Countdown to the Beach!

We are leaving on Thursday for a nice long vacation to Myrtle Beach. John's parents have a place at Pirateland and we go multiple times a year, but always for a long stretch around the 4th of July. http://www.pirateland.com/
There is just sooo much to do there especially during the 4th. One of the highlights for the boys is the golf cart parade. Tons of the campers and residents decorate their golf cart and parade around the campground dancing, throwing out candy and acting crazy. We get there early to get a good spot then just hang out on the beach until it starts around noon. The campground also has kids craft time through out each day, games at the pool and on the beach, and rides/food/games set up at the arcade. I think it's the atmosphere we love there so much. Everyone is so friendly, there are tons of kids, and while it's crowded not so much that you wait for anything! I can't wait to be there!
Below are a few pictures from last year.

John Thomas caught some beads & is waiting for more candy (see his stash on the seat behind him)

Bryson enjoying the sand!

Bryson wasn't even walking (just taking steps here and there) last year.

The boys and their truck!

The Such Family(Kella, John Thomas, John, Bryson, Mary (Mawmaw), Granny, & John Sr. (Poppy)

The Windchime

I have to start this with a story I didn't share in my last post. My grandparents have a new windchime that makes the most beautiful tones. As we were sitting out on the porch, I asked John Thomas if he liked the music. He said "Yes, that is my heart singing". John and I asked him who told him that (or who taught him that) and he said "no, i just said, that's my heart singing, doesn't your heart sing?" He is so awesome.

We are back home after a fun and relaxing weekend! When John and I go back to Greenwood, everything is just so stress free. Now it's back to a new work week, but it's a short one. We're leaving for the beach on Thursday until the 13th. I can't wait!

A Busy Weekend

This weekend we packed up and headed to my parents (Grammie and Papa's) for the the weekend. John and I were invited to a wedding on Sat so we thought we'd come in early and visit with my parents and head out to my grandparents at the lake. The boys LOVE the lake! We played in the water, took a long ride on the boat and road the "ski boats" as John Thomas calls them (waverunners). Last year Bryson was too little to ride the waverunners but this year I took him out and he had a blast!
Enjoy the pics!

Bryson on the boat before we left.

John Thomas and Granddaddy on the "ski boat"

Bryson's first trip on the waverunner

Ready for the wedding!

New Baby on the Block!

Tonight we took dinner over to our friends Mark and Suzanne, and finally met sweet little Evan. His stay in NICU was a bit longer than expected and he was released on Sunday. He is just so adorable and sweet. He's also a great sleeper which Suz and Mark are loving. Below are some pics of our new psuedo nephew!

The Search has Begun...

For the perfect preschool... Since John Thomas didn't get into the county’s 4K program I have to find him a place for the school year. I wish that he could stay with Karen but he is the oldest one there and he really benefits from being in a structured environment. Today I called a new center Kiddie Academy that is about a mile from our house. I immediately liked the woman I got on the phone and as she explained what they offer, do, etc... I started getting very excited. They have a curriculum that teaches creative learning and fine language (including Spanish); have age specific outdoor activities and even a little mini "water park". Kiddie Academy also has the webcams which is nice, but they have them outside as well as inside. There are only 22 kids in the 4K class now but they will not allow more than 30 kids in the class. John Thomas' last school had 34-36 on any given day with only 2 teachers. I set up a meeting to go up there on Friday and I’m going to take John Thomas. I have a feeling that this next transition will not be easy for him. His last few weeks at his last school were terrible for him (and I think more so for me). I am hoping that he doesn't lose it when I tell him that he's going to go to another school. The cost is more $$ than his other school and what Karen charges but if we like we'll have to make it work. Their website is
http://data.gointranet.com/cgi-bin/unitloc/kiddie/locator.cgi?cpage=main.html&cu=LaColla&cl=Simpsonville
The other great thing is that this place picks up from his elementary school, which means when he starts kindergarden they pick up at his school and he will be in their after school program. Hopefully I would get to move Bryson there as well when he turns three so they will be at the same place.

4K Waiting List

So a few weeks ago, I took John Thomas to be tested for the Greenville County 4K program. The program is part of the No Child Left Behind Act. First pick goes to children that have developmental/speech delays, come from single parent homes, do not speak English, etc... However, if there is enough room they will allow classes with kids that do not "need" the education boost. They told me that John Thomas did very well and that we would hear from them in July.
I got the news that John Thomas didn't make it in, and was placed on the waiting list. I can't really be disappointed. There were 1,600 kids that tested and they let over 1,300 in. That means that he tested better than 1,300 other kids which is a great thing. I am a little bummed that I don't get to stop paying for a daycare/preschool for him though. Now starts the really hard part... Finding him a preschool for the 08-09 school year. After the experience with his last school, I'm very nervous to be sending him back out into the wild.

Sunsetters...

After a lot of discussion, John and I decided to get a sunsetter--www.sunsetter.com for our back patio.
I got a great deal on a previously owned one, it came with everything (or so we thought) and looked practically new. Anyway, before putting it up, I watch the installation and user video. It shows two average adults installing it and a 100 year old lady working it by herself. Well, my parents showed up at 1:30 to help along with John's parents. Did I mention that it's in the mid 90's and this thing is 20 feet long and 10 feet wide, and attaches to the siding of my house using about 30-35 screws. Needless to say it took all the men and myself to set this thing up. Once it was screwed to the house, we set the support brackets. Unfortunately, the couple we bought it from forgot to bring the hand crank so we had to unroll this mammoth with our bare hands. Finally at 4:30 just as it was getting cooler outside, we were enjoying the shade of our new Sunsetter. I was concerned with how one person can retract the awning. While the men watched I started trying to do it by myself and gave up. This monster is heavy. We decided the best thing would be to connect the support brackets to the house. This made it much easier to retract but remember I am hand cranking this thing. We (yes we, I couldn't do it by myself) get it all rolled back up and decide that it is staying that way. I have decided that the old lady in the video could lay a whoopin on me if push came to shove. I haven't been able to get in touch with the seller, but I did order a new hand crank tonight. So in 3 to 7 days we should be able to enjoy our new shade! Hopefully once the crank arrives, I will be posting an "I love my Sunsetter" entry...

Discovery Island

We took the boys to Discovery Island tonight(a local water park). They had a blast! There is a slide that they can go on with us, and each time they went, the immediately wanted to go again. It was a lot of fun and not as crowded since we were invited by one of my coworkers for an after hours event. Enjoy the pics!

Bryson enjoying the water

John Thomas, Bryson and Daddy dumping water on all the kids below!

Mommy and John Thomas in the deep water

John Thomas!

John Thomas coming down the slide

He loved sliding!

Bryson

John Thomas and Mommy on the big slide

Daddy and John Thomas in the Lazy River

And here is a pic of Bryson's safety tattoo! It has my phone number on it. Pretty great idea!

Baa Baa Black Sheep

As sung by John Thomas...
Baa baa black sheep have you any more
yes sir, yes sir, three bags full
one for my master
one for the dave
one for the little boy who lives down the lane...

So cute!

A Day in the Life of Me

6:10 a.m. Alarm goes off for the first time, hit snooze and flip on the TV to listen to the local news.
6:17 a.m. Alarm goes off again and I usually get up but sometimes stay in bed until the next alarm.
I shower, get dressed, makeup, and dry/style my hair.
By this time its 7:15 or 7:20 and John Thomas is usually awake and in my room. Most mornings he will get in bed with John and watch Thunderbirds and other times he will play quietly in his room. I talk with him a bit and get their clothes out for John since he gets them ready and takes them to Karen's each day.
At 7:30 I round up my breakfast, water and a few snacks and head out the door.
I drive 11 miles into work and it takes anywhere from 20-30 minutes (sometimes longer when school is in).
I get to my desk between 8:00-8:10, break for lunch around 12:00, and leave at 5:00 p.m.
I drive straight to Karen's to get the boys and get there about 5:30. We chat about their day and other random things and then I head home. I usually get home by 6:00.
I immediately start dinner and straighten up the kitchen while the boys are playing in the living room or outside. John usually gets home between 6:15 and 6:45 and we eat around 6:45-7:00. After dinner I clean up the dinner mess and we all head upstairs for more playing, baths, books, etc...
The boys go down between 8:00 and 8:30. Once they are asleep I usually collapse on the couch, do laundry, embroidery, or take a bath. I try to go to bed around 10:00 unless we're watching a movie.
Basically from 6:30 a.m. 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, I am on the move.

Four Days In A Row

Bryson has pee-peed on the potty for four days in a row. Not each time but a couple of times a day. I am so proud of him.
Right now he and John Thomas are building castles. Well John Thomas builds and Bryson destroys. John Thomas' castle consists of a few blocks, a bouncy ball balanced at the top, a bubble blowing stick as a ladder and Mickey Mouse standing guard. Now Bryson is over with me with a piece of paper. He wants me to make him an "airpane" which I'm no good at. They usually nose dive a few inches from my feet.
Our nightly Veggie Tales episode is on in the background which means in a few minutes I will be putting them to bed. John is at the movies with some friends so it will be a quiet evening for me. Hopefully I will get started on my new Jodi Picoult book.

Monday & A New Baby

Monday's are usually rough on me because after spending the weekend with all my boys, I miss them terribly. However today was exciting. Our very good friends Mark and Suzanne welcomed a beautiful 8lb 10oz baby boy into the world. I can't wait to meet sweet little Evan!!

Happy Father's Day John

MILESTONE ALERT!!!

This weekend we are at Lake Keowee (Seneca, SC) having fun with Mawmaw and Poppy (John's parents). Before Bryson's bath tonight, I sat him on the potty and he went pee-pee!!!
I am so proud of my little man. Ever since he has just been so proud and gives out high fives whenever you mention it. We're heading out soon to get him a new potty to use at home!

Why I Decided To Blog...

A couple of days ago, I was driving home with my two boys John Thomas and Bryson. Below is a the conversation I had with John Thomas as we turned onto the road to our house.
John Thomas: "Mommy how do we get down?"
Me: "What do you mean? Down from where?"
John Thomas: "From the clouds, when we go to see Jesus."
Me: "Well when we go see Jesus, we won't come down. It will be so much fun that we'll want to stay up there with him"
John Thomas: "Will Jesus have toys?"
Me: "Yes"
John Thomas: "Will Jesus make me a house"
Me: "Of course"
John Thomas: "Will Jesus make trees and flowers"
Me: "You bet, he will make you anything you want"
John Thomas: "Well, I want Jesus to make me toys and houses and flowers and trees and W's"
Me: "John Thomas why do you want W's?"
John Thomas: "Because I like them, they are my favorite"

Yes this conversation I had with my 4 year old son made me realize that I needed a place to write (or blog) about the simple, innocent things that happen in our daily lives.