Sometimes it's a Bible lesson that gets me, a parent's praise or story of how we have reached their child. Or sometimes it's just watching the children sing at the top of their lungs and dance their hearts out. It is always an emotional time for me!

In the past I have been a crew or activity leader, but this year my friend Sarah asked me to help her chair and I accepted. We recruited some awesome volunteers from our church and friendship circles and they helped us pull off a fabulous week. We truly couldn't have done it without them!

We used the Group Curriculum - "Sky". The theme was about trusting God no matter who, what, when, or where you are. The message was so very simple, yet so profound for these children. I had many parents tell me how excited they were that their children were retaining so much and even better, SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS to their friends and families. It such a good feeling to get that kind of feedback... we are doing our jobs!

In my opinion, the music this year was some of the best in a couple of years. I just love the energy it creates. The children all have their personal favorite tunes and can't wait to hear them each day. My boys ask me to play their favorite tracks on the CD on the way to VBS in the mornings and want me to crank it up as loud as they can tolerate. I love it! It puts me in such a good mood. I wish everyday could be like VBS! I happen to have my own fave... "I'll Fly Away". Only, I like to sing it as obnoxiously soulful as possible. In fact, I had all the boys convinced yesterday that I had previously been in a Gospel choir. They thought that was the coolest thing ever!!! Is that wrong?

Any who, we head to the church for our Family Finale and Dinner tonight and another VBS year will have come and gone. I am grateful for all the volunteers who make this week happen, all the parents who bring their children, and for our Lord who gives us this opportunity to fill their hearts with The Word!

XO,

My Happy Rainbow

Here's a peek at my little happy rainbow this week...

Red- my red solo cup

Orange- the orange floating in my cup

Yellow- the yellow bucket filled with shovels and shells used to make lots of memories

Green- these 2 little guys in their green swim suits

Blue- for this awesome hubby in his navy blue swim suit, who provides the opportunity for us to vacation as a family...and of course for the Blue Moon in my solo cup!

Indigo- the indigo colored shirt I stole from Shan to cover my toasty shoulders and the almost indigo colored sky above me!

Violet- for this precious boy standing in front of me telling me about the doozie waves while eating a snack from a violet colored package

We have had such a great week! I can't wait to share more pics. I am so grateful for these 10 glorious days of sun and sand (with just a smidgen of rain), but it's still always sad to see it come to an end!

Vacay post coming soon!

XO

CTBaker

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm giving thanks for all the little but HUGE blessings...

•An awesome Memorial Day weekend in Edisto with good friends. I was just reminiscing about the great time we had last weekend and how thankful I am for these friends.

•My SC teaching certificate is being renewed as we speak. We're saying a few extra prayers that the perfect job for me and my family will show itself!

•My neurologist showed me a series of beautiful images of my brain. The headaches are just that...headaches. And he's trying to help me manage them.

•My mom kept Sam and Fu tonight and we were able to clean out 3/4 of the laundry/craft/multi-purpose/storage room. Can't wait to knock out more tomorrow! {Thanks Mom & Dad}

•My dad turns 65 tomorrow...June 1! I am thankful for every year we get to celebrate with our parents. They are so very important to me! Happy Birthday, Dad! You're the bomb-dot-com!

That's all folks!!! Stay tuned for Phone dump Friday!!

CTBaker