It is almost Halloween. Are you ready for the Great Pumpkin?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Davis Being Davis
Last week Davis went on his first field trip. He was so excited, after all the field trips Gage has been on (maybe 5 or 6), he felt it was his turn. I was a little excited too. I had missed Gage's first field trip because I was on bedrest with Truman. There is something about that first field trip. A very special day - and even though we were heading to Daniel Stowe Gardens - a place we have been 100 times - Davis was thrilled.
Our first stop was to learn about butterflies. I think these glasses that allow you to see what a butterfly sees are perfect for Davis.
Next we headed out to explore the gardens and look for caterpillars. Now mind you it as 50 degrees at best. No bug in their right mind would have come out that morning.
But while exploring, Davis took time to point out other things...
No garden field trip is complete without a little planting.
And of course SNACK!
Our first stop was to learn about butterflies. I think these glasses that allow you to see what a butterfly sees are perfect for Davis.
Next we headed out to explore the gardens and look for caterpillars. Now mind you it as 50 degrees at best. No bug in their right mind would have come out that morning.
But while exploring, Davis took time to point out other things...
No garden field trip is complete without a little planting.
And of course SNACK!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
I thought we'd lost our minds...
It had been raining and freezing for most of the week. As we awoke Saturday morning - it was no different. In fact it was nasty enough for them to cancel our soccer game. I thought for a moment - maybe the boys won't remember that today is race day. Haha, we had only told them the day before and as they rose from sweet slumber the first words where "when do we leave??" Being troupers and hearing the the rain was fast moving we pushed on and began the task of tailgate packing, pulling out the winters coats, gloves etc.... And at noon as the showers broke and the clouds remained we pulled out of our drive with the 2 older boys - I thought "WE HAVE LOST OUR MINDS"!! It was over 7 hours until the green flag would drop and we were headed off to the speedway.
But in true childlike fashion the boys proved to be angels and had an absolute ball. We grilled burgers, played Kornhole, tossed the football!
After Davis took a little nap (see my facebook profile) We headed down to participate in the live filming of Race Day on the Speed channel. And to partake of the thousands of games and vendors outside of the track.
Darkness began to fall and we decided it was time to make our way to our seats. We gave up our regular seats in turn 1 for tickets in the non-smoking - non alcohol section. It was a great place to sit. And while Davis did trash talk others who were not cheering for his driver (Tony) he did not have to lecture anyone on how nasty smoking is --- all we needed was to have to throw down with some dale jr fan that was lighting up!
I have to say that all day I had been wondering what the boys would think when the planes flew over (we had a bomber fly over with while refueling midair). AMAZING. A benefit to our seats -- the planes fly right over our heads. Soon the flag dropped and we went racing. Davis barely could control himself. He was screaming and yelling for Tony and had a smile across his face from ear to ear. Gage was his usual laid back self, but had to try really hard to not show his ear to ear grin. Gotta love a soon to be 7 year old! We had a sprinkle or two of rain, a few wrecks, and a little less than half way thru Ward and I were ready to head home. We had to fight the boys to leave. But it was cold and there is always the Spring race to look forward to. Not to mention that a sitter was at home with a heartbroken Truman who was fast asleep in his bed!
Riding home at the end of the day and a quick stop at Starbucks for a decaf Pumpkin Spice latte, I realized I had not lost my mind. Instead I had introduced my boys to another redneck love of mine. They too are fans of the sport. Seeing the cars drive into the turn at 190 miles an hour an inch from the concrete wall 99.9% of the time without wrecking....live and in person, well Davis said it best "WOW DUDE, Now that's what I am talking about".
But in true childlike fashion the boys proved to be angels and had an absolute ball. We grilled burgers, played Kornhole, tossed the football!
After Davis took a little nap (see my facebook profile) We headed down to participate in the live filming of Race Day on the Speed channel. And to partake of the thousands of games and vendors outside of the track.
Darkness began to fall and we decided it was time to make our way to our seats. We gave up our regular seats in turn 1 for tickets in the non-smoking - non alcohol section. It was a great place to sit. And while Davis did trash talk others who were not cheering for his driver (Tony) he did not have to lecture anyone on how nasty smoking is --- all we needed was to have to throw down with some dale jr fan that was lighting up!
I have to say that all day I had been wondering what the boys would think when the planes flew over (we had a bomber fly over with while refueling midair). AMAZING. A benefit to our seats -- the planes fly right over our heads. Soon the flag dropped and we went racing. Davis barely could control himself. He was screaming and yelling for Tony and had a smile across his face from ear to ear. Gage was his usual laid back self, but had to try really hard to not show his ear to ear grin. Gotta love a soon to be 7 year old! We had a sprinkle or two of rain, a few wrecks, and a little less than half way thru Ward and I were ready to head home. We had to fight the boys to leave. But it was cold and there is always the Spring race to look forward to. Not to mention that a sitter was at home with a heartbroken Truman who was fast asleep in his bed!
Riding home at the end of the day and a quick stop at Starbucks for a decaf Pumpkin Spice latte, I realized I had not lost my mind. Instead I had introduced my boys to another redneck love of mine. They too are fans of the sport. Seeing the cars drive into the turn at 190 miles an hour an inch from the concrete wall 99.9% of the time without wrecking....live and in person, well Davis said it best "WOW DUDE, Now that's what I am talking about".
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Uninvited Guest
A few Saturdays ago the guys and I headed to the North Carolina Zoo for a day of animal staring. We had packed a picnic and headed out. We decided to enjoy our lunch before enjoying the animals. Nothing goes better with a fall picnic but uninvited guest.
Davis being Davis particularly loved the dung beetles.
Davis being Davis particularly loved the dung beetles.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
A Wonderful Woman
Today October 8, 2009 would have been my mother's 67th birthday.
Although she would have told you she wasn't a day over 30. (mother said a lady never does reveal her age)
My mother passed away in 1994 a month after my 21st birthday. (yes, you can do the math)
At the time my parents had been married 27 years, with me as their only child. (I slept with my parents till I was 7 and figured that is why I was an only)
My mother was 1 of 5 and came very late in the lives of her parents. She would have told you that she was raised by her siblings.
Lately Gage and Davis have been asking me a lot about my mother. I have talked about her from time to time, while I think about her daily. But they are now to the point of asking questions, wondering what she was like. Davis often says "She would have snuggled me and loved me with lots of kisses" True, she would have... to the point he would have giggled uncontrollably.
There were many things that I want my boys to know about the grandmother who would have spoiled them with love and affection.
- There was never a day that went by that I did not talk to my mother.
- Never a day that went by that she did not tell me she loved me.
- She cared enough to drive an hour and half to pick me up at midnight from a friends spend the night party when I got home sick. And she did it every time because I always got home sick and I lived far away from the girls I went to school with.
- She did without many times so that I could have
- She was an amazing cook and she cooked every night. I mean really cooked.
- She always invited my friends to stay for dinner.
- She loved having girlfriends over in the afternoon
- she was a stay at home mom from the time I was 3 until I was 17
- she loved to hang wallpaper
- she loved loved professional baseball (St. Louis Cardinals)
- she never once in my presence questioned or spoke poorly of my father.
- she often told me that I would "pay for my raising" (and trust me with 3 boys I do!)
- Christmas was her favorite holiday
- she loved to read and always told me to teach my children to love books.
- she showed respect to those she even disagreed with
- she supported me in every choice I made
- could laugh at herself
- she loved music and enjoyed making her own "mixed tapes". She had dated a DJ for years and years before she met my father. He had supplied her with some wonderful records.
These are just a few things that stand out in my mind. There is a candid picture of my mother that was taken when I was in grade school at our house. We were having a backyard pool party and my mother was welcoming all of our guest with a toast to family and friendship. This picture sits at my bedside. It is one of my favorite pictures of my boys grandmother. She was entertaining friends in our home and her smile was genuine and loving.
Davis asked me this morning if my mommy was happy because it was her birthday. I said my mommy would be happy because I have been blessed with a wonderful family. He said yeah, but what about a power ranger cake!
Although she would have told you she wasn't a day over 30. (mother said a lady never does reveal her age)
My mother passed away in 1994 a month after my 21st birthday. (yes, you can do the math)
At the time my parents had been married 27 years, with me as their only child. (I slept with my parents till I was 7 and figured that is why I was an only)
My mother was 1 of 5 and came very late in the lives of her parents. She would have told you that she was raised by her siblings.
Lately Gage and Davis have been asking me a lot about my mother. I have talked about her from time to time, while I think about her daily. But they are now to the point of asking questions, wondering what she was like. Davis often says "She would have snuggled me and loved me with lots of kisses" True, she would have... to the point he would have giggled uncontrollably.
There were many things that I want my boys to know about the grandmother who would have spoiled them with love and affection.
- There was never a day that went by that I did not talk to my mother.
- Never a day that went by that she did not tell me she loved me.
- She cared enough to drive an hour and half to pick me up at midnight from a friends spend the night party when I got home sick. And she did it every time because I always got home sick and I lived far away from the girls I went to school with.
- She did without many times so that I could have
- She was an amazing cook and she cooked every night. I mean really cooked.
- She always invited my friends to stay for dinner.
- She loved having girlfriends over in the afternoon
- she was a stay at home mom from the time I was 3 until I was 17
- she loved to hang wallpaper
- she loved loved professional baseball (St. Louis Cardinals)
- she never once in my presence questioned or spoke poorly of my father.
- she often told me that I would "pay for my raising" (and trust me with 3 boys I do!)
- Christmas was her favorite holiday
- she loved to read and always told me to teach my children to love books.
- she showed respect to those she even disagreed with
- she supported me in every choice I made
- could laugh at herself
- she loved music and enjoyed making her own "mixed tapes". She had dated a DJ for years and years before she met my father. He had supplied her with some wonderful records.
These are just a few things that stand out in my mind. There is a candid picture of my mother that was taken when I was in grade school at our house. We were having a backyard pool party and my mother was welcoming all of our guest with a toast to family and friendship. This picture sits at my bedside. It is one of my favorite pictures of my boys grandmother. She was entertaining friends in our home and her smile was genuine and loving.
Davis asked me this morning if my mommy was happy because it was her birthday. I said my mommy would be happy because I have been blessed with a wonderful family. He said yeah, but what about a power ranger cake!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Soccer
Warning - If you don't want to hear a bragging mother - move on and don't read this post!
Davis is having a blast playing soccer this year. He had his best game yet while playing in the rain! He hasn't let me forget that he scored 5 goals! He plays hard and really really enjoys himself and his teammates. He gets a huge smile on his face when the crowd screams his name. And loves to high five his coach and the fellow players after scoring. Last weekend he was watching football with me and saw one of the players do a little end zone dance. He said "Mommy, I think I need to do that at soccer"! Oh please help us now.
Davis is having a blast playing soccer this year. He had his best game yet while playing in the rain! He hasn't let me forget that he scored 5 goals! He plays hard and really really enjoys himself and his teammates. He gets a huge smile on his face when the crowd screams his name. And loves to high five his coach and the fellow players after scoring. Last weekend he was watching football with me and saw one of the players do a little end zone dance. He said "Mommy, I think I need to do that at soccer"! Oh please help us now.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
A visit from the best
My cousin Cathy came to visit last week from Missouri. Shame on me for not getting any pictures. We had a wonderful time. The boys kept her very busy playing board game after board game and many sessions on the Wii. I think by the time she left she was a master table tennis player, a decent cyclist and still had lots of room for improvement on the jousting. She was a able to see Davis in action on the soccer field very very early Saturday morning at his first game of the season. Saturday evening we enjoyed some adult time at one of my favorite restaurants "The Mez" in Charlotte while the boys enjoyed a babysitter. She treated Gage to a McDonalds lunch on Friday at his new school where she was able to meet all of his friends. He was thrilled telling his teacher weeks in advance that she was coming.
But most of all my boys love to hear her talk about stories from when I was little. This time one of the most important things they learned was that I loved Dr. Pepper chapstick as a little girl (still do!). They crack up when she tells them one of them acts like I did! It is always hard to imagine your parents as children. But they enjoy a glimpse into my childhood.
We are looking forward to the next time Cathy comes for a visit. Her trips are always too short! Although she might think that 5 days here at the Adcock Circus is enough!
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