Sweet Potatoes

My boy's 2nd grade class had a field trip to the Atlanta Food Bank's Tapestry WIC Garden - led by the magnificent Fred Conrad (father to Ivie). The task given to Grade 2...digging up sweet potatoes. Let me tell you...these weren't your ordinary, buy at Publix, bake in the oven, add a little brown sugar sweet potatoes...these things were MONSTERS! I've never seen anything like this! I asked Fred why they were so big and he looked at me and said "Luck!"

Chopped!

Our fall break was spent at my parents house this year. One of the many treats when visiting Granna & Daddy Jim is being able to watch TV. We try to be conscious of what the kids watch while visiting - but some things are just too irresistible. Like the Food Network show Chopped... Perhaps you are familiar with this program? Four chefs compete with each other and must use several chosen ingredients when preparing their 3 courses. One by one they are "chopped" from the show until there is only one remaining chef.



Not long after we returned home, I woke up one a.m. to my children preparing their own Chopped event. The ingredients they had to use were: soy nut butter, jelly, frozen bread, granola & kiwi. I was chosen to be the judge, which also meant I had to taste the dishes...all before I'd had my coffee....

At the end of the tasting, I was to place the "chopped" dish under a large pot lid and then ceremoniously uncover which dish had been "chopped" (just like in the show). It was an easy choice for me - once it had been revealed that Chef A had soaked his bread in coconut water...yes water... Chef Lou-Lou was the clear winner! Plus, there was no denying her presentation & the fact that she prepared three separate dishes...

Michaelmas

Yesterday, our school had their annual Michaelmas celebration & as usual...it was fabulous! My boy was so excited because this was his 1st year to be chased by the dragon. He really hoped to be the last one tagged - luckily there's always next year... I was at Michaelmas in a professional capacity...school photographer, but that didn't stop me from capturing images of my muses...

Lou in a cape that she made in honor of Michaelmas.

Check out the video I made last year for Michaelmas!

Dragon*Con 2011

Seriously...this is why you live in a city! You can't make this s#*t up! This past weekend Dragon*Con was held in our fair city and we decided to take the family to see the parade held on Saturday morning. I mean, people not only get dressed up like this...they do it early in the morning!! Thank goodness because we had the best time perusing their wackiness!! Here are a few of my favorite images!



Folks couldn't have been friendlier!! I'm serious, everyone would turn and give great big smiles or break into their characters stance without a second thought!

Or lend little girls their machine gun...


The Elf guy - looked JUST like Will Farrell...I think maybe that was the point...


It's really hard for me to choose...but I think the balloon image is my favorite!!


Although, I LOVED Chewbacca here - favorite costume...so sexy!!! You know I have a thing for tall guys...

This guy wasn't part of the parade, well, I guess technically he was because he came behind everyone & cleaned up. We joked that his machine was futuristic enough to be a character in the parade...sch-wooped up all the garbage! If you've gotten this far and you are interested...you can watch the slide show I put together of our fun, fun morning! Seriously, we'll be back next year!

Snake

Yep, that was me...driving around town last week with a snake in my purse, willingly I might add! The lengths I go to for my kids - I really hope they appreciate my motherly dedication!

Redundant

There are days where I wish I could completely envelop these kids! I just want to wrap my arms around both of them and hold them as tightly as I can!

tooth

UGH!! My girl had another terrible fall from her bike today & BUSTED up her mouth good! One tooth is precariously hanging in there, but its fate looks pretty sealed...needless to say she had a rough day! As a matter of fact, it took it's toll on all of us - honestly, I just don't handle blood very well!! However, I'm quick to realize that we are so blessed with our health that a lost tooth is minor in comparison to the potential...

Tonight as I was putting her to bed I lingered a little longer than normal, tickling her back and staying with her until she fell asleep. Right before she dozed off she murmured this..."I think I have the greatest Mommy of all..." I'm not sure if my heart could have been any fuller! This must be what they mean when they say it's all worth it!

SuperCat!

"Skyper thinks he is a 'super-cat' and that he can fly. Hmph...he can't...I try to help him...I hold him up and then drop him...and he can't fly!"

***for the life of us...we can't figure out why he keeps scratching her...

Eye Exam

Although it's a given that I love my children with all of my heart, all of the time...there are times when they do or say something that makes me fall in love with them all over again! Today was one of those days, as soon as I saw this, my heart dove a little deeper!

My boy was scheduled for an eye appointment, nothing serious, just an eye appointment. But, boy was he nervous - so nervous that he and his sister studied for the eye exam - complete with an eye chart and all - here they are with his sister administering the test. Although he passed, she concluded that he cheated since he was the one who developed the eye chart...she has a good point!

Edisto Sea Monsters

This past week we had an opportunity to see 1st hand a couple of infamous Edisto Sea Monsters...I wouldn't be surprised if we hear from the National Enquirer or World News soon...

We were actually able to witness a portion of their metamorphosis - a rare occurrence in itself!

Two Edisto Sea Monsters emerging from the sea...

Terribly vicious!

But very cute!

An even rarer event...spotting of a baby Edisto Sea Monster...

Story time

We were able to spend a few days with my Mom a week or so ago, and as always thoroughly enjoyed our time with her! Lots of good food, shopping, swimming and of course books in bed with Granna! My kids are Cuckoo-Koo for Granna!

My Girl

I can't believe this image was taken nearly a year ago...where does the time go? I loved that cute haircut of hers, but she insists on letting it grow out! I miss those baby teeth too...

Love

Love me some of this boy!

Folo the Eros

This is what greeted my baby-daddy last night after work. I wish I could fully express how much I love this image & why, but you will just have to trust me when I say it's a lot!!!

Bad Son!

This video was made especially for the Dad in our lives...

Paris!!

I think I'm gonna win a trip to Paris!! I'm so sure I will win, I'm not even worried about telling you about the contest...check it out, heck you can even enter if you'd like! I'll be sure to bring you back a fancy souvenir from the City of Lights...

Secret Spot

They say that every child should have a secret place of their own. A little nook in a big, big world! My kids have co-opted a corner of our yard, where they've cleaned out weeds & swept away leaves. My boy even built furniture for their little hide-away, where they create magic potions, leave treats for fairies and find respite from their busy day.

"Children need their privacy just as we adults do. In the secret places of childhood, the soul drinks deeply, is refreshed, and flourishes."
Katrina Kenison, Mitten Strings for God

My cups!

Some days these kids drive me CRAZY!! Then there are the days where I just can't get enough of them! I can't believe how fast they are growing up. Everyday we see glimpses of this, my son's vocabulary growing by leaps and bounds, my girls generosity and kindness to others.

A brand, spankin' new grandmother recently passed this wise advice on to me and I can't help but think of it often...this is how I remember her words...she said "children are cups that parents are responsible for filling and then when the children are around the age of 12 the parents have to drink from those cups." Maybe it's another way of saying "we sow what we reap" but, for some reason it really struck a nerve and I now have this sense of honor that I must fill their cups with the best. The best foods, the best education, the best discipline, the best toys and the best love. The best here doesn't mean the "latest & greatest" but what is wholesome and good for them and our family.

Bike Race!

This weekend my babies participated in a local bike race put on by a neighborhood kids club. They were so excited, especially my boy! It's all he's talked about for weeks! He wanted to practice every day! Now, I'm not one to brag...(whatever!) but it's a good thing he did since he placed 1st in EVERY race he competed in and was the OVERALL winner for the boys division!! WHOO-HOO!!!!

Who knew that two short years ago... we'd go from this... to this!!