Enjoying the Week in Hilton Head, SC

For the tenth or eleventh year (I've lost count), my kids and I have joined my parents, my sister, her husband, and their four kids in Hilton Head, South Carolina for a weeklong reunion of sorts. It's a family get together that we all enjoy. For several years now, we've been staying at the same house, which, for the time being, fits our needs well. The house has a nice pool, space for horseshoes, and sleeping space for ten. This year, we've spent a lot of time at the beach (probably more than any other year I remember), riding bikes, swimming, and playing tennis.

Sarah Catherine, Matthew, and I have been riding bikes a good bit at home, and that has carried over to Hilton Head. SC especially likes to go riding bikes a couple of times a day here. Yesterday, we saw two small alligators in a pond, and a giant turtle that moved surprisingly fast.

Tonight was our 2nd annual Talent Show. The kids did dances, played music, and we all read my recently written children's book, Dinosaur Day, which I'm still working on getting published.

Two nights ago, I prepared the meal of crusted tilapia, fresh green beans, and rice. We've eaten some good meals out as well.

Saturday, we'll pack up and make the long trip back home. At least we'll gain an hour.

Sarah Catherine's Dance Recital

SC performed well Tuesday night at her dance recital at the Civic Center. Karen, her boys, Matthew, and I sat up in the balcony and watched her perform. Apparently, she's one of the best in the class, judging from the position she was in...front and center. They danced to a Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus song...which, of course, having a 9 year old daughter, I knew!

After her performance, we gathered in the lobby of the Civic Center to give gifts to Sarah (I fulfilled her request for the Bengal Tiger Webkinz) and congratulate her. I'll post a picture or two on here.

I'm proud of both my kids...they are creative, imaginitave, and, this is what thrills me...they seem happy.

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Speaking of being happy, we've had a lot of fun already this summer. The kids create interesting environments both inside and out of the house. They've made restaurants, zoos, and other interesting places come alive. We've painted a table together, befriended a neighborhood dog (who, if he keeps coming around, we'll be calling our pet pretty soon I imagine), played video games together, watched movies, and played kick ball in the back yard (although today the ball was punctured). Next week we're heading to Hilton Head for our annual family reunion. We're all looking forward to it.

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I've read some good stuff lately. Epictetus' Handbook and Marcus Aurelius' Meditations are two of the most influential works I've ever read: very practical and helpful for living. From Marcus: "Objective judgment...Unselfish action...Willing acceptance."

Now I'm reading Tom Hodgkinson's The Freedom Manifesto and Luis Navia's Diogenes the Cynic, about one of the most interesting figures in the history of mankind.

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As I live and type, I'm watching Knocked Up again, for maybe the sixth or seventh time. I love that movie. Paul Rudd is one of my favorite actors...very funny.