Photo Friday

For firework watching I finally made a dessert with the chocolate bowls I scored at World Market.

I filled them all with french vanilla pudding, topping half with raspberries and chocolate shavings and half with s'mores (graham cracker crumbs, marshmallows and chocolate shaving). Brian, Paul and Kate were fans, Ashton not so much.

Props to Brian for figuring out how to eat them without the cup breaking into pieces - the best approach is to just nibble around the edges.

Bonus photo - fireworks were a success, all fingers and toes intact.

Larger Than Life

Since he's said it quite a few times, I simply have to add this note to our blog. Ashton has now announced that his 6'9" Daddy is no longer "all that big anymore". Apparently he feels that as he has grown, Dad has shrunken in stature. I tried to explain to Ashton that Paul is one of the biggest Daddy's he'll ever see, but he calmly agreed to disagree with me, somehow assuming that most Dads come in XXXLT as opposed to the XXLT his Daddy is.

Ashton also adds quite matter of factly that he will surely be bigger than Paul someday, someday soon. That, I silently hope, is a day long off in the distance. I am not ready to stop being able to easily and sofly kiss the top of his head as he hugs my waist, not yet at least.

Here's to dreaming big Ashton! (I wonder if Paul used to say the same things to his Daddy.)

Getting Better With Age

Photo Friday
Apologies, a day late. But better late than never!

Happy Birthday/ Father's Day to the man with the broadest shoulders of anyone I know - both physically and responsibility-wise.

For Sale, Not By Owners

Exciting news, we are attempting a sale of "ye old homestead" once again. With Kate ready to enter Kindergarten our goal is to be out and gone to a better school district before the end of summer. Paul has spent his entire week long vacation, even his birthday, (aside from our Whitewater trip and a Lorax movie viewing) cleaning, de-cluttering, prepping and taking care of the longest "honey-do" list of all time. The new floors are in, we are awaiting painting estimates and even met with our first seller's agent today.

Wish us luck!

Photo Friday

Photo Friday turns the camera on me. Seems as if I'm a bit allergic to, well, something. Left side of face, under left eye, under chin, left shoulder and left arm all not too fond of whatever it was that touched my skin. Headed to the doctor's and the good news is the rash is nothing he feels a bit of antihistamine and steroids can't fix. Between you and I, it does itch as much as it looks like it would.

 

Kings and Queens of Crowder's Mountain

Today we had a wonderful day of hiking and togetherness. We climbed 1.76 miles of the VERY strenuous Pinnacle Trail, culminating in 322 steps to the most gorgeous view, which really seemed to impress Ashton.

On the way up Kate's tiny legs wore out and Paul unbelievably carried her on his shoulders 1/3 of the way up. (This lead to an undisputed agreement that Daddy is strong like an ox.) Then, to my disbelief on the way down, I see Ashton being hefted up on to those broad shoulders and Paul jogging with our 80lb youngster perched up there like nothing. Unbelievable.


On the way down the kiddos decided to branch off and tackle the Crowder's trail, adding another 3.0 miles of hiking to our afternoon. Half way through, Ashton loudly declares "I love nature!" and seemed very peaceful out there in the woods. Kate loved leading the way in the less inclined trail, softly singing the beloved song from Peter Pan "We're following the leader, the leader, wherever SHE may go." and both found their own walking sticks to assist in their journey.

I am happy to being them to nature and hope to instill in them a love and comfort with the wilderness at the same time getting them up and moving. I am looking forward to our next exploration, wherever we may go.

Photo Friday

Kate offered Candy Cane Cupcake Christmas a friend which he quickly cuddled up with.

The End of an Era

As I look to tomorrow, it is with mixed emotions. The last of my babies will graduate from preschool and I will be there so proud and, at the same time, so sad. From this point on I will have no choice but to turn my last little one over to others for care. For some reason I don't feel as bad dropping her off at preschool, because that is a choice I guess, with freedom to come and go as we please, not like Kindergarten.

However, in spite of the bitter, I will do my best to focus on the sweet and watch proudly as Kate passes a milestone and looks forward to continued success in her academic career - which, based in the fact she confided in me she aspires to be a doctor, maybe a very long one. Congratulations to Kate!

Photo Friday

Today for photo Friday here's a picture of Kate's ballet debut at the North Carolina dance theater. We are so lucky to be surrounded by such a large fan base a.k.a. family for such a small performance in length but big in accomplishment for Kate.

Highs and Lows

Since it's really a mixed bag today, let's start with shoelaces.

Yes, shoelaces! On a trip to Target to purchase new shoes, Kate insisted she wanted "shoes that tie", so shoes that tie she got!
The good news is that she is almost able to tie them herself, the not so good news is that whole "almost" part. But, I guess practice makes perfect and she will get there.

Also, same day, Ashton was subjected to the utter misery of allergy testing - the whole stick 40 needles into your back to cause hives thing. The poor dear took it in stride, only looking at us in utter terror during the initial pricks, not scratching once per strict instructions, but itching all the same.
Turns out he is crazy allergic to all molds, cats, dogs, house dust, dust mites, some trees, some grass, beef, soybeans, chocolate and milk. Poor, poor thing.
So, needless to say, dinner out Ashton's choice, was in order. After realizing his favorite restaurant would limit me from eating ( frankly it makes me sick) he insisted on choosing a spot where he could eat with his WHOLE family instead, an act of pure selflessness. What a special and kind boy he is, I am so proud.

Random Radio Thought

Just flipping through the radio and heard a local AM personality comment "Yeah, you probably don't want to do a cartwheel with a loaded gun in your pocket." True words to live by.

We're Baaaaack!

I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted,  I guess Facebook as been my "go to" place to capture moments with the kiddos. But, as of today, back in the blogging game. I keep meaning to capture more of the good/bad moments of parenting, the things in life that I will look back on and say, yes, it was a fun and wild ride!