Kiawah Turtle Release - June 18, 2013

     Everyone should have a friend like my friend Karen.  Monday night she calls and tells me that there would be a turtle release on Kiawah the next morning.  I was able to rearrange a meeting with my new teaching partner, and I loaded the kids (and my mom) in the car and headed out for the 2.5 hour drive.

   We got there as soon as the park opened up.  I was THRILLED to go to this beach.  It was absolutely gorgeous, and with lifeguards (necessary for my family because of rip currents). Our Charleston area islands have a tradition of the "turtle ladies."  These women (I'm sure there are men too) walk the beaches on the coast everyday to look for new turtle nests, mark them, and supervise their hatchings.  They remind beach front owners to keep porch lights off in the summer (it confuses the new hatchlings) and their overall goal is conservation and education.  If I lived down there I would thoroughly join their group every summer.  Their goal is to make sure everyone leaves the big girls alone as they lay their eggs, and not bother nests, so that populations of these turtles will increase.

 

      While the ladies set up, we staked out our spot on the line with our chairs and then went to explore a little.  This release had been well publicized so a lot of people were expected. We were excited to find a starfish....

 

 which we all took a turn holding until we tried to toss him back into the ocean.

  

We also found a critter in his shell - which not everyone wanted to touch.

     We walked around and found out they were releasing one loggerhead turtle and seven Kemps Ridley turtles.  The Charleston Aquarium has a wonderful sea turtle hospital, and all of these turtles had been rehabilitated and were ready to go back to being wild.

 

More info on the Turtle Hospital

 

Close to the release, folks really started lining up.  The ladies had created barrier lines and the crowd lined that runway for a good look. 

 

Even though the tide was coming in, some stood in the surf for a good look, while respectfully keep their distance. 

     First up was the loggerhead.  As soon as they put him down he knew exactly where he anted to be.  They did stop him for a minute for pictures....

 

but then let him go.  He was not visible for long. 

 

With the Kemp's they had turtle ladies bring them down two at a time. One lady would walk one side of the line, and the other would cover the folks on the far side.  Kids were brought in from the crowd to carry signs with the turtle's name on it.  These 7 were caught up north when the water was too cold, so they were brought down here to get back in shape. 

 

 The ladies were great about answering questions and really letting people see the turtles without it being too invasive to the animal.  They also stood by and followed the turtle out a bit so that it wouldn't accidentally swim into the folks standing in the water.  People down here are well versed in how to behave.  It was such a great opportunity for my girls  to see two different kinds of turtles from the green turtles we saw in Hawaii last summer, and learn a bit about conservation.  At some point I'm going to have to bring the kids back to this beach this summer and get in some more ocean time. 

Paddle Fest - June 15, 2013

     It is absolutely no secret that I make time for a good paddle on the river.  I love the serenity and nature, and with Paddle Fest it also supported a good cause.  My kayak buddy Karen wasn't able to go on June 15th so I brought......

     those two.  

     Big Al went kayaking with her girl scout troop when she was about 12, but she was so tiny, and the Charleston harbor was so choppy that she really did not have the strength to hold her own.  At 16 I figured she should be fine, although she wasn't so sure..... so she invited "M" along - misery loves company, right?  This was a paddle to benefit a boy's home down in the Pee Dee area of our state.  They take in young men who need counseling and education to combat abuse or neglect in their lives.  It was about a 6 mile paddle so it was pretty easy. 

     We were in the water with a bunch of folks and kids (and a lot of new-to-kayaking folks). Once I let go of people paddling wrong and let them figure it out then I relaxed and just enjoyed. 

     Big Al was excited when a dragonfly landed on her boat and hitched a ride. We didn't see a lot of birds on this trip - one green heron, probably because of all the people chatting and having fun. 

     The girls quickly learned to relax and sunbathe (their life jackets are immediately behind them on the kayak).

We had a lot of dragonflies landing on us,

as well as a bunch of little fish camps to enjoy along the way.  Halfway through they had a checkpoint where they handed out watermelon and bottled water. Once we arrived we were able to enjoy a free lunch (and the girls were excited to find a "swag bag") and bluegrass music.  This is a great event, and I'll definitely participate next year if we're in town. 

Cousins from PA

 

     I don't have a lot of pictures from this night because Brian was still in TX, and had the big camera.... BUT we had our cousins from PA come through on their way to Florida.  We're a solid 10-11 hour drive from them, but a good stopping point close to the interstate for all of the family up there (hint, hint).



     Joe, Pam and their girls were able to come to dinner. My mom, and sister also came over and we all spent the evening catching up.  I loved watching my 4 girls, and his three girls all pair up and hang out.  I think it was a great time for all of them. 

     By the end of the evening they were all great friends again, and wishing they could play and chat longer. Next time they come through I hope they stay again!

Karl and Jessica's wedding

     Brian's youngest brother Karl was having his wedding on June 8th.   With all of our graduations, and the end of school we just could not drive to Texas with all of us to participate so we sent Brian out.  He was able to make it to the festivities and spend some much needed time with his Dad and family.

 

     Karl, Barry and Brian.  We spent time last year with Barry and his family in Hawaii so it was nice for Brian to hang out with Karl. It has been too many years since we've seen him.

  

     Yes, my husband is hugging the vat of wine.  He loves a good red wine, and is always willing to take time out to visit a winery.

 

 Barry, Brian, Karl and Katherine are all siblings on Brian's dad's side.  I love that they all took the time to come together.

  

 Here is our nephew walking Dorothy down the aisle.

  

 Karl waiting for the ceremony to get moving....

 

 

Our nephew "J" and niece "D"

 

Barry and Rachel's super great family (although one niece was unable to make it too).

 

Karl and Jessica coming into the reception

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Cutting the gorgeous cake.

 

Karl dancing with his mom Dorothy.  I love this picture. 

 

And they lived happily ever after.

Best wishes to Karl and Jessica (and a reminder that we are just a short plane ride away!)

Fifth Grade Graduation - June 5, 2013

     Another major milestone this week as Blondie walked across the stage for her elementary school graduation.  I am very proud of her accomplishments this year.  She was moved from her school for 2-4th grade back to our neighborhood school for 5th grade.  We did this for a couple reasons: 1.) She got into our STEMS magnet and I thought it would be good for her to meet up with kids she would head to middle school with, 2.) She needed to see what a typical school load was like without the group accommodations of her other magnet - one that caters to kids who learn differently and 3.) She would be in my math/science classroom so I would get a chance to see how she learns.



     She did fairly well this school year and rolled with all of the changes.  She showed me many things about how she learns, and most importantly, made a lot of good friends.  The kids in the two classes that made up her grade level for the magnet were tremendously inclusive with her.  Once everyone realized that she was treated like everyone else (or harder, in her opinion) they just got to know her.  She went to many birthday parties, sleepovers, and of course the big manatee trip. 

**Sorry about the eye glare, I couldn't get it to fix in photoshop - I'll have to have Brian do it** We found our places for difficulty, but the positives for this year really outweighed the negative.

     Next year she will be at the middle school version of our STEM magnet with many of the same kids and a bunch of new ones (we take 44, they take 80ish).  She is looking forward to summer, but also to hanging out with her friends. 

Eighth Grade Graduation - June 4, 2013

     T-Rex finished up 8th grade with her magnet group and a big week of celebrations.  This is a super magnet program for gifted kids in our district.  The teachers do a tremendous job with the kids and as many are retiring, I know they will be missed.  

 

     Their graduation celebration was just for students within their magnet (as opposed to the whole 8th grade). They have all of the teachers (about 12) from 6th- 8th grade come.  They present memories by grade level to the kids.  What I love about this ceremony is that students also give speeches, play music (a WIDE variety) and read their poetry.  It is very student oriented and not the typical stuffy shirt type of ceremony.

 

     After the ceremony T-Rex and I headed over to the reception while the others went home.  She spent time chatting with teachers and friends. 

     Thursday they have a dance with their group of kids and on Friday they participate in the school-wide ceremony.  THEN THEY ARE FINISHED and off to high school.  I am VERY thankful that T-Rex's friends are mostly going to her high school so she starts off with a great group of friends to hang out with. 

Spring Sports Awards Night

I know.... forever since posting.  I intend to, I really do.... just really busy with everything (especially busy with all of those things I should be documenting).

Big Al switched her cheer shoes for soccer cleats this spring.  She was a "tweener" (someone who plays for both JV and Varsity teams) for the girls' team.  She really enjoyed getting back into the sport 

This past week was difficult with the death of a player on the boy's team.  All of the players on both teams wore t-shirts tonight showing their support for the family. 

Here they all are.  I have to say I kind of watched everything from a distance this season, pitching in where I could.  I am so impressed with how hard these kids and parents work to have a successful season.  

Al and her friend "H".

Here she is receiving her academic pin. 

We were completely surprised that she lettered in soccer.  We figured she just hadn't played enough, but apparently the coaches saw things differently. Here she is with "H.E." and one of her coaches. 

And..... here is my troublemaker breaking the easy rules. I'm very proud of her, and promise to document all of the other big events coming up this week.