Aunt Meme and Baby Gwen

While Uncle Ben was grilling hamburgers and hotdogs with the help of two five year olds, we took pictures of the baby inside.  We caught Gwen at a good moment-after a long nap and freshly fed.  She was in a good mood and smiled at us.  In lots of the photos Gwen's eyes are kind of looking to the right....at the TV.  She was watching football with Grandpa!  She really seems to like the colors and flashing lights of the tv and of course, the ceiling fans.  I think my favorite photo is one of Meredith and Gwen together.  It was a shot taken on the spur of the moment while she held her to move her so that we could reset our "photo shoot" up.  I also like the photo of Gwen laughing with her hands up around her mouth.  I think her mother was cooing to her and she thought it was very funny :-)

Gondola Ride

Mom's  (aka Grandma) birthday was last week and we decided to wait until Uncle Ben joined Aunt Meme here in Alabama to celebrate.  We went to Bridge Street Center and went on a gondola ride.  The man rowing us around said that the boat was made in Venice and you can't tip them over.  Baby Gwen really seemed to like being in the boat and the night air blowing her hair as we watched the sun set on the horizon.  Mom and dad even kissed under the bridge!! We finished up the night with ice cream at Maggie Moo's. I have discovered that as long as you are pushing the stroller and are outside, Gwen is pretty entertained.  She loved the waterfalls and the lights in the courtyard areas.  I have to admit, she has great taste at two months old :-)  I like the lights and waterfall too!

First Football Practice

Clay began his football career today with flag football on the "Sparks" team.  He was so excited to finally be going and he had a great time at practice.  I am sure we will catch on quickly.  They practice every Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 and play on Saturday mornings beginning in September.  Chloe and her rashy self played with some other children.  Her rash that covers most of her body (and is supposed to be viral) doesn't seem to slow her down any!

Poor Pepper

My poor Pepper is currently at the vet's office for neutering in the morning.  Try explaining to two five year olds why their cat has to have surgery :-)  He was so scared when we dropped him off this afternoon.  I do feel sorry for him, but it is something that has to be done to live in this house.  I had thought I wouldn't declaw him, but he has been more and more attracted to the couch lately.  So, the nails are coming off too.  That will probably be the worst part for him.  I know it isn't considered "the thing" to do to cats, but we will all be happier.  Spice is lost without his buddy tonight. I am glad he is little and isn't going to want to play rough when he gets home. I caught them sleeping together this morning all curled up. We can pick him up after 4:30 tomorrow. Clay also has his first flag football practice tomorrow.  Should be an interesting afternoon!!

Kitten named Spice

We have acquired a companion Tonkinese kitten that we named Spice to keep Pepper company while the kids are at school.  Pepper has really been missing them.  He follows me around the house talking to me about how bored he is....well, he isn't bored now!  Pepper follows Spice around the house, tries to play with him and stalks him all day long.  Pepper now requires his nap time with his mommy (me) in the afternoons :-)  Spice is 7 weeks old and should look pretty much like Pepper when she gets older.  Pepper has an appointment to go and be neutered next week....shhh! He doesn't know yet :-)

Clay's Haircut

Today we went and Clay got a haircut with Grandpa.  Clay just likes the gum out of the machine.  The ladies that cut hair give Chloe and Clay a dime if they are good to get bubble gum out of the machine.  Hey - whatever works!  Chloe entertains them with stories from school and looking through the "Fish" magazines :-)  She has been catfishing with her daddy on the weekends lately, so she really enjoyed the fish magazines at the men's barbershop!  I find her so funny.

First Day of School

My babies started school last week......I am missing them already.  We walk to school each morning and walk home each afternoon.  They are in the same class with Mrs. Pendley as their teacher.  They love her. They told Grandpa today that they loved school.  They really are excited to be "big".  She keeps them busy all day I think.  They come home with just a few more hours left in their day!!  One day they went to bed at 6:30!! They did get up the next day very early, so we had a little time together in the morning. It is still hard to imagine that time has gone so fast the past four years.

New Curtains

People (including my siblings) sometimes ask me why I live close to my parents....well, mom can sew!!  She has graciously been making curtains for our house. We found some fabric for Chloe's room and mom added green beads.  They are a big hit.  The people I bought the house from also left some curtains that were donated to her by a friend.  Well, needless to say, mom hemmed them and we put them up.  I still need to get some "things" to hold them back from the window - kind of like tie backs??  It makes our rooms much darker.  It has been awhile since I have had curtains, so it is really nice to have a more finished look.  Be jealous all of you who live far away from mom!! :-)