Cabin Fever

Last week was a long one... Jason was in Arkansas for work, and Tropical Storm Alberto paid us a visit. By Tuesday, we already had cabin fever, were bored, and were looking for things to do. Poor Jackson did a puzzle, and another, and another, and another... until he had finally done twelve of them! He would have kept going, but Harris woke up from his nap, and I whisked them both off to the grocery store for a ride in the cart and a free cookie... amazing how easy it was to entertain them at that point!!

Slip-N-Slide

Our neighbors have two little boys the same ages as Jackson and Harris. It is always a treat to play with the Highfield's on nice afternoons... the boys always work off lots of energy. Early this week, they called and invited us out for a go at the slip-n-slide.
While Jackson and Jake slipped, slid, and got wet and grassy, Thomas and Harris played where it was drier!

Wow!

I was just online trying to see if I could find the official results from Saturday's race, and I found out something funny... I got second place in my age group! I came in 88th place overall (there were 174 runners total), and they had me with a pace of 8:45. My friend, Ann, who ran with us came in 3rd in our age group. We didn't stay for the awards, as we figured there was no way we had placed (and we were hungry for breakfast!!), but we should have... we even would have gotten a trophy!

I guess since it was a small race there weren't many of us old ladies running, hence 2nd place with a time of 27:12 (the women's winner ran it in 18.32... a 5:58 minute mile!!). It is definitely incentive for my competitive side, though!

You can see the official results here.

And Harris on the Kazoo...

He has figured out how to play the kazoo, and he loves it... too funny.

Check out that hair!!!

Baby Love

Tonight our cell group had a "suprise" baby shower/cookout for the Loves. While they knew we were having a get-together, they had no idea it was in honor of them. Tony Packo's hotdogs, BBQ chicken, potato salad, cake... everything was so yummy!! Tyler is due at the beginning of July... doesn't she look fantastic? We had a great time... it is such a fun group to get together! We missed you, Moltens!! Lori and David.
Look at these angels... Ashley, Mary Kathryn, and Harris.
Steve and Tyler received lots of pretty baby gifts...
Baby Anne and Baby Betsy... the two newest additions to our cell group family. We still can't figure out what Beth and Jimmy were thinking when they dressed Baby Betsy for the party... go Tigers!!!
The girls... Dorothy, Tyler, Beth, me (with Baby Anne), Clary, and Lori. We missed you, Emily!!
Lori playing with Ashley... Lori, you need you one of these...

Floppin' Flounder 5K

This morning was the Floppin' Flounder 5K on Sullivan's Island. This was the first race that I ever ran, 6 years ago with Jason, just three months before we got married! I can't believe it took me this long to run it again!

Caroline (my Cooper River Bridge Run partner), Ann, and I had a great time, and we all did a great job. It was hot out there... much hotter than I was expecting. It was a pretty run, though, and I enjoyed running by all of the beautiful homes. Ann ran it in 29.00 minutes, and Caroline ran it in just over 32.00 minutes. I am so proud of Caroline... she is just getting over a bout of tendonitis in her leg, and this is the longest she has run since the Bridge Run in March. It won't be long until she is back into 10K shape again!!

The goal that I set at the last race was less than 28 minutes, and I actually ran it in 27.09!! That is about 1 minute 10 seconds faster than my last race, two or three weeks ago. I'm not in this to win anything, but the athlete in me has my mind set on getting faster... I am disappointed that I couldn't do it 10 seconds faster than I did, but now I have a new goal for the next 5K... under 27 minutes! I think the next race I am planning on is June 24th: The Georgetown Harborwalk 8K.

After the race, Ann, Caroline and I headed to the Boulevard Diner in Mt. P for breakfast... it was so yummy, and we definitely earned it! Thanks, Ann and Caroline, for a great morning! I am looking forward to the next one!!!

Friday Night

In the fall, Jason and I were invited to join a new "appetizer" supper club. We meet the second Friday of every month at someone's house for a cocktail party... lots of yummy food! Jason and I had babysitter issues, so, knowing that I have a tough week ahead of me, he volunteered to babysit while I went (thank you, Jason!!). The house was beautiful, the food was great, and it was fun to chat with friends that we only see once a month at these parties. Since Caroline and I were running a race the next morning, we decided we needed to eat our carbs, so we rounded up a group to head to dinner at Mama Fu's (Thai food). We laughed and laughed (next time you see DuBose, ask him about the Nanny!)... such a great time. I wish Jason had been there... I'm sad he missed out on the laughs, but I know he will make it next time!

Olympic Training

Jackson started swimming lessons this past week with his friends Spencer, Mary Kathryn, DuBose, and Fordham. My good friend from grad school, Tracey (Miss T to Jackson!) took on the task of teaching them... I know it hasn't been easy!! We went four days (Tuesday - Friday), and Jackson had a blast... he was so excited to get his bathing suit on every day and to see Miss T.

We had intentions of having hour-long lessons with all five children, but after the first couple of days, the young ones (DuBose and Fordham) decided that it wasn't for them (they are just a little too young). So, the older three are loving all of the attention. Every day they are more and more comfortable in the water, and I know that soon they will be Olympic swimmers in training. Thanks, Miss T, for your patience with our little ones... I know that they love you!!
Fordham gets used to the water and Tracey.
Waiting and watching...
Jackson with Miss T (he says "Miss T" so dreamily... I think he is in love!).
Spencer and Mary Kathryn excited for their turn to swim.

Girls Night Out

Thursday was Girls Night Out at La Hacienda. It was much needed by all 9 of us. I think we finished off at least 6 baskets of chips and salsa in the hour and a half we were there!! It was so nice... lots of laughs and very little talk about our children (sometimes it is nice to put the title of "Mommy" aside for a few hours and to be "Amanda" again!)

We were finished by 8:30, and while most of the mommies headed home, Nancy, Aileen and I decided it was way too early to retire. So, we headed to Brinson's for some entertainment... it was Karaoke Night. I was sure that Nancy and Aileen would get up and sing for us, but instead we just watched the other brave souls who decided they could sing. Finally at 10:00, we had had enough and headed home. It's funny to think that now we are home by the time we used to go out when we were younger... I feel so old!

Thanks for all of the laughs, Mommies!!

Swirly

Twice in the past 24 hours, Jason has caught Jackson leaning over the toilet seat, sticking his hair in the water.

Gross. What's up with that???

A Challenge

Potty training has been going fairly well, so yesterday I decided to find out how far we have really come. I got the boys dressed, Jackson in his big boy Wiggles underpants, and headed out the door to Costco. We wandered around Costco for at least 30 minutes, found some new pj's for the boys, and left. So far, so good.

Our next stop was Barnes and Noble. They have a Thomas the Train table set up, and Jackson is always asking to go play. It had been awhile since Jackson had gone potty, so my plan was to take him straight to the bathroom before the train table... no luck. As soon as we stepped into the bathroom, he started to scream, which prompted Harris to start screaming as well!

So, we headed to the train table so I could regroup and figure out a new game plan to get to the potty. Eventually, I decided to take the "Mean Mommy" approach. I picked Jackson up in one arm, kicking and screaming, I picked Harris up under the other arm, kicking and screaming, and headed to the bathroom. Eventually I got the potty seat out and Jackson's bottom on it, and as he screamed and kicked, the kid went potty. I cheered, he laughed, and we got to go back to the train table.

Phew. By that time, we had all worked up an appetite, so we headed to Moe's for lunch. It was a bit crazy, as the boys really weren't patient enough to wait in line, but they both chowed down once we finally got lunch. I finally had a moment of peace while they ate! After lunch, we were headed home so two little boys could nap.

It was a stressful morning, and I did it to myself. BUT, while I couldn't say this yesterday, I'm glad I did it for two reasons:

1. Jackson was forced to potty somewhere other than the safety of his own home.
2. I proved (to myself) that we could do it, that Jackson is trained enough to leave the house in big boy underwear, so our summer isn't going to be spent indoors.

I will say, though, I am probably not going to choose such a big morning again for a good while!!

Columbia Weekend

This past weekend we went to Columbia for Jason's cousin, Brittany's, wedding. Unfortunately, we missed the ceremony, as both boys were worn out from the zoo and struggled to wake up from their naps. Brittany looked beautiful, though, and it was nice to see all of the family. The boys were a handful, so Jason and I spent most of the evening trying to keep up with them... I definitely think we worked off the yummy wedding cake that we ate!! At about 7 or so, Jackson decided to go for a dip in the fountain, and our time at the reception was over!!
Harris was having a hard time getting the hang of the water bottle.

Jason, Harris Bug, and Grandaddy.
Grandaddy is asking Jackson how he got so wet... this was before the big plunge...

We got to spend some QT with Uncle Scott, Aunt Amy, Lindsey, Kaila, and Connor while we were in Columbia. Poor Connor wiped out and bumped his head while at the reception... he had a huge goose egg and bruise on his head. It didn't stop him, though... he played hard with Harris and Jackson!
Connor took Harris down... it was payback for Harris tackling Connor at Christmas!
Harris loved his time with Aunt Amy.
Jackson taught Uncle Scott all about Thomas the Train... it's a good thing, as Connor will be a big Thomas fan before Scott knows it!

Riverbanks Zoo

The family traveled to Columbia this weekend for a wedding, and while we were there, we were able to take the boys on their first zoo trip. While Harris was not much for the zoo, Jackson loved it. He talked about going for days beforehand, and thank goodness, the zoo didn't disappoint!!

He was amazed by each new animal, ran from tank to tank (squealing in delight!) at the aquarium, was afraid of the carosel and the birds that would land on your arms, and was terribly sad to leave.

It was a great zoo... there was so much to see, and definitely more to go back and see. Hopefully Harris will be more up for it next time!!

We Saw...

We saw eels and lots of fish at the aquarium,
flamingos,
gorillas, and
elephants. Of course we saw lots more, but these were by far his favorites!
Jason and Jackson watch the bears as...
... they danced for us!

Jackson had to ride each and every animal statue that we came across...

Harris

Yes, Harris was there with us... he just didn't have much fun while he was there. He did love the carosel, though!
This was how he was the happiest and how he spent the majority of the zoo visit!!

Hammin' It Up

Jackson thought these were the coolest things ever!!

Congratulations Dodsons!!

Baby Samuel Alburn Dodson was born at 10:15 pm Friday, May 26. He was 7 pounds 2 ounces and 21 inches long.

We are so excited for you Sarah and Jeff!! We can't wait to meet Baby Samuel!!

Fashion

Last night, Jason and Jackson were talking about going to see Miss Katy (his speech therapist... we go to see her on Thursdays). Jackson got super-excited and proceeded to pick out his outfit for today, all by himself. This is what he picked out.

He is wearing the shirt, socks, and shoes, but we had to pass on the flannel, plaid pants!