We have a good friend that was in the hospital and they were needing someone to keep their kids for a few hours for Mrs. Friend to be able to be with Mr. Friend for the day. We invited C & R over to play with us for the day and Cooper had a great time playing with C. They swam in the pool and played cars and trucks most of the afternoon.
We arrived at Lynne’s house last night and had dinner with them. It was so great to spend some time with Lynne. We haven’t seen her in a couple of years and had never been to her *new* house (she’s been there about 5 years, so technically not so new anymore, LOL). The boys were really excited to have more room to run around, but since it had rained all evening it didn’t turn out quite as they hoped so they made themselves at home in the great room while Lynne and I caught up. Jessica got home from her college class around 10:30 so she stayed up with all of us while we talked and the boys played and watched tv. I didn’t think Noah and Cooper would ever go to sleep…it was after 1 am! Finally they did and we got up early the next morning. Unfortunately, the no routine, excess energy, and late nights with little sleep had caught up with them and there was a lot of chaos today…arguing, whining, fighting with each other, etc. Lynne took us riding around to see all of their family land and farms and riding in the car was the first time the boys had slowed down in two days. I began to feel a headache coming on, and as much fun as we had had on the trip, it was definitely time to head back home. We left around 4 pm and between stopping for dinner and a traffic delay in Atlanta it took us almost 8 hours to get home.
I am glad that we made the trip, but I had completely underestimated how very hard it would be to do alone. I had to do all of the packing and unpacking (three times in two days!) and all of the driving, all while trying to keep two energetic and overtired boys out of trouble and under some kind of control by myself. It was fun and so good to see everyone, but exhausting and not something I will be tackling alone again any time soon, LOL.
I hadn’t told Papa that we were coming because, on the chance that it didn’t work out, I didn’t want to disappoint him. I did tell my mom though, because she and George made our room arrangements at the Village. They had spent the day there Wednesday and were spending the night there as well. All they told Papa was that they had a surprise for him the next day. Thursday we got up and went to breakfast and then went to Papa’s room. He was shocked when Noah walked into his room and then Cooper and me. He seemed so happy to see all of us. We all went to Papa’s favorite buffet for lunch and then the boys ran around our room playing “soldiers” while Mama, George, Papa, and I played Scrabble. It was a little hard keeping them from being too loud and wild, especially since it was raining outside so they had to stay in the room, but overall they were good. The day went quickly, and before we knew it the day was over and it was time to say goodbye and head to Lynne’s. Even though it was a short visit, it was so nice to spend some time with everyone.
Dwight had to spend the week in Nebraska for work. My best friend, Lynne, called and was trying to decide when to come up to see us and I thought that since Dwight was gone I would go visit my Papa for a day and then stay with her the next day. I wasn’t sure about travelling alone with the boys, but I thought I would at least try since it would only be a couple of days. So, we sent the dogs to Dana’s, packed our stuff, and headed south to Waycross.
Today we had a visit from our old neighbor, Tessa. She was in town because a neighbor of ours, her friend, Michael, had passed away. We have known Tessa since she was 7 years old and now she’s 20. She was so excited when Noah was born and has always been crazy about him. Even since she moved 5 years ago, she still sends him photos and cards. While she was here she slipped in his room and wrote this little note on his dry erase board, just under her photo. While the photo is blurry, it was too special not to include in our year photos.
Noah decided to participate in Alex’s Lemonade stand this year, hosting a lemonade stand to raise money for pediatric cancer. Our stand was dedicated to the memory of Dustin Cobb, one of Noah’s third grade classmates who was fighting cancer that year and sadly passed away last summer. He invited his best friend, Joshua, to help and together we manned our booth outside of Joshua’s uncle’s tanning salon on a very hot afternoon. The lemonade was free and we accepted donations for our cause and had a lot of contributors…strangers and friends (one of our friends that we hadn’t seen since high school even came out). We had a great day working together for a great cause!
Our bowling center has Kids Bowl Free during the summer where the kids get two free games every day. We met the Morrisons today for a round of bowling.
Today we met with Dwight’s dad, uncles, and some newly-introduced distant cousins for lunch in Covington. They had been corresponding by email having found that they are distantly related through their great-grandfather (I believe), and they were going to meet with some other relatives at a church near a cemetery where their ancestors are buried. Dwight’s Aunts Jean and Juanita arrived shortly after this photo was taken. Unfortunately, Jean fell at the restaurant and had to go to the emergency room to be checked, so not everything went exactly as planned. We went to the ER to stay with Jean so that the others could make it to the church for a short visit with the others who were waiting. Thankfully she had only received minor injuries and was able to go home that evening.
Today was the last day of Camp Invention. Joshua & Noah have done this camp together the past two summers and it has been so much fun for them to spend the whole day together inventing and learning about science. On the last day we get to see their inventions and other creations. This year they created comic book characters. Joshua created the hero, Mr. Squash, and Noah created the villain, The Brutal Broccoli. After we saw all of their work, the boys ran around the parking lot, enjoying the last of their fun week at camp together.
Today was our first summer play date with the Morrisons. While the older boys played in Noah’s room, the little guys were able to get some time to what they wanted with the Wii without the bigger boys there.
Dylan had a belated birthday dinner and the Morrison's invited us over to try out their new Slip N’ Slide. Other than the chaos of making sure everyone got a regular turn, it was a lot of fun for the boys. Definitely a great way to keep cool.
Tonight we spent the evening at our friends’ house and had a lot of fun. The boys really enjoyed jumping on the trampoline.
While I was out buying groceries today these beautiful flowers came. They were from my best friend from high school, Lynne. We have been best friends for 25 years and our birthdays are only 10 days apart. She lives about 250 miles away so we don’t get to see each other very often. I miss her so much and it is still so nice to know that she was thinking about me.
Grandma & Grandpa came up to spend the weekend with us today. We had a great dinner at Mah Jong, did some shopping at Walmart, and played cards until the morning hours.
We will all be going to Noah's basketball game tomorrow. I know that he is excited to have them come watch him play. It's nice to have them here to cheer him on!
This week is one of the weeks where Noah gets a few days off from school and Cooper is at home all week, so Aly invited us over to play after Joshua was home from school. Noah couldn't have been happier, since he hasn't been able to see as much of Joshua lately. The boys spent most of the time playing Guitar Hero. It was a fun, and much needed afternoon with friends.
This may look like a simple deck of cards, but it represents a huge change in our family. We truly don't have little kids any more.
For the first time in years we are at a place in our family where we can get together with our friends and the adults can play games or watch grown up TV while all the kids play in another room. None of us have toddlers anymore! So far this year we have had two card games with the Morrisons, once at their house and tonight at ours. We played cards while the boys all played video games. While it is really exciting to know that we have reached this point, I can't help but feel a touch of sadness to realize that our group of little boys just aren't little anymore.
Basketball is Noah's favorite sport and since it only comes around for a couple of months once a year it is always very exciting when January gets here and practices start up again. This will be Noah's 6th season playing and Dwight has been his coach for all but the first season. I think it is so wonderful that they have this time to spend together on the court.
Tonight was the first practice of the season and for the first time BOTH of Noah's best friends, Joshua and Cameron, will be on the team. They have each been on Noah's team in the past seasons, but never at the same time. Even though tonight's practice was a gathering of good friends, the boys wasted no time acting silly and playing around...they got right into the game.
Go Vipers! Here's to a great start to the 2009 season!
Today is Wednesday, so that means dinner at Moe's. For years now we have gone there for Kids Eat Free every Wednesday night and usually the Morrisons and/or the Lillys meet us there. We always look forward to it because it gives us a great middle-of-the-week break to see our friends. The boys sit at their own table and play with whatever toys they brought that night while the grown-ups sit together and catch up. Tonight I grabbed the cell phone to get this shot of Noah playing with some Lego figures. Cameron, Connor, Joshua and Dylan were all there tonight, so the boys had a fun night together.
My mom and George wanted to sneak away for a couple of days to see us around the holidays. Since Dwight was leaving to go on an overnight trip out of town today, it seemed like a great time for them to come up to see us since it would keep me company while Dwight is away, so they got here late yesterday afternoon and are leaving early in the morning...truly an in-and-out visit, but a good one nonetheless. Last night we exchanged our overdue Christmas presents and today we spent the day shopping (at Kohl's, BIG SURPRISE there, LOL), went to dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant, and then wandered around Barnes & Noble for a while. We came home and played a couple of board games with the kids ( What's in Ned's Head?, and, of course, Sorry) and then watched a little TV. Even though Dwight's trip is so short and we would've been perfectly fine alone, it was so nice to have them here to keep us company. Thanks, Mama!
