Grand Cayman Getaway

It has taken us awhile to figure out how to maximize our time while the big kids are away at camp, but we FINALLY figured it out!  This year, while the big kids went to Camp Cosby for 6 nights, we sent Walker to "Camp Mimi," and we hopped on a plane to Grand Cayman Island!  Steve got bumped to first class (which he gave to me), and then got me bumped to comfort class (which he sat in), both of which have movies and cocktails flowing during the whole flight.  Needless to say, we were both feeling good when we landed.

1st Day

We started off heading straight to our place, where we immediately changed into our bathing suits and hit the beach with pina coladas.  We relaxed for awhile, and then hit the swim up pool bar where Steve made new friends and we continued to drink.  We went to bed early our first night, since we were going scuba diving the following morning.

Day two started with the dive company picking us up at 7:30AM. We were definitely tired since we awoke several times due to the roosters crowing way before sunrise. However, we powered through and headed to the yacht club where we loaded up with six other divers and two dive masters.  We had a short boat ride out...the water was SO blue.  We quickly arrived at our first dive spot....a deep wall dive.  We were given our instructions (no deeper than 100 feet), and down we went.  We swam through a small keyhole and then it opened up like in the movie Nemo....a deep drop down and wide open water!  In my head, I only planned to go 60ish feet, so I was surprised how quickly I went down to 92 feet!!  The wall was incredible!  The ocean continued to go deeper, much deeper, but we explored the area and all of the fish along the deep reef wall.  We even had a nurse shark come visit us.  Our next dive was a more shallow reef....where we weren't supposed to deeper than 60 feet.  It was an awesome morning.

Lunch with more chickens

After our dives, we walked to a restaurant and grabbed lunch.  On our way back, we felt a storm brewing in the air so we quickly made it back to our place.  The bottom fell out as soon as we got back, which was perfect because we were exhausted, so we took a nap.  That night we grabbed a delicious dinner, and walked home on the beach.

Day three, we slept in and decided to rent a car so we could explore the rest of the island.  Since the island is so small and there really aren't that many roads, it was very simple to get around.  We hit all of the hot snorkeling spots along the way, and had a great lunch at Kaibo.  We saw tons of starfish, a huge lobster and tons of fish at the three different stops we made (Starfish Point, Spotts Beach and Cemetery Beach).  In addition, we stopped at the infamous blow holes, and had to get a pic.  It was a great day exploring together.

Blow Holes

A phone camera in a bag didn't depict the clarity of the water, 

or the color of the fish and reefs

That night we drove up to the northwest corner of the island (that we had not visited yet and it only took 10 minutes), and grabbed dinner at a place that our divemaster told us about.  We sat outside and watched the storm out over the ocean.  While on the drive back, we noticed the Cayman Turtle Center that we wanted to learn more about.

One of the cool pictures that Steve captured of the lightening over the ocean

Day four, we got up and headed to the turtle center.  We didn't know what to expect, but we both love sea turtles and this place gave us the opportunity to swim with them.  We immediately went to the pond where we could and were so amazed.  We swam with them for a long time, and just couldn't get enough of the experience.  They were all mid sized and perfect.  In addition to the turtles, they have a cayman crocodile, barracuda, a couple of nurse sharks, and other various fish.  Lastly, there is a water slide, pool and a restaurant for those who really want to make a day of it.

Holding baby turtles....another highlight of the day!

"Smiley" the Crocodile

The whole place was awesome and a one of kind experience.  They have a huge breeding pond for the mature green sea turtles alongside of a protected beach where they can lay their eggs.  The trained workers then capture those eggs, label them and watch them closely until they hatch.  They protect the baby turtles, and then eventually they make their way into the various ponds.  When the turtles get to a safe size, they release them back into the wild.  Here are a few more pics of the facilities.

breeding pond and beach

hatchery

the cutest baby turtle (maybe 3 inches long)

postcard perfect caught by Steve outside our place

For our final afternoon and night, we chilled on the beach again (where all of the fun began), caught a beautiful sunset and grabbed a fabulous dinner!  Though our trip was only four nights, it was JUST what we needed.  We reconnected, relaxed and explored....three things that every marriage needs!  Grand Cayman exceeded our expectations.  It was so safe.  The people were kind, and the snorkeling and diving was exceptional!  We will definitely be back, and hopefully in a couple of years with all of the kids.

Homewood Summer Swim

Every summer for the past six years, the kids have been swimming on the Homewood swim team.  It started off slow, with the kids only swimming free and backstroke.  However, they quickly learned how to swim all four strokes legally and even swam year around for five years.  For the first year in a long time, neither kid swam this fall and winter.  We were wondering how they would do this summer after the long break, and if they would slip greatly with their times.

However, Bennett and Preston surprised us and did fantastic at their first three meets (before our summer travels started).  They cut time on individual events, and joined friends to do well with their relays.  They had support from Walker, Mimi, Papa and Uncle Dan - even with rain delays!  Each Tuesday lasted several hours, so Walker was entertained by hanging with friends, coloring, and eating A LOT of food!  We survived though, and here are their best times for the summer 2019!

Noah, Graham, Luke and Pres

Bennett (12 yrs old): 
50 yd free: 36.45
50 yd back: 47.31
50 yd breast: 50.90

Preston (10 yrs old):
50 yd free: 34.18
50 yd back: 41.72
50 yd breast: 48.58
50 yd fly: 41.82

Rain delay with rainbow in the sky!

Though summer swim is only half over, our kids are done swimming meets due to travel and camp.  Preston qualified for senior county, but would need to cut even more time to place there.  Since he will be returning from camp on Saturday, the first day of the meet, we will skip the whole event for the first time in a long time.

It has been a quick and fun summer!  Of course, we love that the kids enjoy participating on the Homewood swim team, but I love even more that they are getting some exercise 4-5 mornings a week and that it is such a good overall conditioning sport.  Even with the 7am practice time, the kids don't complain too much. :)

B, Ella, Katie and Claire - 11-12 relay

Lots of candy!

Mimi and Papa made it to 2 of the 3 meets the kids swam!

Homewood Revolution

Bennett Nix, Pres, Collier Hicks and Luke Serotsky

Every year baseball begins a little earlier.  It used to be that rec ball would start March 1st, and all stars would start at the end of rec season and go into mid June.  However, the last couple of years the all star season has been starting earlier and earlier.  I should have known that would happen since all sports are super competitive around here.  Sadly it is difficult for children to really get to experience a lot of sports because they almost have to play one sport year around to excel enough to make a middle or high school team.

However, Preston seems to be content playing baseball March-June and then part-time Aug-Oct.  His coaches, Quin Snipes and Justin Hicks have certainly taught him skills, and he continues to improve.  Over the past year,

Preston has become a much stronger pitcher, and he continues to play middle infield (predominantly shortstop, but sometimes 2nd and 3rd).  He loves the sport and some of his closest friends are on his team with him.  

He has loved playing on the Homewood Revolution the past two years.  They certainly have some talent, but their team's talent isn't quite deep enough to excel tremendously in tournaments.

We will see how Preston's future in baseball turns out, but here are some pictures from the past spring/summer season with his team.

Little brothers have fun playing together during all of the games (Bowen Nix)

Pres and Steve on Father's Day (the last day of summer ball)

Happy 12th Birthday Bennett!

A selfie I found on my phone of B which I adore!

So our first born just continues to get older, and more beautiful before our eyes.  This year her birthday fell on the last day of school, which wasn't very exciting for her.  We tried to find a date that worked for friends, but she hadn't been feeling well the whole last week of school, and then many friends left immediately for vacations.  We ended up having a low-key celebration at Taco Mama as a family and with her bestie, Ada McElroy.

Our plan was to postpone her celebration until mid June when folks were back in town, and things were a little less hectic.  She asked to have a sleepover with a handful of her friends.  Thankfully her friends are super easy, so I accommodated.  We ordered pizza for them, they watched movies and

presents and donuts are 2 of B's favorite things

talked until late, and then we went to Waffle House for breakfast.  Afterwards, I dropped them off at Target so they could walk around and shop.  These 12 year olds are just growing up and turning into mini teenagers.

Bennett continues to be a responsible, caring friend/daughter/sibling with a tad of attitude and lots of sarcasm.  She worked her butt off all 6th grade, and did great with all A's and only two B's all year!  She made show choir and peer helpers, and I look forward to watching her blossom even more this next year.  We love you B and hope you have a terrific 12th year!!

homemade cookies for the bday girl!

Bennett and Ada McElroy

Annie McBride, Ella Serotsky, Ada and Bennett

4th Grade Wax Musuem

Pres as Andrew Jackson - serious on purpose

As if the end of the school year isn't busy enough, Shades Cahaba decided to hold the 4th grade wax museum the week before school lets out (insert eye roll).  Thankfully Preston didn't get a very difficult person that he had to dress up like, Andrew Jackson.  We did our best with the costume, and Preston stayed in character when I came to walk through, even though he wasn't supposed to break character and talk or move.

Miss Lyon's class all dressed up!

Walker is Kindergarten Bound

August 2018 - 1st Day of Yellow Door

In some ways time flies by, and in other ways....time crawls.  There is no doubt that our time with Walker over the past five and a half years has gone by in a blink of an eye.  He was our easiest and happiest baby by far.  He was the one that we could pass around at dinner parties, the one that slept through the night at 8 weeks and the one that began walking at 10 months old.  It was at that time though that things shifted, when our easy, happy baby became a busy, wild toddler.  Then he became a needing-to-be heard, loud and crazy bigger toddler.

Going to preschool five days a week was exactly what this mom needed!  He thrived, started talking, started dancing and loved every minute of it.  Those 3.5 years at All Saints Preschool went by super quickly!  This past year in yellow door with Paula and Michele has been great.  He colored, created works of art, played outside with friends, did imaginary play, got read to often, sang songs, learned about Jesus and was kept safe!  Thank you for an end of an era!

Kindergarten Preview - May 2019

Class of 2032 - WHAT???

Before graduation

Receiving his diploma

Recession after graduation, smirking

So proud of our boss baby

Brothers (Bennett couldn't miss school)

Last day of 4K Preschool at All Saints

Now Walker is kindergarten bound!  He attended kindergarten preview last week at SCE, and is excited about starting a new chapter.  One that includes making new friends, going to school all day and learning how to read!  I am so excited to watch this one grow, and become a big boy!  Here he comes Shades Cahaba.....watch out!!