Alabama Getaway--Day Five

Went to Sequoyah Caverns today. Pretty interesting. Andrew and the girls sifted gift shop-bought sand to find gems. We looked at a chapel built into the side of a boulder.

Got a few sniffly noses around here. Started with Andrew early in the week, then Tom, and now Eric is stuffy and under the weather. Especially for Eric, we hope it doesn't progress into anything more. School starts Tuesday.

Going home tomorrow.

Alabama Getaway--Day 4

Busy swimming, sightseeing, and generally having fun and enjoying each others' company. The bottom photo was taken at Desoto Falls. The water level is low this time of year. Beautiful country, though.

Alabama Getaway--Day Three

Alabama Getaway--Day Two

Having a good time. Lovely countryside. Lots to do. Hiking, swimming, hammock-swinging, jacuzzi-ing, jigsaw-puzzling, big boulder climbing. Here are a few photos, more later.

Alabama Getaway--Day One

The boys and I left Lake Charles yesterday and headed to northeast Alabama. We arrived today. Seems this area is halfway between Pittsburgh and SWLA. We met my family at a large cabin; Mom and stepdad Tom, sisters Lisa and Sue, brother-in-law Keith, and nieces Olivia, Makayla, and Alex. It's not quite everyone, but close.

It's beautiful here, I had no idea. We're on top of a mountain, all wooded and green. I tried to post more photos, but the internet is tricky here. Will try again tomorrow.

Here we are hanging out on the porch with the bubble machine.

Hope Therapy Center

I know it seems like a long time ago that Eric finished up with physical/occupational therapy, but I just received this photo yesterday, and I wanted you all to see how happy they were on Eric's last day, July 14th. Kim (on left) and Mika were super terrific. They and all the staff are competent, courteous, and friendly. If anyone in Lake Charles ever needs physical, occupational, or speech therapy, I highly recommend Hope Therapy Center. hopetherapycenter.net

Andrew seems to be enjoying band camp. He comes home "exhausted" every day, but gets up early the next day to do it again. Eric likes his musical theater class this week. Just like after the Shakespeare class, there will be a short performance Friday at noon.

Eric's post-theater class Sonic snack . . . french toast sticks and a cranberry Coke.

Taxi Driver

Remember when your kids were babies, and the veteran parents would say, "Wait till they're teenagers. You'll feel like a taxi driver." And I recall thinking, Yeah right, how bad can it be. At least you don't have to change diapers and wash bottles. Now my boys are teenagers. And guess what? I feel like a taxi driver. Those parents weren't kidding after all. Today I drove Andrew to band camp at 8:00, took Eric into town for theater class at 10:00. Next, at 12:45, Eric had piano lesson back in Moss Bluff. Had to go out of our way back to the house first because he forgot his piano music. Stopped at McDonald's so he could get a bite to eat. Made a trip to Walmart while he was at piano lesson. Picked him up and took him home. 3:00 PM, picked Andrew up from band camp and back home again. Tomorrow will be even busier. So often, I feel like Billy in the comic strip Family Circus, when he's running around like a maniac, making dozens of stops, backtracking, becoming distracted and losing focus. And we only have two kids! I honestly don't know how parents with broods manage.

When the boys were babies, I remember anxiously awaiting the day they'd feed themselves and be potty trained. Now I'm thinking, Only two more years and they'll have their drivers' licenses!