15 + 40 = Fun!

On January 10, Mike and I celebrated 15 years of (mostly) blissful marriage!  As is tradition every 5 years, we commemorated with a trip on the high seas.  On this trip we shared the journey with our good friends, Steve and Alison, who were celebrating Steve's 40th birthday!

Our trip began with a day and night in Charleston, SC and then we set sail and enjoyed a 5 night cruise to Nassau and Freeport, Bahamas.  Steve and Alison were great cruise companions and we had a fun and relaxing time with them.

Charleston:
Mike had never been before so we drove to town and found a parking spot (after many turn-arounds and some questionable directions from Jen's uncle who works at College of Charleston) then spent the afternoon meandering through the straw market, walking along Bay Street and King Street and enjoying the historic buildings.  Finally, we met Uncle John and Aunt Birgit for dinner at California Dreaming.  There was a note of tragedy along the way to the restaurant...poor Mike felt a squish underfoot and realized that he had stepped on a baby turtle.  Mike LOVES turtles.  :-(  We spent the rest of the vacation reminding him of his transgression sympathizing with him in his sorrow.

Charleston in the background

Carnival Fantasy:
Thanks to Steve and Alison's superior cab-booking abilities, we were one of the first groups of people to make it to the port and board the ship.  We missed all the check-in lines, all the picture lines, all the guest services lines, and all the buffet lunch lines!  Score! 

While we were at sea we had beautiful, warm weather (apart from the last day) and we loved grabbing a lounge chair on an upper deck to do some reading, catch some rays and some zzzz's.  We went to the dining room for a fun dinner every night and got to be seated with some interesting folks.  Most evenings we hung out with Steve and Alison and played euchre on the Lido deck.

Our ship is 2nd from the right

Steve getting ready to enjoy frog legs at dinner!

Cindy and Aunt Carol - they were crazy and fun!

Glenda (or was it Linda??) and Phyllis - quiet but full of spirit!

Just a glimpse of our 80's Vegas style dining room.  It was very...ORANGE!

Euchre! 

Nassau, Bahamas:
Here we took a mile or so walk through the city to find Fort Charlotte.  When we arrived we were greeting with a beautiful view from the top of the barracks!  We opted to not pay the admission fee to tour the fort proper, but I am glad we went to the top of the barracks.  One of the highlights of being there was seeing life in the Bahamas.  As we were climbing the hills we noticed a driver's ed course with several cars snaking through it - seems they were learning to parallel park.  Then, at the bottom of the barracks there was an elementary PE class stretching and running laps.

At the bottom of the barracks.  Mike loved that it says "a conservation center for metal objects"!

At the top of the barracks.  What a view!

A coke and a smile!

After heading back towards town, we stopped at McDonald's to get some sodas (they are sweeter there than in the US) and walked along one of the main streets to do some souvenir shopping.  Mike surprised me with a gorgeous anniversary present - a blue diamond ring!   

I can't let this post go without a little bartering banter.  One of the places we shopped was the Nassau straw market.  It was booth upon booth of very narrow walkways and very crowded souvenir displays.  At one point we decided to get a little drum for Seth and talked the lady down to $15.  She was trying hard to get me to buy a bag as well for $12.  I told her we would do both for $20.  She was a sneaky one and said no - but took the $20 "to hold it and decide".  Then, with the $20 in her hand, she tells Mike, "You give me $10 more and we have a deal.  Mike happily agreed, handed her the money and we were on our way.  Yes, that is right, he successfully bartered UP and paid more than originally asked.  :-)  But, no worries, he was successful in bartering the correct direction when it came to my ring and more than made up for our loss at the straw market!

Freeport, Bahamas:
We discovered in Freeport that there is nothing really to do in Freeport.  So, we took a taxi to Junkanoo beach and spent a couple of hours hanging out in the sand and surf.  Only Mike was willing to get into the water further than ankle-deep as it was a little chilly.  We did walk along the beach and enjoyed sitting in the warm sun.  The other "highlights" of the day were - a very slow taxi driver, a very fast taxi driver and a very topless sunbather.  What?!?!

As I mentioned, our last day at sea was cold (and overcast).  The water was dark except off the back of the ship where it was a beautiful two-toned blue.  We spent most of the day inside, reading and napping - the perfect last day of vacation!!  The waters were choppy that night and we got to experience the fun of being tossed about a little as well as the difficulty of walking a straight line in conditions like that! 

We had a wonderful 6 days away and that was due, in part, to knowing that our kids were being well loved and well taken care of at home.  Mike's parents came to spend the week here and did lots of fun things with Katey and Seth.  We are very thankful for their willingness to give up a week so we could get away!

The Election

The 3rd Grade election, that is! 

The 3rd grade teachers in Seth's school didn't like the book unit on the election process so they decided to move outside of the box and stage a mock presidential election among their students.  Each class would vote to elect a candidate (complete with a vice-presidential running mate!) and then work on a campaign leading up to election day. 

Seth was voted in as President of Ms. Morrison's class, with his buddy, MaryJane, as his Vice President.  All the kids helped him perfect his campaign speech and worked on campaign posters to put up throughout the 3rd grade hallway.  These were a couple of my favorites:

"He is extremely responsible.  He listens to other people!Vote for Seth Averill!!!!  Seth would be a good president.  He helps with word problems and friendship problems to!!"

"Seth is very smart.  he helps students in math and other classes.  He doesn't get in trouble because he makes wise choices.  he is a great friend for playing!"

This one I wanted to highlight the last sentence.  I almost fell over laughing when I read it:  "He is Republican."  Seth claims he wasn't running as a Republican but he would have voted Republican in the actual, US Presidential election!

Next, Seth gave his campaign speech (they did a video of all the candidates presenting their speeches then showed them to all the classes so the kids didn't have to stand up and speak in front of 100+ kids):
"My name is Seth Michael Averill.  I am 8 years old.  I have a sister named Katey, a mom named Jen, and a dad named Michael.  I have 16 pets.

I could do a great job because I am talented, responsible, intelligent, nice, and a good friend.  I am talented because I won a dance contest on a cruise.  I am responsible because I put the dishes away when on one expected it.  

I would give the school new playground equipment and shelters for balls that would NOT break.  I would also make the food and treat prices lower in the cafeteria.  I would make recess longer and also every day.  40 minutes. 

My name is Seth Averill so vote for me!"

I loved the campaign promises - he came up with those all on his own!

So, after viewing the speeches, the kids voted.  I hear there were even pollsters campaigning outside the voting area. :-) 

Sadly, Seth did not win.  He is sure he came in 2nd place though (no confirmation of this fact - just what he believes in his heart), and the winner was the person he was pretty sure was going to beat him from the start - apparently her speech was REALLY good. 

Regardless of the outcome, I love that all the kids got to experience the process and see how an election works.  We are super proud of our Presidential candidate - 3rd grade today, United States in 30 years!

TRIPS!

As you can see from the dreadful lack of blog entries, we have been busy in the Averill household.  (I'm not a slacker, really, it's just that we have been busy...sooo, sooo busy!)  On the up-side, I noticed that my last 3 blog posts have all been on the 14th of the month - totally a coincidence, but a cool one in my opinion!

So here I go, trying to catch up on the last month or so of fun - the theme is TRIPS!

First, we took a nice, long-in-miles-short-in-time TRIP to INDIANA in October to return to Taylor University where Mike and I both graduated 15 years ago.  Time flies (but not when you are in the car with a sick husband*)!

We are very blessed to have wonderful friends in the Indianapolis area, the Molendorps, who were happy to host us.  All the adults went to Taylor together so we were excited to caravan back together and hang out on campus for the day.  Unfortunately, very few of our fellow classmates came to this particular reunion so it was a little disappointing.  However, just getting to spend some good time with great friends made the trip worth it!

Jen and Sara

Katey and Seth were excited about the trip as well since they got to pair up with Anna and Dayton.  The welcome from the kids was warm and wonderful!  Anna and Dayton had been planning for Katey and Seth's arrival and had a whole theme of Cozy Cabin Camp prepared - complete with signs on doors and welcome gift baskets as well!  The kids got along very well and were all sad to see our short stay come to an end.

Katey and Anna

Seth and Dayton

Thanks to the Molendorp's for hosting our stay and making us feel so very welcomed!


*Unfortunately, Mike wasn't feeling so well on the trip home and ended up sleeping for most of the 11 hour drive.  He managed to not share his sickness with us but did leave it behind for our friends.  Boo! 



Our next TRIP was just around the neighborhood for HALLOWEEN!  The kids were excited about their costumes, but not as excited as they were about Belle's...or Mike was about his own!

Seth the Ninja, Katey as Hermione Granger and Mike the Dolphins-loving Ape

Belle the jailbird...um jaildog

As always, the kids scored big on candy and we will be eating it until Easter, I'm sure.  One great thing about this Halloween was that we moved an old couch to the end of the driveway and some of the neighbors joined me in passing out candy while relaxing on the sofa!  :-) Wish we had gotten a picture of that!

Finally, we just got back from a TRIP to MARYLAND!  Another quick one, but we really enjoyed being with Brandon, Annie, Nate and Karina.  Everyone was excited to meet baby Karina and we got lots of time to snuggle with her.  We were also pumped to be able to be there for Nate's 3rd birthday party!  Katey and Seth were great in helping with the gaggle of small children as well as helping with the leftover cupcakes.  :-)

Nathan was all about tackling Katey this trip

Seth playing the Wii and Nate mimicking with a toy train!

Uncle Brandon working hard to give Seth a swirly!

Happy Birthday!

Another favorite past-time:  ATTACK Daddy/Uncle Mike!

Thanks to Brandon and Annie (who I managed to not get any pictures of, unfortunately) for having us at your house! 

Being with family and friends is always a special time and we look forward to more TRIPS to come!

Fun with Grammy

We spent yesterday afternoon/evening at Grammy's house enjoying the beautiful weather and some Fall activities.  The kids were excited to see snacks laid out upon arrival - witches fingers!  (Wish I had taken a picture)  They really enjoyed the short pretzel rods covered in green frosting (okay, and so did I)!

Grammy had lots of fun stuff planned and it all kicked off with carving pumpkins.  Who doesn't love digging out squishy pumpkin insides?!?


There was also some Corn Hole playing, hotdogs roasted over a fire, and s'mores.  We taught the kids how to roast the perfect marshmallows and enjoyed Katey waving them over the smoke so they would "have the perfect, smokey taste!" 

After dinner Grammy brought out a bucket and apples to let us all try some bobbing for apples.  Yeah, we are pretty sure we didn't do it right as it was downright impossible to get a hold of an apple apart from grabbing the stem with our teeth, but we all had fun trying anyway! 

The evening wrapped up with the lighting of the pumpkins.  Beautiful!!

A flying witch, a cute little goblin and Frankenstein!

Shampoo

I was preparing a shopping list for a Target trip this week when Katey notified me that she needed more shampoo. Knowing that I had recently purchased a giant, pump bottle of Aussie shampoo, I asked her how it was that she needed more already. Her response to me was this:

"But, I need to use the Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Shampoo. Since I use the Sleek and Shine leave-in conditioner, it says right on the bottle that for best results you should also use the Sleek and Shine shampoo. So that is the one I need to use."

I love my literal, rule-following Katey!

My Life as a President

Since the time the kids have both gone to school I have been a very active volunteer. I joke that I volunteer so I won't have to clean my house (and there is probably some truth to that) but honestly, I love to know that I am doing something to help someone else.

3 years ago I started getting more involved with the PTA in our school. I have done all sorts of fun things like be a Room Parent, organize an event for the graduating 5th graders, and oversee hospitality to coordinate things like monthly breakfasts for the teachers and staff as well as potluck dinners and pies at Thanksgiving. Last year I was elected to the position of Treasurer and spent the year counting money and running to the bank, among other things.

This year I have been upgraded! I was voted in as PTA President...despite my initial kicking and screaming against the possibility. There were several factors that kept me hesitant about volunteering for the position but, in the end, I agreed. Why? The main reason is that I truly feel God is calling me to this place in this moment and is going to use this year to mold and shape and stretch me. I pray that I will be putty in His hands and He will be glorified through my service.

So, I was approved and July 1 marked the beginning of my term. Since August hit I feel like time has moved at warp speed! Between getting a fundraiser set, organizing folks to help with various tasks and events, keeping up with bazillions of papers and trying to finalize an impossible calendar of events, I find myself making notes everywhere and losing the same piece of paper over and over again!

Mike asked me the other night how I was doing and if I was stressing over tasks yet-to-be-done. Apart from the fact that I have noticed a subconscious propensity towards clamping my teeth and holding my breath, I don't think I am too stressed out. There have been plenty of opportunities to get upset over issues that have arisen, but I think that, so far, I have been able to roll with the tide and even laugh about crazy mix-ups.

The hardest part of this job, as with any, is getting the hang of it. Knowing what is expected, what needs to be done and what can be let go of. I have a strong desire to please people and be appreciated for a job well done and I am heading into this new role with the knowledge that I WILL disappoint someone, I WILL make someone mad with a decision and I WILL fail somewhere (or perhaps many 'somewhere-s') along the way. Praise God for grace!!

We are now 3 weeks into the school year and I think I have logged somewhere around the equivalent of a full-time job in volunteer hours. But, I love it! I am so thankful to be able to do full-time volunteering. I am looking forward to the end of this school year - to be able to look back and see the failures and the victories - and know that God's hand was leading me through it all the whole time. (Though I do pray we have more victories than failures!! (-: )

End of August Rush

The end of August always proves to be full of activity between school starting and Katey's birthday. This year was no exception!

Seth was pretty excited to be heading into 3rd grade (with one of his all-time favorite teachers!). He was up and ready to go in plenty of time. It did help that his outfit was already chosen, weeks in advance! Seth could hardly wait to wear his "Just Do It!" shirt that matches his new shoes. I love it!

Katey wasn't quite as excited to be starting middle school, but she was excited that the morning routine can now move along a little more slowly. Seth leaves for the bus stop at 6:40 but Katey doesn't have to be up there until 8:05! Being an early riser and slow-morning mover she has really enjoyed this first week.

Check out those long legs!! She was ready to tackle 6th grade!!

We are now one week into the swing of things and both kids have had a good one! Seth talks about kids in his class and what special he got to attend each day (PE, art, music...). Katey has been excited about purchasing a lock, learning to use it, being assigned a locker and successfully navigating the halls of her new school. Great start to a hopefully great school year!

The first day of school was also Katey's 11th birthday! We celebrated a couple of weeks ago with a trip to Carowind's amusement park so the actual day was pretty low-key. Katey chose to have Chick-fil-A for dinner and then we broke into her 7 pound chocolate cake from Costco! (We took some cake over to a neighbor and we STILL have a chunk left after 5 days!)
It is hard to believe Katey is already 11! We are so proud of our wonderfully sweet, kind-hearted, energetic, Harry-Potter loving, unique, smart and fun Katey Beth! Happy 11th!