July in Augusta, Georgia can be summed up in a single word: supasweatyhot. Of course we spent some time at the neighborhood pool with friends, but sometimes the water there was simply unrefreshing. We enjoyed turning the hose on and chasing each other around the backyard a bit as well. There is nothing quite like the thrill of chasing down a small defenseless child and spraying them down menacingly with cold water. Ahhhh, the good life!
We also took some time out to see the firework show they had on base to celebrate the 4th of July. Brody and Bridger were actually able to stay awake for the whole show, which was excellent, but about 30 seconds into the ride home the were out for good. I wish I got a picture of the inhuman angles of their necks as they slept like rocks in their seats. How do kids do that? Seriously, the bent neck and the fountain of drool - its amazing.
Grandma and Grandpa Parry were able to stop by and see us this month as well! The boys had a blast hanging out with them and even got to go see the new Smurfs movie with them. Here is a nice shot of Brody "helping" Grandma with a game on her phone. It was very intense.
Jessica loves her mama and papa. They got to sit and chat it up more than they have in a very long time and loved every bit of it. It was sad to see them go as is always the case. Thanks for coming out to see us!
While Grandma was still here we made the drive out to Hilton Head to check out the beach. When we arrived we saw so many people out riding bikes that we thought the air must feel so cool and there must have been a fantastic breeze. Boy, did they have us fooled. When we first opened the van door it was a wave of hot muggy air - worse than Augusta! The hotel where we stayed was great though and gives an awesome military discount. We played in the pools, and of course, on the beach.
It was Penny's first time to the beach. We thought she might be a little hesitant to go near the water, but she loved it. She ran around excitedly pointing at the birds and the dogs and trying to chase them down. She wasn't a huge fan of the water, but the rest of us enjoyed swimming around in the waves and walking in the cool sand.
The boys loved digging and playing in the sand. They kept trying to dig a huge hole, only to have the tide come up and wash it away. They were much more fearless in the water this time than the last time we made it to the beach. At night while the kids slept and Grandma Parry stood guard, Jessica and I took a long walk along the beach as the sun set. It was really nice and made us wish we could live a bit closer to a beach like that. 
Oh, and I forgot a swim diaper for myself. What a mess I made!
Last week marked the start of first grade for Brody. He was super excited. We went the week before and met his new teacher at the brand new school he is zoned for. Everything looks terrific and we think he will have a blast despite his dismal daily reports. "I had a bad day", Brody will say. "Why Brody?" "Because Joey wouldn't let me sit by the window on the way home from school." ".... Uh...was that the only thing bad?" "Yes." "Okay, well you don't know what a bad day is. Be happy." He is a bit of a pessimist. He does enjoy learning though. We only hope he doesn't get bored and start being the naughty kid in class. First grade is all about learning to read and do math, but Brody already reads at like a 5th grade level and does multiplication. Soooo....maybe we'll have him in college next year. Or hire him as an accountant. Is that legal? Probably, this is Georgia after all.
We found out that Bridger got the spot to get into the Pre-K program at Brody's school, so starting next month they will get to ride the bus together. Honestly, I don't know how good I feel about having Bridger gone all day long five days a week, but I guess I better get used to it. Like I remind Brody just about every day: "You better get used to it, you'll be doing this every year for the next 15 or so." Bridger is also very excited to go to school and to ride the bus with Brody.
So Penny feeds herself now! Yay! Changing her clothes after every meal gets ridiculous though. That girl can eat. She can pack down cereal, or a hot dog, or some fruit like nobody's business, and as soon as she's done she makes a b line for the pantry asking for a snack. But look at that face - would you, could you say "no"? Don't be a sissy! We do. Take that, cute face!
