Walkin' Through the Forest

Yesterday we headed to an under 10 tennis tournament. The kids' coach thought it would be good for them to see kids their age playing. I tried to find information about the tournament online, but there wasn't much. I did find something that said it was all day. We got there at about 11:00 a.m. only to find that it didn't start until 4:00 p.m. We didn't want to waste the drive, so we decided to head to Congaree National Forest, which wasn't far from where we were. It's one of our favorite places to visit.

We had to buy some bug spray from the ranger's station, but then we were set. The park is so beautiful and it's different every time we go. You never know what the water level will be and that impacts everything else. It was an awesome walk because we saw some animals we'd never seen in the wild before.

Hawk

Look for fairies.

Wild boar babies

And their daddy

The swamp always makes me think of the Swamp Fox and the Revolutionary War. I also think of the maroon groups of escaped slaves that hid out in the swamps where they couldn't be found. It amazes me to think that I'm walking where they may have walked.

It turned into an awesome day.

I Love Summer

I love summer. I love sleeping in. I love having Baylie back home all day. I love not having a schedule. I love days like today that are warm, but with a breeze that keeps it comfy. I try to find fun things for the kids to do, but I don't feel pressure to do something every day. Yesterday, the kids spent the entire day in their pajamas. They never even went outside! (It was a scorcher!) I do make my kids do school work Monday - Thursday. Baylie actually enjoys it. Jalen, not so much.

One of the coolest things in Columbia is the Marionette Theater. Today we went to the local library to see them put on Cinderella. It was awesome.

Cinderella, her stepmother and her stepsisters: Mylanta and Pepto.

Cinderella and her fairy godmother...

...and the godmother's "magic Juan."

Prince and the Duke

Dancing with the Prince

Cinderella and the Princess

After the library, we headed to the park to ride bikes. Then we went to Chick-fil-A to cash in the ice cream coupons the kids earned for their first week in the summer reading program. I didn't take any pictures.

Next we headed to USC to take some pictures for David's graduation announcement. It reminded me of how much I love that campus. It's so beautiful and it's been around almost as long as this country. I'm so glad David was able to go to school here.

Our lives are so crazy right now. We need to move in a month or so, but we don't know where to go. Do we go to Utah? Do we stay here? Should we have moved back into our home in Houston (set to close on June 26)? Regardless of where we go, no one will rent to us without proof of employment, so what if we don't have a job by the time we have to move out? We're trying to have faith that everything will work out, but as each day passes, it's a little bit harder.

Storyfest

On Saturday, we went to Storyfest at the State Museum. We went a couple of years ago and it was fun. This year was good, but not as good as last time. The best part is we get free hardback books and library bags. Authors are also there to sign the books, but we didn't wait for that.

The theme this time was "Every Hero Has a Story." The kids made super hero shields and masks.

Then they did face painting.

After Jalen saw Baylie's, he was sorry he didn't go for a full-face option.

As a promotion with the Storyfest, they offered a $5 entrance into the 4-D theater and a robotic spider exhibit. The kids were terrified of the 4-D Ice Age movie and Jalen even cried. Total fail. (David and I liked it.) The robotic exhibit was really cool.

Black Widow

Cricket

Preying Mantis

Beetle Battle

After Storyfest, we went to Saluda Shoals Splash Pad for a birthday party. Within seconds, the face painting was history. We had fun at the splash pad though. I didn't take any pictures.

That night we went to a wedding reception for the daughter of some good friends. It was a busy and very fun day.

Field Day and Mud Run

Last Friday was Baylie's Field Day. I volunteered to help out, which meant that Jalen got to go too. They both had a blast. It was a really fun day. I couldn't post too many pictures because I don't like to put up pictures of other people's children without their permission.

On Saturday, we went to a community mud run for children. It was definitely muddy! So much fun. (Although I have to confess that I was glad I was watching and not participating.)

I love South Carolina.

Dr. David

Today was a huge day at the Batchelor Pad. David defended his dissertation. This was the culmination of 14 years of study and incredibly hard work. It has comprised the almost 13 years of our marriage.

The kids and I dropped David off about an hour before the defense was to start and then I took them to the big downtown library. We hadn't been there for over a year and the kids walked in like they had arrived at Disneyland. The librarians remembered them and it was wonderful to be back.

Outside the School of Music the week we moved to Columbia.

Meanwhile, David learned that he had overlooked an e-mail attachment that had feedback from one of his professors. The professor thought David had just ignored his comments. Not a great beginning. Fortunately, David was able to explain what had happened and all was well. The professors all signed off on the paper and David just has to make some minor revisions by Monday. But for all intents and purposes - he is done! Graduation is in August, so he won't get hooded until then. Maybe it will feel more real then because now it just feels weird.

Outside the School of Music today.

It's hard to believe how much our family has changed in the time we have been here. It really came home today when I saw pictures of our kids taken the same day as the picture of David in front of the School of Music. Our kids have truly grown up here in Columbia.

Time has truly flown by.

And the adventure continues.