Let Freedom Ring

How appropriate is it that we would spend American's birthday on some of the colonists' original stomping grounds? Fort King George was built in 1721 by English colonists.

The fort is surrounded by wetlands that we soon learned are filled with alligators. This was of course after I allowed Evan to walk to the water's edge to throw rocks into the water. We almost became an episode of Gator Boys on the Discovery Channel. Keagan said while carrying his oversized wooden musket, "Don't worry, Mom, I can take care of you and hit those gators between the eyes."

The fort is a four story building that was filled with secret doors and hiding places, perfect places to aim a gun or cannon without the enemy even knowing you were there. The boys LOVED it and the elderly just smiled when they came around the corner with guns pointing at them.

They climbed in the rafters, flipped open trapped doors, pretended to battle the enemy, and hiked the nature trail.

We also arrived in time to see the re-enactors fire the cannon over the Altahama River. 

Keagan was taken prisoner by King Evan. He played the part perfectly.

We made our way back to the car, and Keagan gave me a huge hug and said, "Thanks, Mom, a million thanks for bringing me here. This was the best day trip ever!" Eight hours later, he is still thanking me. It might have had something to do with the over sized musket.

 Happy Fourth of July!

Work in Progress

It's 100 degrees and not even noon, but Keagan has a dozen cones set up in the cul-de-sac running basketball drills. He must have stopped me from working on my homework a dozen times, and that easy one hour research critique has now dragged into a three hour ordeal.

"If I mess up, Mom, I have to start the drill all over again."

"Look at my muscles, Mom. I think this means I am gaining weight and strength."

"Mom, don't buy any more Frosted Flakes. It's only Special K for me from now on. I gotta work on eating healthy."

 "Mom, where's my Kindle? I need some good music to keep my energy levels up."

"Score! Now I gotta go to my room to do some sit-ups. I'm a work in progress, Mom, a work in progress."



Wes, you have yourself a work-out partner when you return. Now maybe I can finish that article.

Sailing the High Seas

Last night we took the guys to one of the local islands to dolphin watch.

I think we saw the dorsal fins of six dolphins. That was it. Let's hope our afternoon at the beach is a little more exciting.

Pure Bliss

Our day at the beach was pure bliss. Pure bliss I tell ya! A little soccer. A little football. A little tunnel digging. A little boogey boarding, and a whole lot of soaking up the sun!

Keagan taught Mark how to boogey board and gave him some helpful hints with staying on top of the waves. Mark was gracious enough to accept ever piece of advice - even the kicking instructions.

It has been a long week for this guy. You can see it in his eyes. I took this shot as he spotted a man with a dog walking along the beach. I some how managed to promise a dog once we arrive to our next duty station. He has begged for a dog for almost five years. I have finally concluded a boy needs a dog, and with my timing, almost guarantees an overseas assignment. Europe and a dog? What could make travel any easier?

Our British friends were captivated by the shining sun, white sand, and warm water. Tomorrow we say good-bye to these guys;Keagan is already crying. It has been a wonderful week. Until next summer when we meet again...

Healthy Competition

Soccer camp is in full swing. The boys love it; I love the time to spend on school work sans pleas for ice water and fist fight interventions.

The coach said today, "These two are competitive, aren't they?"

What ever do you mean? It's just a push in the back.:)

We have declared tomorrow a half day of soccer training. The beach is calling our names, and who wants to play soccer in temps hovering around 105 degrees? Even my two have decided to take the day off from soccer to feel the sand between their toes.

Guests, Soccer, and History 101

This week we are hosting two British soccer players who are instructors at a local soccer camp. I now know the meaning of fag (cigarette) and bread roll (sandwich). This experience has  been so great for my boys; they have had so much fun with the guys. Mark and Dan's experience of traveling through the United States reminds me of my own backpacking trip through Europe that I completed when I was just out of college. They love the United States like I love Europe. They want to live in the United States like I want to live in Europe. 

Last night we went to Savannah and toured River Street. 

One of my favorite things to do in the city is stop at the candy store and pick up pralines. The guys would have nothing to do with candy "made of pure sugar with nuts, is it?"

While in Savannah, we took a Ghost Tour through the old city, the downtown cemetery and one of the haunted buildings located on the river. "Haunted"  is the descriptor used by the company that has haunted ghost tours in every city in in the Southeast region of the United States.

I woke up this morning, though, with a row of bruises made from the fingers of one scared little boy.

As we were leaving, I told the guys that people flock to Savannah for the history and architecture. They were dumbfounded because they attend school and live in buildings older than the history of the United States, must less buildings constructed in the 1800s.

It doesn't matter how many times I make the trip to Savannah, though. I love it more with each visit.

Red Sky

Keagan: "Mom, quick! Hurry! I gotta get the camera. I gotta take a picture of somethin' really cool. Look! Isn't that pretty?"

And then he snapped this. I think it's time to get him his own camera.