The Year of the Robot

Blan was set on being a robot for Halloween. I found some great costume ideas and Aaron went to work on creating the perfect ensemble for our robot. It was some work, but it was well worth it! Blan loved it!

Friends sharing a halloween hug.

Trick or treating.

The robot and Papa Tom. I don't know who was more excited.

Another Lost Tooth....

literally. Yes, he swallowed another one. He came home from school and I asked to see his loose tooth. It wasn't there and he had no idea. "Uhhh. I did it again, Mama."

He had a Chick Fil A sandwich for lunch. I'm pretty sure that was the culprit.

So, we wrote another note to the very forgiving Tooth Fairy.

I love that sweet smile.

The First Soccer Game

Our fall soccer season finally kicked off after weeks of untimely rain. Blan was very excited! The game ended in a tie. But, who's counting?

warm ups

I love this.

The Trebuchet

Blan saw a trebuchet on TV and asked Aaron to build one for him. It has been the hit of the backyard, neighborhood and kindergarten. Daddy is cool.

A Lost Tooth....

Literally. Blan finally lost a very stubborn tooth tonight. He's been carefully guarding it for a good week now. Whenever I would try to persuade him to let me pull it, he would respond, "Never!" Well, it came out on its own over dinner....without him realizing it. Yes, the tooth is "lost" and never to be found. Apparently, it went down with a hushpuppy. He is so worried the tooth fairy is going to be mad at him for swallowing his trade. He decided we should write her a note. Sweet, sweet boy.

Kindergarten, Here We Come!

To be honest, I have been in denial for the last five years that this day would come. In my heart, I have been tricked to believe that Blan would just stay my sweet, silly preschooler forever. I am amazed by the growing, loving, smart, sensitive, happy, funny five year old God has given me. I strive each day to enrich his life, but it is I who am blessed by him and his precious little spirit. He inspires, teaches and loves me in ways I never could have dreamed. My head knows I have to share him now with his great big, awaiting world and wonderful teachers. He is so excited and so ready to begin this long journey. All I can do is watch, encourage, listen and pray.

Lord, thank You for this amazing boy. Thank You for the time we've had each day to bond through tears, laughter and play. God, thank You for allowing me to be his full-time mother, his teacher, his caregiver, his comforter. Please, Father, watch over him now. Protect him when I'm not there. Hold him in Your loving arms in times of disappointment and hurt. Guide and prepare him as he grows and learns. Give him courage, confidence and perserverence. Help him to find his hope and strength in the simple joys only You provide. And we will praise you, Lord, for all wins, all successes, big and small, in his life each day. In Jesus' name, Amen.

I did just fine up until it was time to kiss him good-bye. I quickly left him, not wanting him to see my tears and sadness. Thank goodness Aaron was there to console me.

Such a big boy.

One Last Getaway

With kindergarten fast approaching, Aaron and I decided to escape the heat and take Blan on a weekend trip to Blowing Rock. First stop - Grandfather Mountain. It was an amazing 73 degrees in the middle of the afternoon. Sweet relief!

Blan loved feeding the bears, especially this one that did tricks for his treats.

Aaron and Blan braved the famous mile high swinging bridge without Mama. I was a nervous wreck until they were back to me safely on solid ground. I have developed a pretty significant fear of heights in my adult years.

The day provided great and much needed family time. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner and a Kirk Cameron sighting that night at Bistro Roca - a new favorite spot in Blowing Rock. We got up Saturday morning and headed to West Jefferson to the Cheese Factory. How fun and tasty!

Then we headed to the New River for a longer than anticipated, stormy, scary and never to be had again kayak trip. It was a rough 3.5 hours. But, we made it! Thank you, Lord.

The next day brought another trip to Tweetsie....of course. In all, it was a memorable, exciting and sweet weekend.

A Pirate Party

On July 12th, we boarded Captain Parker's pirate ship to search for hidden treasure on "Skull Island". The hunt was in celebration of Captain Parker's 5th birthday.

The map that led us to...

Skull Island, where we docked our pirate ship to hunt for the treasure.

The loot.

It was the coolest party ever! Happy Birthday, Parker!

Happy 4th of July!

Another glorious day at the lake, complete with a boatride at nightfall to catch the fireworks.

Let the celebration begin!

Parker, his brother, Nathan and Blan began celebrating the 4th in our backyard a little early. We purchased a few small fireworks and sparklers in the spirit of the holiday and they just couldn't wait! Ahhhh.....summer!

Visitors

My sweet friend, Holly, and goddaughter, Emma, paid us another visit this week. What a treat! We spent time at the (very chilly) pool, played in the backyard and enjoyed a much anticipated sleepover before Holly and Emma headed back to Greensboro Wednesday morning. Thanks for the visit! We miss y'all already!

VBS 2008

Blan wrapped up his week at VBS with a program for the parents that did not disappoint. He is just having trouble understanding why he can only go to "Surf Vacation Bible School" for one week and then it's over until next summer. He had a great time!

Happy Father's Day!

We spent Father's Day at the lake with Grammie and Pop. It was a great day filled with boating (with Blan as our captain), swimming and a delicious meal!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Josh!

One of my favorite things about living back in Statesville is not missing important events in our family's lives. Josh and Steele are happily settled into their wonderful new home about 2 miles from our house. We all got together there to celebrate the beginning of the end of my brother's twenties on June 10th. Happy 29th birthday, Uncle Josh!

It's Tweetsie season again!

We got season passes for Tweetsie this year. It's so close and Blan loves it. It's been interesting to watch him gravitate towards different attractions at the park as he's grown. He is less interested in the train than last year, but he's found other things to occupy his interest.

Ahhh... a man, his son, and the shooting gallery.

Being silly on the carousel.

Wiped out.