Go Raptors!

Today was our first soccer game. We didn't score today but Spencer and IV both played very well! I was so proud of my little guys!

Mystery solved!

My RAK from the elusive Sandra was solved-- I now know WHICH Sandra sent me the wonderful gift. I am truly blessed and can I just say that I LOVE my job! Sure, you might hear me moan about a project here or there, but the little things that pop up every now and then make me truly thankful to be working where I can have friends, champions, mentors, and managers--and sometimes....that can be the same person.

A well timed RAK...

So yesterday had challenges, but today was nice. I received a wonderful Random Act of Kindness. My Irish Grandmother would have been proud-- this particular RAK came with a Shamrock charm and blessing (each petal of the Shamrock brings wishes for good health, luck and happiness) plus I received shamrock seeds to reap what I sow-- a garden of reminders-- just what I need.

This WONDERFUL gift came from Sandra...but which Sandra??-- I know two. I am not sure if either Sandra has any idea just how timely this act of kindness happened to present itself today or how touching the charm and verse is to me. I hope to reach out tomorrow and offer my most sincere thank you. In the mean time, I wanted to share this with you, my friends and family. If you haven't reached out in a random act of kindness lately, I encourage you to do so-- you never know just how powerful your gesture will be.

Carolina Kids Club Day: Women's Soccer

We had an AWESOME day at the Carolina Kid's club! We started off with a good breakfast and made an entire day full of events, shopping and fun! It was HOT HOT HOT at the game--even with coats of SPF 50, we all got too much sun! But Carolina beat Yale 4-0 and the players were in a fantastic mood for the meet and greet/autograph session after the game. I think IV met his match with the all the "flirts"-- I have never seen him so shy! The kids club had pizza, drinks, Coldstone Creamery icecream, water bottles, posters, etc. for the kids.

Spencer had an awesome time shopping for new stuff for his room. We are redoing his room from a Looney Tunes theme to a Carolina theme. We found all kinds of treasures today!

Happy Grandparents Day 2007

Spencer was SO excited about giving Nana and Boppa their grandparents day presents this morning! He wrapped them himself--and even wrapped their card! He presented their gifts with lot of hugs and kisses! I loved the little card he made for them!

Soccer practice

Soccer season has begun! Spencer got all new equipment and hit the field totally ready. His foot grew another size and a half and we had to buy all new shoes since two months ago--these little growth spurts seem to always come just when you buy new clothes and/or shoes!

I tell ya- I don't know how Lucy coaches that team. Kids that age are a mess- but every field had the same mix of kids so I guess it is their age.

You have 1 or 2 kids that are generally good and listen to the coach.
Then you have the one little boy that is the "flirt" that does everything he can to get attention from the little girls. On this team it just happens to be my nephew IV. He even bought a PINK soccer ball just so the little girls would want to play with him.
Then you have at least 2 Momma's babies on the team that run to the sidelines every 30 seconds with a new issue.
Then the team brat-- the one that REFUSES to listen to the coach, makes life hell for the other kids and, of course, his Dad stays on his cell the entire time and totally ignores the fact that his kid is on the verge of dethroning Satan.
Then you have one twirler/tumbler on the team-- the kid that really should be in dance or gymnastics but her parents put her in soccer...the one twirling and doing cartwheels on the field the entire time....
And last but not least...the crier. The one that clings to mommy and cries the entire time refusing to participate.
Yep-- That's the 5-6 year old soccer league at our local YMCA folks. Grab a foldy chair and watch the fun. While the other parents are signing up to bring juice boxes for the kids, maybe I should sign up to bring Valium for the coach....

Happy Labor Day 2007!

We had a wonderful Labor Day party filled with fun! The line between family and friends is so blurry, it is just like having one big family at the house most of the time! Instead of the traditional Labor Day cookout, we opted to do a big spaghetti dinner since we have been grilling out all summer. I made a huge pot of sauce and slow cooked it all day. We swam, rode 4 wheelers, then had drinks by the pool late into the evening and laughed until our sides hurt! The kids had a blast playing together.

My brother invented a new litmus test for drunkeness (insert sarcastic roll of eyes here)-- at the last party, he dumped a bucket of ice water off the deck onto Barry (to check reflexes of course!)--This party, he used the long, electric lighter thing we use for candles and snuck up behind Barry and set his arm hair on fire. It smelled SO BAD. Burned hair smells foul!--but here is the kicker-- while the rest of us see Jimmy light Barry up and smell the foul odor-- poor drunk Barry just sits there, doesn't feel a thing and matter of factly declares that the kitchen trash stinks. Uhmm... nope buddy--that smell is all you! Of course the FLAMING jokes were just starting....

Some more pictures:
Julie and Laura 4-wheelin
Mike with his birthday cake
and Barry poolside with Alex (Yes, Alex comes to all the pool parties, she loves the warm air, fresh foods, loud noises and all the attention!)

Blur on two wheels

Spencer spent most of the day riding the trails! A big boy now with new gears, no training wheels and speed that worries a poor mommy..... Boppa can keep up with him but I have trouble keeping up with Little S(granted, I am not exactly a speed demon on the 4 wheeler but I have been known to scare the bejeesus out of Boppa a time or two-haha!) If I ever complain about living in the country, I need to remind myself about how wonderful a day like today was--open air, lots of land and winding trails that keep the entire family having fun!

Happy Caturday!

Just had to share this picture of Kim's furbaby, Baxter, and my little guy--don't they both have the best smile????. Spencer had the best playdate ever last Caturday with Baxter! (photo by K.Salyer)

my little redneck kid.....

We went to the store to get an Optimus Prime costume for Halloween and Spencer and IV got this brainstorm of being Little E and Jeff Gordon. SO... there's Spencer with Little E and IV grinning ear to ear with his Jeff Gordon costume. Jimmy and I just stood there...Boys, Are you sure????? Boppa was thrilled of course, being the only Nascar fan in the family. Spencer made racecar sounds all the way home and my only thought was-- Hmmpf! Might be fun to scrapbook???
As soon as we got home, Spencer tried on his costume and posed in the mirror for an hour, pretending to sign autographs and giving the thumbs up. He INSISTED that the little boy on the costume packaging was his twin. Let's hope that he doesn't wear it out between now and Halloween!

Transformed into a First Grader

My itty bitty teeny tiny baby boy started First Grade today. How did that happen? It seems like yesterday I was dressing him in a little Bugs Bunny baby gown and today he dressed himself in his favorite Transformer T-shirt (to match his new back pack and lunch box, of course!) and spiked his little hair and was off to school. After school, he told me about his teachers, his friends, his lunch, how he missed the "play centers" at Kindergarten and how he thinks First Grade will be harder and more boring. I assured him he will have just as much fun just as soon as he gets used to his new class and teachers. He looks so cute (and grown up)!!!

Retro night!

Just like back in the eighties.. I met a friend for pizza and skating... but this time, it was the kiddos that strapped on the wheels and shook their groove thangs to loud music :-)

We met Julie and crew at the Pizza Buffet and then went next door to the skating rink and watched the kids skate (fall, bump, twist, scoot, run and dance) for a couple of hours!

They are going to be sore in the morning!

Typical....

Relaxing by the pool
IV (like his daddy) has trouser cleavage
Spencer walks by and CAN NOT resist giving IV a water wedgie
IV *TOTALLY* ignores it
Geez...typical of those two!
If they are this goofy at ages 5 and 6, we are in for a real treat in about 10 years!

In honor of Teegan

In honor of Teegan

And in support of Sarah and the entire O'Neal family

Spencer and I were proud to be a part of Purple Balloon Release for Teegan 2007

Our prayers are with you.

Favorite School Supplies

Over the past week or so, I have been gathering up school clothes and supplies. I *love* the smell of new crayons. Spencer has not gotten excited about any of his new supplies until this weekend...when Nana unveiled the matching dinosaur backpacks for him and IV! He thought it was THE COOLEST! Totally trumped the volcano lunch box I bought him - ha ha! It was so cute to see how excited he and IV are about planning school "together" this year-- Spencer in 1st grade and IV in Kindergarten. Lord help poor Mrs. Shively...Hurricane IV is about to hit her classroom!

He LOVES the catalog...

Darn that Lilly's Kids catatlog! It came in the mail last week and ever since it's arrival Spencer has OBSSESSED over this year's Halloween costume. He has even slept with the catalog each night! The poor book is tethered, pages ripped, cover loose,..a total mess! He is deciding between Power Ranger Operation Over Drive, the dinosaur, and Optimus Prime. So far...Optimus Prime is in the lead!

Spam

My friend Valerie throws the Best "Spam and Mountain Dew" parties ever. Okay..so maybe we actually had glazed chicken, salad, wine and a delish dessert... but a Spam and Mt Dew theme is just too funny. The Spam was gross...and freaking 16 grams of fat per serving! Glad we DIDN'T like it! But we laughed the entire evening!

Scraptastic Weekend!

I went to Creating Keepsakes-Charlotte this past weekend and had a wonderful (but BUSY!) time! I spent more at the Vendor Faire than I had planned. But that's part of the fun.

All 5 of my classes were awesome. Jessica Sprague taught two of my classes. I won a prize in one of her classes and she gave me an autographed copy of her CK book: Computer Tricks for Scrapbooking. I also won a prize in the SEI class (a pack of Rub ons.) I won a drawing at the vendor faire from Paper Crafts (a cookbook/card magazine.)

With all of the crowds, classes and hectic schedule, I didn't find Snookie or Jim (maybe Next Time!) I am happy for all the "Festers"-- you girls rock!

On the home front, Dad had an up and down weekend. He is still having "pacing" issues with his heart and ended up at the ER for a few hours on Sunday. The good news is that it regulated back out. The better news is that the irregularity was caught on an EKG (and other tests) so the proper specialists can look for different treatment solutions.

We ended a great weekend last night with a family dinner, then I practiced sight words with Spencer in preparation for school starting in a couple of weeks. Then (reluctantly) he watched Nanny McPhee with me and fell to sleep. Despite the complaining, I think he really enjoyed the movie!

Travel!

Guess what I got today....my birth certificate! Can you believe that ALL this time I never had my *real* birth certificate??? Anyway...I'm off to the passport office. I can start making plans now! Plans with Mom..plans with friends..plans with Spencer (you know how my little guy LOVES to travel!) Yay!

And..just a shout out to the "festers" (you know who you are)..Just want to say "Safe Travels" to you all!!!

Typos suck.

I made a stupid typo at work today. My email should have said "The data was gathered from the general population." I was in a hurry and I abbreviated population to "pop." or so I thought... I somehow added an extra "o" and spell check is NOT your friend in this type of situation. So-- it read, "The data was gathered from the general poop."

Just when I thought, "maybe no one noticed?"-- I get a reply asking if Lieutentant PeePee was in agreement. UGH!!!

Lesson Learned: Don't abbreviate. Spell Check has a sense of humor.

Potter Rave

I have had a blast the last couple of days talking with my friends about the new book. Hopefully this isn't considered spoilers for anyone--but the sheer amount of intensity and deaths were....so furious yet exciting! I was so sad and struck--it's crazy how attached I felt to certain characters! I was a sucker for that epilogue as well-- that is what most of us have been chatting about---silly, I know, but oh so fun! I can't wait for Spencer to be old enough to read this series!

Natural Science Center

Spencer and I spent the afternoon at the Natural Science Center in Greensboro yesterday. We went for his little friend's birthday party-- but we ended up spending all afternoon there! He loved every exhibit! The planetarium, the zoo, the dinosaurs, the discovery rooms, etc. He favorite exhibit was the Meerkat Manor. They had baby meerkats! He watched them for nearly an hour. I bought him a meerkat T-shirt and promised that we would be back soon.

Update on Elaine

Jimmy is keeping updates on a blog so that everyone can find out what is going on. Let's keep the prayer chain going!
http://elainepartin.blogspot.com/

Four Wheeler Fun

Spencer and IV are having a blast making new paths on their four wheeler. They like their motorcycles - but the four wheeler has a new charm to it! Plus they can follow Boppa around on his 4 wheeler!

Prayers for Elaine

I am asking all of my friends for their thoughts and prayers for Elaine (Melissa's Mom.) Elaine and Ben were in an auto accident in Myrtle Beach --Ben in okay, but Elaine needs your healing thoughts and prayers. We hope she can be transferred to a hospital closer to home and can start her journey towards health and repair.

(photo by V. Heith Grant)

How can the weekend be over all ready?

I can't believe it is already Sunday evening! How do our weekends just evaporate?

First, let me post about the crop I went to this weekend at Betty's store-- It was fabulous! Meeting new/old friends is such fun! Girls, you kept me laughing all weekend!

We finally made it to the new Harry Potter movie-- It was AWESOME-but I was surprised where they decided to end this movie... still very cool!

Spencer is just fantastic. He swam tonight, caught bugs, watched a movie and cuddled with me. I am the luckiest Mom in the world!

Tag I'm it!

My friend Leslie tagged me on her Blog (L'espoir fait vivre ) to post 7 random facts about myself...so here we go!

1. I talked with an old friend today and he made me laugh ALL DAY long. Old friendships are golden!
2. I tried a new restaurant tonight, got the wrong entree and didn't even realize it until my mom pointed it out. I was all, "Damn this chicken is dry" and my mom said-- That is because it is pork you doofis!!!
3. My friend Kim sent me a funny card today that totally cracked me up. If you never thought a greeting card about the Amish could bust a gut, you need to see this one....
4. I went to the movies tonight and saw License To Wed. It was funny--just about the entire cast of The Office was in it!
5. I just got the new Stampin Up catalog and couldn't find anything I wanted to order--can you believe that? Maybe I was in a bad mood???
6. I am reading the book STIFF right now. Nope-- not what you are thinking-- it is about forensics--and the author has a keen sense of humor. It is very interesting!
7. I just framed the portraits of my little man, Spencer, we did at Olan Mills a couple of weeks ago. I can't believe how big he is getting--and his new toothless grin just melts my heart!

Cookie Monsters

IV is spending the night with Spencer tonight. Those two together are...whew! They fought imaginary Ninjas in the yard, then we had pizza, then we played games (they both cheat!) then I got the great idea to make cookies with them. They wanted to use green sprinkles to make "booger cookies"-- UGH! Then they used decorator icing and made abstract art (aka huge messes)but had a blast! Right now they are in their sleeping bags and giggling hysterically --which means either one of them pooted or both of them pooted. Geez...little boys!

Congrats John and Melissa!

John and Melissa are having a baby! (I can't believe I don't have a digital picture of John and Melissa to post for this announcement-- shame on me!) Spencer and I wish you health and happiness and we can't wait to welcome your new little one in 8 short months!

What is a triop anyway?

Spencer is doing a little science experiment right now--growing triops. I have never heard of triops before-- it just looks like stagnant water to me, but he is having the best time watching the eggs hatch and the little weird things swim around.
I love watching how much detail and concern he has with his little creatures!

Close Shave?

3 words: Spongebob Shaving Kit
He spent an hour in the bathroom "shaving like Boppa"-smearing on bubbles and shaving them off with a sponge razor! It was so cute that I had to grab the camera!

The highlight of his day

Nana picked Spencer up from Vacation Bible School today and then he went with her to the beauty salon. While Nana was getting her cut and highlights, they decided to highlight Spencer's hair. At first he refused the "girly" treatment-- then a guy came in to have his hair highlighted. Spencer then decided it would be okay...and now he looks so cute! Between the beach and all the pool time, he is REALLY tan so his fresh little blond highlights make him look bright and healthy!

More Birthday Pics!

About 10 of us met to celebrate my birthday this past weekend. Somehow we only got pictures of one end of the table--but we sure had a blast! Thanks girls for all my wonderful gifts and the supply of laughs!

Blast from my Past

My friend, Kim visited today! We had such a goofball time--we laughed and joked, got some freak African sleeping sickness from lunch, went for coffee and shopping and then talked and laughed until late. Spencer is playing at the beach with III, Lucy and IV so this was the perfect time for a visit!

My favorite

Yesterday was my birthday. I received lots of cards, flowers, gifts, emails, and calls--which was wonderful. But Spencer was kind of left out this year. No one remembered to have him get a gift for Mommy's birthday so--all on his own, he found an empty pencil box to use as a "gift box" and then he found two memo pads (he knows I am constantly writing notes and I like Pandas and Gorillas) he drew me a sweet picture on the first page of the memo pads. Then he somehow found a blank card (where??) and made me a card and put a "lucky penny" in there. He did all of this on his own while I was on a conference call. I am so impressed that he was mature enough to realize that he wanted to celebrate my birthday with me and then he put so much thought into creating a surprise for me. I don't think I have ever been more impressed.

Little Toothless Wonder

Spencer is beautiful. He has recently lost both of his front teeth. The tooth fairy left him $6.00 for each tooth-- she leaves him his age in dollars for each tooth. I took him to Olan Mills last night for portraits/close ups of his new toothless grin. I tell ya, this kid is my entire world.

Friends, Family and Faith

To everyone that has reached out to me and Spencer during this difficult time-- we are thankful for your love and support. Although I may not be able to talk to you just yet, please keep loving us, we need it more than you know right now.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today was Mom's birthday. Actually since it is after midnight as I type this, I guess I have to say yesterday was Mom's Birthday! We all met at the deli for dinner and then went to the movies to see Shrek 3. Spencer and IV laughed all the way through the movie--they loved it!!! What a fun family night--we should do this more often!

Happy Happy and Congrats

This weekend was packed with fun!
Saturday, I went with my Mom's Red Hat Chapter (I'm a Pink Hatter!) to Danville Virginia for a luncheon, bingo and shopping. We got home just in time for mom and I to have dinner and get to the theater to see The Man Who Came to Dinner. Orginally, it was a "Date Night" for me and Toby, but A&K (woohoo!) are in the state soccer tournament so Toby went to cheer them on and Mom and I used the theater tickets!

Sunday was busy! I got up and immediatley started cooking for the party. Dips, a huge pot of homemade baked beans and 3 ice cream cakes later, it was time to go to IV's preschool graduation. He looked adorable in his little cap and gown! Afterwards, we all came home for a big pool party. The party was to celebrate my Mom's birthday, IV's graduation and our friend Barry's Birthday--so we had quite a large crowd there!

The best part of the party was this evening, when everyone had gotten out of the pool. The pool is heated so the water is very warm so the evening air feels a titty bit nipply...anyway, Barry (the birthday boy) had just dried off and had walked behind the outdoor bar...and my brother just happened to be standing on the upper deck with a huge vat of ice water....I got this picture just a nanosecond before Barry screamed like a little girl!..and then we all sang Happy Birthday!

Happy Mother's Day 2007

Happy Mother's Day! We had a great day! We got to church early and set up breakfast for all the "Moms" (muffins, danishes, bagels, fruit)--then we cleaned up and took flowers to Spencer's special Godmothers. Toby and Spencer visited Toby's Mom and sister while I napped (yay! my long awaited Mother's Day nap!) then we met my mom/family for dinner at Carraba's. Not a bad day, eh?

Oh and I got a spa pedicure and 2 day lilies-- plus my favorite gift--- a big hug and kiss from Spencer with a pack of sunflower seeds for us to plant together.

When Spencer and Toby went to visit his Mom, they stopped by the cemetary to visit Steven's grave (Toby's brother.) This is the first time Spencer had been out there and was fascinated with the headstones. Toby explained the function of the headstones to Spencer. As they walked back to the car, they saw a large headstone with a carving of Jesus and some scripture underneath. Spencer immediately said, "Wow! Is that where Jesus is buried???"

Dinner was good. Despite call ahead seating, we still had to wait an hour but we had a large party and it is a holiday so I guess that wasn't too bad. I had a de-lish Pomegranate Martini. After paying $5.49 yet again for a kids meal that Spencer didn't even touch, I think Toby and I have decided that Spencer does not get to order for himself for a while. He orders a kids meal, eats our salad, and then is too full and NEVER eats his own food. And we are just not "left overs" people so it just goes to waste. From now on, he shares with me!

After dinner, my brother in law, Tom, insisted that everyone go to Krispy Kreme for hot donuts and coffee. Since I like neither donuts nor coffee, I did not care but at least all of us were together!

Spring has been flung

Spring Fling was Saturday at Spencer's school. I got there early and helped set up. I worked the Pepsi and Pizza booth ALL DAY. Yep. 9:30 until 3:00! I signed up for first hour but the "relief" never showed up-- that's how they suck in the newbie Kindergarten parents--haha! Actually, I didn't really mind. Melissa (my sister in law) and my Dad watched Spencer for me and during the slow times I was able to catch a couple of the vendors. Just like EVERY where, it is always the same group of parents that do 90% of everything at these events. Our PTA president now is the bomb-- I hate that she is retiring her position this year. (They have two year term maximums) --that's some big shoes to fill! I agreed to take secretary next year but since I work ALOT of hours, and volunteer on 3 other commitees, over obligation and burnout is something I'd like to avoid!

Sunday was my turn to keep the nursery at church. WOW. How can such angelic looking kids lay the smackdown on each other as soon as their parents leave the room??? After church, we went to a new Italian restaurant that served "real" Italian and not American Italian. I didn't recognize a thing on the buffet.
Spencer had some raw carrot and some noodles without sauce. I really should have ordered off the menu-- but usually a lunch buffet is pretty safe, ya know?

My nieces, Ashley and Kristin, were in the local paper this past week! There was a really cool article about their soccer success! Way to go A&K!

Also, A HUGE thank you goes out to my pal Maureen in Midlothian. She sent my family dinner this week. Dad came home from the hospital and is doing MUCH better. Maureen sent a YUMMY spiral cut Ham and Turkey from Harry and David. Thanks Maureen--Dinner was FANTASTIC and the family time while we enjoyed dinner was Dad's favorite part!

I took the "year" quiz...and I am 1986! ha!

You Belong in 1986

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

Weekend: Up and Down

We had a (much needed) girls weekend away to the beach. The ocean was icy--but, we didn't care. We shopped, slept late, ate great meals, had yummy drinks, rented chick flicks and giggled the entire time. Our poor waiter at CBIP will probably need therapy after our visit!!! (I think he had as much fun as we did--and good thing we are good tippers, poor kid....)

Unfortunately, on our way home from the beach, we got the dreaded phone call that Dad had to be taken to the ER. It was the worst 3 hour drive home ever. He stayed in the hospital Sunday morning - Tuesday evening and is now doing much better but has to take it easy!!!! What a bad scare for all of us!!