Lobster Party

We had our first annual lobster party on November 5th to coincide with Jackson's lobster sale. What a blast!! My dad came to help with the weekend (lobster pick-up and distribution, taking care of the boys, food prep...) and to eat his yummy lobsters. I am so glad he was here... he did so much. I hope he was able to relax and enjoy himself some!

We had about 40 people come to the party, and we consumed about 48 lobsters (Jackson sold a total of 97 lobsters... the highest seller at school!!). We had yummy rice, cornbread, hushpuppies, coleslaw, corn on the cob, venison chili (for the non-shellfish eaters), lots of appetizers, and amazing chocolate pie! The husbands had a great time cooking the lobsters, and they did such a great job... they were cooked to perfection!

Thank you to everyone who participated in any way... it was a huge success, and I am looking forward to an even better one next year!

Thanks for the pictures, Nancy!!

Lobster Results

I mentioned awhile ago that I had taken on the duty of committee chair for Little School's Annual Lobster Sale fundraiser. It was a lot of work, but I really enjoyed it. I sent out reminders every week with a poem, lobster facts, party ideas, etc. on one side, and some sort of lobster recipe on the other side.

Well, something worked. Our goal was for every family to sell at least 8 lobsters, which would be 560 lobsters total. This would exceed our financial minimum goal by just a little. As the totals came in, I was in disbelief!! The families at school went crazy and sold 970 lobsters!!! Can you believe it??? It was the most sucessful sale yet. I think that now people see how easy and fun it is to have lobster parties and how awesome the lobsters are, the sale will just keep getting bigger and bigger every year. What an amazing blessing for Jackson's school!! Yay, Little School!

Recovering

I am sorry that I haven't written in almost a week. It has been quite a week, and I am now trying to recover. When I have a few moments to write more and feel up to it, I have exciting things to tell you about... the TV show, the lobster results (which are amazing!), and our lobster party. But, all of this has totally worn me out to the point that I have no voice at all, and I am having a difficult time keeping my eyes open. So, I am off to rest, and hopefully I will feel up to sharing the good news tomorrow...

Blue Ribbon

Exciting news!! Tonight at 10:30, Turner South will air "Blue Ribbon-Chocolates". This is the episode that features my shop as one of the top 4 in the south. So, if you are up that late and get Turner South, tune in! If you are not a night owl, you can also catch it on Friday, Nov. 4 at 3:30, Saturday, Nov. 5 at 2:30, or Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 9:30 pm. Can't wait to hear what you think!

Happy Halloween!

What a great Halloween we had!! The Lancasters and the Halfords came over last night to eat pizza and trick-or-treat with us. The kids were great and had such a fun time. Harris, Jackson and Spencer were all Thomas the Tank Engine, Eliza was a little pumpkin, and Mary Kathryn was the cutest little angel. The dads took them trick-or-treating, but they didn't last long (not long enough for us moms!). I'm not sure if they were scared or just worn out from the day, but it was probably a good thing... we don't have much candy lying around for little ones to get into. We did get some cute pictures of all of them on the couch... Harris was just in love with Mary Kathryn. I think Jackson needs to watch out or his brother might steal his girlfriend!!

Halloween at The Little School

Jackson's school had a wonderful Halloween program yesterday morning. Jason and I went to school for a family sing-along, where we sang Halloween songs, listened to Halloween stories, and acted out Halloween poems. It was too cute!! Jackson was so excited to see us there, and we were so excited to listen to him sing and see him dance... we never get to see this at home, so it was like seening a different side of Jackson!

After the sing-along, we joined Jackson's class on a parade through the College of Charleston campus. It was so sweet to watch the children wave to and to hear the responses from the people on the streets. While it was hard to leave him (he didn't want us to leave) when it was over, we are so glad that we went and saw the "school" side of Jackson.

Pumpkin Patch Trips 1 & 2

I wrote about trip #3, but forgot to mention trips 1 & 2!! So, here goes...

Trip #1 was really just Harris and I going with our playgroup. Jackson was at school, but that day happened to be his class trip to the pumpkin patch, the same one our playgroup had gone to! So, I got to spy on him while he was with his friends... he was too cute. I didn't see much, but he was enjoying hanging out with his teacher, Miss Way Way. Harris and I went on a hayride (without the hay!!) through a haunted forest with our friends, Dorothy and Mary Kathryn, Aileen and Spencer, Caroline and Fordham, and Nancy and DuBose. We also picked out a pumpkin just for Harris (which later took the plunge over my front porch!). I think Harris really enjoyed watching the older kids play... it will be him running through the pumpkin patch next year!

Trip #2 was as a family. There is a church in town that has a huge pumpkin sale, so we decided to take the boys one evening. Harris was a bit under the weather, but Jackson loved running through the pumpkins, counting them as he went. After posing for a few pictures, we left with a big carving pumpkin and a tiny one to go with it. Unfortunately, the large pumpkin also took a leap from our front porch. I guess the little one wouldn't have really "splat", so the pumpkin-smashers left that one alone.

Anyway, I have had my fill of pumpkins for awhile... I will just now look forward to having them in my pie!

Pumpkin Carving

Jason got home from his fishing trip on Sunday, carrying instead of fish for the freezer, a big pumpkin! It was perfect carving-size, so we decided to make a jack-o-lantern. At first, Jackson wasn't quite interested. Once we got the "guts" out, though, he was ready to participate! Jason and I did the dirty work, but now Jackson is quite proud of his "punkin"!

October 27, 1973

Today is my birthday. Number 32. I can't believe it... where did 25 go? I don't feel 32 (at least not most days!). It is so hard to believe that I graduated from college almost 10 years ago.

Today was a crazy day. I think it was definitely my hardest day ever as a mom to two boys. Both were super-fussy this afternoon, and there were many times that both were crying and pulling on me at the same time (while I just about pulled my hair out!). Nothing made either of them happy... I even called my mom and told her no more children for me! Finally, Tracey and I got them outside and in the stroller, and while they both screamed as we walked the neighborhood, they cheered up once we got home and played in the yard.

To counteract all of that, though, I had so many wonderful suprises... a birthday call from my brother-in-law, flowers and wine from a friend, a gift certificate for a massage from another friend, happy birthday calls from my family, two beautiful topiaries for my front porch from my husband and sons, dinner, TWO ice cream birthday cakes, and lots of "pamper me" gifts from an awesome group of friends, and an order for 50 lobsters!! It really was overwhelming... I didn't expect any of it, but I so appreciate all of it. I have really been blessed with wonderful family and friends.

Thanks for making this such a great day!

Pumpkin Patch Trip #3

This morning, I went outside to let Hanna in, only to notice all three of our pumpkins were missing. I walked down the front stairs, and there they were, smashed on my driveway. Someone had thrown them off of my front porch (our house is elevated, so it was like throwing them out of a second-story window) and onto my driveway. While Harris was napping, I took Jackson out with me to clean them up. The poor boy started crying... he had picked one of them out at his school trip to the pumpkin patch and picked one of them out with us, and he was so sad to see his pumpkins in that state. I felt so bad for him that I planned a morning trip to the pumpkin patch to let him pick out another one.

The pumpkin patch trip started out great, and Jackson was excited to be there. He started counting all of the pumpkins until a butterfly caught his attention. He then started chasing the butterflies until he was so tired he could barely walk! As we were paying for the pumpkins, I think that both boys realized how exhausted they were from their lack of sleep the night before, that they both melted down at the end (it was a long drive home!!).

We do have two new pumpkins, though... one for Jackson and one for Harris. But, they will be spending the night in the house with us for the next few nights!!

The Boys

This is the first picture I have gotten with the two boys together in a long time. I'm not sure what is up with Jackson's smile, but this was the only one I could get with them both cooperating!

Bad Mommy

I am a terrible mom! I took Harris to the pediatrician this morning for a weight check (14lbs 13oz... now in the 5th%!), and had her check him out for his cold. Turns out the poor boy has an ear infection! I have been griping about him being fussy all week, and it turns out there is a reason. Now I feel terrible!!

It's funny, though... about 30 minutes after we got back, he started acting more like his old self. He was happy, entertaining himself, and talking a mile a minute. Maybe the threat of going back to the pediatrician changed his attitude!

About his weight, she said he has continued on his growth curve. Yes, he is small, but he is growing just fine along his 5% curve. He is just going to be a peanut like his brother was!

Exhausted

It has been a rough week here. I think Harris might be getting a new tooth, so he has been super-fussy. To top it off, yesterday he came down with some sort of bug, so he is snotty and even fussier. I feel so bad for him, but I am starting to get frustrated and tired of the fussing (which makes me feel guilty... he's just little and can't help it!). The only time he is happy is when he is being held, and I just can't do that all day. I feel bad for poor Jackson who ends up playing by himself for much of the day while I deal with Mr. Fussypants. It has to end soon, right? Hopefully this tooth will pop through soon for him and we can get back to having fun and laughing!

I need my happy baby back!! I miss him!

G. I. Harris

It's official... he is moving! He started the commando crawl about a week ago, and life has changed forever. It is too cute to watch him pull himself around the house. He follows me around everywhere, grabbing at my ankles. What's bad is that he is following me around whining for me to pick him up!! I was so not ready for this... he is growing up way too fast!

Charlestowne Landing

We went to Charlestowne Landing on Saturday morning. They have a small "zoo" called the "Animal Forest". It has animals living in it that would have been living there when the settlers landed here so many years ago. We saw otters, bison, elk, bears and birds. Jackson loved the otters!

Jumping

Jackson loves jumping off anything into his daddy's arms. Thank goodness Jason has always been there to catch him!

Jackson and Mom

Just a couple of pictures of Jackson and me... we have so few of them, as I always seem to be the one behind the camera!

Drinking Fountain

Jackson seems to find the drinking fountains wherever we go. He loves them! He typically comes out soaked down the front of him, but he was creative this time and stayed dry!

Harris

Harris went with us Saturday, but he was a bit under the weather with teething issues, so we didn't get many happy pictures of him... he didn't enjoy the Animal Forest like Jackson did!!

Just a small vent...

I am so tired of people telling me, "You sure do have your hands full!" when I am out with both boys. I agree, but I never know their intent when they say it... does it mean, "I sympathize with you" or "I feel sorry for you" or "Are you crazy for bringing them both to the grocery store?" or "Poor planning on your part!"? Sometimes I whole-heartedly agree with them, but typically I hear it when we are out and both boys are behaving. Maybe I am crazy, but I am going to go nuts if I have to sit around the house all day every day. Not to mention, I feel like it is good to get the boys out for a change of scenery, and it provides an opportunity for me to teach them how to behave when we leave the house.

So, if you see a mom like me out and she looks like she "has her hands full", don't mention that to her... if you must say something, just ask if you can help her in any way!!

Eatin' Peas

I have heard of eating peas with honey on a knife, but never eating peas with an ice cream scoop!

Lunch

We had playgroup at Nancy's house today since the weather was so crummy. It was a great time... the boys all played so well together, and it was so funny to watch the little boys taking in all that the big boys did. They all really enjoyed themselves today, and it was definitely a good break from being home on an overcast day.

Dancing

We had a Dance Party at playgroup today. Jackson, Spencer, DuBose and Fordham all were getting down to some groovy music. Jackson cut out early, but Spencer was a dancing fool!! Here he is teaching DuBose and Fordham some of his dance moves!

Walking

DuBose, a vetran walker, is teaching Fordham the ins and outs of using the walker.

Harris & Mavis

My mom (Nana) and Papa T came this past weekend to help Jason with the boys while I was gone, and they brought Mavis. Harris loved Mavis, and Mavis loved Harris. He pulled at her and watched her, and she licked him and played with him. I loved these pictures, so I had to share!

Mom's Weekend III

I am back from our third Mom's Weekend Away, and I had such a great time!! I went with my good friends Caroline, Nancy, Aileen and Dorothy to Nancy's parents' mountain home. It was absolutely beautiful and the perfect place to relax and enjoy the company of good friends. I love when Jason asks what we did... "Oh, nothing," is my response, and it is really true! We love just to sit and talk, uninterrupted by screaming children or household chores. We always eat well (maybe too well!), talk lots, sleep soundly (and uninterrupted), and laugh hard.

Thanks, Ladies, for such a relaxing and rejuvinating weekend. I am ready for weekend #4!

Thanks, too, Nancy, for providing such a beautiful location!!

Shopping

Caroline and Aileen are picking out treats for their children at OP Taylor's. It is a great toy store... it is 2 stories, and it has room after room of toys. There is a train room, a game room, a puzzle room, etc. I think we all enjoyed picking out toys for our little ones. Jackson lucked out with "Bulgy"... a bus that works with Thomas the Train, and Harris got a cool teether that plays music and vibrates. This would be a great place to Christmas shop!

Eating

Did I mention that we ate well??? We each had a turn to cook a meal, and it was all amazing food! Nancy has gathered all of the recipes from the weekend, and we are going to create a Mom's Weekend Cookbook. Who knows... you might be able to find it on the National Bestsellers List in a few years!

This picture is of me, Caroline and Aileen at Rusty's, an old-time soda fountain, with our milkshakes. Not only was the glass full, there is another full glass of milkshake in the metal cup. I think we were all hurting on the mountainous drive back to the house!!!

Sisterhood of the Crazy Rings

Hee hee... don't ask... I can't tell you!!!

Outta Here!

Tomorrow morning, I am leaving for a Mommies' Weekend!!! I am going with four friends to spend a child-free weekend in the mountains. While I will miss all three of my boys, I am extremely excited for a break. Hopefully, I will come back rejuvinated and ready to be Super-Mom once again.

Good luck this weekend, Jason, and thanks for encouraging me to go! Love you!

Rainbow

Mom said she was tired of looking at my rainy day pictures and that I needed to update my blog. So, here's the opposite of those rainy pictures!

We were all out in the yard yesterday evening, and Jackson started pointing to the sky and saying something we couldn't understand. When we looked up, we instantly understood what he was saying... rainbow! He has never seen a real one, so we were pretty suprised that he spotted and verbalized that there was one right above us. I'm glad he did... it really was a beautiful one!

Poor Hanna

Jackson loves Hanna. LOVES her! He loves to throw his food to her and yell, "Hanna!!" as she leaps for it. He used to get bowls of her food out and dump them on the floor for her and laugh as she ate (we stopped that trick!!). He was lying on her and watching TV the other day. He loves her ears... picking them up, putting them down, picking them up, putting them down.

Here he is being a big boy and "walking" her around the yard. I'm not so sure she really enjoyed it, but he sure did!

Harris & Daddy

I had a good picture of Jason and Harris... just thought I would add it!

In His Genes

He is all male. I think the love of the TV remote lies in their genes. Can you see that big smile hiding behind his paci? He cannot keep his eyes off of it! He reaches for it constantly, and he will even bypass food to get to the remote. I am going to have to break this habit soon to save his future wife!

All Smiles

Enjoy these toothless smiles now... they won't be here much longer! He got tooth #1 last week, and tooth #2 has just about pushed its way up to the surface... maybe just a few more days until it breaks through!

His smiles brighten my day!

Step Stool

Since potty training is going just about nowhere, Jackson's potty has to be good for something!!