Dane's Photo Shoot

A few shots of Dane's photo session today...he did a great job!

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We're not in Kansas anymore...

...when Tornado warnings were fun! At least for me. I love the thrill of bad weather (and the science behind it), but the tornado warning that occurred here today was not at all fun. While living in the midwest I remember gathering the important items and going to the basement where you would camp out until the all clear was announced. It was great...sitting with your family watching TV or listening to the radio just hanging out! Maybe finshing a load of laundry or reading a magazine. At least that is what my family does. Of course in the back of mind is always the thought of my home being damaged or worse, something happening to someone in my family. I've been very lucky.

So...here in South Carolina where we do NOT have basements I decided to listen intently to the meteorologists on tornado procedures. First he said the IDEAL place to go is the basement, then he proceeded to say very few of us in the South have basements. Duh. I had to go to the interior of my home away from windows. So, myself, Blake, and Dane ended up in a 2ft x 2ft area in the closet under the staircase. Our dog...our 80+ lb. dog...who was freaking out proceeded to get into this area as well. Did I mention when they issued the warning Blake was upstairs asleep and Dane had just fallen asleep? I had to wake them both out of their slumber - now crying - and squeeze them into a small closet with coats hanging over their heads and vacuum cleaner attachments on the floor (which Dane ended up using as a teether). They looked at me like I had lost my mind, then we made a game out of it since I had stickers within reach. The game didn't last long which meant a lot of crying and trying to escape the closet. So, while there was no lounging in the basement and what seemed like a long amount of time with intense stress, Fay has made her appearance and our house is still standing! Plus, we spent time in an area of our house that gets little personal attention. All I really wanted to do was mop while the boys were sleeping...guess I have a good excuse that it is not done :)

I told you Dane has a history of biting...

....and wrestling his big brother. He is quite the bully.

Dane's first haircut!

Being such a good sport...and such a big boy!
Being distracted by Sesame Street
So happy to be so handsome...and done!
Check out my new 'do!

I'm not sure what made me think that today was a good day to take both boys to get haircuts by myself! I was certain it was going to be a nightmare as I put my game face on in the parking lot ready to tackle anything they threw my way. Luckily (and to my surprise), they proved me wrong! They were so well-behaved and tolerant! I do give the stylist all the credit...and her television that was coincidentally playing Sesame Street, which is the their favorite show. For the first time Blake did not scream, cry, dodge the scissors or clippers and sat completely still the entire time. Dane has a history of pinching, hitting, biting and flat out getting pissed off...so, I was pleasantly surprised when he sat there so innocently and spent most of his time admiring himself in the mirror. Our haircut days will be on Monday with Sue at Head Coach Haircuts at 10am when Sesame Street is on...I will NOT forget that! Someone must have been watching over me knowing how exhausted I am from this crazy month while Matt is on pediatric surgery. Now I am the only who looks like I just rolled out of bed :)

The best time of year is approaching!

One would think I am talking about Fall. It is my favorite time of year by a landslide, but after a shopping trip to Target I saw the first signs of the beginning of several months of happiness. As many of you know I have an obsession with peanut butter and chocolate...it can quickly get out of hand. My favorite treats start at Halloween. What am I speaking of? (drum roll, please) REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER PUMPKINS...then trees, then hearts, then eggs. So, when I was at Target I saw the first bags of candies wrapped in fall foliage wrappers. Those precious pumpkins are just around the corner. The funny thing is I won't buy the 6-pack package of any type of the treats (makes me feel a little too indulgent), but I will buy 2/$1.00 EVERY time I go to the grocery store from Halloween to Easter. Funny how the mind works. So, now all of you have a job to do. You have to help me determine a shape or figure to convince Reese's to make these treats through the Summer. I must have them year-round. Enough about my addiction. I won't go as far as to reveal the ritualistic way I eat them...

It never rains in South Carolina...

But, you can grow anything! I would never credit myself with having a green thumb, but here in the Carolinas you can sure pretend to have one. This is just one of 5 pots and a hanging basket that I have on and near our front porch. They all look like this! So what is the magic trick? Water. And if these flowers are lucky I remember everyday. I could never grow flowers like this in Kansas City! I guess if I didn't remember to water them occasionally they would eventually suffer since we are in an extreme drought and 19" behind in rain. If only Fay would head this way...

Blake is at his 2nd day of school and Dane is napping upstairs. I wasn't quite sure what to do! I guess taking pictures of flowers seemed like a good option and better than continuing to unpack and organize :) Blake really loves his school. He carried his backpack in by himself today with just a little help to hang it on the hook, then went right into his room to play! No hug today - just like yesterday. I cried when I left him as an 8-month old and I wanted to cry yesterday because he wouldn't hug me goodbye! The Meyer Center has a great program. He will be in a classroom from 9am-1:30pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. He has all kinds of activities and therapies including music therapy, OT, PT and speech. It functions just like how you would imagine a preschool - circle time, centers, playground time, snacks, and lunch. When I picked him up yesterday he was sitting at the table coloring with his buddies! I got information about PTA which for some reason made me feel old :) Truthfully I am excited to be a part of the PTA and I know it will mean a lot to me to a part of Blake's school experiences. All in all we are so happy to be a part of the Meyer Center and look forward to watching Blake continue to grow and learn!

Blake's First Day of School! Some other pics of the boys, too...

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