A couple of faves....

I was looking at some photos and came across these favorites from a few months ago that were "pre-blog"....The first is actually from Shane's Valentine's Day party at Kingston Parish---he was so impressed that someone knew how much he liked Toy Story and would give him a Toy Story valentine....ha! The second pic is from Christmas Town at Busch Gardens in December 2010. That was one of my most favorite family outings...we had the best time that night and just thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, so I smile every time I see a pic from that night. This particular picture was of me and Shane on the sky ride checking out all the lights. The last pic may be my absolute favorite--it was taken in January in Nags Head at the bowling alley---Shane's first bowling trip--He makes me think of "Twinkle Toes" Fred Flintstone in this pic...He was obviously happy with the way things went after slinging that ball down the alley :)

Another Weekend, gone...

Friday night after work, we met Nancy & Marty at the White Dog for dinner. What a fabulous night--a delicious meal and meeting up with my girl Nance!! How I miss her---we've all been so busy, it's hard to keep up. Great food, great wine and great conversation!!

On Saturday, Shane had his soccer game at 9am....Boy was it COLD! Bless his heart, he was so cold that he left the field in the midst of the game to come tell me how cold his hands were---I was ill prepared (as usual) so, I just put my lime green gloves on his hands and sent him back out---He decided that his hands looked so big with the glove on that he could be a mascot---He proceeded parading around the field and shaking hands, as a mascot would....ha! On another note, he got to play goalie this week, which was a highlight for him--he loved it and had been wanting a chance at that position. He even stopped a few goals from being scored, even with the huge lime green gloves on! :)

After the soccer game, we went home, warmed up and headed out to Richmond. We went to a faculty vs. alumni basketball game at Rob's high school. It was fun--Shane enjoyed seeing the mascot there and Rob enjoyed seeing some classmates he hadn't seen in 20 years. We left there and had a late dinner at a great little place called Italian Kitchen. It's a favorite of his parents and after eating there, we see why--It was DELISH! Shane devoured his meatballs and loved it!! Sunday, we left Shane in Richmond with Annie and Rob and I headed back home to watch the VCU game---How about those Rams?!? WOW! Final Four...I can't wait to kick back and watch that game next Saturday!!!

Where does he get this stuff??

Shane has come out with some good stuff this week--some days, it's like listening to a full grown adult, only he's 4...Where does he come up with this stuff?!! Hah!

• Shane calls Ginny, whom he affectionately calls TT, he says, "TT, I like soccer but sometimes, I get soccer fright." TT says, "Soccer fright, what is that?" Shane says, "You know, it's kinda like stage fright, only for soccer. I don't like it when everyone is looking at me." TT says, "Oh I understand, sometimes, I get that too when I have to talk in front of a bunch of people." Shane finishes with, " Oh you must mean people fright or talk fright. That's okay TT, just think about me when you are talking to those people and it will go away because I care about you."
• Shane is in the car with Annie and they drive past Tatterson's, which Shane has been eagerly awaiting their reopening. Shane says, "Oh look, Tatterson's is open, I wonder what kind of blow up they will have next." Ann offers her opinion on the topic to which Shane replies, " Annie, you need to REALIZE that there are blow ups for ALL holidays, not just Christmas."
• We pull into Kingston Parish on Tuesday morning....Shane looks at me and says "oh, look, it's my old shooooool house (not pronounced skool) " (think Megamind...)
• On Wednesday morning, we are heading to my mom's house for Shane to spend the day with her--he says to me, " I know why Grandma doesn't work at Ocean Products anymore" and I say, "why is that?" He replies with, "It's a mess in there, the walls weren't painted and it looked like the three little pigs house and Grandma just couldn't handle that mess anymore." Haha!

Well said, son, well said...

Half Moon

Well, it's happened, Robbie Norris's dream has come true--we are the proud new owners of a 2003 Parker 2520...He's so excited he doesn't know what to do with himself--there's constant chatter about the new items he'll need for the new boat and the family fun that's in store for us all. He's talking about the fishing rods and tackle we'll need and I'm talking about the shatterproof wine glasses and table for our cheese and crackers that we'll need...ha! We went for a test ride on Friday night and we fell in love with it--I can't wait to see what summertime fun is in store for our family. Shane is going to love it and I'm going to love being with him and Robbie Norris!!

The longest week ever....

Is it just me or has this week dragged on and on and on and...well, you get the point. I don't know if it's that the days are longer now or that it's been a slow work week, with the exception of Monday, that has made it seem like I've been sitting at my desk FOREVER! Monday did bring a nice visit from my brother and his most fabulous wife Betsy. We had dinner at my mom & dad's for his birthday---we listened to Shane's rendition of Happy Birthday Uncle Wuggie and enjoyed grilled chicken and cole slaw and just being together. It's always nice to see them, which isn't very often because their work schedule is opposite of all of ours---they're working when we're not and vice versa. They're doing really well and expecting a baby in September :) In other happenings this week, I tried another new weight watcher recipe that met rave reviews from the family---pork piccata. It was delish! I only lost 1/2 lb this week, but I think that's because I've been slacking on my exercise. I need to get back in the habit. Last night, we attempted to watch the VCU game---that didn't start until 9:30pm, so I didn't even make it to half time. They did win and are playing again tomorrow night--I'm sorry it's all the way in Chicago, we'd love to be there! Looking forward to the weekend, another Saturday morning of soccer, then maybe a trip to Gloucester with Shane. And hopefully, Sunday will bring a day of relaxation!

David Beckham, he is not....

Saturday was Shane's first soccer practice/game. He had been looking so forward to it, but when we got there, he became very unsure and clingy....Rob stayed by his side and after he received his orange (his favorite color) jersey, things started to look up for him. Rob was able to leave his side as Shane joined his team for some warm ups and practice. Have you ever witnessed a group of 4-5 year olds attemping to do jumping jacks?? It is possibly one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen. Shane looked like a newborn bird trying to leave the nest for the first time, but just couldn't flap his wings enough to get himself into the air....ha! Then we had practice dribbling the ball down the field...Ok, it was at this point that I remembered telling Shane that he couldn't quit, no matter how much he didn't like it, he had to stick it out and then he wouldn't have to play ever again if he didn't want to---when I watched him dribble the ball down the field, at a snails pace, while all the other kids left him in the dust, I wondered if making him stick it out is the wisest decision...ha! Bless his heart...He had a good time, the "game" was a riot and he's looking forward to next week. When this is done, he'll know how to play with other kids his age and have a good time outdoors, like a little boy should---it doesn't matter whether he's fast or slow or good or bad, he's still my kid and I'm damn proud of him! :) Go #4! GO SUN CATS!!

Life Lessons

Sometimes I feel like we all take things for granted. We're spoiled, we expect people to do things for us, we think that everyone else needs to bow down to our wishes and wants. We contantly mistake wants for needs...If Shane gets nothing else from me, I want him to understand that he doesn't need all that he has, he's not any better than anyone else nor does he deserve any more than anyone else does. I want him to understand that all people are created equally but the world will try to make you think otherwise. I think we all need a reality check every now and again...My mom emailed me this list of life lessons not long ago and it's EXACTLY what I want my child to understand--Enjoy! :)

1. Life is NOT fair...get used to it!
2. The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
3. You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice president with a car phone until you earn both.
4. If you think your teacher is tough, wait til you get a boss.
5. Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping....opportunity.
6. If you mess up, it's NOT your parents fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
7. Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got they way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
8. Your school may have done away with winner and losers, but life HAS NOT! In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as many times as you need to get the right answer. This does not bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in the real world!
9. Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself...Do that on your own time.
10. Television is NOT real life. In real life, people actually leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
11. Be nice to nerds...Chances are you'll end up working for one...

Fat Tuesday

Last night, Rob & I went to an oyster roast at The White Dog--our most favorite dining spot in Mathews. What a fun time we had! They were roasting oysters and clams and had a "lousiana style" buffet that included red beans & rice, gumbo, sweet potatoes, a yummy chicken dish, fried okra and king's cake. Traditionally, a toy is hidden in the king's cake and whoever finds it has the honor of hosting the next years celebration---At the White Dog, if you found the toy, you won a $50 gift certificate---So, guess who won?? I did!! Ha! :) So, now we are looking forward to another fun date night at the Dog...Always great food, love the atmosphere and most of all, love being with my big nutty hubby!!

My dad picked Shane up for us and he spent the evening hanging out with them until we were done at the White Dog--When we got to their house to pick him up, my daddy was having band practice--So, before we left, Shane wanted to play his guitar and sing the Thomas song for everyone---I know I think he's the cutest most talented kid ever because he's mine, but he really is the cutest most talented kid ever :)

One of the best weekends ever!

My weekend started early, on Friday--when I surprised Shane and took the day off from work. He had been sick and feeling pretty bad on Thursday---Thursday night, I put Vicks on his feet and it was the miracle cure! He slept the whole night long and didn't wake up until 9:15 am Friday morning--much needed rest for everyone :) We had a fantastic day--we played Connect 4 and Candyland, we played outside and rode bikes and went for a walk, we painted, we watched Alvin & the Chipmunks and we finished the day off by meeting Rob at Southwind for dinner---A delicious dinner! It was the perfect day---how I wish for days like this more often! I cherished the time that I had with Shane, all by myself, uninterrupted and I cherished the look on his face when I told him I wasn't going to work that day---I wish I could do that more often.

On Saturday morning, we took Shane to my parents house to spend the night and we headed to Richmond for the 3rd & 4th sessions of the CAA Men's basketball tournament. What a fun day! A day filled with basketball games is exhausting, but so much fun---The VCU game was the best--so happy for their win, they won against George Mason yesterday, so will pay ODU tonight in the championship game---How awesome--GO RAMS GO!!

Sunday, we left Richmond and picked Shane up and headed home... and did NOTHING for the rest of the day---we had Pizza Hut for dinner and just enjoyed the rest of our day--Shane was asleep by 8pm and we weren't far behind...Now, back to the countdown to next weekend!!

Strep

You'd never know he's been so sick by looking at him fat cattin' in this picture, but poor little Shaney Poo has had strep throat. We went to the doctor on Monday afternoon and that was indeed the diagnosis....he hates his pink bubblegum medicine, he can't believe that they still have school when he is sick and he's coughed ALL NIGHT LONG for the past two nights....Yes, friends, I said ALL. NIGHT. LONG. This morning he looked like Charlie Sheen after an all night party with 4 porn stars and a trashed hotel room....poor guy. Allegedly, there's nothing I can give him for this cough---who is punishing us and why?! Why does all of my internet research suggest that there is no cough with strep, when I can tell you right now that it is---If you have any suggestions to help ease my little guys coughing, bring it on!!

Let me catch you up...

January--my 32nd birthday, trip to nags Head, Shane's first bowling experience

February--Valentines Day

Well Here Goes Nothing!

I've been thinking about a blog for some time and I've finally decided it would be a good way for me to get my thoughts out (probably not always a good idea) and a good way to leave something behind for Shane to reflect upon. A good place to post pictures for all to see, since I'm the only living being without a facebook page. A good place to express my frustrations. A good place to share all the great and fantastic parts of my life with Rob and Shane. I love my life and I hope you'll like the glimpse I give you of it. :)