I have LOTS of catching up to do.....going to try and get everyone caught up!!!

My oh my - where has my time gone?...Oh wait - I do know....my THESIS!!!! I am happy to report that my Thesis for my Ed.S. was submitted around 12-midnight on Friday night (well the rough draft, but to me it is easy street from here on out!!!). Anyway, I haven't had time to blog, edit pictures, watch my t.v. shows, or sleep. Any extra time has been devoted to working on my paper. Well, now that I am finished...I am going to try and catch up on some things. We have a had a very busy last several days. From trips to festivals...we have had a blast!! I am taking the easy way out and just put pictures on a slide show...I don't have time to really go into great detail...I will have to do better about letting myself get this far behind!!

The first slide show is from when we went to Loretta Lynn's Ranch for Davy to ride dirt bikes. Our friends...Van, Holly, Morgan, and baby Tripp met us at my parent's river house from North Carolina...we had a ball!! My parents came up for a quick visit too!!!

Make a Smilebox photobook

That following Monday...Carson was out of school, so I promised them that if they were good while I worked a little on my paper... I would take them to Build-a-bear workshop in the mall. Well, they were perfect that day...so we jumped in the car and headed to the mall to do build-a-bear! They had a ball! Here are some pictures from that!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Carson had an eventful end of the week...on Thursday, we went on a field trip to Governor Bebb's Preserve...and then on Friday, we had a fun Fall Harvest Party (we would have called it a Halloween Party, but not at his school). We had a blast at the field trip...it was very COLD (in the upper 40s or so)...but our tour guide was wonderful!! They got to see several old houses, school, store, etc. ...and they also got to make homemade candles! On Friday, we had a Harvest Party for the kids...they made treat bags, little wooden pumpkins, and played Pin the nose on the scarecrow..along with fun party food!! The kids seemed to have a ball.....check out the pictures of his fun filled two days!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Saturday was a FUN FAMILY DAY!!! We met up with Robyn and Ty Parrish that morning to pick out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch...then we went to Lebanon to trick-or-treat at various stores in their historic downtown area (it is soooo nice over there). After we came home for a little while...we went to Corwin Nixon Park (in Mason) for a little Harvest Festival (everything there was FREE!!!). The boys' friends (Mason & Maddie) met us there too!! We (adults) enjoyed great conversations...while the kids had a blast playing!!! These pictures show our fun day!!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Whheewww....that only took a couple of hours to do!!! I really need to do better than this! Well, I have to go get the kiddos dressed for truck-or-treat after church tonight, so I will be sure to blog tonight with new Halloween pictures!!!

Barrett's Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch...

Barrett's Pre-school class took a field trip to the pumpkin patch. It was sooo nice, and the kids had a great time. Barrett enjoyed playing with his little buddies, and I enjoyed getting to know the moms a little better too. The kids were covered in dirt by the time we left...and very tired. Carson has his field trip next week...I am loving the fact that I can go to all these things, and not have to worry about taking off from work!! I probably should be working on my paper, but that can wait....my kids can't.

Here are some pictures from his big day at the pumpkin patch!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Barrett's First Soccer Practice...

The time has finally come for our sweet little boy to be able to play an "organized" sport. A friend told us about this place (an indoor soccer club in Mason) that has teams for Barrett's age group. I probably would not have done this right now, but bless his heart - he has watched Carson at baseball and soccer games for the past 3 years...and he has been right there practicing with them for the past year or so!!! It was his turn to get to play the "real game"...as he called it!!


So, on Monday I went up to Wall2Wall to get the paper work for his little class/team. Barrett was with me...and you should have seen this child's face --- he was SO EXCITED!! He overheard the coach telling me to get him shin guards and cleats, and that is all he talked about until we finally went to Dick's Sporting Goods.


When we walked in Dick's Sporting Goods - he (very proudly) walked back to the soccer area and told the lady that he was playing soccer and he needed all "his gear". We all started laughing....he just looked sooo serious!! We got the ball, shin guards, cleats, and socks - and he was so proud of them!! I had originally planned on using Carson's old stuff, but then I decided that it wouldn't be fair for Barrett to have to use "hand-me-downs" for such a special time...his 1st time to play soccer. We had gone through all of this with Carson his 1st time..and I just felt like Barrett deserved the same!! We came home after that to get ready for his nap, BUT before he would even think of taking a nap...he had to put all of his new stuff on to tryout. I really wish you could have seen this sweet little child!! You would have thought we gave him a million dollars...he was just sooo proud!!! I finally got him to lay down for naptime.....and this is how he slept!!



Well today (Tuesday) was his first practice, so he could not think of anything else but that!! He also had his field trip to the Pumpkin Patch...so he had a very busy day!!! He wanted to wear all his soccer stuff to the pumpkin patch, but I talked him out of that!!! His practice is from 5-6 ever Tuesday at an indoor arena...which will be nice this winter. His practice went sooo well...and he LOVED IT!! He thought he was sooo big, and was so excited that we were all there to cheer him on for his first "game" (not really, but he kept calling it a game, so we just played along). He also got a shirt (he calls this his jersey), so that made the experience even better!!
Here are some pictures from his practice!!






These videos are from some drills they had to do...sorry for the voices in the background.
In this video...they are suppose to be kicking the ball...trying to keep it in control - well you will see how Barrett did!!!

In the second drill - they are dropping the ball - then kicking it high...not real sure about this, but he was tooo funny!

My Husband....the things he finds to do with his time....

Davy will be meeting up with some friends in TN to ride dirt bikes at Loretta Lynn's Ranch. A group of guys get together every year to ride. They usually stay at my parent's river house to cut down on the drive time. Well...Davy was beginning to get a little stressed out about getting his bike "ready" for the ride -- I didn't know you had to get a dirt bike ready to ride in the dirt and mud!! Anyway, Saturday Davy decided that he would work on his bike while Beverly and I had the kids. I walked outside only to find this....


Well, before I thought - I made the statement..."You might be a Red-Neck if you...." and I was corrected by Barrett real quick. He told me that we do not call people"Red-Necks" and that was not very nice at all (read previous post to understand Barrett's Red Neck story).

Proud Davy with his bike!!!

A Visit from the Grimes Family...

Our 1st "friends" company from TN was the Grimes family. They were on Fall Break this week, so Friday they came up for the weekend!!! They went to church and school with us back in Jackson...and I taught with Beverly. They got here about 6:30 on Friday night, and the boys were SOOOOO EXCITED to see them!! Caleb and Carson were together all the time when we lived in Jackson, so it has been really hard on Carson to not be with Caleb since the move. The kids played and played Friday night. The boys all piled in our bed to sleep that night. I think they finally went to sleep around mid-night that night. Only to get up at 7:00AM the next morning!!!

The Gang on Friday night...playing Play Station!!!


Best Buds...Carson and Caleb!!



Beverly and I had decided that we would get up on Saturday and show them around the area...we didn't want to waste the time while they were here. Well.....that didn't happen!! We didn't leave to go "sight-seeing" until maybe 12:30ish!! We just lost track of time...between letting the kids enjoy hanging out together and Bev. and I catching up on stuff - we just lost track of time.

We took the Grimes around the area and then to Keehner Park for the Pumpkin Festival. It was like a Harvest Festival with all kinds of blow-up things,a petting zoo, pony rides, crafts, food, carnival type games, and a haunted (kid friendly) trail). The kids had a blast!!! We stayed there for a couple of hours...then took them to the KFC (Kids for Christ...Carson's church group) cook-out. After Beverly and I dropped the kids off with Davy - we left and went to Cheese Cake Factory for dinner and then to Starbucks for coffee...we had a great time too!!!

Here is a slide show from the Keehner Park Festival...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The Grimes family headed out early Sunday morning to make that fun drive back to TN...after church...we had to hit the ball field for Carson's ballgame!! He was 3 for 3 today...we were very proud of him!!!

This is what we do when it is Rainy outside...What do you do?

Wednesday (I think...can't remember) it was a yucky day outside, so Barrett and I had to find something fun to do inside. For those who know my little one...that isn't always the easiest of things to do!!! But...we decided that we would play with play-doh in the house!!! We put mates down (why...I don't know - we had it EVERYWHERE!!!)and we played for maybe 5 minutes with that. It took me longer to set up than it did for us to play!! We had fun though!!!



After we had run out of things to do...we decided to call some of our friends to meet us at Chick-fil-A. Our Chick-fil-A has an indoor playground, so I thought that would be PERFECT....WRONG - everyone had the same idea!! The kids did have a great time, but there were A LOT of kids there. Barrett's little buddy - Kyle - is the same age. Kyle's sister in in Kindergarten (they only go 1/2 days for Kindergarten here). They enjoyed playing together!!! And we (moms) enjoyed sitting around and talking (adult conversations!!).

I Could Have DIED!!!! Oh...what the kids will say!!!

This story could take a long time to really re-tell, so I am going to tell the shorten version. This summer Davy would go outside with this crocs and socks. And JOKINGLY I would say, "You are a Red Neck wearing you crocs with socks and shorts!" Well....well....well - it backfired on me!!! I was talking to Barrett's pre-school teacher yesterday, and she said she needed to tell me something. I stood there for a minute while the rest of the kids left, and she begin to tell me that the other day they were in the Reading circle, and a little boy came in late...and Barrett said,"He is a Red Neck". She said she kindof did a double take, and asked him again -- and he told her that that little boy was a Red Neck because he had on crocs with socks!!! So, I had to explain why my son would say something like that....and no we don't think people are Red Necks for wearing crocs with socks -- it was just a (well what I thought) funny joke between me and Davy. Boy I learned my lesson fast!!!

A fun afternoon ......

Tuesday, the boys had some little friends over from the complex (they ride to school together). Mason (the little boy)is in Kindergarten and Maddie (the little girl) is in 2nd grade (maybe?). Anyway, Carson and Barrett had a blast playing X-box, Playstation, Race Cars, and the list could go on forever!! I love listening to kids play and talk to each other -- it is kindof like they are in their own little world!! Yesterday, if Carson said "Dude" - once......he said it A MILLION times!!! I guess that is the "cool word" for the day or something. I am so glad that they came over to play - I think it will be neat for there to be someone in the complex that the kids can play with anytime.

Here is a picture of the boys with Mason and Maddie.




After the kids did all their normal "before bedtime" routine, Barrett wanted us all to come to his room to say prayers....well - it was Carson's night, so I went in his room to get him.....and this is what I found. He was just sitting there waiting for us --- I guess because we read Star Wars Clone War - he decided to be a clone for bedtime. I busted out laughing....and Barrett (just a serious as can be) said, "What....I am waiting to say my prayers?" --- with his mask and all on!!!

MYO Baseball....Carson's fall league

Well,this weekend - we played ball on Saturday and Sunday!! We are still trying to get all the dust off of our clothes!! Carson did pretty good yesterday - he got a pretty good hit both times and ran 2 runs in....but today WOWOWOWOW he was AMAZING!!! He did great!! He fielded great and hit great!! I was so glad to see this, because he really needed that extra boost in his self-confidence. He is playing on a league with 7-9 year olds, so he feels a little intimidated at times. We were all so proud of him today!!

Decorating for Halloween.....Barrett style

When I picked up Barrett from pre-school he was pumped up about decorating for Halloween...they must have talked about it in school that morning. I couldn't begin to tell you where all my decorating stuff is...and for that matter - I don't even think I had any Halloween (house) decorating items! Well, trying to explain that to a 3 year old was just not working - so off to Big Lots we went! I thought I might go ahead and get some cute fall decorations - and let that be it....WRONG!!! Barrett only wanted to decorate with Halloween stuff. We got a couple of things to put out front...and he had a ball decorating the area.

This picture was after we got home..he had to dump every thing out of the bag and sort it all out!



He picked out some window clings to put on his window...and he enjoyed placing those exactly where he wanted them to go...he thought he was just SO BIG!!!



He had to dig holes (so he thought) to put the things in the ground. I wish everyone could have been there while we were doing this...I laughed until I hurt! He is just so funny about everything he does. He had to have everything it "just the right spot"....his words for EVERYTHING!!! After Carson got home from school we went and got some pumpkins to put out front too. I love the fact that Barrett is old enough to want to decorate for holidays...that was always fun for me too!!! Carson never really took much interest in it, but maybe Barrett will be more like I am!!

You have to love MY Barrett....he just keeps me laughing!!!

The socks.....well today Barrett had pre-school, and rushing around here (as I usually am on T/TH trying to get all 3 of us ready...how did I ever get ready for work?)I asked Barrett to put on his socks and shoes. I had put out socks to wear with his little navy crocs b/c is was cold outside yesterday. With his sweet little serious voice he looked up at me and said, "But I will be a "Red Neck" if I wear socks with my crocs!"...I explained to him that I was just kidding when I called Davy a Red Neck (long story short....he would wear shorts, socks (WHITE), and his crocs...and I would joke with him by calling him a Red Neck!). Never in a MILLION YEARS did I think Barrett thought I was serious!! Well he came back in there with his socks on his hands and explained to me that he would be just fine with his socks on his hands...and that his teachers would just LOVE it!! And those of you who know my drama boy....he was really playing the drama~~~

My Usborne Book eShow...anyone interested?

To all my Blog Followers!!!




I am having an Usborne Book eShow right now. My friend, Audra Young, is a new consultant - I wanted to help her get started by having a catalog/eShow for her. For those who don't know anything about Usborne Books....they are AMAZING!!! I love them!! I have had numerous shows in my house...and completed several catalog orders. I hope you will take a moment and look at the link below to see if you can find that perfect book for your child - you will LOVE THEM...my boys do!!!!

Here is the information below!!

You are invited to an Usborne Books eShow to explore the world of Usborne Books. A child's interest in reading and learning is stimulated by the lavish illustrations and informative content. There are over 1300 bright, colorful and fun titles covering activities, puzzles and a wide range of subjects for children of all ages.

Usborne Books - the books kids love to read!

Hosted by: Angie Moore
Place: www.ubah.com/HOS125761
When: Today thru 10/8/2008 11:59:00 PM
Chat Scheduled: -

Everyone is welcome, so invite a friend.

It's a rewarding experience when a child opens a book and discovers the magic of reading.