Here are a few of the pictures from our beach photo shoot. I was able to tweak them in PhotoShop, and I ended up feeling pretty good about them.

We have been staying at Wrightsville Beach for the past few days. The kids have been loving the beach and the pool. They are all at a really great age for the beach. Nora loves to just run around and play. She stays pretty close, and entertains herself digging in the sand for quite awhile. Emma and Ian have spent hours making dribble castles with Nana. Ian can entertain himself for hours with just a stick. He has been playing karate for most of the trip. None of them are overly brave, which is nice, so they stay in the shallowest of water. This is a great beach–big wide sandy beach with pretty small waves. It is perfect for kids!

Last night we went to dinner at an outdoor restaurant. The food was mediocre and the service was extremely slow, but the views were fantastic. We went just before sunset and the lighting was amazing. I was dying to take some pictures, but I didn’t have my camera. I decided that I would take the kids out on the beach the next night to take some photos. I scoped out a place just up the beach from our hotel.

We left the beach a little early, got everyone bathed, into their cute new outfits, and off we went. I found an awesome spot. The sand was great, it was a bit elevated, so the ocean was nice in the background, and there was some nice sea oats growing there. Despite the great setting, the whole thing was sort of a flop. We got there a little too early, so the sun was still a little to high in the sky. It was also just over my shoulder so the it was always in the kids eyes. I couldn’t get them to look at the camera because it was so bright. And something was going wrong with the white balance. I am not sure why, but when I zoomed in, the colors came out too red. When I zoomed out with all the same settings the color balance looked fine. I’ll have to do some research and see what I can do next time to improve. By the time the sun was getting to a better place, the kids were totally done. I wish I had another night so we could do it again. At least I learned a few things

I took about 600 photos. So, I’ll have to spend some time going through them. I am sure I can process a few and make them look decent. Hopefully I’ll have some worthy of posting in a few days!

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Today was a really nice day! I finally found a babysitter here that I am happy with. She is a nanny for another family 3 days a week, and she has been great with the kids. I had her come today so that I could go play golf with my mom and dad. The times that the 3 of us get to play golf are few and far between.

We played 18 holes on the North Course. I played from the middle tees. I didn’t play all that well. Playing from the middle tees really puts more stress on my short game–the weakest part of my game. Still I had a fun time playing. I got to try out my new fairway woods. Last week I went over to Pinehurst to get fitted for a new driver. It was so cool to hit balls and see the results on the launch monitor. I could tell that the guy that pro that was fitting me was impressed with me. I made me feel good. It made me feel like I was still a player.

The morning started out cold. But by the middle of the round the sun started to come out, and it turned into a beautiful day. I really enjoyed just being out there. I enjoyed the company of my mom and dad. On the 18th hole, I hit my drive and then walked back to my cart. My dad was sitting there next to the tee. He looked over at me and gave me one of the best compliments I have ever received. He said “Kerry, you are the perfect daughter. If I could have picked from all the daughters out there, I couldn’t have picked anyone better than you.” I could feel my whole face light up as I smiled. It made me feel so good. I had been thinking recently that my dad didn’t compliment me as much as he used to. Before I had kids he was always making me feel good, telling me I looked pretty or that he liked my outfits. Since I had kids he just doesn’t do that like he used to. But this compliment was so much better than any compliment about my looks.

Today I felt really lucky to have my parents. We are so lucky to all have each other. My kids are so lucky to have them so involved with their lives. My mom adores Emma. My dad told me the other day that when they are together they talk to each other like friends. I thought that was so cute. My dad loves to take Ian out onto the golf course. They are golf buddies. Nora is growing and blossoming and I can see her carving out her own little niche. I am really thankful for all the time we are able to share together.

Red Cardinal

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Another Red-bellied Woodpecker

Look at that bee!

Can you tell I am excited about Spring?

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It is raining here again. Blech. It has been raining for the last week. I know that they are in a drought here, and they really need it. I am thankful to be here, and not at home where it is still SNOWING! Still, I am ready for a little more sunshine!

One good thing about the rain is that I have had tons of time to work out. They finished construction of the fitness center here at Forest Creek. It turned out so nice, just like everything else they do here. It is like a regular gym, just a little smaller. I have been wanting to start a cardio program for months, to start to get in shape for mountain biking. I still remember the burning lungs and legs from the beginning of last season. I am trying to avoid that as much as possible!

I have been riding the elliptical trainer about 4-5 times per week. Last week I met with a trainer and had my body fat percentage and BMI tested and had an evaluation. I was really happy with it. I can’t remember the last time I had my body fat tested, but it was surely before I had any kids. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was 18%. I guess all the running and exercising my dad made me do as a kid really did have an effect. He used to say that if we built a base of muscle then, it would benefit us our whole lives. I don’t know if he was right, or if I just have a genetic predisposition to it, but I have been pretty fit my whole life.

The trainer also gave me a strength training routine to start. It is a lot of flexibility and core strenghtening exercises. It uses very simple free weights, so I could really do it anywhere. I did part of it with him the other day, just to get a feel for the different exercises. It didn’t feel very hard, and I didn’t think I was really getting a lot out of it. Today I know that it was working. I am so sore and stiff I can hardly walk My butt and thighs are so sore.

It makes me feel good when I work out. Now I just need to commit to doing it when I get home too, not just on vacation!

I had a great day today. I don’t know if the stars were aligned or what, but all 3 kids were really good. And I tested them mightily today–my mom and I took all 3 kids to the mall!

It has been raining the past few days here. We have mostly been in the house. Yesterday our outing was to Chick-fil-a to have lunch and play in the play place. We thought today might be a good day to go shopping. I kept wondering if it would be fun, or a total disaster, but it really turned out to be fun.

First of all, I have had a lot of shopping success lately. Which is great, because I really needed some summer clothes. It has been a long time since I have really bought anything. Last summer I was still not back to myself after having Nora, everything I bought at the beginning of last summer is too big now. The summer before that I was wearing maternity clothes. I have gone shopping a few times, but I haven’t found anything that I liked. I really needed some shirts, since I am finally back down from a DDD But, I really haven’t liked the styles lately. The baby-doll look just doesn’t suit me. It is great if you are pregnant or want to look like you are wearing maternity clothes, but I have had enough of that.

Last week my mom and I went shopping in Southern Pines, and today I hit the jackpot. I liked almost everything I tried on. Which was great for my wardrobe, but not so great for my wallet I think I should be all set for the summer now. And I can’t wait to wear some of my new outfits on our girls trip to Vegas!

Through all the dressing rooms and clothes browsing the kids were really good. Ian was really mellow. I had a talk with Emma about the proper way to act before we went. But, I could just tell when she got up this morning that she was going to have a good day. She didn’t even have one tantrum. Today I wondered if some of her problem is lack of sleep. I feel like she is getting enough sleep, but I am not really sure. She went to be about 7 pm last night, and she woke up in such a good mood. I’ll have to keep my eye on the sleep/mood relationship.

I felt really happy to be a mom today. I have been really feeling good about the kids, despite Emma’s little phase. Sometimes when I am here in North Carolina I feel like a caged bird and I just really need time away from the kids. This trip, I have had lots of patience despite Emma’s outbursts. I have really been enjoying the kids, instead of just surviving like I sometimes do when we are here. I think I have lost it, I even enjoyed taking 3 kids to the mall!

We were supposed to leave to head back home today. I kept going back and forth over the last few days about whether I should go home, or just stay for a while longer. I kept looking at the Dogwood trees here, and they were beckoning me to stay They are about to bloom any day now. That is the most beautiful time of the year here, and I think that the Dogwoods are my favorite blooming tree. The kids would have missed school today, and then gone to school Tuesday thru Friday. The next week is spring break, so they would have been off school all week. I decided it was worth it to just miss 4 more days and get to stay here for almost 2 weeks.

I think that Emma needs it too. I haven’t written much about it on my blog, but she has been struggling a bit lately. She is just going through normal 6 year old behavior, but it has been difficult for both her and me (and everyone else around her ). A few weeks ago I got a note from her teachers that said that she was having trouble in the classroom. They said that she was being disrespectful to both her teachers and her friends. I went and had a meeting with them to find out what that meant. They said that she has been loud, sassy, and rolls her eyes and shrugs her shoulders when they ask her to do things. Most of the things didn’t surprise me. I think that they are finally seeing the real Emma. Before this they always told me what a perfect student she was–how thrilled they were to have her in the class and what a great friend she was to all the other kids. I think now she just feels comfortable enough with them to let her true self come out–the self that I have seen for a long time.

I know that Emma is strong willed and emotional. She is smart and very opinionated. I have known that about Emma since she was born. She was asserting her will from the time she was 3 months old. She was such a small baby and I was always worried about her weight gain. But, if I tried to nurse her when she wasn’t hungry, look out! There was no way I was going to get her to nurse if she didn’t want to.

I think right now she is just trying to figure out who she is. She is six, and she is starting to assert more independence. She is trying to figure out who she is separate from me, and the rest of the family. She is testing and trying to figure out what is and what isn’t acceptable. Right now, I think the best thing for her is to spend more time with me. That is exactly what we are doing here. We have been playing games, reading, playing at the park, and just running around together. We have had a lot issues with being disrespectful, and a lot of opportunities to talk about it.

I know that things will be fine, and that this is just a phase. But, I am starting to get a glimpse of what it is going to be like to raise a teenager. I am definitely not ready for that yet!

Ahhhh….Spring!

Spring close up

Happy

Silly

Posing…all on his own

We spent the day at the North Carolina Zoological Park today. It was such a nice day here–it was close to 80 degrees. Scott came with us, and this was the first time he has ever been to this zoo. I don’t think he loved it as much as I do, but he still thought it was a great zoo.

I was looking forward to a day outside to get some good pictures. Before we left, I checked my battery, to make sure I had enough juice. It was about 3/4 full, so I figured I was OK. I was trying to cut down on the things I had to carry, so I didn’t bring the camera bag. Well, we got to the zoo, I took about 20 shots, and of course, my battery died. Ugh. When am I going to learn? The extra battery is so small, it would have been so easy to just bring it with me! I was so bummed.

This zoo has two entrances, because it is so big: North America and Africa. The last few times we have been there it was off season, and only the North America entrance was open. Today we went to Africa, so we could see some of the animals that we haven’t seen in a while. Of course, the kids were bummed, because there favorite part of the zoo is the bug playground, which is over by the North America entrance. We walked around and saw the African animals, then we made our way over to the park at the end of the day. I think that was the favorite stop at the zoo. Of course, my camera battery was dead then, so I couldn’t take any photos.

My favorite shot of the day was this one of the Meerkats. I love how you can see the teeth!

It was a fun day. I was even happier to be here when I heard that it is snowing at home!