Family Reunion

June started with the boys and I traveling down to North Carolina with my parents for a Stephanides family reunion.  My aunt had planned a wonderful time all together and it was so good to see all my cousins and aunts and uncles.  The boys soaked in all the attention, instigation and sugar that are offered by the Greeks in abundance!

Friday morning we took a walk towards Morganton's quaint downtown and then we went and had lunch at Nana's community dining room.  During down time, my cousin Marcus introduced the boys to a really unique playground with lots of climbing and balancing activities and then I took them to swim.

On Saturday everyone went to play paddle-ball, which we all enjoyed learning.  Some serious tennis players in our group got competitive while the rest of us were thrilled with a volley that lasted more than two shots.  We had big plans that evening with a trolley taking us to a vineyard with a beautiful view of the mountains and then to a restaurant for dinner.

 

Marcus and Eli

But... prior to dinner "Big Marcus" was able to finagle getting some of our group up onto a local ropes course (that he help build) for a free-fall jump, the group included Eli!  He was fearless and was undeterred when the young girl just in front of him was unable to overcome her fear to jump.  I kept thinking that he would hear the nerves or hesitation in someone's voice and start thinking that he should be afraid, but that was not the case.  At the final moment when he was cleared to jump, he turned his head and closed his eyes and leapt!  I was so very proud of him and thrilled for him to have the opportunity to try something like this.  I would much rather the boys catch Big-Marcus' love of adventure and not his love of snakes.

Eli with my cousins Tal and Derek

Eli had to walk across this bridge to get to the platform where they did the free-fall jump. 
(Look how high above his head his arms were to reach the ropes!!)

Walking the Bridge from Marcia Miller on Vimeo.



Eli's Jump 2 from Marcia Miller on Vimeo.




Eli's Jump from Marcia Miller on Vimeo.

Proud mama

Guitar recital

During Marcus' celebration, Zach and Eli also performed a couple of songs that they had been practicing with Yia yia for a small, informal recital.  Plus, I had more pictures from the party that I wanted to share.  (Remember, to view the video you have to go to the website- not through the email.)


Guitar Recital-"I'm a Believer" from Marcia Miller on Vimeo.

One Crazy Knight

This unique and fiercely determined child of ours (my baby!) turned 5 years old.  Time is flying...blah, blah, blah....but it really is!  Marcus remains true to the spirit of his namesake and he is both a joy and a struggle daily.  We are so proud of him and his little, funny 5-year-old self.

 

No-baseball Spring

This year for the first time we have not participated in little league baseball.  The stars all aligned for a sports-free season and it will probably not happen again for 13 years, but we have thoroughly enjoyed the lighter schedule while Steve prepares for camp.  Thankfully we still have plenty of opportunities to play America's favorite past time.  Every nice evening a game or 'high-pops' takes place in our yard and a homeschool dad volunteered his time to organize a pick-up game with whomever shows up on Thursday afternoons. 

OC Kite Festival

With all of our free time we managed to sneak up to Lancaster for two visits.  One was a proper visit and one was a quick stop over while we attended our niece, Heather's wedding.  Somehow we always manage to squeeze in plenty of fun when the Caslers are involved.

 

8wheels

This spring we found out about a church nearby that offers roller skating in their rec hall on Friday nights.  We've only been able to go twice before they stop the event for the summer, but the boys have had a lot of falls and fun learning to skate.  The last time we went even the big boy dusted off his skills for a couple of turns around the 'rink'.  I walked Marcus around and around about a hundred times instead of showing everyone up with my grace and athleticism on skates.

Fingers Crossed

Over the weekend, I called Zach upstairs by himself to talk with me.  After I called him, he turned to Steve and said,

"Sometimes this can be a good thing and sometimes not.  You just have to cross your fingers and hope for the best."

More catching up

 

Apparently after a certain age it becomes harder and harder to keep up with the pictures and stories and the chronicling of our lives.  Here I am again, months later trying to capture in one succinct entry our lives since the fall.  We are rapidly approaching the end of another successful school year.  This one has been the most challenging for me and I look forward to its conclusion.  

Our year highlights (besides Disney) included: 

A couple of visits with the Caslers (and one with Steve Del!) 

Zach turned 10....

Our first ever "Rude Noise Night" (unfortunately exactly what it sounds like--pun intended!)

A successful first year of DI (Destination Imagination)

Plenty of great field trips with our co-op and some on our own (A Year with Frog and Toad and BSO's The Snowman)

We listened to all the Narnia books and watched the movies--sword fighting is now a constant in our lives.

And otherwise everyone seems to be growing and making noise at an alarming rate!