Adcock Circus

This boy stole my heart and he calls me....Mommy!

2011-11-06T10:42:00.002-05:00

Happy 9th Birthday Gage. (I think a birthday is reason enough to update an age old blog). Gage stole my heart 9 years ago today. What a remarkable gift. It was his birthday but it was a day he gave me the best gift in the world. A son! It is funny how he continues to get older and have birthdays but I stay 29! haha. Gage was a beautiful baby with a head full of dark hair that had blond streaks running through it here and there....so much so that the L&D nurses accused me of running out to have highlights added to his hair.

Each of my children hold a special and unique place in my heart. Gage is my first born. He allowed me to learn how to parent, he allows me to fail as a parent while I am learning and loves me just the same. He was a tiny tiny baby at birth 6lbs 7oz. Nine years later he is a whopping 52 pounds with a head full of blond hair. Funny thing though, I still see my mini munchkin.

At age nine I want Gage to remember that....
Is as active cub scout.
Serves on the Flag Patrol at his school, where he raises as lowers the American flag each day.
Is an avid reader (like mommy)
Still calls us "Mommy and Daddy"
Spends a decent about of time working on getting his hair to look "surfer-like"
Discovered Abercrombie and Fitch clothing but more importantly this year their cologne!
Was MVP for his age group on his summer swim team.
Swims year round for the Gaston Gators.
Won Best Sportsmanship Award for Pinewood Derby.
Has started piano lesson as a means to learn guitar.
Surfed in Costa Rica for the first time.
Attended his first week long overnight summer camp, Camp Seagull!
Found a passion for Zip-Lines.
Enjoys white water rafting.
Still sleeps with his "bear-dog" that he received as a new born.
Is a very loyal friend.
Has lost 8 teeth.
Would rather be fly fishing or swimming or playing in the ocean.
Says he will either be a chef or a MD when he grows up.
Is clueless about girls (lets keep it that way)
Loves English and Science.
Hates Math.
Went deep sea fishing in Costa Rica.
Spoils his youngest brother.
Is annoyed by his middle brother.
Likes to ride bikes with friends.
And loves to eat...anything and everything.
Became obsessed with roller coasters while at Disney this year.
Is learning that being a big brother might just be the most important job he will ever have.

Gage you amaze me daily. You are a wonderful mixture of the Clouds, the Goodwins, the Adcocks and the Roberts. In 9 years you have taught me many things. But most of all you have taught me unconditional love. Thank you for being a wonderful son. Happy Birthday. I can not wait to see what this year has planned for you.

Love you, Mommy

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Eat My Bubbles

2011-06-18T13:41:00.003-04:00

Summer swim team is here! I enjoy the laid back fun of summer swim! Again this year Davis' meets are at a different time than Gage's. The 6U meets are so funny! I love watching the little ones swim down the pool by grabbing the lanes and pulling themselves down. They are always so thrilled by the time they make it to the end of their 25M.

Davis has really enjoyed these last few Saturday meets. He likes to compete. And he likes to win. But he also likes to stop and see where the other swimmers are in the pool, which isn't so good! I think he is learning though that stopping equals losing time. Sometimes I think Davis believes he is Superman, he likes to get a running start off the wood block.

I love to watch him "prepare" for his swim while he is on the block. He does some little jig that cracks me up!! He swam his little heart out today. Pushed as hard as he could, even after a week of camp and notsamuch sleep he was able to improve his time in all 4 of his events. Which is all a proud mamma can ask for!

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TGIF!! or TGIGMKFCD!!

2011-06-17T09:13:00.003-04:00

As in Thank Goodness It's Get My Kids From Camp Day!

The week has flown by! I am shocked. As I sit here snuggled with Truman in the hotel bed watching Elmo I hate to tell him that in a few hours his week as an only child will be over. I know he has really enjoyed having 100% of our attention. But I think he has really liked having control over the remote as well as all the toys. Sure he has missed "Bro-durs", but it has mainly been at bedtime. All three of the boys share our bonus room as a bedroom and this week bedtime has been particularly quiet and lonely for him.

One of the highlights for Ward and I this week besides the letters (We got a few more from Gage yesterday that included the actual sharks teeth he had found and of course information about the food he has been eating - burgers and chips!!) has been the pictures of "camp life" that bunk1 post. I have loved that Gage is shirtless in most of his pictures with his hair wild and crazy. I love that Davis is being "Davis" his vibrant personality shows in his pictures which tells me he is having a blast and enjoying himself!

My friends keep asking if I have missed my boys - and I have - it's been a learning curve for me and I have found comfort in keeping busy! I am ready to get them back and hear all their stories. I am sure we will cover a few over our 6 plus hour drive home today.

And I am sure that within a few hours they will begin fighting and I will be dreaming of the quiet times I had while they were at camp. And tonight when I am pulling sharks teeth out of their pockets, making them brush their teeth for the 1st time in a week, and trying to see if there are any clothes that can be salvaged I will hear the giggles of 3 "bro-durs' sharing a room and I will know that I will be thankful they are all under my roof once again!

Future Seaguller!

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Letters

2011-06-16T07:34:00.003-04:00

My Facebook status yesterday referred to waiting around at the mailbox for camp letters. Over 15 years ago, long before wide spread emails, social networking and cell phone packages there were letters in my life.

Ward and I lived many miles apart and he was a non paid - hard working - over worked - never a minute off medical student. Sure we talked on the phone when he was near one and had a few minutes, but it was also way back when you still paid for each minute of those long distant calls (oh my... some months my phone bill was more than my rent). While I loved the phone calls I cherished the mail carrier bringing a hand written letter. Sometimes the letters were half a page long other times they were a dozen pages long. The pages were quickly worn as I would read and re-read over and over until the next one would arrive. I believe I probably even had a special box that would hold these letters.

I have been a letter or "note" writer for as long as I can remember (at least prior to the addition of the 2nd child) - Ward still teases me that I have boxes of letters from my high school era in my attic. Maybe I do, it's been a while since I have been up there myself but I'll take his word. I am not sure high school friends or sweethearts even write notes in class anymore given the texting options now, but it is such a shame. The thrill of not getting caught while passing a note, or the giddiness (is that a word?) of waiting by your locker for a note from the 15 year old "love of your life"! Anyway, as usual I am off subject.

On the boys list for camp "Stationary, Addressed Envelops and Stamps". I was thrilled. My boys would learn the art of letter writing in an era where text over shadow emails and stationary is a thing of the past. (I always stockpiled beautiful stationary.) In the days before camp I found them cute little blank colorful note cards and addressed the envelops to family. Davis is still very young and just learning to write and spell. Gage being older and my detailed child loves to journal so I figured he would enjoy the letter aspect of rest time at camp.

Fast forward a few days into camp. Truman and I am waiting for our mail carrier. She brought us 3 brightly colored letters. 2 from Davis which read:

"I got a white band" along with a picture of a white band.

Took me a few minutes but I figured out he was telling me about the level he had passed on his swim test. haha

the next letter from Davis read

"I love camp" and showed a picture of a stick man at an archery range.

(I can only assume that he had just finished at the range)

Gage's on the other hand was a little longer as he described what he had been eating, his new friend Spencer, what he had been eating, how many turtles he had seen, that he had loved the fried chicken, and that he was loving camp and the food!!

Neither of my boys signed their names or added what day it was.

Their grandmother said she had received a letter from davis that read something along the lines of

"I am at camp" - no name either....

At the end of the day I was thrilled - hand written letters from my boys who were having a blast. I was so excited and could not wait to sit down and email them their "bunk note" for the day! haha

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Learning Curve...Summer Camp

2011-06-14T13:32:00.004-04:00

I must admit, I was always way to chicken to spend the night away from my parents until I was about 15 or 16 years old. I would give it a try and then about midnight when the crank calling boys was over and the parents had called for lights out, I would get "sick". The gotta call my mom to come get me kinda sick! Bless my mother, she always did no matter how far or how late/early am it was. I never could go to spend the night camp because I suffered from the "only child gotta be with my parents homesickness". I did not want this for my boys. They have been allowed to spend the night away from an early age. Gage from time to time will get a touch of my sickness but Davis...never! But when Ward and I suggested they think about a starter camp where they would spend the night for a week this summer they were ready to pack and it was only September! We chose a camp that is an all boy camp, that offered a wide range of activities as well as a range of camp options. It also happened to be a camp that I grew up hearing about and having friends attend the all girl sister camp. (Not me though, ya know, homesickness!!)

We work hard to allow our boys to experience many things in life. As parents we both want them to enjoy the chance to do things without us hovering over them. And I will freely admit that in September...I too was excited. But the closer we got to June 11th - the more scared I got.
The wake.up.at.3am.with.the.WHATIFS!!! kinda scared.
The entire week before camp I did not sleep.
During the day I rushed around to purchase items on their packing list, address envelopes for them to write to family and friends, make sure they had the right fans, sheets, towels, toothbrushes etc...
I was inches away from pure insanity,
even joking with my good friend who is also my family DOC that I was going to need to spend the week medicated.
And then at night I would wake up... with my whatif's
WHAT IF
Davis doesn't eat (He doesn't at home why would he at camp?)
WHAT IF
an adult doesn't go down the zip line first each day?
WHAT IF
Gage forgets to wear shower shoes?
WHAT IF
Davis picks his nose and starts a boogie collection on his bunk.
WHAT IF WHAT IF...
What if...they go away and have the time of their life.

I have been reading a book by a Christian author 5 Conversations you need to have with your son. One of the focus points is helicopter parenting - I realized this was my chance to step back and give our boys a chance to put into place and act upon some of the principle that we have been teaching them. And what a better place to do it than at a Christian camp that has been in existence since the early 1940's. They have dealt with far more whatifs that I could ever imagine, even at 3 am.

When it came time to drop the boys off Sunday am I felt an amazing peace. This camp knows it's stuff. While I unpacked Davis and got his stuff situated Ward took G to his cabin (so that he'd be able to get a top bunk!!). Within 5 minutes of me unpacking D he had taken off with some of his cabin mates. Only to track us down at Gage's bunk to tell us goodbye and that he was heading off to go sailing.

Gage took his time helping us unpack and in making his "top" bunk. He had met one of his cabin mates the night before at the meet and greet, which was really nice. Some of his other cabin mates were from New York, Virgina, and North Carolina. Then soon after he was unpacked he took off to go play basketball.

I quickly realized that while my boys may miss us, and while they may forget their shower shoes, start a new booger collection, and even fail to brush their teeth, they will have the time of their life. And that when I go to pick them up this weekend, all of us will be just a little bit more mature!

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As a Mom of 3 Boys.....

2011-06-01T11:54:00.003-04:00

I long for the days of toilet seats being down. Some days I think I live with animals!

Surfing in Costa Rica

2011-04-14T10:10:00.010-04:00

These next few post will be videos for the boys Grandma from our recent trip!

One of Gage's goals while in Costa Rica was to take a surf lesson. I was kinda of unsure if he would go through with it once we go there and he saw the size of the waves. We found a great local guy to give both he and Ward a lesson one afternoon. We were able to surf at an amazing low key beach, Playa Avellanas. There were only about 25 - 30 surfers at best vs 100 or more on some of the more public beaches. It is a beautiful 8k drive down a dirt road. The trees along the road held holler monkeys and gave us some of the best sights of our vacation. Brian our surfer instructor has surfed since he was about 4 - or "all is life" as he said. To say he was amazing is an understatement. He rocked. He had Gage up after about 10 minutes. No kidding. Now, Ward on the other hand was a different story. Don't get me wrong. Ward did well, he was up 2 or 3 times. I am sorry, I really didn't get a chance to get it on the Flip. (And I promise it wasn't because the moment he got up he fell!!). Gage enjoyed it so much that he did not want his lesson to end. We were able to get the next afternoon with Brian as well. Gage loved it. He has been researching to top 10 places in the world to surf after his Dad told him Costa Rica was in the top 10. I have tried to explain to him that Myrtle Beach is really one of them, even though it's not on any of the list. So far he isn't buying it! Davis was more interested in watching the other surfers on the beach and looking for Loyla the pig rather than take a lesson. It was a great place to people watch!!

Pinewood Derby

2011-04-13T19:09:00.003-04:00

As usual I am way behind on blogging. I think Facebook is to blame. It is so much easier to just post pictures there. Many times I go to update and I either 1. get called away by a little bit or 2. I find myself holding back on what I really want to say and getting frustrated. If you could see my non-published stories/opinions you'd laugh. Maybe one day ---.

Anyway. Pinewood Derby. Gage's scout pack held their 1st Annual Pinewood Derby last month. Because Ward has so much spare time (yeah, right!!) he agreed to lead the derby. Lucky for us our back door neighbor is an award winning pwd man! Mr. Gene has written many an article for Scouts Life on the topic and has built many state winning cars. All apparently really cool details if you are into that kinda stuff. Ward is what I would call a perfectionist - so he managed every detail of this derby for 1-4th graders like it was the superbowl of pinewood derbies! He spent many of his nights working late on how he would run the double elimination tournament (see the photo below!) and let me just say, the NCAA basketball bracket had nothing on him! But enough on the that!

The morning of I had 4 boys waking up early eager to race. Check in was huge, we had 34 of our 40 boys participated (then a few parents as well!) I laugh because a good friend of mine said she brought a magazine because she thought it would be "really boring". She later told me she never sat down! It was wild, it was crazy, parents were cheering and children were screaming. We had the best time ever! It was crazy! Gage was outed in the 3rd round. He was beaten by the car that went on to win so he was pleased with his results.

There were trophies for first place, runner up and best car design. Then the Den Leader gave out 2 very special awards for Sportsmanship. For the scouts the main of focus of the Derby is to promote sportsmanship. These 2 awards were special because the cub scouts had no clue it would be given. Their leader listened to the boys interaction as she started and ended each race. Ward and I were very proud that Gage was the recipient of one of these awards. Scouts has been a very rewarding experience for Gage. He has learned that hard work pays off. And that people are paying attention to what you are doing and saying when you might not think they are.

Greetings From Centre America!

2011-04-08T11:14:00.008-04:00

It never fails to amaze me how long it takes to prepare for a trip and then it's over in a blink. We decided last year to spend a week with the boys in Costa Rica. They are getting to the age where they really enjoy researching the area prior to our trips. Gage and Davis spent many hours looking online to see what we might find. Animals, type of land, climate etc... They each had their list of things to do and see. Monkeys for all of them, then fishing for Gage and zip-lines for Davis. Truman just wanted to swim and skip naps. Most of our trips we just relax and enjoy the beach or the pool. This one has been a little different. We rented a car and have been able to travel around (down many dirty roads) which has been very rewarding. We have seen monkeys, beautifully loud birds, tons of various lizards, and Davis even spied an Anteater with our neighbor. It is the near the end of the dry season so everything is brown and crunchy off the property. (Our property does water some so there is a tad bit of lush trees and grass). Our villa sits on the ocean and we have spent many evenings on the porch watching the sun "fall into the ocean". It happens each day at 5:30 and you can actually see the sun fall off - it takes less than 10 minutes to set. It is about the only time of day that the boys truly stop talking.

I think everyone has accomplished their vacation goals while we have been here.
Gage caught his first beautiful tuna, and learned the basics of surfing during his different lessons.

Davis and his need for extreme sports went on 2 canopy tours.
Truman swam swam and swam some more and skipped many of his naps.
I took Gage and Davis on one of the canopy tours and completed my goal of letting go and riding upside down and managed to keep my eyes open both times. I have a huge fear of heights but the views and the rush is so amazing, I just try not to look down!

Ward caught a few fish of his own during their charter and even attempted a surf lesson. I think he did a great job! There were a lot of times that his feet managed to stay on the board rather than over his head!!

We all managed to learn a little more Spanish.

I am only sad that after the 2nd day here Ward too a long swim with my waterproof camera in his swim trunks. Needless to say - while it is waterproof - it is not meant for long period of submersion. Thankfully we had our Flip for a few videos and my phone stepped in to help with a few pictures. But as Gage said - the pictures would never be as good as what he has in his head.

We end out trip with an afternoon sail where we return as sunset to see the sun drop into the ocean one more time.

2011 Saying goodbye to Pampers!

2011-01-11T15:25:00.002-05:00

In November of 2002 we introduced our home to Pampers for just over 8 years they were a constant staple to my weekly Target list! With Gage I changed them every hour on the hour his first year of life. Even at night (maybe not every hour but if they even looked wet). Davis came along while Gage was still in Pampers so for a period of time in 2005 we had 2 sizes of Pampers to love. I still changed them often, just not as often! Fast forward to 2007, Truman came along just as the Pampers were about to make their way off our list. I will admit I saved more on pampers with Truman. I changed him a lot less. Some days only 1 time. It is not that he didn't go...he did...I just figured out how much those expensive little burgers would hold!!
But in December of 2010 we said goodbye to our friend Pamper --- 8 years of pampers. Ward keeps saying that he wants to have a diaper free party. Maybe we will soon. But before New Years we celebrated with cupcakes. Did I shed a tear? No not really, sure T is my last baby but honestly I am looking forward to a little extra change in my pocket each week. I figured in we had 8 years of diapers with a rough estimate of $12 a week on diapers (give or take with sales and years we had 2 sizes) that is 416 weeks of purchases @ $12 which puts us right around $5000 on diapers!! And for Truman he said goodbye pampers hello mickey mouse! We told him if he would go in the potty he would visit Mickey - he had been going in the potty off on and on since summer but Mickey helped it click! He is thrilled to go meet his friend, while I am thrilled to be diaper bag free! (For those of you that know me well know I haven't carried a diaper bag in over a year, but now I will have more room in my purse!!

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Purple, Orange Tailgating

2010-12-31T08:06:00.003-05:00

I have many fond memories as a child, and there are a few of these memories that I want to try to re-create for my kiddos. One of which is college football. Way back in the 1980's my parents and I would spend Saturdays in the fall watching Danny Ford coach Clemson to a Championship. Of course he did it with the help of a little guy known as "Refrigerator" Perry! I loved going to Clemson home games where the highlight was having one of the cheerleaders paint a tiger-paw on my face with orange poster paint. Now that the boys are getting a little older and enjoying football we thought it would be fun to head to a Clemson game.

We decide to see Clemson take on Wake Forest. Mainly because they were pretty much assured a win, but also because it was at Wake Forest in the town where Ward grew up and a little closer drive than Clemson. So early on Saturday am we packed the entire family in the mini-van...dog, corn hole game and grill. And set off to see the tigers!

We tailgated in the parking lot of a mall. Kinda funny, I know, but it was full of orange and purple and the boys had a blast!! Truman got down and dirty and took off his shirt while heckling the Deacon fans that passed by. The boys played a little asphalt football and Ward grilled up some burgers.

Clemson rolled over Wake in a less than exciting game! But we had a blast and the boys enjoyed seeing the football game and hopefully they came away with some new memories of their own!

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Snow Babies!

2010-12-29T08:37:00.004-05:00

Yep, we had a WhItE ChRisTmAS!!

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The North Carolina Polar Express

2010-12-28T08:17:00.002-05:00

It had been two long years since we last ventured to the mountains to ride the Polar Express to the North Pole. (Yes, you can get from Bryson City to the NP and back in 2 hours). This year we rented a cabin and ventured north with a few other families. I am not absolutely sure if the boys were more excited about the train ride or spending the weekend with 9 other kids. I am guessing it was a mixture of both. They could not contain themselves in the days leading up to leaving. So it was either excitement or they had gotten into the catnip again.

We had a house full of little ones ages 1-8. The kids could not have been better behaved. Sure, at times they were loud. Yes, there was a lot of running and jumping. And yes maybe a time or two sawdust sprinkled down from the kitchen ceiling. But they all played amazingly well together. They set a nice example for the adults that fought, tattled, cheated at cards, and threw snow balls at one another. Just kidding.... maybe!

The train ride was just part of the fun. We enjoyed a great pizza dinner Friday night at a little hole in the wall joint in Bryson City and an even better hole in a hole of a wall Mexican place for lunch on Saturday. Dr. Dan made yummy melt in your mouth chocolate chip pancakes Saturday am.

A special treat was a horse that lived in the pasture across the road. He was sweet and very friendly. The children enjoyed feeding him and petting him each time they ventured outside.

We stuffed ours mouths full of yummy lasagna prior to dressing in our matching pjs and heading to the pole. (Because you know vacations are really about the food!). Aboard the Polar Express we enjoyed cookies, hot chocolate and a chance to sing Christmas carols. (My rapping partner aka Shannon and I were great at the Christmas carol part, wink wink!!) Once we hit the "Pole" someone shouted out "look there is Santa's double wide" (a statement you can only appreciate if you have been to this particular North Pole). And sure enough Santa and his 6 foot 5 inch elf boarded the train with us for the ride back to Bryson City. Truman quickly requested a new DS while Davis requested a portable DVD player and Gage shyly mentioned he would like a Red Ryder BB gun. While Santa passed out the bells our group attacked him for a group picture. Santa took it all in stride and just kept mumbling "Oh, boy" - which was true, the boys out numbered the girls 3 to 1. But I am not convinced that is what he meant!!

Once we arrived back to the city and headed back to our cabin "Bear Pause" the children were snug in their beds, bells safely in hands within minutes. Gage woke up the next morning asking when if we could come back next year. I have to agree I am looking forward to it as well!

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Mustang Sally or rather Mustang Tru!

2010-12-27T09:04:00.005-05:00

We celebrated Truman's 3rd birthday last week. Poor guy, a birthday so close to Christmas you almost always get slighted. The last 2 years he really had no clue it was his birthday. But this year it hit him. He started to talk about his birthday a week or so before hand. His favorite song, aside from Boom Boom Pow is Happy Birthday. Seriously, we have it on a CD from a friend's party and he ask to hear it over and over. The closer we got to his birthday he began signing "Happy Birthday Truman". Downright adorable to his parents, and rather annoying to his middle brother.

Truman is obsessed with cars. Anything and everything cars. He almost always carries one in his hand, sometimes 2 or 4. (which means he is always dropping one somewhere) But he can also pick our corvettes and mustangs while driving down the road. His favorite being the convertible mustang, like his daddy's. He was quite surprised to receive his own. And spent most of the afternoon driving his brothers around.

To celebrate his birthday, we headed to the local botanical gardens to see the Christmas lights and take a carriage ride. It was a beautiful night. The boys enjoyed acting like gangsters for the evening. Why? I am not really sure, but then why do boys do half the things they do???

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Things I never thought I would say...

2010-12-13T15:18:00.003-05:00

There are days when something comes out of my mouth and I think "Did I really just say that??". I am not talking about the "foot in my mouth kinda things". Those never surprise me anymore, it is after all my nature to open mouth insert foot. (Don't laugh you probably do it too). But I am talking about the mom things I say. The short list being...

"How many times are you going to ride your brother today" or
"Honesty if you are going to poot at the table please do it under the table" or
"Who left this in the toilet and what is it" or
"When you grow up and leave home will you blow your nose with a tissue?" or
"The dog is not a toy" or
"No, I do not want to smell that" or
"Did you seriously think you could ride that? or
"Do not stick that in his nose while he is trying to sleep"
"No you can not write on his bumm"
and my very favorite.

"The toilet brush is not a sword!"

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"Panters"

2010-11-02T10:22:00.004-04:00

Ward and Davis hit a recent "Panters" home game! Everyone knows how awful the Panthers are this year - but we thought 1. they are playing a team that has the same losing streak and 2. Davis won't care he will just be thrilled to go. While D was thrilled to be going he was overly bummed about how bad they have been playing. He came out of Sunday school saying "Mommy, the "Panters never win, they have bad players". I told him that the fun was going to the game win or lose it didn't matter! He didn't buy it so I crossed my fingers and told him maybe he would be their good luck charm, I mean after all they were playing another not sa' great team!

As a bonus he and Ward rode the light rail to the stadium - which to a 5 year old is just as exciting as the actual game. The unseasonably warm weather, it made for a great game day! Davis enjoyed watching the game, screaming at the other team, (apparently he can heckle like an old man, thankfully he refrained from using words he heard others around him use!)
It was actually a pretty good game! The guys stayed until the very end to see the Panthers pull out a victory. Big D was so happy! He came home with a massive panther paw on his face! Panther silly bands for Truman and a few new dances to show off!

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Water Logged

2010-10-28T09:56:00.008-04:00

Between Ward and Gage's swim meets our last few Saturday mornings have been spent poolside. Ward is swim for the NC Masters. Their meets are great because they don't start until lunch time! And go very quickly. Ward did a remarkable job swimming his 3 events. I think it was because Grammy and Cathy were here to cheer him on. The downside of his meet is the much much older men in speedos. I will refrain from posting pictures of the events for this reason!
Family Self Portrait - Tru was more interested in getting tic tacs from Grammy than being in the picture!

Davis' reaction when Ward takes 1st!

Gage had us waking up at the crack of dawn for an out of town meet! The Great Pumpkin Meet! There were over 600 kids swimming from across North Carolina. It is one of the 2 meets that Gage's team host. It was wild. There are 2 pools under the same roof. So basically 2 meets going on at once. Gage had the best time. He swam 6 different events and was dead tired by the end. And sorry if it offends but since it is my blog and my child I will brag on him!
He placed fourth in 25M breast and his free relay placed 2nd!
G's cheering section. (I am hoping Gage will get use to the swim cap, can you tell he HATES it!)

After the meet we headed to lunch with Grandma Nancy, Fred and Bruna! A quick picture in the parking lot before heading home with our new musical cars! Thanks again Grandma. Davis played his non stop on the way home! He was so excited.

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Rustic Roost!

2010-10-24T14:55:00.008-04:00

With Ward merging practices earlier this year we have had more time to get away. We have really enjoyed a few long weekends away with the boys. They are getting to an age where they are easy to travel with and we no longer have to pack have the house to be gone for a few nights!!! One of our favorite trips away this summer was for Labor Day and was spent at the Rustic Roost! A great cabin in Lake Lure, NC with a beautiful view.
From our back deck.

We made smores on the beach at night.

Let the boys dress themselves for our fire pit!

We all loved the hot tub (for the boys we turned the heat off).

Made friends with the "kids" that lived down the road.

I just love Tru in this picture.

We stayed out past bedtime!

The boys played on the golf course with a huge group of other kids while we ate dinner.
First trip sans pak n play - Tru shared a bunk with Gage!

Ward, G and Big D spent a day fishing on the river while Truman and I stayed behind to nap, play in the hot tub and read books on the deck. We had beautiful weather and spent a lot of time outside. The highlight was a day of tubing on the river, which is due a post of it's own.

Myrtle for Ward's Bday

2010-10-21T13:59:00.000-04:00

It's been awhile, but in August we headed to Myrtle Beach to celebrate Ward's 39th birthday. We spent most of the days in the water and enjoyed some of our favorite places to eat! All four of my boys had a BLAST!

Zipline Sucess

2010-10-20T14:28:00.006-04:00

This child is fearless. He amazes me! Gage and I were at the bottom screaming at the top of our lungs. It was Ward's first time on a zipline as well.

Family Camp

2010-10-08T15:55:00.007-04:00

The Zip-Line lake at sunset

Davis takes a swing

Archery

A few weekends ago we headed to family camp in Eastern North Carolina. Well 4 of us did - Truman had his own camp at Grandmas house. The boys took Friday off from school and we left early morning for the 6 hour drive to Camp Seafarer in Arapahoe, NC. The camp is located on the Neuse River. It is known for it's boating and is the sister camp to Camp Seagull where both Gage and Davis will go next June for their first spend the night camp. Knowing that they would be spending a week at Seagull we wanted to check it out and see what it was like. And it was pretty amazing. We were too busy to take many pictures. But sailed, motor boated, swam, archery, bb guns, golf and much more. Davis' big event was the zip line!! I was so proud of him! Great time at a great camp!

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Girls weekend away!

2010-08-17T10:50:00.004-04:00

In late July some girlfriends and I head to Charleston for the weekend. We left early Friday morning with the promise not to return until after all the kids were in bed on Sunday night.

We stayed in the heart of downtown Charleston. It was a hot as possible so after a nice lunch after we arrived, we did what all wild women do without their children - we napped until dinner. We had a great meal at one of my favorite low country restaurants - Hanks. Some of the best peel and eat shrimp!

On Saturday we headed to the Isle of Palms to sit on the beach. Which we did until after the sun went down. It was so nice not to have to pay attention who was in the water, and I was thankful that the girls did scream when they wanted to read the same magazine!! From time to time I would yell out Mommy - just so that none of us would get to spoiled.

(not a flattering picture I know, but we have this thing about taking pictures of ourselves. Leah is so much better at it - I think she has longer arms)

(I think she has a picture of me in this same pose, we didn't even get up to take pictures)
After sleeping in really late on Sunday (9 am!!!) We headed back to IOP to pick up some hermit crabs for the kiddos. And then made our way back to G'town. Not too long before bedtime. The boys had a good "Guys Weekend" I understand there were a lack of naps, late bedtimes, few showers and many meals eaten in boxer shorts!

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Fripp

2010-08-17T09:27:00.011-04:00

We had decided long before the oil leak in the gulf not to go to Blue Mountain this year. Instead we decided to go someplace a little closer. Fripp Island, SC is a small private island a few miles from Beaufort. I had gone once as a young child with my parents and aside from the fact that we went shark fishing I can recall nothing else from that trip. I had to be a little older than Gage. I am not sure the island has changed much in 30 years. It is still a laid back family focused island. We went for the week of July 4th. We could not have been more blessed with beautiful blue skies and great weather.

Tradition at Fripp is the 4th's golf cart parade. Some people take it very seriously,

Us....not so much,

after you drive through the people-lined streets you take your golf cart into the club area and they announce your family and where you are from, how long you have been coming to Fripp. The boys still talk about hearing their names over the loud speaker!

Another highlight of the trip were the friends we met.

The boys spent most days hunting and fishing.

We ate our lunches on the beach.

Played baseball and soccer ocean side.

We enjoyed the pools and ice cream in the evenings.

The brothers got along amazingly well.

By the end of the week the boys were begging me to put the camera away - well at least Gage and Tru were. Davis is such a poser!

The boys ended up loving Fripp. Between the golf cart, the deer and the long flat beach they had a ball. Sure we missed the gulf, but we sure did not miss the drive!

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Summer Swim Team 2010

2010-08-17T07:42:00.007-04:00

(davis in middle lane)
Summer began with swim team - Davis swam on the 6 and under team. His meets were every Saturday morning and he really enjoyed it. He would swim free, breast and back. He swam a few relays as well. He was so adorable in his little swim suit and goggles. I noticed at the first meet he would kinda look around while swimming down the lane. When he got out I asked him what he was looking at - He said "my friends, I was waiting for them". Then he asked me why everyone was calling for him, I guess he did not realize we were cheering for him!

(gage never cracked a smile while on the blocks, always focused and fierce, haha)
Gage swam on the "big" swim team. As a 7 year old he was one of the youngest and swam on Monday and Thursday nights. The meets were long - very long. We'd swim against at least 2 teams sometimes 3. Gage swam free, breast, back and a few different relays. He really excelled in backstroke, but also enjoyed free. It was amazing to see how well he improved over the course of the summer. He is a good 6inches shorter than most of the boys he was swimming with and it was so funny to watch him waiting with boys so much taller but it was something he never really noticed.

(trying to stay cool while waiting on the start of the meet, gage between the ladder)

(go Gage!)

Gage finished the summer swim season mid July with an all county meet - this meet is something - it is an all day meet with the 7-10 year old swimming the first half of the morning. It is all 9 teams swimming and it is hot, hot, hot. Gage did a great job. He swam free, back and breast. He swam so well in his individual free that he swam his way into the A free relay. He was dead tired at the end of the day. But it was a great way to end swim team.

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PreSchool is a thang of the past....

2010-06-09T09:17:00.010-04:00

(1st day of school)

Big D finished 4 year old pre-school at the end of May. May 20th to be exact. Somewhere between the hot August day he started and that morning of May 20th, my little boy matured into a soon to be kindergartner.

He had an amazing year.
Between field trips to the gardens

the pumpkin patch & the fire house to name a few.

Sports like Soccer, Basketball and T-ball

Davis had a great group of kids in his class.

He was so excited for school each morning and eager to go back after the holidays. Along with learning to write his letters and numbers he learned many bible verses and loved all the bible stories. He started learning to read which he loved! He hated that he didn't get to stay at extended day and always wanted me to pay for him to go to early room, just so he could get an extra 30 minutes with his buddies. He sang his heart out at the annual Christmas show. Developed many crushes on the older kindergarten girls. Time on the playground left Davis as dirty as dirty can be. He ended the week with show and tell. Where he wowed his classmates with matchbox cars, dinos, trophies, recycling bins, his brothers spelling test papers, and some of his favorite books (and that was only in the first few weeks of school!).

During his 4 year old preschool year Davis went to Mexico and received the first stamp on his passport. He learned to speak a little spanish and was delighted to used it while in Mexico, even made up some words along the way.

Davis ventured to the Great Wolf Lodge to celebrate his 5th birthday and enjoyed a trip to Oak Island for spring break along with a few other side trips here and there!

Davis decided this year that he was going to be a race-car driver,

a fire fighter, a photographer, a store clerk and a lifeguard. But if I had to place a bet at this time, I would say Davis will be in politics. He is outspoken, never meets a stranger, has no filter, and tries often successfully to talk his way out of trouble.

In April he completed his first kids Cooper River Bridge fun run.

To develop his love of everything NASCAR Big D attended his 1st nascar race last October. Where he enjoyed the freezing conditions and the tailgating.

He enjoyed the May race as well - this time tailgating with friends on a warmer sunny day. And remains passionate about Tony being able to pick him out on the track in a heartbeat.

Davis moved on from pre-school without looking back. He is head strong and ready for kindergarten at Robinson. Where there is no doubt in my mind that he will NOT be known as "Gage's younger brother" but as a force of his own. He has compassion that I am envious of and the ability to forgive and forget that I wish he'd teach his older brother. He is my talker, my loving child and I know that while he won't want me to walk him into class on his first day of kindergarten, he will not put up a fight when I sneak in behind him just to make sure that he makes it to his classroom rather than follow some cute girl to hers!

Congrats Davis - I love you!

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Mothers Day Picnic

2010-05-20T15:15:00.004-04:00

Mother day was beautiful! After church we headed to the park for a quick picnic. It was such a pretty day and the boys (who dressed themselves after church) had a blast sharing lunch outside. We played star wars, ate yummy chocolates, and rolled around in the grass until we itched all over. Then we headed back home for early naps and to get ready for our dinner out at the Melting Pot. It was a great meal, but I forgot my camera. If there were pictures the best ones would be of the 4 chocolate covered mouths during dessert! (you can guess who's mouth wasn't covered in it)

I CAN NOT get enough of this little bit!

2010-05-19T10:41:00.004-04:00

Half the time at the beach he spent with chocolate on his face either wearing goggles or sunglasses. He is so darn cute. He cracks me up. He is ADORABLE. And is spoiled rotten by his oldest brother. Cute, rotten and as sweet as the chocolate on his face!

Underwater Fun

2010-05-18T16:40:00.003-04:00

Swimming at the pool in Myrtle Beach

Big Green Pickle in a Bag

2010-05-10T19:44:00.011-04:00

Guest Post - I welcome my adorable husband back to record the story of fishing with Gage, check out the short video below as well.

For those of you that Blog, you may http://adcockcircus.blogspot.com/2009/11/fishing-from-daddys-point-of-view.html that I do not. The last time I was a guest here was following the first annual "Fall Fishing Trip" with Gage. As of now Davis and Truman are not old enough to go, you must be 7 to fish on the river. While the fall fishing trip may have failed to produce fish, it was a great opportunity for Gage and I to reflect on those important life lessons that I believe can be learned while spending a day fishing. The "Spring Fishing Trip", on the other hand, was nothing short of spectacular for catching fish, truly a day of great fishing.

Gage and I left from school on Friday afternoon and headed straight for the Davidson River in Transylvania County, near Brevard North Carolina. The Davidson River is the only river in North Carolina to be listed on Trout Unlimited's Top 100 Rivers in the U.S. We spent about 3 hours fishing and managed to catch one small brook trout, a disappointing slow start. But the river is beautiful as was the weather, no wonder it is such a great fishing destination, it lived up to its reputation as a very challenging river to fish. The night ended with a trip to Zaxby's for wings and then off to the hotel.

Saturday we decide to try the French Broad river just outside of Rosman N.C. I had never fished this river. On our way to the river we made a stop at Ingles, the local supermarket, for sandwich's. Our routine usually involves eating lunch on the river, so we needed supplies. While searching the sandwich choices in the deli, Gage came across a very large "Dill pickle" in a sealed bag. He suggested we get it. While the thought of a large dill pickle in a bag may not appeal to most, there are many foods that are actually BETTER on the river after a morning of fishing than anywhere else. I think this pickle was one of those foods.

We managed to find a perfect spot on the river and began fishing by 10:00am. By lunch I had brought one brown trout to hand and Gage had landed and lost one himself, which he was very upset about. We got out our sandwich's and yes, the pickle, riverside. The sandwich's hit the spot, but it was the pickle that completed the meal. It was very "dill" and surprisingly crunchy despite the many days or even months it may have spent in the bag before today. The pickle must have brought some form of good luck, because after lunch our weekend turned around. By the end of the day Gage had caught 8 fish and I had caught 6. Gage caught the largest trout of the day after having him take the lure several times before Gage managed to bring him to hand. He kept trying for about 15 minutes despite landing him and losing on several casts, but his perseverance paid off in the end. By the end of the day we had managed our first "Grand Slam", all 3 trout species caught in one day, Brown, Brook, and Rainbow.

The day was finished with a visit from the NC Fish and Wildlife officer, checking our fishing license's. Gage and I spent a few minutes talking with him about the days catch, and the importance of preserving our wildlife resources.

The ride home was like other drives home after a good day of fishing, some quiet time reflecting on the events of the day, re-telling that story about the really big one that got away, and a moment for me to realize once again how glad I am that my father and grandfather taught me how to fish.
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Valentines For D

2010-04-28T15:08:00.004-04:00

Since I have not posted in forever, and given this becomes my scrapbook I have to include the special visit Davis received for Valentines.

Davis loves any and all things dressed in mascot costumes. I have to be careful and remind him to be gentle with these creatures otherwise he would hug them to death. Or touch them in places that may cause them to take a swing at him. (but that is a whole other story and honestly I think we have worked through that and it really only happened once or twice and he was only 2)

ANYWAY!! One of our favorite summer pastimes is the Gaston Grizzly games. We have a blast and Davis spends most of his time chasing the mascot Chizzle. So when I read that Chizzle was making home visits for valentines - I signed up. We had friends over for Happy Meals and right after lunch the doorbell rang and peeking through our window was Chizzle. Davis was shocked (as you can see in the picture). To say he was thrilled is an understatement. He still talks about it today. And I of course and still trying to work off the 5 pounds of chocolate Chizzle brought!

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Soccer Season

2010-04-27T13:27:00.004-04:00

Gage is playing rec soccer 7 and under. His games have mainly been on the same nights at cubs scouts or when we have been out of town so we have missed more games than we have played. But he has enjoyed it. This is the first year we are playing what I call "hard-ball". Up until this year it has been all about teaching the children the basics of the sport as well as focusing on sportsmanship. But this season it's full on "hard-ball".

Case in point, Gage was playing goalie. He caught the ball on the ground stopping it from going in the goal. The ref blew the whistle stopping the play and a girl from the other teamed kicked it from Gage's hands and it went into the goal. (Mind you the ref had blown the whistle and the children all were getting into place for Gage to kick the ball back into play.) But the coach on the other team argued the point with the ref. Seriously... I keep saying, hey this is rec ball not to mention 7 and under! But Gage doesn't care, I shouldn't either I guess, lets just say I don't complain when he has to go to scouts instead of soccer.

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Steeplechase

2010-04-26T13:58:00.009-04:00

Many years ago when I was pregnant with Gage we attended the Queenscup Steeplechase in Waxhall with the Fosters. We had a wonderful time. I have always loved horses and there is nothing like seeing them race. I always have tears in my eyes when they gallop by for the first race of the day. Corny, I know, but true. Anyway, after that first race years ago we purchased a PSL for the annual race. The last few years we have been unable to attend and have shared the space with friends. But this year we made plans early and decided to treat the entire family to a day of tailgating and racing.

It was a great day for racing, a little overcast and a nice cool breeze. The boys had a wonderful time. They were so well behaved and enjoyed tailgating, playing football, tailgating, and then tailgating some more. I always enjoy the people watching as much as I enjoy the horse racing.

These horses were Ward's growing up. Davis loves to play with the horses as well as the barn. He carried at least a horse or two for the entire race.

The rain held off until the 6th and final race. Which we watched from the warmth of our car! The boys were wiped out! Davis and Truman were sounds asleep before we even pulled out of the farm! They all woke up Sunday morning asking if we can go again next year.

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The Peas!

2010-02-22T15:29:00.005-05:00

Saturday night some girlfriends and I enjoyed a nice dinner out and then jumped in a limo to see the Black Eyed Peas! We had a blast. The limo picked us up at the restaurant and of course our entire group had to have the limo driver take a picture with each of our 15 cameras! My flash was not working, but I wasn't going to make the poor guy take another picture. Really not after his "don't cha ya'll have email?"! Uh yes, but it was really more fun to see him dodging cars while balancing all the cameras.

The concert was amazing. I normally prefer seeing people in small venues, but the Peas do nothing on the small scale. I wish I had taken my camera in to get pictures of the show! I love Fergie and was so glad she sang Big Girls Don't Cry for her solo. But I really really like Will.i.am. He was awesome. Although I kept picturing him as the hippo in Madagascar II. Who knew the entire arena would vibrate for 2 and a half hours. Great concert and an even more enjoyable night with the girls!

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A Full Hand!

2010-02-13T07:33:00.006-05:00

Big D turned 5 on the 11th. A full hand now! Yes, because now when someone ask "How old are you?" He can display his entire hand, five full fingers! So much easier than having to hid the thumb!

I'd say this birthday has been a little confusing for him. A few weekends ago we spent the night at the Great Wolf Lodge for his birthday trip. He thought he turned 5 then. After all we had cake, there were gifts (the power ranger kind), we were with friends and we might have mentioned to the lifeguards that he had just turned 5 so that he could ride some of the big water-slides.

He was so ready to turn 5. 5 means so much more.

You can go to the "kids" room at the Y rather than the "baby" room.

5 is one step closer to kindergarten and the chance to ride the school bus on field trips.

5 means flag football is on the horizon and soon baseball won't mean t-ball.

5 years old is half a decade.

5 means once summer comes naps will be a thing of the past.

5 means so many things - all bigger and better - when you are 5!

Now that he is 5, he is ready to be 6.

So, how do I explain to him that soon birthdays will fly by?

That before he knows it he will be

12 at his first middle school dance (where yes, I will happily chaperone)!

That in a matter of time he will be 14 and sleeping in until noon (ward will be celebrating this day).

That soon enough he will be 16 and driving a car. Responsible for his life and others.

In only a few years he will be 18 and hanging his graduation tassel from his hat, having decided where to further his education and a step closer...well whatever he chooses.

Maybe one day he'll look back a realize that when he turned 5 he

loved to eat chicken nuggets, candy, and poptarts

he enjoyed soccer and defensive basketball

wanted to dress himself always in things that do not match

adored bed buddies and had at least 6 in his bed at any given time

loves country music

is always dancing and talking

can be mean as a snake but

has a heart of pure gold

loves to snuggle

wakes up at 6:33 every am (never 6:32 or 6:34)

and has to be one of the most hard headed opinionated 5 years old we know.

Which is why if you know Davis you love him.

We told Davis the story of his birth as our bedtime story on the night of his birthday. He loved hearing how I had my haircut that morning, how Gage went to the Van Meters, how many visitors we had while I was in labor, how the OB promised the nurses pizza if I delivered him before midnight, how before midnight the nurses were enjoying pizza, how Uncle Scott was the first person to hold him other than his father and I, how his father passed out on the floor of our hospital room a few hours after he was born because he was so sick.

And lastly, how we choice his name Davis Goodwin Adcock after finding out he was a boy a little after 10:30 on February 11, 2005.

Bobcats With Dad

2010-02-03T16:22:00.000-05:00

For Christmas Davis received tickets to a Charlotte Bobcats game. When it came time for the game, Davis pulled out his MSU basketball uniform and offered his ESPN jersey to Gage! Truman was sick so I stayed behind at home - I really hated to miss his first pro basketball game. And Ward pulled the longest straw so he got to go!

The fan giveaway that night was the "toe-boggan" you can see my handsome boys wearing! After a yummy dinner of hot dogs and fries the boys headed to their seats. They were pleased to find out that they had the entire suite to themselves. I guess so they could burp and tell gassy boys jokes without anyone around to hear them. Plus they were able to try out each of the dozen different seats and the private bathroom multiple times.

Gage was in charge of the camera for most of the game. So if anyone would be interested in 78 pictures of the band from Johnson C Smith University I'd be happy to email them to you. Or some pictures of the backboard, half court line, fans kissing on the big screen... you get my drift. At some point in the game Gage asked Ward why the cheerleaders were always half neked. Wonder if he realized there was a basketball game going on? Davis on the other hand watched the players, committing the action to memory in hopes to mimic some of their moves at his basketball game later that week.

Late in the evening 3 sleepy-eyed boys wondered in - "toe boggans" securely on and gave me the play by play of the game.

Snow Daz = Mass sledding frenzy!

2010-02-02T16:02:00.004-05:00

(Click Pic to enlarge)

When I was younger (in the 1980's younger), and lived in Summerville, SC we had a pool in our backyard. That made my house the house to hang out at in the middle of the summer. I loved it because I did not attend school with any of the kids in my neighborhood and no one I went to school with lived in my 'hood. So these summer "daz" gave me a chance to play and bond with friends I only saw on weekends during the school year.

Flash Forward to 2010

My boys get so excited when the forecast calls for snow- because that is the one time we have the house to hang at, for sure. (I only added "for sure" because of the rule you can't end a sentence in "at".) We happen to have the best hill (read driveway) in all of Colony Woods. Maybe even the best hill east of Gaston Day School Rd!!! I think part of it is because where our driveway ends the road begins a road which plummets into another breathtaking hill soooo I'm just sayin'.

Friday the flakes began to fall and before they even had a chance to think about sticking Gage and Davis were planning the Adcock Hill. And of course in true Adcock fashion we began retelling stories of past years on the hill. We talked about items that we had used to sled on before - yoga mats, trash can lids, pool floats, cardboard boxes - yes a little of everything has gone down the hill. But a few years ago we purchased disk sleds for $3.99 that have been the best sleds by far - This year we purchased 2 nicer double sleds and the boys could not wait to take the new ones out for a spin. As we headed to bed we talked of who might show up to sled and who was going to get the first run. I don't think any of us got much sleep that night. Ward and I both woke up through out the night sneaking peaks out the window to see if the snow at stuck to the "hill".

Bright and early saturday am we bundled up in our southern style sledding attire (which consist of jeans under sweatpants, long sleeve t-shirts under sweatshirts with another sweatshirt then scarf, jacket, gloves, multiple hats and socks covered by rain boots) . My dryer ran all day as I vowed to purchase ski bibs and ski gloves before the next snow fall (which is predicted for this weekend).

Children of all ages - some we have never seen before - showed up to try and conquer the Adcock Hill! And by sundown we were frozen, wet, and beyond worn out! With memories to last us until the next snow fall (Which I will just say I'd be fine with if it didn't happen until 2011)

Here we go Rockets Here we go!

2010-01-31T08:23:00.005-05:00

How many points was that Davis?

Jack and Davis learn early on just to hand it to one another.

Davis has been playing Y basketball. He has had a blast. His plays for the Rockets. And prefers to play defense over offense. On many afternoons you can find Davis in front of the mirror practicing his "game face". Davis' buddy Jack is also on the Rockets. Get the two of them in the game together and watch out... The games are hysterical. Nothing like a bunch of 3 and 4 year olds chasing a basketball.

Chatting up the coaches wife - I'm sure he's recapping a big play.

Ready for a little defense. (note to gal in back, didn't your mother teach you to cover your mouth?)

I post this blurry pic because of the kid in the background covering his ears. He did this the entire game. Most of which he also cried during. He was scared to death of the buzzer. The next game he walked into the Y and threw up everywhere, his parents turned and walked out. I guess he figured out how to get out of playing!

This is the perfect picture of Jack and D! The expressions crack me up.

The cheering section....

Zing Zam Zoom

2010-01-29T13:24:00.005-05:00

Growing up my parents never really took me to the circus.
My mother thought they were too mean to the animals. She always had a very soft spot for animals of all shapes and sizes.
Although come to think of it... Her love for animals did not stop her from wearing fur or carrying a lizard clutch with matching kitten heels or jewels made from elephant tusk. No, when it came to fashion I guess she looked the other way and ignored the animal cruelty. Nor did her love for animals stop her from eating a nice steak - so i guess the protest of the Ringling Brothers stemmed from her desire to not see lions, tigers and elephants dancing as if they were meant to be ballerinas.

While I do share many of my mothers opinions - I treasure her silver fox coat!! I am all for taking my children to the circus to watch a 2 ton elephant's rendition of Swan Lake. My boys love it. They watch in awe, lemonade and cotton candy in hand. A spinning glow toy to light up with the stage goes black. This year the circus was great! We enjoyed the high-wire acts, dancing poodles and the non-english speaking tigers just to name a few.

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Wonderful Museum

2010-01-26T09:50:00.009-05:00

Flying your paper plane

Indy Car Crew

Wind Tunnel Fun!

The boys were out of school for MLK day and we headed with some friends to a children's museum in Greenville, SC. Yes, it takes about an hour and half to get to Greenville and yes Charlotte does have some amazing children's museums. But the one in Greenville blows everything else out of the water. It is beyond amazing. The children ranging from 2 - 7 had a blast there was so much to do - we spent the entire day there and still did not get to see and do everything - oh well, guess we will have to go back.

Little grocery shopping, a favorite by the way.

Hear your heartbeat by putting your hands on the metal cut outs. Yes, Davis' beats to a different drum.

Crutches and Cast and Stuffed Medical Care

The boys favorite hands on area (besides the grocery store) was the construction area. They played there forever. Or at least until the adults were starving and we dragged them away.

Lunchtime with good friends

Thanks Amy for taking all the pictures!

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Check Up at 2

2010-01-24T09:39:00.003-05:00

Last week, or maybe it was the week before last, Truman and I headed to see the Doctor for his big two year old check up. I just love check up time (haha not so much, I put it off as long as possible). It is not that I mind seeing the doctor and I am not here to debate vaccines, we do them but I respect those who make the choice not to do so. What I hate is the questionnaire that you have to answer each check up to see if your child is developing as needed. Questions like "does your child pick up a cheerio with 2 fingers and pass it to his other hand with 2 fingers?" seriously, I do not pay attention to how he passed the cheerio, Im just glad he put it in his mouth, chewed and swallowed. Or when walking up the stairs does your child grab the rail with one hand, put his left foot in front of his right foot all while bending over to pick up a tennis ball with his left hand? if so mark yes for always, sometimes for well...sometimes and no if never....UNLESS it is a orange tennis ball then mark.... I mean please my child is 2. And he is the 3rd one so at this point I am pleased that he eats, sleeps and walks. He knows many words but I am not sure how many so when I go to fill out the questionnaire I just try and make a really cute picture when I bubble in the answers, much like I did on the SATs. But when I got to the last question "Does your child jump with both feet off the ground" What from where? the side of a pool, well sure maybe or from the bottom step (after he has walked up with one hand on the rail, while bending over to....). Or just when I say "hey T - jump!" Well I am stumped - so I figure lets try it and see. I look at my little man only wearing a diaper and carrying a lightening mcqueen car in both hands and say hey Truman - can you jump for me? come on show Mommy how you can jump - come on now both feet, off the ground, now jump. To which he looked at me and said "No Mommy, I not jump". Ok well at least that answers the question "Is your child using 2 -3 word sentences?"

At 2 Truman weighs 22 pounds - and is 32 inches tall! No, not a misprint he is 22 pounds - big man he is! No worries though, he is just following in his brothers foot steps.

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Quickie to Charleston

2010-01-14T14:20:00.004-05:00

The Saturday after New Years day Ward and I decided to take a quick little trip to Charleston, one of my all time favorite places. I still miss it after having moved away years ago. It was a beautiful day and the boys as always were excited about a road trip! We arrived mid day and Ward sent me off to Kings Street for a little shopping while he and the boys played at the Children's Museum. Truman loved it - they had a make believe grocery store where he shopped and shopped and then got to CHECK OUT - complete with his own receipt. The highlight of his trip, he carried the receipt around in his back pocket.

We stayed at a hotel which was part of the old Citadel School. I love how much history is in one town. They had a awesome brick wall in the room that the boys enjoyed playing on - who needs toys!!

Enjoying a sippy of milk and a "check in" cookie!

Cool man Gage

We headed out to Hanks for dinner - one of my favorite seafood places.

Gage enjoying a huge bowl of ice cream

The next morning it was freezing. But the boys had their hearts set on a carriage ride through downtown.
The "kids"

Not much of a history buff, Tru took a little nap. While Gage asked me if I lived in Charleston when the pirates where there. Yes, I am old but not that old dear!

We warmed up after with lunch at the Noisy Oyster.

And of course a trip to the best candy store around.

The best way to guard your candy from your brothers while you sleep is to keep your hand in the bag!

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Twenty Ten

2010-01-12T16:00:00.009-05:00

We decided since Ward was on call this year for New Years Eve that we would make it a family event. The boys were so excited when we were invited to "party" at our friends the Sherrills! Of course the first question was "Can we stay up until mid-night" When I replied "Sure" I am not sure if they believed me given how much we stick to bedtimes around here. But why not, they had been so good during Christmas break, why not celebrate late into the night with friends.

We had a blast! Truman stayed up until about 9, then crashed in their pak n play. I kept waiting for Gage or Davis to crash but that never happened. I guess when you are rocking out to the Disney Channel countdown with 7 other kiddos you don't get tired. Never mind that I took a little cat-nap while the adults watched "The Hangover".
I'd call this the kids table!

1 minute until a new decade begins.

Beth and I had gone to Party City for a few dress up items!

Then as rednecks do in the south we headed outside to set off some fireworks!

Amy and I looking at the fireworks rather than the camera.

And what would New Years Eve be without at Brady Bunch style picture!

My adorable husband was between the party and the hospital.

When I left with a sleeping T-man it was 2am. Gage and Davis and the rest of the bunch were still going strong. When the boys came home the next morning Gage said that they had gone to bed a little closer to 3am. We had a wonderful New Years Eve and an even better New Years Day with long long naps for everyone!

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Out-Takes

2010-01-06T13:12:00.004-05:00

Because Wednesday tends to be wacky!
and because sometimes.....

well sometimes....
ya just gotta have fun.

Haircut

2010-01-06T12:27:00.002-05:00

YES, I broke down and cut it a few weeks ago - but you can't really tell other than it is out of his eyes.

Two is for Tru

2009-12-24T15:40:00.007-05:00

Because I have been in bed for 3 days with the stomach flu (I will spare you the details, trust me I can barely handle them myself) and because Gage had pneumonia poor Truman got a little over-looked on his big b-day. Don't get me wrong. He had no clue.

In his eyes (which are all that matter)

his father took the day off (only because I was near death, something he didn't even do when I was on bedrest with T!),

they went to the Indoor Playground, where he played his heart out,

went to Super Target where Tangie made him an Elmo cake,

he picked out bulk candy from the bin (his own bag, not just some out of his brothers bags),

he had chicken nuggets and a soda,

he opened lots of Cars and Elmo gifts

and

he got to go to the Dr to watch his brother have a breathing treatment.

What more can a two year old ask for?? Not much I'd say! He had no clue that we had to cancel his party at the local wing joint or that I sat on the stairs for the gift opening then returned to my cave. He was in two year old heaven. Which is all I would want for him on his day.

At 2 Truman

weights about 24 pounds

loves nuggets, chocolate chip muffins, sprite, juice, milk & more chocolate chip muffins

adores Elmo, Lightening McQueen and his oldest brother Gage

loves for Gage to put his diaper on him - refuses to wear a diaper without Elmo

prefers to pick his own clothing

will only wear his saddle shoes

enjoys giving hugs

carries 2 or 3 cars around along with an Elmo

prefers to walk rather than ride at the grocery or target unless there is a race car buggy

has to do everything that Gage does

doesn't understand Davis (but do any of us really?)

LOVES LOVES ride on toys - to drive and to ride along

had his first haircut about 3 weeks ago, still can't see well but looks so darn cute

likes his naps and his bedtime

has learned to fake cry

has learned to fake sleep

can throw a mean temper-tantrum! But those are few and far between! Thankfully!

Happy Birthday T-Man, We love you!

Your year in pictures!

Jan

Feb

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Happy 2nd Birthday Truman

2009-12-23T08:55:00.003-05:00

Thanks for all the calls and messages yesterday! Truman enjoyed his first day as a 2 year old.

my how you have grown

Venture to Mexico

2009-12-15T14:54:00.010-05:00

It has been over a month since I have ventured over here. I could always blame it on the holidays. With so much going on it dropped to the bottom of my "to do" list. I'd make it my New Years resolution to update more, but why set myself up to fail the first 2 weeks in january??

On December 1st we packed up the entire family and headed out on a jet plane, passport in hand (5 passports in mama's hands actually) destination the Mayan Rivera in Mexico.

I have to say how proud I am of all 3 boys. They were well behaved and wonderful travelers. When we boarded the plane people were rolling their eyes, one lady even asked to move to the back of the plane when she saw the 3 boys were seated near her. I laughed, I use to be one of those travelers. But Truman was asleep before the seat belt sign was turned off while Gage and Davis played their DS games and watched movies. Within 3 hours we touched down in Cancun and those around us were commenting how well behaved the boys were. We were off the plane and grabbing our luggage before the lady that asked to move had even made her way off.

We had hired a van to drive us an hour south of Cancun to the Fairmont Mayakoba. To say that it was beautiful would not do it justice. It was an amazing hotel. We stepped off the van and the staff welcomed the boys with cool fragrant clothes to freshen their faces and a glass of yummy ice tea. At that point Gage thought he had stepped into heaven. Please excuse the sometimes blurry pictures. I only took our underwater camera.

one of the pool bars

the grounds - the hotel rooms were hidden across the resort

On the 2nd day of the vacation Gage told Ward that it was the BEST family vacation he had ever been on. I have to agree, we had a wonderful time. I would say that Disney to me might be the best. But Disney is different, you are always busy and it is a different kind of fun. In Mexico we did nothing but play at the pool, eat, play at the pool, eat, play at the pool, eat.... you get my drift.

Another reason we had such a wonderful time was because we met some wonderful people. Check out Sonya's blog for her pictures and recap. www.taketimetoplay.blogspot.com/2009/12/ole-ole-ole-amigos.html

Cooper and Quinn are from Minnesota. Their dad was at the same conference Ward attended. It was so refreshing to be able to sit and chat with Sonya. It is always nice when you have someone to talk with that understands what it is like to have a spouse with the "on call" way of life. Sonya's a southern girl that lives deep in snow right now. We are both bloggers and can you believe neither one of us got a picture together?? Anyway, I am thankful to have met them. Our children had a blast playing together while she and I lounged. We have already talked about meeting up again somewhere warm next year.

love this picture -

part two up next

Fishing From Daddy's Point of View

2009-11-09T21:36:00.007-05:00

When the boys returned home from fishing they were so excited to show me the pictures. I was so excited when Ward said - "Hey, I'll blog about our trip". So here ya have it!

For those of you that know me, realize that I am not one to blog, Facebook, or twitter. So here it goes.

Gage is a fisherman. Last Friday November 6, Gage turned seven. For his birthday, he asked for an overnight fishing trip. With his newly purchased pair of waders and boots, he and I carefully studied the many opportunities to catch trout in western North Carolina and ultimately settled on the area around the famous Tuckaseegee river, just outside Dillsboro.

On Friday morning the two of us set out in search of the elusive mountain trout. Any fisherman knows that a real fishing trip always begins at the local fly fishing shop to find out about the local rivers and what the fish have been biting. So naturally our first stop was the Waynesville Fly Shop. Now everyone knows that flies for fly fishermen are much like shoes for women, you can never have too many. This rule held true on Friday, as we were able to add several new flies to our box as well as gain valuable information for the weekend ahead.

Unfortunately, due to the TVA generating on several local rivers we were not able to wade fish the Tuckaseegee. We spent Friday fishing the Pigeon River instead and Saturday fishing the Ravens Fork and Soco rivers in Cherokee. The weather was absolutely perfect, the scenery was spectacular, as always, in western North Carolina this time of year. We had a sack lunch on the river Friday, a tradition for all our fishing trips. Gage picks the rock. We saw squirrels, a few hawks, and heard gun fire from a nearby firing range.

After a long day of fishing on Friday we had dinner in Franklin at Cody's, a local favorite. Gage wanted steak. We took some great pictures of our meal. Danielle, our waitress, took our picture and brought Gage a large dessert. We took turns playing the Nintendo DS, talking about school, friends, and fishing.

The evening ended in the hotel with Cartoon network. Saturday was spent fishing most of day with a side trip into Cherokee to buy a bow and arrow with some of his birthday money and eat at Subway. We meet several fly fishermen on the river and shared stories of fish that got away or were seen but never had. The day ended with the drive home just in time to have a home cooked meal and tell stories about the trip.
Ultimately, no fish were brought to hand. In fact, only a few fish were seen.

Needless to say, Gage was disappointed and at one time said to me the trip was ruined because we did not catch any fish. During the ride home I began to think about my own fishing experience as a child and young adult. I have my grandfather George Adcock Sr, to thank for my love of fishing. Which I have managed to pass on to Gage and hopefully Davis and Truman one day. While I cannot give credit to my grandfather for ever having the traditional grandparent relationship with me, as a teenager and young adult he did the one thing he knew how to do best, take me fishing and hunting. In fact, most all of my memories of him are of our many trips to his farm to fish or hunt and the meals back at home afterwards. Many of those trips ended without any fish being caught. In fact there were many trips together that we hardly spoke at all. But I would not trade those memories for anything now. Out of those times together I learned that he was a self made man of few words, he borrowed money to start his own business repairing cars in the 1940's, Adcock's Garage. My great grandfather told him he would never make it, because no one would ever pay someone else to fix their car when they could do it themselves. For over 50 years he was an honest businessman, he gained the respect of many in his community and provided for his family, he was good at what he did and a hard worker, like most of his generation. The time I spent fishing with him made me realize all these things about him. Things that I may not have otherwise. He taught me to simply enjoy fishing. He certainly did. He taught me that at any age you can fish and that you can have fun doing it.

So I hope that one day Gage will look back on this trip and realize that there is more to a fishing trip than simply catching fish.

7 years old today & Citizen of the Month

2009-11-06T10:03:00.003-05:00

Gage is 7 years old today. He woke up early this morning, crawled in bed with me and asked me to tell him about the day he was born. I am so proud of what a polite, caring, young man Gage has become. Gage was also named Citizen of the Month for his class this past week. He just continues to make his parents proud!

For his birthday he asked for fishing waders and boots. They make him look way too grown up. He and his dad head to the mountains this morning for a weekend of fly fishing.

Happy Birthday my adorable Gagemister!

Living with "Mo" happens to be MY 300th Post

2009-11-04T09:09:00.005-05:00

Poor Truman - being the 3rd born he is slighted in so many ways. His older brothers tend to dictate the games that are played, the movies that are watched. He has been robbed of his toddler years. He went from a baby to a 4 year old overnight. But this year when school started for the older boys Truman was given the opportunity to get a taste of toddlerhood. ELMO!! We started watching Sesame Street and quickly the love affair began. It was "Mo" this and "Mo" that. Mo, Mo, Mo.... We were "Mo" for halloween and when Truman wasn't wearing the costume he wanted to carry it around, even willing to dump the matchbox car that is normally attached to his hand. Ward and I were kicking ourselves for getting rid of all those action elmos that Grandpa George had given Gage and Davis.

But right before Halloween Truman's dreams came true. A friend gave him his own Elmo. I can not even begin to tell you all the places "Mo" goes with us.
To Mom's Morning out 2 days a week
To lunch with friends (even needing a high chair)
To take the boys to school each morning
Mo eats dinner at the table with us at night - he is a chicken nugget kinda guy.
Mo sleeps in the crib - gotta watch the hard plastic killer eyes - they can be weapons.
Lucky for us he stayed in the car for trick or treating.

Did I mention "Mo" is bigger that Tru? I am just thrilled he has a little bit of Toddle Time left in him.

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Fashions for your Post Candy Hang-Over Halloween Pleasure.

2009-11-02T15:24:00.004-05:00

To begin with a little back story. Whenever something new clothing wise is purchased Ward always ask if there will be a "fashion show tonight?". He thinks it is incredibly fun to put on your new clothing a strut. (Maybe he likes to relive his JC Penny modeling days). So not long after the boys Halloween costumes were chosen Ward mentioned a fashion show to the boys.

We cranked up the music, I was the master of ceramonies and the boys did the stray cats strut around our den.

Some choose to dance their way into the room.

Some choose to look head on into the camera, in hopes of making the front cover of People.

Some are just really way too cool for the fashion show...

While others get groovin as soon as the music begins and do not stop, even once it ends.

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2009-10-25T08:40:00.001-04:00

It is almost Halloween. Are you ready for the Great Pumpkin?

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Davis Being Davis

2009-10-20T15:48:00.005-04:00

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!

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I thought we'd lost our minds...

2009-10-18T18:29:00.007-04:00

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".

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Uninvited Guest

2009-10-14T10:34:00.004-04:00

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.

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A Wonderful Woman

2009-10-08T16:56:00.004-04:00

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!

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Soccer

2009-10-06T15:34:00.004-04:00

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.

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Apples Apples Everywhere!

2009-10-05T13:08:00.003-04:00

What a wonderful fall weekend.

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A visit from the best

2009-10-02T20:21:00.003-04:00

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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Things I Never Thought I'd Say

2009-09-28T13:13:00.004-04:00

Prior to having children I had grand ideas as to how I would raise them. Days spent chasing them through fields of sunflowers, me in a petticoat - them with long blond ringlets with monogramed vintage pillow case dresses on. Then smack... God sent me three boys and thank goodness because while they all have had long blond ringlets I ain't got no stinkin' petticoat and there are no sunflower fields within miles of my home. Honestly I was ready for the craziness that would ensue - what I was not ready for was the things that would come out of my mouth when talking to them.

Like.....

Don't touch your brother's penis or anyones penis for that matter.

I think it is better if you carry the cat by the neck rather than by the tail.

No we do not put matchbox cars in the fish tank.

No the fish can not sleep in your bed.

Seriously, why did you think it was a good idea to put a dirty diaper in your brother's bed.

If you are going to hide your brother's blanket at least hide it where we can find it.

Yes, if you shake the lizard in the bug cage hard enough he does turn black.

You t-t in the toilet NOT on the wall - which is why the toilet starts with a t - you know like t-t!

Which one of you thought it would be funny to teach Truman to say poopy?

We do not use our fingers to see if our bottom is clean yet.

It doesn't matter how long it has been on the floor, you can still eat it

We don't tell strangers that we are 'free-balling" no matter how nice they seem.

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Just as happy with the little ones!

2009-09-23T14:45:00.007-04:00

On the way home from our summer vacation we spent the weekend in Pine Mountain Ga at Calloway Gardens. I have some fond memories of the gardens as a teenager. I was so happy to share this great place with all my boys. We swam in the pool, swam in the lake, played on bouncy islands in the lake, enjoyed room service each night and toured the butterfly garden. It was a great way to end our vacation. If you ask my boys they will tell you they enjoyed the gardens as much if not more than the beach. Maybe it was because of the fishing.

You see there is this wonderful lake at the Gardens.

Where my oldest boys spent an early morning enjoying nature and doing what they love.

While fishing - Davis taught his dad and his brother a very valuable lesson.

You should be just as happy
with the little things in life.

As you are with the

the bigger ones.

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Favorite Toys of Summer

2009-09-16T13:44:00.003-04:00

Our first favorite toy this summer was one we purchased right before our beach trip. My boys are addicted to take pictures. And being the mean mom I won't let them take pictures with my "good" camera. So we purchased an underwater digital camera by Sony. The boys have had a blast taking pictures with it. It was perfect for the beach and the pool. I am impressed with the pictures it takes and it is small and nice to throw in my purse. If you are in the market - we'd give it two thumbs up.

The other fav toy of the season has been an alligator that we FOUND at the pool in Florida. Honestly, Davis carried it around the entire time. Even sleeping with it. Truman enjoyed chewing on it (a first child would never have been allowed to chew on a lost and found toy - third child, i figure the chlorine killed whatever was bad). As I said Davis had to sleep with this thing - which aside from the fact that it's origin is unknown - it also had a hole in the bottom that allowed for it to fill with water while swimming (which it did with us daily). No matter how hard I squeezed to get the water out - it still leaked everywhere (maybe that is why it was discarded in the first place). So each night I had to wrap it in a towel so it could sleep in their bed! The gator even made his way to the first show and tell of the school year. Maybe at Christmas I'll just search the lost and founds of schools, playgrounds, parks, McDonalds - no telling what I might find!

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A bribe

2009-08-07T08:44:00.003-04:00

Truman hates to have his diaper changed in the morning. It is a battle! And he has the strongest legs I have ever seen. So I have taken to bringing him breakfast in bed. He gets his sippy cup and bag of muffins before he gets out of the crib. He is ecstatic - he works at trying to open the package of muffins while I change his diaper. Then once he is powdered and diapered I reward him by opening his muffins. It only took me three children to figure this one out.

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10 things that make me happy!

2009-07-31T09:00:00.003-04:00

10. sitting in a chair at sunset at the edge of the ocean
9. clean babies after their nightly bath
8. cold bed sheets
7. a nice zin with fresh strawberries
6. sleeping children
5. memories of my parents
4. salty ocean air
3. my husband coming home from work
2. saturdays at the pool
1. chocolate smiles.

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Without a cape he just doesn't fly?

2009-07-23T07:10:00.001-04:00

We set out Tuesday to meet at the Clark pool for our regular summer Tuesday get together. We all have really come to enjoy the time with friends. The boys play hard and Truman gets lots of attention from some pretty cute gals. Best of all I get to relax and chat with the ladies.

But this past Tuesday Gage and the "boys"* names are omitted to protect the innocent were playing on the swing set in the side yard of the Clark home. The rest of us were inside getting lunch ready, changing Truman into his suit, cooking corndogs... you get the picture. Davis bust through the door with blue stains on his lips, mouth and chin from his G2. It was not the blue stains that shocked me it was the look of terror on his face. "mommy mommy come really quick (grabbing my hand and pulling) it is Gage" What? "Gage is in the creek, he is in the creek mommy" 20 yards have never seemed so far in my life. Screaming Gage's name he decides this time in his life to use his "inside voice" and is whispering. But after what seems like a lifetime or really 2 minutes we find Gage across the wet part of the creek rubbing his foot. No need to ask what happened. No, Davis is quick to tell that Gage and (***) name removed for protection jumped from the street down into the creek. A good 10 foot drop as seen here from across the way:

We gather Gage up to get him calmed down. Even though he takes about an hour to himself in the porch hospital drugged with Motrin and with visits from all his friends he eventually goes on to swim and even participate in the weekly dive/model walk competition. Although underneath it you can tell that he is favoring his foot and in some pain between the giggles, pb&js, cornbdogs and chips. After talking with his dad (who proved to be more worried), We take off to get a xray - thank goodness for friends in the field -no wait for our superhero nice... given the fact it was 5 in the afternoon and the waiting room was still full! Thankfully --- All looks good - there are two little cracks right at the growth plate so it is hard to tell if it is from the trauma or from just being a 6 yr olds foot or both. Either way treatment is the same and there is no cast for us! YIPPY!!

When I asked him what he learned he said:
1. that even if a friend tells everyone to do something you have to ask your mommy first
and 2. that if you don't have a cape (or a green Mohawk) you can't fly.

I am just thankful
1. Davis cared enough to be scared (which means he really loves his brother, sometimes it is questionable) and
2. that he jumped far enough out not to hit the cement poles that have been thrown in as trash by some careless construction workers and
3. For friends that took care of Tru while we were gone and for friends that took some time to talk to Gage when he was scared. You all will never know how much we appreciate it.

Gage is still having a hard time walking and continues to be in pain but I think he has learned a good lesson. After visiting with Dr. Clay and our favorite Krispy Kreme PA we might just go ahead set up an open account with 3 boys they promised me it won't be our last visit!!

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The Tale of Two Close Brothers

2009-07-20T13:11:00.005-04:00

Gage
quiet
shy
quick to learn at school
slow learn at home (re: things like not sassing or talking back)
artist
lego perfectionist
skinny flat long feet
want to do it yourself
likes to cook
will try new things
likes solo sports - golf, tennis, video games
makes his bed everyday before getting up
worries about if his butt is big
prefers flip flops
sharks tooth necklace or rope bracelet
will sit for an entire movie and has since he was 2
loves being outside
is a fish in the water
tattles
loves his youngest brother
tolerates his middle one
stubborn

Davis
loud
wild
does not like to wear buttons
prefers sports attire
loves all sports
will not sit for a commercial much less a movie
has to be reminded to make his bed
eats only chicken, hot dogs, ice cream, chips and chocolate chip muffins
well, and any candy
enjoys the outside
hates TV
is a fish in the water
is tattled on
makes a noise with his mouth and teeth all the time
never meets a stranger
says whatever is on his mind loudly
is obsessed with why people love each other
was obsessed with have a baby in his belly (Bob)
loves High School Musical (only movie he'll sit thru)
stubborn

Of course I can find many words to describe the older 2. But come to think of it these 2 pictures pretty much sum it up too.

And the third, he is a completely different story!

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Funny Friday

2009-07-17T14:27:00.001-04:00

Cheers to a happy weekend!

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Vote for my HERD

2009-07-13T14:06:00.005-04:00

This is the herd photo you will be voting on!

Will you please vote for my boys as the best herd photo from our recent eat more chicken day at Chick fil a. Leave us a comment to let us know you voted! Click on the title of this post (Vote for my HERD) and it will take you directly to the Chick fil a site!

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My favorite Elephant

2009-07-10T15:47:00.003-04:00

Davis spent a week at Taste of the Arts camp. The week is spent doing a little of this and a little of that. At the end they put on a little production for the families. The theme was the jungle and Davis was the Elephant - his favorite jungle animal. And yes, of course he was adorable! hehe The play was held in the "black box" theater so it was a little hard to get good pictures in an entirely black room!

Finishing it off with a few songs!

And no production would be complete without a yawn!

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Do not throw the ICE CREAM Away!

2009-07-09T09:16:00.003-04:00

Even if the only thing that is left is what has dripped on the napkin!

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Birthday Flips

2009-07-08T08:46:00.003-04:00

On July 3rd we celebrated friend's birthday at another friends backyard pool. I was amazed at how well some of the men were able to show up the youngsters on the diving board.

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Success

2009-07-06T15:22:00.003-04:00

This year our pool mandated a "swim test". Before a young one can swim alone in the pool (without mom or dad in the water with them) they have to swim a full lap and tread water in the "10 feet" for a minute. Now mind you Davis has been swimming alone since last summer but now half way through the summer they realize he has never taken the "swim test", which was not even an option last year. So on the 4th of July aka the busiest pool day of the year, Davis is asked to take the "swim test". He pulls it off without a moments hesitation. He swam his lap - ran over for a coin dive (collected $3.43) - and then went for the minute tread test! He was so excited that he passed and asked if he got to take one each day. Poor guy I hated to break it to him that he never has to do it again!

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Brotherly Love

2009-07-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

Kiss me once

But don't you dare try to kiss me twice!

Ya just got to love a little brotherly love --- just don't ask for more than one is willing to give!

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Summer ShootOut at Lowes

2009-07-04T14:44:00.009-04:00

Yes, Yes by now everyone should know what NASCAR fans we are. But maybe we should broaden that to simply "Race Fans'. Even my boys have the fever. Last week we loaded up the mini-van and headed to Lowes Motor Speedway for the Tuesday night Summer ShootOut. Each Tuesday night during the summer they have mini races --- all sorts of cars--- with people competing from age 8 and up. (you know they are still relatively young when the winner thanks his "mommy and daddy") Gage really has the bug. He and Ward sat and chatted the entire time about the cars the 8 - 12 years old were driving. Who knows maybe Gage will race to fund our retirement. Truman was a trooper, we stayed until the very end so we could see the fireworks. He had a ball and loved the fireworks display. He even at that point forgot about the earlier incident where he chocked on a dum-dum. (but that is a whole other post). I was not remiss in taking pictures of Gage - he was there, he was just too busy watching and planning for his debut and would not allow photos. Maybe he does have a future is racing after all.

Intense skittle eating and race watching

Intense Chip eating

And finally the FIREWORKS!

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Swimming with friends

2009-07-02T09:41:00.004-04:00

Summertime is about the pool for my boys. They come by it honestly both Ward and I love the pool and spent many of our days as children poolside. I have been remise this year in going to the pool much. Mainly because Tru thinks he is 4 years old and can do whatever the big boys do. Case in point last weekend he went off the diving board at our club pool. And he is always screaming to go down the slide. Lucky for me there are normally enough young cute gals that are willing to chase him around and entertain him and even from time to time take him down the slide. But still we have had fewer pool days than normal this summer. Although we have enjoyed a few afternoons at the Clark pool. One of our favorite summer time rituals. One of my favorite because Mrs. Clark kept her pack and play even though her girls are old which means Truman can go down for his afternoon nap and I can relax.

Sharing a little melon after a hard day of Marco Polo and diving board competitions.

These boys have found the spout underwater where the water blows back out. It kept them busy for a good bit of the day.

.

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Pops in the Park

2009-07-01T07:33:00.008-04:00

Saturday night was a beautiful night. We treated the boys to a picnic and the "Pop's in the Park" concert. A wonderful concert with modern music thanks to the Charlotte Symphony. The boys had a blast.

The only time everyone sat down was to eat!

Because a good brother always put a potato chip on your head.

Did I mention it was hot??

In order to entertain us and those around us, Davis tried to tickle himself.

Relaxing with Daddy

Sticky Sweet Candy Face

We had a great evening and surprise surprise it was not the music that the boys enjoyed the most, but the fishing pond that they found while walking around. A great little pond that was home to hundreds of tadpoles - I say "was" because now they are living in our pond and the boys fish tank!

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Ice Cream Check Up

2009-06-28T09:30:00.004-04:00

Tru had his 18 month check up and Davis had his 4 year old check up last Friday. They both did such a great job we just had to celebrated with Ice Cream at Brusters. Truman weighted in at 21 pounds - and "not tall enough to ride the big rides at Disney yet". Davis weighed in at 34 pounds and "not tall enough......." Won't that look good in the baby book.

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T.R.O.U.B.L.E

2009-06-27T09:47:00.003-04:00

We are in capital TROUBLE! T-man has learned to drive the gators - he just has not learned to steer. Which has us chasing him around and around pulling him out of trees, bushes, the pond!

Davis has a crush

2009-06-25T16:52:00.003-04:00

Do you think the age difference will matter? Not to Davis.

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For Dinner

2009-06-18T14:26:00.002-04:00

I think for dinner tonight I am going to gobble up this sweetie! I can not get enough of those curls!

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Not Crying Over Spilt Milk

2009-06-17T11:06:00.004-04:00

What do you do on a rainy day with leftover red and green M&M's from Christmas?
Make cookies of course!
See how perfectly round they are!

Enjoying the cookies!

Gage with bed head still!

Little cookie, Little K-9 Unit

While I was taking the last batch of warm cookies out of the oven and placing them on the cooling rack. Tru crawled up on the table and poured out Davis' milk. I turned around upon hearing him yelp in delight I found him slashing around in the spilt milk. No crying here!

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Here comes the bride

2009-06-16T14:33:00.004-04:00

What a great weekend in St Louis. The wedding was beautiful and the boys did a fabulous job. Aside from the fact that Truman would not sit through the wedding and Ward had to walk him around they were well behaved at the reception and dinner. It took me forever to get Gage out on the dance floor, although he talked all week about "busting a move". Too much Zack and Cody I think. These pictures are in random order. Gage had the camera most of the night, he takes great pictures, he just forgot the flash this time around. As soon as the wedding was over the boys pulled off their flowers, untucked their shirts and Davis paid someone to take off his tie. At least those made it thru the actual wedding.

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Sitting in a tree KISSING

2009-06-10T14:53:00.003-04:00

We are heading to see my cousin Drey get married this weekend. Davis has been obsessed with Drey getting married and the fact that he will have to kiss Jenny - Drey that is not Davis, but I digress. I of course am worried that Davis will pipe-up and yell out something during that kiss - should make a note to myself to take a few extra kleenex for mouth stuffing. Davis', not Drey's, Jenny would not like that too much. Again, I digress...

We have been watching our wedding video to get the boys ready for what will happen and how still they have to sit. So of course it got me thinking about my wedding day. Like Davis, I think I put too much emphasis on the kiss - how was I going to turn my head, was he going to place his hand on my cheek just so, how long did we hold the kiss for, how into it do you get (aside from the fact that a few dozen people are watching and we don't want anyone to scream "get a room" which we had, but that was for later). I have to say that as I look back on that day the things I worried the most about like the "kiss" are things I do not remember.

Instead I remember how wonderful and fragrant my flowers smelled, that fact that the fire that was crackling in the fireplace (which served as our backdrop) roared as my father and I walked down the aisle and at that point in time I thought of my mother. I remember how itchy my hair was. I remember the harpist playing the Lords Prayer for what seemed forever and thinking that all of Wards groomsmen were going to fall over. And I remember dancing with my father and doing the YMCA with the bridal party as all of our very conservative extended family members looked on. I am sure they were thinking dancing??? what next champagne??? No, we saved that for our hotel room!

Anyway, my hope is that Drey and his wife to be, Jenny have a stress-free, worry -free wedding and that they remember the good details. And while Davis may be stressed about the first kiss Jenny and Drey will share as Mr & Mrs Drey Cooley - I hope they won't be because trust me, 11 years later Ward and I have shared far better kisses than that one on March 14th of 1998! And I will leave with that because Drey would say it was TMI!

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Seriously People

2009-06-09T15:37:00.003-04:00

Again, we are in line at the local cafeteria after church on Sunday - no, we normally do not go to the cafeteria but every once in a while I get Ward to relive yesteryear. ANYWAY - my third born is decked out in NAVY BLUE AND RED with a huge LOBSTER on his jon jon and still no less than 8 people said how beautiful "she" was - seriously people. Look before you speak - now I might point out that yes, we were at a cafeteria and yes it was after church on Sunday so most of the comments were from the crowd that gets a 10% discount plus free coffee but STILL! Oh, well we will continue to deal with it because honestly would you cut these?

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Family Friends

2009-06-08T08:53:00.006-04:00

My mom had many sayings - most of which I am sure she picked up from someone somewhere - but to me they were original to her. One that sticks out in my mind this week is "happysad". I have been "happysad" since Aunt Tina and Uncle Scott told us they were moving to orange country aka Knoxville, TN. Happy for them because they have been afforded another job opportunity. Sad because they will not be "just right down the road". I have said before that when you live in a town with no family your friends become family and although the Callicutt's were family before they moved to Gastonia they became close family while living in the same time. We shared Thanksgivings, Christmas, Easters, 4th of Julys and many other non-holiday events. Aside from us Scott was the first to hold Davis after he was born and the first to see Tru as he was taken to the NICU after birth. And again aside from us, Tina was the first to hold Truman while he was hanging out in the NICU. And while they will only be 4 hours away and we will still share holidays there will be a hole with them not being "just right down the road".

Last weekend we had a little farewell but not goodbye pool party. It was a time to celebrate their future (hopefully they will not turn into Vols fans, they have sworn they won't). We will miss they terribly but look forward to many visits down I-40.

Night at the Movies

2009-06-07T07:42:00.004-04:00

Wonderful thing #243 about all boys! There is never a fight over what to watch on movie night.

You gotta love it...

2009-06-03T20:15:00.003-04:00

when your 4 year old takes your picture and ask you if you could "get down on his level". Then later he tells me, "Mommy, why do you stick your bum out like that?"
I said "to get on your level",
he said
"Oh, I thought it was to get flies"...

Frosting

2009-05-29T08:18:00.002-04:00

This little guy is like the frosting on the cake. He is so darn yummy and so sweet!

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Geocache it is a big hit

2009-05-27T21:55:00.004-04:00

We have started a new little hobby that has been around for some time now, we are sometimes slow on the uptake. Geocaching. It has proven to be a lot of fun. Here are a few pictures from our first finds. Check out www.geocaching.com for details. I use the GroundSpeak App on my iphone as a GPS which is pretty easy.

The boys prefer the ones where you find a prize. They like the take a prize and leave a prize idea. Today we went to the country club and found a great cache. We took a pair of dice and left a medal (we will take the dice to the next cache). The other cache that we found today (thanks to our Cupp friends) was a log only cache. So we logged our names, took a picture and moved on. Who knew that within our little area there are over 800 of the 807,000 caches worldwide. The boys are ready for a summer of treasure hunting, not just around Gastonia but on some of our trips as well!

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TROUBLE

2009-05-25T09:35:00.003-04:00

I think I am in trouble. Truman has learned to ride along on the John Deere tractor with the boys. It is going to be a long summer. If he is outside, he is wanting someone to take him for a ride. When no one would yesterday he got on the smaller one and figured out how to drive it himself - although it scared the beetlejuice out of him so maybe we'll have a few extra days of not having to chase him around the yard on in.

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NASCAR is in Charlotte

2009-05-23T14:02:00.007-04:00

Being the NASCAR fans we are - we have enjoyed the Speed Week here in Charlotte. 2 big races in 2 weeks and all the fun in between. Ward and I enjoyed tailgating and the All-Star Challenge last Saturday. Of course it was extra special for me since TONT STEWART won. But besides that (as if there is anything else) Ward and I enjoyed grilling burgers and basking in the sun sans the little ones.

Ward thinks it is funny to tell everyone that I like to go to the pre-race show topless that they film live on speed channel. As IF!! But this time I caught the truth on film - Ward likes to go topless.

WILL the cat live???

2009-05-22T21:14:00.003-04:00

The question remains to be seen. Tru loves and adores the newest edition. "Tiger" who also has gone by the name Alex, Melman, Lion and now Tiger.

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Letter to Gage

2009-05-20T14:05:00.005-04:00

Dear Gage:

Today you graduated from Kindergarten. You stood before family and friends to pledge allegiance to not only the American flag but also the Christian flag and to the Bible as you put your kindergarten year behind you. Of course in a time like this words will never express just how proud I am of you son. You are our first born and therefore we will be able to experience many first with you. By the time Tru graduates from kindergarten we will be experts.

You would be mad at me, I am sure for I became misty-eyed, but in your honor I held back my tears as you marched down the aisle in your gown with such the serious look on your face and head held high in pride. Gage it was only yesterday that your father and I brought you home and wonder of wonders figured out how to change your diaper. Now you come home eager to move on to first grade. I am not a mom that wants to keep you little forever, heavens no... I simply want to cherish each moment knowing that one day in the blink of an eye you will be wearing your cap and gown and marching off to college.

So I will remind myself to give you an extra push on the swing, another lap around the neighborhood on your bike, a few minutes past bed time matters not in the grand scheme and on those days when you really don't want to hold my hand, I will still grab yours and hold tight because sweetheart it was only yesterday that you were my 6 pound 7 ounce new born baby boy, today you graduated from kindergarten and by tomorrow it will be your senior year and chances are I will cry.

All my heart is yours now and forever!

I love you Gage,

Mommy

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Not until he is 2

2009-05-11T20:57:00.002-04:00

Ward is dying for me to cut Tru's hair. He is tired of people saying that Tru is a beautiful little girl. Sorry honey, we went through this with the other boys. You know I don't even think about cutting off those locks until they are closer to 2. I casually mentioned that he is welcome to cut Gage's hair but Truman's (and Davis' hair) is off limits. And yes, that is a nugget in his mouth.

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Weekender Recap

2009-04-05T15:25:00.005-04:00

Such a great weekend. The boys had a soccer game Friday night. So they lost... We still had a lot of fun and enjoyed a celebration dinner at Moe's after. What did we celebrate given the fact that we did not score the most goals? We celebrated the fact that is was not a rain out and that we actually got to play.

Saturday morning we headed out for a picnic breakfast and a concert with Billy Jonas. They boys could not believe that the instruments consisted of household products. Since the concert I have lost a trash can, broom and beans.

After church on Sunday Ward and Gage headed out to fish while Big D, Tru and I went to the gardens. It was a beautiful carolina blue day. Davis decided he wanted to be a clown, hence the pin marks on his face. The boys took sharing to a new level when they took over my drink from McDee's.

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GO Storm GO

2009-04-02T15:49:00.004-04:00

Soccer season has begun. Although, it has been a rain out so far. We have a great team and an even better Coach this year! Gage and Big D are on the same team. Along with their friends, Ali, Max, Jack and Payne. Hip Hip Horary for the STORM. Now, rain rain go away and stay away so we can play ball!

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Kitchen Window

2009-03-30T17:31:00.002-04:00

I have often wondered while standing at my kitchen sink "Why is there almost always a window over the kitchen sink?"

Today I found out.

While peeling carrots for the Roast

I had the chance to watch Davis in the backyard peeing in a bucket held by his brother Gage.

Seriously....

No lie...

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Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-18T10:03:00.002-04:00

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Adcock Circus

This boy stole my heart and he calls me....Mommy!

Eat My Bubbles

TGIF!! or TGIGMKFCD!!

Letters

Learning Curve...Summer Camp

As a Mom of 3 Boys.....

Surfing in Costa Rica

Pinewood Derby

Greetings From Centre America!

2011 Saying goodbye to Pampers!

Purple, Orange Tailgating

Snow Babies!

The North Carolina Polar Express

Mustang Sally or rather Mustang Tru!

Things I never thought I would say...

"Panters"

Water Logged

Rustic Roost!

Myrtle for Ward's Bday

Zipline Sucess

Family Camp

Girls weekend away!

More Summer Post - Gage enjoys the river.

Fripp

Summer Swim Team 2010

PreSchool is a thang of the past....

Mothers Day Picnic

I CAN NOT get enough of this little bit!

Underwater Fun

Big Green Pickle in a Bag

Valentines For D

Soccer Season

Steeplechase

The Peas!

A Full Hand!

Bobcats With Dad

Snow Daz = Mass sledding frenzy!

Here we go Rockets Here we go!

Zing Zam Zoom

Wonderful Museum

Check Up at 2

Quickie to Charleston

Twenty Ten

Out-Takes

Haircut

Two is for Tru

Happy 2nd Birthday Truman

Venture to Mexico

Fishing From Daddy's Point of View

7 years old today & Citizen of the Month

Living with "Mo" happens to be MY 300th Post

Fashions for your Post Candy Hang-Over Halloween Pleasure.

Davis Being Davis

I thought we'd lost our minds...

Uninvited Guest

A Wonderful Woman

Soccer

Apples Apples Everywhere!

A visit from the best

Things I Never Thought I'd Say

Just as happy with the little ones!

Favorite Toys of Summer

A bribe

10 things that make me happy!

Without a cape he just doesn't fly?

The Tale of Two Close Brothers

Funny Friday

Vote for my HERD

My favorite Elephant

Do not throw the ICE CREAM Away!

Birthday Flips

Success

Brotherly Love

Summer ShootOut at Lowes

Swimming with friends

Pops in the Park

Ice Cream Check Up

T.R.O.U.B.L.E

Davis has a crush