Penny Party for The Children's Museum of the Upstate

Waiting on their guests to come.






The citizens of Greenville are about to get a really big treat. The Children's Museum of the Upstate is preparing to open the doors later this month. The museum is a state-of-the-art museum with 18 exhibits. This project has been in the works for many years (like 10+)! I believe it is worth every bit of the wait.

In order for the children of Greenville to feel like they participated in opening the doors, they were invited to save their pennies and bring them to a "penny party." We hosted a party with the Armaly's and it was a great success. We raised $200! The kids had a great time playing, eating Popsicles and collecting their museum goodies. The theme of the campaign was "Count Me In" and I feel so blessed to have been able to participate in such a wonderful project.

Baby Chicks

I love this picture of Mac and the chick in his pocket.



Sydney was so gentle with the chicks.

We celebrated July 4th with a trip to the chicken houses in Alabama. Our brother-in-law is a chicken farmer and invited us to see the baby chicks. It is very rare for us to be home when they are so little, so it was a first for all of us. The kids loved it! We all had to learn the "chicken house shuffle" so we would not step on the chicks. That is why Mac is wearing socks with his Crocs - I wouldn't let him wear that normally. (Or maybe I would - he is the second child!)

Mauldin Cheer Camp

Mauldin Cheer Camp was a blast! She learned three chants and a dance routine to Oh, Pretty Woman, complete with sunglasses and jewels. I am confident we will be doing this again next summer.

Mac's "Half" Birthday

My baby boy is 2 and a half! Since his birthday is Dec. 17th, I decided we needed to celebrate the midpoint in June. Sydney gave him two Cars - Dinoco McQueen and The King. He loves McQueen. I can almost guarantee when you see him he will have a car in his hand. Bart and I gave him a tee and bat. The tee has provided lots of backyard fun.

This little boy has stolen my heart and I just cannot get enough of him.

Guppies

Sydney has had a great time swimming for our neighborhood swim team. They had a meet every Saturday in June. Each swimmer swims freestyle, backstroke, kick board and then they choose their favorite for the medley. Sydney always chose freestyle. After each meet, they got a snack and ribbons with their times for each event.

Wild Dunes with the Ways

They are growing up so fast! At least they get to do it together.

I am still amazed Bart and I had a baby with blue eyes!

I am not sure I would eat the crackers Mac is holding.

The boys entertained themselves with these dump trucks all day.



This was our third year to vacation with the Ways. Our children are the same age and have a blast together. Bart and I grew up going to Florida and Alabama beaches, but the Ways are teaching us all about the South Carolina beaches. The kids had a great time and TJ even did his "starfish" impression!

End of the Year

Sydney had a great year in K4. She was a Palmquist Puppy and loved her sweet teacher. She has grown and learned so much this year. It is hard to believe she will be in kindergarten next year. When I reflect on my time with this little girl, I get a little teary-eyed. She has the kindest heart and such a gentle spirit, yet she is strong and driven. She has never met an acitivity she didn't want to try. Next year she wants to do ballet, violin, soccer, swimteam and I am sure something else. I guess we need to make sure she fits in school! Bart and I look forward to watching her grow into a little lady. We are just trying to soak it all up.