Bittersweet....

Yesterday was Shane's last day at preschool for this year. They celebrated with a picnic out on the playground and invited all the parents to join them. It was so sweet watching those kids interact with one another and tell each other how much they were going to miss the other one...Almost all of them will be back together again next September for the three day class. The Mom's talked about our summer plans and of play dates that we should get together and have, we also discussed who had passes to Busch Gardens this year so that we could all meet up there. Heather Hudgins, one of Shane's teachers, is expecting her forth child in November, so she won't be with them next year...I felt a lump in my throat when Shane grabbed onto her and told her how much he would miss her...I know he'll see lots of her around town and at church, but it's just not the same. I think the poor child thought that was the last time he'd ever see her...They had pizza from Chef Todd's, which was quite delicious and fruit salads that had been made by some of the moms and they had a beautiful (and delicious) cake for Mrs. Hudgins. The kids played in the sprinkler and just ran amok and enjoyed one another. I hope next year is just as great as this one was! I'm sure it will be--Mrs. Desmond is the best! :)

The kids enjoying the sprinkler

The awesome cake for Mrs. Hudgins, made by The Cake Man (Daniel Hogge)

Shane enjoyed the Chef Todd's pizza!

Shane & Jacob

For some reason, Shane asked me to take this pic...Turned out kinda cute! :)

Celebrating in Richmond....

As I've said in the previous post, our 10 year anniversary was May 19. So, to celebrate, we invited our good friends, The Ramsey's to spend the night with us in Richmond on Saturday. The day started at 9am when we met at Robert & Rhonda's house. We were ready for fun! We hit the road and started our shopping adventure at Pier 1. We then went on to World Market, and then on to Short Pump Mall, where we had our light lunch :) Rhonda and I had the best time trotting from store to store and trying on clothes...I cannot even discuss the romper that I tried on at H&M, but I know she just laughed out loud when she read that....ha! After shopping til we dropped, we headed on to Rob's parents house in Goochland, where they were nice enough to let us stay for the night. We got to the house and got settled in and enjoyed some vino and then got ready to head out to Maggianos for dinner. Rob's mom had hired a town car to come and pick us up so we could all take part in our adult libations and not have to worry with driving. Charles, our driver, arrived in style! We felt like movie stars being driven to and from dinner. Our dinner was delicious. We got back to the house and played a few cards and enjoyed a honking piece of chocolate cake that we had taken to go from Maggianos. Then headed to bed, realizing that we can't stay up as late as we once could! Ha! Sunday morning, we got up and headed out to the Jefferson Hotel for their famous Sunday brunch...It was so special, so elegant, so beautiful. I am so happy that Rob and I got to share the weekend with Robert & Rhonda. They are definitely friends for life! Such a great weekend that we will remember for years to come!

It's been 10 years Mr Lova!

Mr. Lova...that's my pet name for Robbie Norris...It started as a joke and it just stuck...When he calls my cell phone, MR. LOVA pops up. As of yesterday, I have been honored to be Mrs. Lova for the past 10 years. I can't believe our wedding was 10 years ago. Some people don't think that is that long ago and I hope that on our 50th wedding anniversary we will look back and laugh about how excited we were to make it 10 years. I remember all of the showers and attention and the planning and the parties that got us ready for May 19, 2001. What a magical day and a day that I don't remember feeling the least bit nervous at all. I was excited--I had waited for nearly 5 years to become Mrs. Lova--it was the only thing I ever wanted in this world! He's stood by me through thick and thin--we've laughed together, fought together, made up together, cried together, made the most beautiful (excuse me, handsome) little boy ever together, and had the time of our lives together! I look forward to what the future holds for us. There is so much fun to be had and I can't wait to have it with Mr. Lova!!

My favorite boys!

My family!

I wanted to include some wedding photos, but we weren't in the digital age then...They are actual photos, in an actual photo album and there's negatives...I remember being so impressed that I got the negatives...what the hell do you do with negatives in 2011?? Seriously?? I'll have to take the time to scan those in sometime....maybe by the 50th anniversary?! :)

Home Depot, The Attic, and Lots of Chores...

This past weekend, Rob and I worked our butts off at home. Trip number one to Home Depot was on Friday after work. We got a new screen door for the storage room under our house that houses the new ice machine and some light bulbs for the attic. Saturday, Rob had to work, so when he came home, he came with a ton and a half of gravel. After lunch, we headed up to the attic...what a horrendous mess!! We had just let that get completely out of control! The light bulbs we purchased wouldn't work because the actual light fixture was broken, so we had to use the free standing work lights, that is much like sitting under a french fry lamp...So, from 1:30-5:30, we stayed in the attic and went through box after box after box, trashing some things, saving some things, and placing others in a pile for a yard sale. I must say, it was fun going through some of the old photo albums we found up there---some wedding memories were found, just in time for our 10 year anniversary :) After exiting the attic, we made a trip to the dump, then Rob put the new screen door up. It wasn't long after dinner that we were all wiped out! Sunday morning, we got up and headed out to Home Depot for trip #2 where we purchased new light fixtures for the attic and some boxes. When we got back home, we shoveled the gravel that Rob had brought home on Saturday. We placed that behind the house, where all the water discharges from the new ice machine. It was creating a monstrous puddle behind the house that was just inviting the mosquito population to spend their summer at the shore with us! After that task was complete (boy was i happy when that was done) we headed back up to the attic and finished that task. We had priced items for the yard sale as we went through them, so hopefully that won't be such a tedious task later on. The weekend brought more manual labor than my body has been used to in some time, and I have paid the price with soreness in the following days, but what a great feeling to have this done! I'm so excited for the yard sale on June 4 so I can finally get all of this extra stuff out of my house!

Here is the before picture:

Here's the after picture (some of those boxes/bags will be going to the yard sale/dump, but when Shane isn't around to witness it):

Here's how excited Rob was that you can finally walk around in the attic (you gotta love that big nutty man!):

OBX and Mothers Day...

What a most fabulous weekend! On Thursday, Shane invited me to his preschool for a Mother's Day Tea at 11am. HOW ADORABLE! The kids had made little tea sandwiches, had strawberries and cookies for us. They sang to us and presented us with flowers...It was really special! Thursday night was Shane's soccer banquet. That was fun for him to get a medal and mark the end of his first soccer season. He told me that he did indeed like soccer and was planning on playing again---we'll see how that works out...ha! On Friday morning, Shane and I packed the car and headed to the OBX! Our most favorite place :) We got there in about 2 1/2 hours and did some shopping, then headed down to Wanchese to meet Rob's fishing charter when it came in. After cleaning up, we went to dinner at Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe---DELISH! Shane's manners were IMPECCABLE at dinner. I've never seen him be so polite! We were some proud parents after we left there---Saturday was the best day ever! We started with breakfast at Darrell's in Manteo, then headed to Jockey's Ridge to the sand dunes. I had never climbed the dunes before and can't believe I waited so long! What a sight :) It was like being in the middle of the desert. We took Shane's Buzz Lightyear kite and once we made it to the top, we sat back and flew the kite and just enjoyed the beautiful day. After finding our way out of Jockey's Ridge, we headed to Mulligans and sat out on the deck and enjoyed a drink and some lunch. Another delicious meal! We then played a round of mini golf at Mutiny Bay--what fun! :) We laughed and just had the best time...After golf, we hit Kitty Hawk kites, where Shane picked out a "do-it flag"...one of those whirly looking not a kite, not a windsock, not a flag type jobs...ha! He calls them "do-it flags" because they are made out of the same thing as a flag, but they do things...ha! We headed back to the house for a little nap and showers. That night, we headed to the movie theater to see Rio...we loved it! What a great movie :) After the movie, we went back home and ordered in some pizza. Shane fell asleep before the pizza even got there! He was worn out!! Not a peep did we hear from him until 8:30 the next morning...On Mother's Day, we headed to the Nags Head Pier for breakfast...What a cool place--it was raining, so I didn't get to explore like I wanted to, but that will definitely be a place I"ll go back to. After breakfast, we headed home for lunch at Nancy's house with the family---When we got home, we planted the new palm tree that Rob & Shane gave me for mother's day--I had been wanting one for a while, so that was the PERFECT gift :) I'm so thankful for my family---meltdowns and all...I'm so lucky to live with the two greatest guys on the face of the earth--even if I don't always act like it. I love you Robbie Norris! I love you Shaney Poo! :)

What is wrong with him?

Ok, so Shaney Poo Norris has had a rough couple of days. He's actually been a mad man...I'm not real sure what's going on with him. On Monday, he stayed with Annie and DD. He was fine when he woke up, brushed his teeth and went on over. Later in the day, they were headed to Gloucester and Shane became so out of control that they have turned around and brought him back home...it got worse as the day went on. When I asked him why he behaved that way, he told me that he didn't like the new flag that Annie had put outside....really, son?? Really?? After we picked him up, he apologized the rest of the night and was good as gold. On Tuesday, we had a talk that morning about his behavior, all was well. He went to school, all was well...Annie & DD picked him up and headed over to Gloucester--went to Lockwood's and looked at carpet, then lunch at Chick Fil A....that's where it went downhill. Shane wanted to climb up the slide in the wrong direction and when Annie told him no, the meltdown began...He screamed for the next 3 hours...When I walked in to pick him up, he started apologizing...I'm so sorry to Annie for having to deal with a monster for two days. I don't understand what causes these crazy meltdowns---i cannot describe to you what they are like---he's just out of control, it's almost like he's outside of his own body for the moments that his anger overcomes him...We have a new responsibility chart at home that outlines his chores that he has to do each day. For each thing he completes, he gets a "smiley"...Each smiley is worth 1 point. In order for him to be able to go on our planned November Disney trip, he has to achieve 600 points. Last night, he got NO smileys at all, not even for the things he had done. They were definately not deserved. Anyone out there got any suggestions for me? I know he's 4...but I also know he's very aware of what he's doing and that is is wrong. Bless his heart...

The Spa, The Boat and The Girls Night Out...

What a great weekend! On Saturday, Shane had his last soccer game of the season. After the game, Mama and I headed over to Victoria's Day Spa for facials and pedicures. We had a grand time...I've never had a facial before, so that was a real treat. I didn't realize it was like a massage for your whole head...It was fabulous! After the facials, we got pedicures. It was so fun to sit there with Mama and talk and be pampered. We both picked out orange nail polish, since orange is Shane's favorite color :)

I got home around 2:30 and spend the rest of the evening outside, by the fire pit, enjoying some wine. Rob cooked ribs on the charcoal grill--another fabulous treat. On Sunday we headed out on the Half Moon. The sun disappeared not long after we got out there and it got a bit chilly. We enjoyed the lunch we had packed and put a few fishing lines in the water. We had a couple nibbles, but didn't catch anything. I think the water is still a bit too cold for fishing.

After we got back from boating, I got ready and headed out to church for the Girls Night Out. We were treated to a great covered dish supper and LOTS of desserts and my dad and his band played a few tunes for us, which is always a treat :) It's always funny to me that people still don't know he can play the guitar and sing like he does--something I've enjoyed since I was a baby...I wish I had gotten him to teach me how to play---maybe one day :) I think I'd look good with a pink guitar :)