City folk....geez!

I got this from my friend Lori. It cracked me up!

A weekend at the coast

We attended a memorial for my Uncle Buck this weekend. He passed after a battle with stomach cancer. He did not want a funeral- we had a small memorial service and then a covered dish luncheon/family reunion with his urn (ashes) present. At first everyone thought it odd that a formal funeral would not take place and questioned "closure" for the family. The short Memorial service and then the sincere gathering of family was actually refreshing. It left the formality and coldness associated with death behind and created an environment where people could hug, laugh, bring children along, and stay all day and socialize. We always say that we only see the family at funerals-- well at this particular service, it was designed to encourage the family to gather and not merely pay respects, but to visit with each other. And not just a nod to each other as you sign the guest register-- but to REALLY sit and talk. On the way home, I made up my mind right then that this is what I want when my time comes. Cremate me, and take my urn to a big covered dish luncheon where my friends and family can congregate and talk, laugh, cry, visit, gather in communal spirit, etc. This is how I live my life. This is how I want my life remembered.
As for the rest of the weekend, while we were at the coast, we let the boys have as much fun as we could fit in: parks, miniature golf, Build-a Dino workshops, playing with cousins, etc. -- they had a great time!
Click on the "x" in the upper right corner of the slide show below if you need to restart the slides.

Happy Easter!

What a beautiful day! Perfect weather to celebrate Easter!
Spencer woke up 30 minutes before the alarm was to go off. Mom! Mom! The Easter Bunny came! He tore through his basket quickly and opened all of his eggs to reveal his surprises.
After breakfast, I dressed him in his adorable Carolina Blue and chocolate outfit. We had a mini argument about the tie going INSIDE the vest. Spencer was so excited about his blue tie that he wanted to wear it where it could be seen better.
Mommy 1- Brat 0. Tie went on the inside.
We were actually on time for church. That has to be a record. After church I came home and immediately started cooking dinner (glazed ham, macaroni and cheese, party cheese rolls, green beans)
At 3:00 Team Wright and Team Alderin reported to Nana and Boppa's house for the traditional egg hunt. The entire week has been devoted to trash talking about the hunt. Mom had to all but threaten Jimmy not to push, shove, or trip me or Spencer. He can not rip our bags and make our eggs fall out either. My brother cheats!
Spencer got into the spirit-- he trash talked his uncle all the way to hunt time!
Okay-- Team Wright had 3 people (Jimmy, Lucy and IV) and Team Alderin was me and Spencer. 3 on 2. And we still kicked their hard boiled behinds.
Mom and Dad hid 58 eggs. $150 plus $12 in lotto tickets. 1 of the $10 eggs was out of play and went to Dad.
Lucy found 8 eggs
IV found 9 eggs
Jimmy found 13 eggs
Spencer found 10 eggs
I found 18 eggs

Did you notice the 6 year old and the 7 year old found more eggs than Lucy?

Team Wright ended the day with $66 and 5 lotto tickets
Team Alderin ended the day with $74 and 7 lotto tickets

Yep-- we are undefeated! Spencer strutted back to the house chanting ALDERIN! ALDERIN! ALDERIN! It's not about the money, it's a year's worth of bragging rights.

After the hunt, everyone came back to our house for Easter dinner then we watched Carolina take out Arkansas in the tourney. Great night!

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Eggs to dye for

All of us got together today and dyed eggs! We're gearing up for tomorrow's big dinner and hunt! Spencer and I are already starting our trash talking!

Dook is out of the tournament. I didn't have them going out until the next round-but I will gladly sacrifice my bracket points -haha.


We also went to the movies tonight to see Horton Hears a Who-- it was really cute! Spencer's favorite part was the preview of IceAge- Dinosaurs in 3D (summer 2009)

Marching on

The ACC final game was a bit tighter than I expected. But a win is a win--and we rocked our way to top seed in the East. Even as the guys were cutting down the net you could almost see them thinking brackets instead of celebration.

On a side note, Spencer had another flash of genius tonight. I had a dozen eggs that expired this weekend so I told him to go throw the eggs in the woods (compost pile.) Well... instead of throwing the eggs into the compost area, he decided it would be more fun to bust them on the side of the house. So yes, he egged his own house. A dozen eggs down the bricks. What possessed him to do such a thing? He liked the way it sounded when it hit the house and the yolk looked really cool when it splattered. I was so proud of myself for not screaming or killing him.

Laugh it up

Continuing my tradition of being a movie snob and only seeing those films that are intellectually stimulating and philosophically challenging, I went to the theater tonight with Dee to see Semi-Pro starring Will Farrell. It was laugh out loud funny if, of course, you appreciate obnoxious, crude humor. I think Dee and I laughed just as hard at all the trailers as we did during the movie!

Speaking of laughing out loud: Clemson 78- Duke 74

Dinner tonight was great! Everyone has been bragging about Bimini's so I finally went there tonight. Live music, great food and Blue Moon on tap. Yay! I think I have a new favorite haunt.

Now, lets all get ready for the game. Go Heels!

First Spring Game

It was a chilly morning, but Spencer and IV (and Coach Lucy!) were HOT! They had a terrific game-and if it hadn't been so cold, I would have gotten my lazy arse out of my foldy chair and gotten better pictures!

Book Fair Night

Tonight was Family Night at the school. My entire family was there, of course. Mom and I volunteered with the PTSA tonight while Dad took the boys book shopping at the Book Fair. We couldn't miss IV singing in the Kindergarten program as a duck- or was he a chicken? I'm not sure. John and Melissa brought Meredith out tonight-she was a perfect angel all evening.

Cheese!

Today was picture day at school. Both spring pictures and class pictures were taken. If you saw my post from a few days ago, you know Spencer had a run in with the car door and busted his nose. Luckily by today (picture day) the bruises and swelling was gone--and the cut was down to a small scab. It still looked worse than I want in a photo- but I guess it will capture the essence of a first grade little boy, right? I guess I will find out in a couple of weeks when we get the proofs!

Also-- A big Happy 18th Birthday to my nieces Ashley & Kristin!

IV's Party

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IV's birthday party was today. Nearly 60 people filled the skating rink for the private party. The kids had a blast! IV loved having all of his friends around him. Can't believe he is already 6!

Tar Heels Win! (Giggity Giggity Alright!)

(1) North Carolina 76, (5) Duke 68

It was a big game tonight. There was plenty at stake: the top seed in the ACC tournament, a potential in-state path to March Madness and of course, it is the DUKE- Carolina game-- THE rival game and senior night. And, after a wild game with the Cameron crazies-including Dickie Vitale still trying to rasp out his pro-Duke blabbing, UNC is still No. 1 and the dookie seniors had their special night spoiled.

But I do have to give Duke props for remembering Eve Carson before the game. That was a very classy move.

At our house, I made Carolina Blue Kool-aid (Blue Raspberry and Lemonade) and a big batch of cookies. Lucy, IV, Spencer and I cheered as loud as we could. We decided Inez (my chubby cat) was our good luck charm so she had to sit in Lucy's lap the entire game.

Tagged by Paula

Tagged!
Paula has tagged me in a little blog game.

As for the tag, here are the rules:


Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
So here are my seven random facts about myself...



1. I am obsessed with antibacterial handwipes. I single handily (pun intended) keep the stock price of WetOnes at a constant.
2. I had an invisible monkey as a pet when I was a child.
3. I brush my teeth all the time. I love the feeling of freshly brushed teeth.
4. Movies bore me. I really only enjoy comedies. Especially stupid ones.
5. I get so excited when I get pictures developed -- I love photos!
6. I hate to drive.
7. I collect pins!


****** I did this one about a year ago and I am too lazy to look up who I tagged last time--so I am going to list a few friends here, just in case you want to play along...**** How about Kim, Stacy, Lori, Georgina, Robyn, Nancyroo, and Leslie ? I'll have to cruise through some blogs later and see who has done this already... PM or leave me a message if you're game!

Lil' Sk8ters

Tonight was skate night for the boys' school. Spencer and IV were speed demons the entire night. Their soaked heads-- and totally stinky, soaked socks--proved it. Ugh!
As a PTSA volunteer for school events, I was assigned bathroom monitor. What a classy job that is...
Spencer's feet hurt tonight because he INSISTED on renting the same size/color skates as IV--even though they were a size too small. Unity before comfort?

Happy Birthday IV!

My Ivlet Givlet Jackelina Hyena turns 6 today! He was so excited this morning! Wednesday night he celebrated with a special dinner with the Partins. Last night he celebrated with a special dinner with our side of the family. Tonight just happens to be the school skate night--so the entire school can come out and celebrate with him. Then this weekend will be his "official" birthday party. This kid knows how to work it, I tell ya!

The Things are loose

Today is "dress like a book character" day at school. Since it was also Dr. Seuss week, it was only fitting that Spencer and IV went as Thing 1 and Thing 2. But in this case, Thing 2 and Thing 4. IV already had the hair from the Tar Heel games and I looked EVERYWHERE last night for Spencer blue hair or blue hair paint--nothing! There were plenty of orange and green--- but no blue! So from midnight to 1 am, I made a Raggedy-ann-esqe wig with blue yarn. Then this morning it would not stay on right, he hated it, I had to trim the front... it ended up looking like this. It was a very Mommy Dearest type of moment. But whatever. Close enough to resemble the character!

Just a normal evening, right?

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Just the average evening right? Race home from work in time to whisk Spencer from daycare before the late charge-- head to the grocery store. Spencer's face was painted like a cat in honor of Dr. Seuss day at school. Then we went to Nana and Boppa's house for Spencer's favorite barbecue dinner (he ate a ton!) Nana surprised Spencer and IV with new Dino pajamas for school tomorrow-- tomorrow is PJ Day at school. Lots of fun. Studying spelling words and playing Webkinz. And then we had a not so normal turn. Spencer fell in the driveway and smacked his head on the car door. Gash to the nose--knot on the head--knot on the forehead--bloody nose--lots of screaming. Ice, witch hazel and mommy kisses later, I think he will just have a small gash and bruising. He's fine now--but geez, my poor little guy!

Art by Christine

My friend, Christine, had a little fun with some pictures on my blog. She emailed a few pictures that she had turned into cartoons/sketches--- digital manipulation is so much fun. What in the world did we do before digital? Thanks Christine-- Spencer and I loved these!

Dearest Valerie...

I received your "gourmet" gift tonight. You little smartass!! I bet you giggled the entire time you had that shipped to me! Oh -- and you couldn't choose just *any* ant farm-- nooooo - you went with the freakin GIANT ant farm. That's like what? a buffet?
New rule. You and my Mom are NOT allowed to have dinner together any more! Put that in your juicebox and suck it!!

Weekend in Atlanta

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So Kim and I took off to Atlanta this past weekend. Although we really didn't plan this trip until a couple of days before, it was a total hoot. I think we laughed all weekend! I'm too lazy to type tonight--but she has a great summary on her blog.