Scratch One off the List

We successfully completed a Bucket List entry last week by taking 3 little people to Disney.
I have to say, it was more fun than I anticipated.  We were exhausted and our wallets quite a bit lighter, but a good time was had by all.  My inlaws were able to come down with us and that made the trip even better.  We did Legoland, Seaworld and Magic Kingdom so each person got something a little special just for them, although they all loved each park.  We crammed a lot in just a few days.  But a week would have been just too much for us - this was just right.

These pictures are not great quality-I didn't use my big camera.  So, these were all iPhone.  In fact, I'm going to try film for a while.  At least as long as I can still buy it and get it developed.


The night before we left, Walks With Purpose scored 2 tickets to Disney on Ice from a sweet friend.  She was in heaven.

WWP at the Lego Driving School.  Somehow, she managed to earn her drivers license.

Legoland had a really cool Driving School for the older kids complete with stop lights, traffic circles and crazy drivers.

Another highlight for WWP-meeting Buzz Lightyear just minutes after we exited the Buzz Lightyear ride.  There was a time in D's young life when he could not sleep without Buzz by his side so I think he was digging it too.

The Castle-what we all wanted to see.

GoGo in the Duplo section at Legoland.

Flamingos partying at Seaworld.

Jaws...

My Sweet Three

Our newest family member, upon our return.  Blueberry.  Don't ask me why.

The Club

Well, I made it.  To the "40" club - and no, that is not a reference to any large bottle of alcohol best served in a brown paper bag.  Last month I turned the Big 4-0 and I am so happy to have done so.  For a hypochondriac such as myself, making it this far is a real accomplishment.  Although the flip side of that is, my once-around could be half way over.  But, such is life.

Turning 40 offers one an opportunity to reflect on life, past mistakes and joys, the future.  Since my birthday fell on a Monday, I really did none of those things.  Instead, I did what I always do; laundry, chased Nora, worked a little, helped kids with homework, shuttled them to Faith Formation, taught Faith Formation and shuttled back to Scouts.  Throw in some baths and bedtime routines, and there was my day.
But I was here, with my people, and that was the best gift.  Although a new tank watch wouldn't have been too awful, either.  I did enjoy a wonderful ice cream birthday cake.  And Zac Brown tix.  And the next day enjoyed a long ladies lunch with much laughter and sweet gifts.  Had coffee with friends.
So.  It was all good.

Fall is coming/here, depending on the day and that makes me incredibly happy.  It's my favorite season and I love the things we do as a family this time of year.  We have the pumpkin patch, mountain day trip and App State football game coming.  Plus, I know Christmas is quickly approaching and I live for that.  In fact, I have already purchased 4 gifts for my little people.  Way ahead.  Not.

Walks With Purpose is in love with a little boy in her preschool class.  Too young?  I don't know.  My best friend as a child and I each had 'boyfriends' when we were in preschool together.  But WWP is funny about it and not afraid to tell God and everybody about this boy.  She is holding her own in a class with 2 girls and 9 boys.  In fact, she asked Santa for a tool bench so she can have one at school and one at home.  For all of her DIY projects, I suppose.

GoGo joined Girl Scouts, or Brownies to be more precise.  She also is wanting to start gymnastics now-it's ever-changing with this girl.  She is acing math at school and I love that about her.  As a girl who most definitely sucked at math, I love that she gets it.  Smart girls are cool.

D is having a great run.  He won the Terrific Kid Award last week, came in first in a Fun Run and completed his first 5k this weekend.  Love to see him shine.

We are headed to Disney in a few short weeks and I am so excited to see their faces.  D can't wait to do the rides and Legoland, GoGo is dying to see Shamu and the dolphin shows at Seaworld and WWP is going to own the Big Castle! at Magic Kingdom.  My inlaws are joining us and the kids are psyched about that.  Plus they get to miss a few days of school.  Good times.

And That's a Wrap

Well.  Our fantabulous summer has come to an end.  I was sad to see it go.  We had such a great time together-so many awesome road trips, good times with family and friends, wonderful memories.

School has started for everyone and it's going well.  Activities have also started.  We are picking up a few extra as we go along.  Losing some as well.

GoGo joined Girl Scouts last night.  She wants to start gymnastics too but the only available time interferes with Mom's Friday evening socializing so we'll see.  I will try to find an alternative because she seems pretty certain on this.  She continues to rock the piano.  She has also discovered what I already knew-she is pretty good at math.  It seems to come more naturally to her than reading does.  She has been called to the front to show things on the white board to her classmates and she pretends she is embarrassed but I know my girl and she is deep down proud.

Walks With Purpose may start a tumbling class-or ballet.  We'll see.  She is happy just playing with friends right now and learning new things at her little preschool.  She is only one of 2 girls in a class of 11.  She has already asked Santa for a tool bench.  I have started calling her Squeezalicious lately.  I can't help myself.

D wants to take a break from guitar.  While this breaks my heart, I cannot argue with him.  He has been doing it since February/March.  He has not practiced as he should.  But.  I firmly believe if you are not feeling something, really loving it, then maybe you should keep on exploring.  He told me that basically you are born, go to school, get a job and work and then die.  He said he doesn't want to do stuff that makes him unhappy, he wants to have a good life.  Profound for a nine year old, no?  And I don't think he was talking about the backpack and briefcase parts of life.  I think he means the extra stuff that is not essential to happiness.  He has known what he likes for a long time now.  He likes to create whether it's building or drawing or writing.  That is his "thing".  He loves being outside, riding bikes and fishing.  He wants to become certified to dive.  If there were a club or class for boys that included playing in the woods, snorkeling and building stuff, he would be in absolute heaven.

I taught my first 3rd grade Faith Formation class this week.  Thank God I have a co-teacher now, otherwise there would have been several visits to the Confessional, I fear.
Two mistakes my first go at it:  1.  I failed to have a closing prayer so I had to threaten TWO prayers plus bring your Rosary next class!  2.  We have a sweet boy with an alert dog for his diabetes.  This dog is a precious chocolate lab that I loved all over for the entire hour when I could find a way to his corner.  After class the mother of said boy instructed me to inform the group that there was to be no attention paid to said dog-no petting, no talking to.  Ooops.

We have Disney coming up next month, which I cannot believe and cannot wait for.
Then before we know it we will be frying turkeys, singing carols and opening gifts.  This year has flown by, as they all do now.

All good things must come to an end.

Nora-isms

If I don't write these things down, there is no way my feeble mind will be able to recall them at a later date.  And I know I will want to be able to.

While biking in Jamaica, Nora whined "Dad!  It's hot!  My wegs (legs) need water!"

While visiting the Abe Lincoln Museum, we picked up a pink Civil War infantry cap for her to wear.  Because, she insisted.  So the other day I catch a glimpse of her in panties and cap only, rounding the corner, singing to herself.

The other night we're all 5 snuggled up on the couch, watching a movie.  She leans in and whispers to me "Mom, I gotta tell you a secret.  I wuv you."  I squeeze her and smile.  She goes over to hubs and again, leans in close for the secret telling.  "Dad, I gotta tell you a secret.  I wuv candy!"  My girl.

Today she and I were milling around the driveway, waiting for the bus to bring home D and Gogo.  She insisted upon checking the mailbox and just as she got there, a lawn truck rumbled by.  I yelled for her to stay on the side of the road.  The truck passes without incident and she says to me "See Mom!  I told you!  No cars runned me over today!"

Also while we're waiting for the big yellow ride, we spy a wasp in the grass.  I tell her to watch out for those guys, as they can sting.  Her eyes widen.  "They can STING me??  WHY?!?!  I am a nice person!"


Today was the first day of school for D and Gogo.  WWP starts next Tuesday.  It was weird to not have them with me today as we ran errands and played at home.  I missed them.  No surprise this morning-D and Mommy didn't want to get up and Gogo was up on the first call.  It seems both had a good first day-nothing too exciting and nothing negative.  They both made a new friend or two.
And that is about all you can ask for, any day.

Yeah, Mon. No Problem.

We are settling back into reality after a wonderful week in Jamaica.  We stayed at the Half Moon, the same resort we went to 5 years ago when hubs' brother got married.  Upon arrival, it didn't appear kid friendly.  It's like stepping back in time - no high rises, just beautiful one and two story villas, white washed and filled with British Colonial furnishings.  Which is appropriate, as Jamaica was a British colony until just 50 years ago.
But the kids had a ball!  We rode our bikes to each meal and all around the resort, we partied on the beach with snorkels, sailboats and buckets, we kissed dolphins, we were on a first name basis at the swim up bar.  The kids even had 2 mornings of camp that included golf, massage and beach olympics.  How much better can it get?

I would say by the end of the 2nd day, most staff knew WWP by first name.  I don't know if that was from me yelling her name as I chased her around the pool or what but as we passed housekeeping in the morning, we would hear a "There is Nora!  Good morning, girl!"  Nora would pass by on her bike and say "Everybody knows Nora".  And then I died laughing.

The other cool thing is that while there are a lot of American families there, it's still heavily British and European so we were able to meet some interesting folks.  My kids got to see their first 9 year old boy in a Speedo.  It's good for them to see there is a great big world out there and not everyone dresses, talks, eats like you.

I was unable to capture the lushness that was the resort-towering palm trees, hot pink flowers of various types, green foliage.  All nestled against the white wash of the beautiful buildings.  My camera and my ability were lacking but I gave it a go.  I took a gazillion pics, many on my phone.  I don't have time now to go through them all but here is a quick sampling.

The Lobby

GoGo Chillaxin'

Straight Out of My Camera

Discussing the huge fish they just saw underwater

Just D and Me on the beach this afternoon

Our Suite, viewed from our "private" beach

Pool closest to our suite and nobody was ever there!

Swim Up Bar Pool…everybody's fave

A critter in the bushes by the pool

A critter in the water on the beach

Making that huge hermit crab sanctuary

Pedaling for her life-she did great first time on training wheels

The boys sailing

Just Give Peace a Chance, GoGo says

The courtyard between the suites on our end

WWP partying in the hot tub

I want to live here…it's a cottage built out in the ocean just for massage and yoga...

Helping WWP dig on the beach




We made some awesome memories this week and we all hated to come home.  But school starts next week and life as we know it here keeps moving forward.  We have had the best summer and I hate to see it end!  Some playdates and pool time this week and then it's backpacks and homework next.  Both my kids got awesome teachers this year so I am looking forward to a great school year!  Even though I dread getting up at the crack of dawn…such is life and ours is a good one.

Free and Easy

It is a very good thing I am not particularly skilled at playing an instrument right now and that I have 3 little people and other earthly commitments or I would be playing on a street corner in Nashville in a HOT MINUTE.

I just got back from my first girls trip in Music City and to say we had fun would just be stupid.  We owned that party.  We hit the "musical must-sees", shopped, had a great dinner our last night and laughed.  And laughed.  And cried from laughing.  And wet ourselves a wee bit from all that laughter.

I figured the first night we would all be up for a late night out and we surely were.  We sang our hearts out, burned through cash at the bar and laughed like deranged hyenas.
Saturday came.  Good Lord.  The only cure was a lot of Starbucks and a pile of greasy bacon.

But the 8 of us rallied old school and closed it down Saturday night.  I hated to see Sunday come for a couple of reasons, least of which was my epic hangover.  My abs literally ached from laughing so hard and often.

These girls are the real deal-I have laughed with them and cried with them.  They know me and my faults and still don't unfriend me.  I don't have to hide anything about where I came from with them, as we all know the same streets and characters.
We took this trip for a few reasons, one being that about half of us are turning 40 this year.  We talked of a trip when we turn 50.  I hope we can swing a few between now and then.  If my abs can take it.

I came home to a chorus of "Mommy!  Mommy!  Mommy!" and it was so good to see my people.  GoGo had called me 3 times on Sunday and in one of our conversations, she told me she was making bottle cap bracelets.  I assumed she meant from a craft kit.  Nope.  She informed me that she made her own with "what she found around the house."  Nice.  Mommy could have made a few or 50 of these this weekend too.

For the Love of Pork

Too good not to write down somewhere and here will do.

Dear friends and wonderful neighbors are moving away in a few weeks.  Huge bummer.
But good for them.  And we wish them well and are already planning an epic road trip.

So.  Folks are planning a going away party for them and we had mentioned doing a huge bbq.  I was telling hubs this at dinner and mentioned we may just get a whole pig and roast it.
Gogo had been lying quietly on the couch, minding her beeswax.  Suddenly she pops up and with absolute glee shouts out "What?!  We are wrestling a PIG?!"  Seriously.
I tell her no, we are going to roast one and EAT it.  Still obsessed with the idea of swine being at the same party as she, I am asked with unconcealed excitement if "the pig will be in a cage and can we pet it??!!"  Sheesh.

Unrelated but not unimportant, we spent a few days with another batch of dear friends in Atlanta last week.  We weren't inside 15 seconds and all 3 of my little people disappeared with their friends and were not heard from until dinner time.  It was as if they just played together last week, no time elapsing.  I love that about this family.
And while on paper, it would seem the two mommies have nada in common, in reality we are a great example of friendship to our children.  Our childhoods and cultural backgrounds are totally opposite, she is younger than me by a high school career, our musical tastes are polar extremes.  And yet.  She is one of my best friends and it is just a huge joke on God's part that we are not living as Betty and Wilma right now, talking over the fence that separates our yards.  So, even though we don't have every single thing in common, we are still tight.  And that is a good lesson for my little people-you don't have to like, do, live like everyone else.  And you can still be friends.


Speaking of friends.  I am off on my first EVER girls weekend starting this Friday, with my Ya-Yas.  My girls from 20+ years ago.  My forever friends.  We are going to put a good dent in the beer supplies of Nashville, catch some live music, eat well and shop.  And laugh until we cry.  I'm wearing waterproof mascara all weekend.
I am nervous about leaving my little people.  I have never been away from all of them for more than 24 hours, and that was work related and I was right downtown Charlotte.  This will be different for all of us but FUN for mom.  Plus, I get to drive for 7 hours alone with my music as loud as I want.  Yay me.

Water shoes arrived yesterday for my kiddos, for our trip to Jamaica-mon next week.  As Walks with Purpose has been pointing out for about 2 months, "she is going to wide on horseys AND dolphins!"  We shall see.  But a good time will be had by all, regardless of which of God's creatures we galavant around on.

What a great summer this has been-my kids have had lots of fun trips, seen lots of cool stuff and had a great time.  Kind of makes me want to homeschool.  For a hot minute.