Lake Days

I hope my boys grow up knowing how great they've got it.

No, seriously. In addition to praying that they will love the Lord their God with all of their hearts, souls, and minds, I pray DAILY that they will have grateful hearts that are ever aware of how fortunate they are.

One way that good fortune shows up is in their grandparents' lakehouse. I hope Jones and Freddie are always cognizant and thankful for the fact that they have instant, easy access to one of the most beautiful places on the planet vis a vis their grandparents' cabin on Lake Chatuge.

We were back out this weekend. Trips there are getting more and more fun - and not just because we aren't required to lug so much baby gear anymore. These days, the boys want to be on the boat and swim almost all day long, which is AWESOME. I love that they are growing up on the lake, just the way their daddy did, and I am grateful beyond belief to be along for the ride.

Here are some highlights of our latest trip:

1) probably my favorite moment came Sunday morning. As we pulled into Mt. Pleasant Baptist, Freddie said, "my wake church!" I am so thankful that he feels so at home there. To be honest, without Mt. Pleasant, we couldn't spend so many weekends at the lake, because we wouldn't want the boys to miss that much church, so I am SO glad Freddie feels a part of our home church away from our home church.

2) We gave Freddie his Zurg costume a few weeks ago. Though I know he may change his mind between now and Halloween, I was able to get a really cute one on eBay, so I figured I'd better seize the day, knowing even if he decides to be something else on October 31, he can still play as Zurg. So we got Jones a Buzz costume thinking the same thing. We gave it to him out at the lake, and it was a BIG hit.

They immediately played together as Buzz and Zurg - Jones even throwing in some quotes from "Toy Story 2" (a la "NOT TODAY, ZURG!")

At one point, Freddie put on the Buzz costume, and, later, just the helmet. When he it took, he explained, "It's me, Guys. It's me." As if we were concerned.

3) On one of our boat rides, I said to Jones, "I like to ride boats, don't you?" He answered, "Yes," adding as he patted the table where he sat, "But especially this one. This Pop's."

4) Since Freddie's first summer, the boys really haven't gone swimming in the lake - mostly because they could've cared less about it. After this past weekend, though, I think they may prefer jumping off the boat to riding in it. We went over to Aunt Nancy and Uncle Ronnie's dock, because it's on deep water. I forgot a swim diaper, so Freddie's standard-issue Huggie was exploding as diapers do when they get very, very wet all at once. I took it off, figuring we'd just risk a little pee in the lake water. 

Well, I quickly saw that PEE wasn't going to be the problem. Diaperless, he stood on the back of the boat, wearing nothing but his "sippin' soup" and a strained face. I tried to stop him (though I have NO idea what I'd have done if I'd been able to). It was too late. A big, giant, you-know-what fell out onto the back of the boat.

Awesome.

(This is disgusting, I know, but it's one of those stories that, since I have boys, I know will be a favorite when they get bigger, and so I save it for that fact alone.)

Also, Freddie was so proud of himself for jumping into the water that he mimicked the whole thing in the tub Saturday nite.

5) That nite, Nana made one of her delicious dinners. It included a pie made with fresh peaches. BOTH boys, upon seeing the finished pie on the counter said, "Chicken pie!" That's their favorite thing their Nana makes. When she told them it was peach pie, Jones started calling it, "Peach Brown Pie-ay-ay!"

I think we should call it that forever now. 

6) Finally, I am in love with the way Freddie calls his "swimming suit" his "sippin' soup."

This is how they always start off. Freddie, of course,
MUST drive, which is fine, because Jones prefers
to be the look-out. Mrs. Pressley says Jeremy
used to be the same way, loving to watch the water.

At least, he washed his hands ...
I guess.