Shark Week Hoo Ha Ha

The South Carolina Aquarium is a must for shark week.  We invited our new buddy and birthday girl, Sammy, to come along for a day of terrifying fun! 

Today a Reader Tomorrow a Leader

Currier and Rya were both awarded the South Carolina Reading Medal this morning for completing the summer reading program at the Mount Pleasant Library.  I'm so proud of my little readers!

Staying in Touch with Sicily

One of my closest friends from Sicily, Meagan, came for a weekend visit.  She's stationed in Virginia Beach now and also has a new addition to her family. 

Currier and Rya fell in love with Charlie and fought over who got to play with him, take care of him, hold his hand, etc. 

Meagan also brought her Sicilian dog, Jack, to see his BFF Paolo (*Notice how even Italian dogs kiss on both cheeks!?) but don't let this picture fool you.  It's been nearly five years since they've seen each other and Paolo's injury makes him a little grumpy so they didn't always get along during the visit. 

We took the kids to an interactive dinosaur exhibit in North Charleston and then Megs and I had our fun by ordering cocktails at lunch. 

And the cocktails continued into the night and there may or may not have been a disco ball and dancing!

Loony Lemurs

The aquarium just got a new lemur exhibit and we spent a good hour watching those crazy creatures.  The exhibit features a tunnel that leads into the enclosure for an up close and personal encounter.  It's really a must see!   

Second Seizure

Currier had another seizure this morning.  I was unloading the dishwasher and Currier was standing at the kitchen counter playing a game on my phone.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw him falling backwards and smack the floor.  He was unconscious for a few minutes.  I was screaming, "WAKE UP!  PLEASE WAKE UP" while his eyes rolled into his head and he convulsed.  It was terrifying!  When he came to I carried him to my bed and he immediately lost control of everything leaving a lovely trail of vomit, piss and shit from the kitchen to my bedroom.  After an examination, the doctor said that there was no neurological damage and it appears to have been a febrile seizure.  The whole experience was exhausting! 

Children's Museum

We met Rya's best friend, Riley, and her mom, Margaret, at the Lowcountry Children's Museum for a day of fun.  Don't let this picture fool you.  A few minutes later Rya kicked Currier in the nuts and Currier called Rya a skank.    

 

On the way to the car the kids had some impromptu playtime in this fountain.  While Margaret and I were chatting we glanced over to see Rya squatting down to pee in the middle of the fountain with hysterical onlookers.  Proud mom moment! 

Nacho Libre?

I heard a ruckus on the back deck and found a very out of breath Mexican wrestler named Paolo. 

Twisted Sister

Currier gave Rya a little make over while I lazily slept in. I'll take my mother of the year award now.

Ham

"Mama watch me!  Watch me!  Look at me!  Mama watch this!" 

Sarah & Sherri

My cousin Sherri and her friend Sarah came for a week visit.

 

We celebrated the 4th of July at our annual cul-de-sac party with sack races, egg tossing and good old fashioned fun.

 

Sherri and Sarah graciously watched the kids one evening so Trent and I could have a much needed date night downtown.

The kids fell in love with their cousin Sherri! 

 

We ended their visit with a bang at Splash Island. We're already begging them to come back again soon!  

No Pain No Gain

I've been going to physical therapy several times a week for achilles tendinitis and planters fasciitis.  These have been ailments that have nagged me for a long time but now all this running is just aggravating it.  After thirty minutes of stretching, they do therapeutic ultrasound, acupuncture cupping and massaging and then I'm like new again until my next long run.  

An ice pack has become my #1 fashion accessory these days!   

Papa & PJ

My dad and brother came to visit for a week.  We made several trips for ice cream. 

We spent a day at the Isle of Palms swimming in the warm sea and getting too much sun. 

We treated ourselves to a little pampering at Shealy Skin Spa! 

We went on a Charleston Harbor Cruise and sweat our balls off. 

 

And Uncle PJ kindly painted Rya's room purple for her.  It was a good week!