The Dupree Family: this week…and last…{from my phone}

It was a hectic two weeks {I feel like I say that every time} but full of fun! We’re heading into our last stretch of ‘scheduled summer’ before we enjoy a couple of unscheduled weeks just before school starts back, so we’re cramming things in!

We enjoyed the tail end of our July 4th beach trip with even more boogie boardin’. By the end of the week the kids were pros and didn’t even need our help strapping on the wristband. And Watson, who couldn’t quite carry the board, got his ‘walk backwards and drag it to the water’ method down pat. Boland continued to practice his snacking techniques. He’s good, y’all. Real good. Daddy and the kids jumped many a wave. Hard to believe this is our last summer as a family of 5, and while baby #4 won’t exactly be jumping waves next year, he or she will be crawling through the surf with his or her brothers and sister. We visited our beloved Kirk’s yet again. Chocolate peanut buttercup for me. Every single time. I’m not good and trying new things. The whole family was at the beach for the weekend, with the exception of Aunt Jo, so we snapped a picture to let her know how much we missed her and sent it to her in Paris. I’m sure she was a tiny bit sad she wasn’t there, but a billion times happier to be in Paris. We celebrated Emory turning five a few days early since Grandmama and Granddaddy would still be at the beach on her actual birthday. The kids found inflatable fish in the back study of the beach house and enjoyed riding them around the den. When we finally got back home on Sunday, we were happy to see that our tomato plants had survived, and even more surprised that our basic had grown like crazy! Making some basil pesto is on my to-do list very soon. While we were at the beach, Emory got some special mail all the way from Paris. A birthday postcard of the Eiffel Tower was sent from Aunt Jo and immediately go put up on her special board in her room. Everyone was excited to be home for about 45 minutes, then the kids began asking, ‘when do we get to go back to the beach?!?!’Monday morning Emory woke up to birthday decorations hanging from her door!We sang ‘Happy Birthday’ over cinnamon rolls….And she blew out five {5!} candles.We headed to Bible School with some sweet friends…Then got to have a special lunch date with just Mommy and Daddy!That night we celebrated with our neigbors…Which was a great way to end her birthday!We {meaning I} starting getting the house ready for Emory’s Madeline birthday party, which, coincidentally, was the same day as Bastille Day, so our décor was perfect! Boland put in some time reading his Bible…I filled out my registration for labor and delivery at the hospital…crazy!And enjoyed some homemade tabouli for lunch. {It may be my favorite food ever. Other than chocolate peanut buttercup ice cream.}We {meaning Daddy} had our first search for a missing Lego piece under the kitchen appliances. Unfortunately it was never found and unfortunately the piece was a Lego person’s head, which means we kinda needed to keep that piece. Whoops. I, however, foresee that happening many more times in our future. This pregnancy has brought on a lot of insomnia. Instead of tossing and turning I’ve at least tried to be a little productive, which, this night, meant smocking a Nutcracker insert. In July, I know. I’m weird. Boland is very into ‘hi-ya!’ing lately. Wearing his sister’s headbands across his forehead makes it even better.

More party prep…

And a last day of Bible School picture. She loved her group {Treehouse 4!} this year!Saturday morning it was finally party time and everyone gathered for Emory’s Madeline Tea Party! After the party we enjoyed some pool time with friends.And then the next day we put in some more pool time, which ended with the all-important distribution of snacks. I’m trying hard to catch up with blogging and was so proud of myself for actually getting Emory’s party posted the day after.We tried a new tomato tart recipe. Although I will tweak it a little next time, it was a keeper. And making some stuff for the baby led people to believe we were having a girl…When, in fact, we have no idea what we’re having and I’m making both boy and girl things until he or she makes their debut. A little group picture during cheerleading camp carpool…My first sewing project for Baby Kubas!A quick picture with Cocky on the last day of cheerleading camp…Then we jumped in the car to visit the American Girl store! After a big shopping spree, including a new doll, Kit, the girls snuggled up at the hotel in their matching nightgowns.

We made it back safe and sound, although spending 8 of the last 24 hours in the car did a number on my back and I spend the afternoon lying on the couch to ease the pain. Unfortunately I had a little buddy keeping me company that thinks I’m a human jungle gym, which meant I spent more time dodging jabs to my stomach than actually relaxing. Such is the life!