All about spelling

I found this great spelling curriculum last year that claims to work wonders with any age children. Noah and Nim are both working through the first section now. We totally love it and notice how much it is helping already.

Nim and I were working on it this morning and there was just something about the board and Nim and her tie-dye shirt that just looked so sweet. Oh, and also the sunlight streaming through the windows was quite special after days and days of some of the most intense rain I have seen, ever. My favorite picture (at the end) captures what a little girl came up with while I paused our lesson to take a work-related phone call. Notice the perfect spelling!

Gone fishin

The big news from the mountains of North Carolina is the rain. Buckets and buckets and rain have been falling for days and days. And it is getting old. David was watching football yesterday and I found myself trying to soak up some vitamin D through the high definition television. Before it started raining last week, David and Noah picked up fishing permits and started looking for some fishing holes. They have had some catches....nothing that has made it to the dinner table...but they are really enjoying themselves. Now they are waiting for the rain to stop and the rivers to settle back into their banks so they can get back out there!

Working from home

This time of year I am working working working. It is easier to go to work during the day and then bring work home for after the kids have gone to bed and stolen moments during the weekend then to just be at the office more. There are definite downsides to bringing work home; lugging my computer and notebooks to and from the office, forgetting a vital piece of info or technology (i.e. power cord) either at home or at work, etc. But there are also perks; Nimmy loves to help staple and stamp and affix labels, only being away from the home front 25-30 hours per week, and kitties that love to curl up in a file box just to bring a smile to my heart.

....quick wisdom tooth update....
I had oral surgery on Friday morning. Meredith hung out with the girls so David could take me in. I walked out of the office with a large credit card bill and holes where 4 teeth used to live, and might I mention, have been causing me great pain for years and excruciating pain for the last few weeks. I am healing well, living on liquids, loving ice packs, and so far, not swelling up like a chipmunk.And for all that, I am thankful.

Family Vacation on Edisto Island

The Five Carmonas on wheels.

Cheers to vacation!

Sweet sisters keeping one another cozy and warm.

Beautiful water, beautiful sunset.

Smiley cheeks.

Gita brought a paper bag full of her stuff to the beach and asked,
"Can I just sit down over there and write for awhile?"

Daddy and Gita walking onto the beach for more fun in the sun.

Nimmy taking a little rest on the bamboo beach mat she found.

Noah with his new surf fishing pole and his first catch.
The fish did not make it to the dinner table.

Coolness.