I believe

When I was younger, I remember my parents having many conversations with my childhood minister that ended in the saying, “That’ll preach!”  Certainly we have all been there, right in the middle of something that would make a wonderful sermon.

That sentiment brings me to today.  I went and had lunch with Thomas at his school.  Two girls started telling me how two little boys in the class told them they don’t believe in God.  They both said that they themselves believe in God, but seemed puzzled how these boys could not believe in Him.

One girl then looked at me and this was our conversation:

A: I believe in God.

Me: Me too!  Isn’t God great!?

A: I believe in the tooth fairy too.  I mean, the tooth fairy has to be real.  How else would money get under your pillow!?!

It made me think…  I’m not sure if it’s true that those boys don’t’ believe in God, but I feel rather confident that they probably believe in the tooth fairy.  And Santa.  And that made me think….That’ll preach.

SEWE 2012

Every year the tourist season in Charleston really gets into swing (if it ever even ends) with the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in February. Trey’s company is a major sponsor so we find ourselves in the position that we HAVE to go to many events. Twist my arm. :-)

As I mentioned on my last post, we were excited this year to be able to take the boys. They were most excited to see the Dock Dogs, even though I’m not quite sure they even knew what they were really about. The weather was predicted to be horrible on Sunday, so we decided to make a full day of Saturday. We skipped Thomas’ 9:30 Chinese lesson and hit Marion Square first thing.

We parked in the parking garage and the boys enjoyed looking over to see what was waiting for them…

First we headed to the large shark slide and jump castles. Not sure we got our money’s worth (the quickly forming long lines make that impossible!), but they boys had fun.

Then it was time to walk around a bit. Trey was eager to have the boys check out the Wells Fargo stagecoach – his employer.

Then it was time to walk through the petting zoo…

Then we had a quick lunch (we all got something from a different food truck…the boys were perfectly happy with hotdogs from the Jacks Cosmic Dogs’ Airstream. Afterwards we made our way down to the Gaillard Auditorium for the Jack Hanna show. It was enjoyable (though the boys got a little tired halfway through and were about ready for a change of scenery!).

After the show, we walked around the tent outside (with many SC products). Of everything, Parker was happiest with the free sample of collard greens. He had only a bite of his Daddy’s at first, but then we went back to get more just for him when he told me a few minutes later, “Mommy, I really liked those ‘power greens.’ Can I have some more?” Parker remains such a fruit and veggie lover!

After sampling the SC products, we headed down to Brittlebank Park to see the Dock Dogs. The boys were momentarily distracted by tractors…

The Dock Dogs competition was not the usual distance challenge, it was a “Go Vertical” competition to see which job could jump the highest. They had to leap for the dog toy suspended above. Sometimes they got it…

And sometimes not so much…

But those dogs sure could jump!!

Thomas tried to take some pictures, but mostly all he got were the heads of the people seated in front of him. I turned the camera on him and this is what I got.

It was a fun, full day with the boys and yet another reason I love living in Charleston!

Bikes at the lake

Last night Trey and I had to attend the Southeastern Wildlife Expo Preview Gala, so we shipped the boys off to my parents’ for the night.  Last year when we had to do all the SEWE events, we sent the boys up to Trey’s parents for the weekend.  That was great, but I found myself wishing they were here to enjoy the SEWE events.  So this year we decided to send them to Pinopolis for the night (and it worked great because they both were out of school on Friday and Monday), and then I went and got them today so we can spend tomorrow at the expo with them (and then we have a babysitter for when we need to go to an event on Saturday night).

Anyway, they hadn’t stayed with Mom & Dad for awhile, so that was good, and when I got there to pick them up we decided to walk down to Wampee (it’s now a conference center for Santee Cooper, but the main house was…now my mind is blanking, but I think it was a summer house for a plantation that was where the lake is now—or else it was the plantation).  It’s a good walk and a great place for riding bikes with very little (to none) car traffic.

I don’t take enough time anymore to take random close-ups of the boys, so here they are!

That’s the main house there…I had some of my bridal portraits taken there.  :-)

Just for fun, I saw some of Trey’s favorite creatures—bees!  I couldn’t help but snap a few pictures of them looking so beautiful on all the Carolina jessamine.  It is February, right?

And speaking of “just for fun,” I found this picture on a site with lots of pictures of the SEWE Gala we attended last night.  I’m not sure they captured the accurate color of my dress, but whatever, it’s not often we are all dressed up with somewhere to go. 

That’s one of his work colleagues in the red dress, and the other woman is her friend and also one of Trey’s former Leadership Charleston classmates.  It was a fun evening.

Kindergarten Valentine’s Day

Today Thomas’ class celebrated Valentine’s Day.  I was unable to attend their ice cream sundae party (since they prefer I not bring Parker), but Thomas had fun and enjoyed exchanging Valentines with his class friends.

When he came home and I asked to take pictures, I didn’t realize until later that every time the flash went off, he closed his eyes.  Oops.

That is his Valentine’s “mailbox.”  And here was what was inside…

And see, with no flash, I get a grainy dark picture, but open eyes.  Go figure.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s party with the 3s

Since Parker is not in school on Valentine’s Day, his class had their party today.  It’s always sweet to attend these little parties and see all the joy on their adorable little faces!  They frequently have a special holiday hat, and today was no exception.  Here’s my little “Love bug”:

It was a bit of a chore for each child to hand out their Valentines, but finally they finished!  There are sixteen children (13 boys and 3 girls!!!) in his class (thought one was absent today).  Two children would go at the same time to hand out all their Valentines (with the help of the teachers).  Parker enjoyed it.

Then it was snack time!

After the snack, I found Parker and the girls (with I think one boy in there) scheming to get more strawberries.  Parker was happy he found the biggest one!

Parker had to wait until we got home to go through his bag and check out his Valentines.  He was pretty excited to see what kind of candy he scored!

He couldn’t take his eyes off of it for one second!

It’s always fun to go through the Valentines.  Some kids (or their parents!) are so creative!  Tomorrow will be Thomas’ class party.  We won’t be able to attend (Parker can’t go, and I don’t want to deal with finding a sitter/or friend to watch him for 45 minutes.).  I’m sure he’ll have a ball just like his little brother!

Crazy fan

It’s all Umpa’s fault.  :-)  For the past few years, he has given me at least one item of Gamecock gear for Christmas.  Thomas would rather keep these things for himself. 

Now, the jacket I bought for him (it was my $6 (or $8…can’t remember) consignment sale find.  But the rest of the Gamecock stuff is courtesy of Thomas’ grandfather, Umpa.

These pictures were from yesterday.  I put the things away, thinking he’d forget about them, but as soon as he got home from school today, he asked for his stuff again. 

Too much?