Dr. Jekyll--Mr Hyde

These pictures, taken only a few seconds apart, are pretty accurate in depicting Max's temperament. Thankfully we get much more Dr. Jekyll than Mr. Hyde.

Happy 4th of AUGUST

Well, it looks like we signed up for the monthly plan here. Our last blog post was for 4th of July so I thought the 4th of August would be just about the right time to post again. Actually I have found that despite the fact that I think my kids are cute and I like to take lots of pictures I am a pretty bad blogger. I think the combination of my procrastination and feeling like I don't have anything important enough to share with the world---or the three people who regularly check our blog-- (Hi mom!) make me a pretty weak member of the blogging world.

However, as I was thinking about this past month and seeing that I had not recorded anything to look back on and enjoy when my kids are all grown up and gone, I decided to try to be a better poster even if it's just for me to have something to look back on. Forgive me in advance for the unblogworthy posts that may soon follow.

Happy 4th of July

We had great 4th of July this weekend (Sam says the best!) with our friends the Bywaters and Elletts.

The fun started with a festive 4th of July bike parade around the cul-de-sac




After some good food and outside play time the kids preformed a quick Independence Day skit so we could all be reminded of some of our American Heroes. Reed played a distinguished George
Washington (yes--that is a yarn ponytail), Sophia a lovely Betsy Ross and Liam a brave American solider. The kids were so cute. I wish I had the whole thing on video. I might have to have Reed get dressed up again so I can get his part recorded at least.



What would the 4th of July be without fireworks....




and some silly string!!!

Just a little advice...

Tonight during Reed's bedtime routine I asked him to go "pretend" to go to the bathroom since he claimed he didn't have to go. He agreed to, but as he headed to the bathroom he turned around and said, "Let me just give you a little advice mom. If I just pretend to go to the bathroom then I don't have to flush or wash my hands." I couldn't help but laugh. Where does he get this? I really don't think I give "advice" too often.

As I type this I can hear Reed climbing out of his bed and whispering something about giving me some advice on how the locks on his door work. I think I better go give him some advice...

OBX

Last Sunday we returned from a wonderful week at the Outer Banks with the entire 37 member Dickson family. It was hands down the most relaxing vacation we have ever been on. It was great to visit with family, hang out at the pool and beach and have absolutely nothing to do. Having so much time to do nothing took some getting used to at first, but I guess my delay in posting these pictures proves I'm a pro at laziness now.

My little golfers on the indoor putting green at the house.




By the end of the week Max warmed up to the waves.


Reed loved to be with Bailey.


Climbing up the steps to the top of the Currituck Lighthouse.


Reed was not nearly as nervous as I was being at that height.


Reed spent much of his time running around with Toby and Ben. He was in heaven...


Ready for take off...


Sam and Reed at the Wright Brothers monument.


Wilbur and Reed.


Sam took Reed out on our last morning to see the crabs, but this was as close as Reed was willing to get. It was pretty cool to see them all over the place.


I'm pretty sure most of the kids spent more time in the pool than they did sleeping on this trip.


The good news is that after all that time in the water Reed's swimming improved a ton and he was willing to jump in and swim the width of the pool by the end of our week.

Maui

We got back from Maui a week ago and had a fantastic time, but we had too many pictures for just one post, so we decided to break it up.

Iao Needle

One of our first activities on Maui was a hike to see the Iao Needle. Lindsay had confused this with another hike she had considered so we were pleasantly surprised when what we thought would be a two mile hike turned out to be not much more than 200 yards. I can definitely carry Max 200 yards.


We wanted to get him down from there but we couldn't find any arrows or stones. We probably would have missed him anyway.


At the end of the hike we found these three monkeys.