Apex Christmas Parade

Let the parades begin.... Gunnar was in her first of two parades this past Saturday night and boy was it chili. Thankfully she is really hot natured and the cold air and rain didn't seem to bother her as she jumped rope with her big smile and short shorts.... Yes, shorts, in 38 degree weather, raining, and windy--I was bundled from head to toe and still really cold. Her group was 64th in line of about 110 participants, so we waited patiently for her to come by. She looked so cute and did a fantastic job, never missing a beat. We were standing close to the finish of the parade so we could just scoop her up as soon as she was done. I quickly ran over and gave her a coat, where she shoooed me away and said she was sweaty... I guess after jump roping for 2 miles I would be sweaty too??? maybe. Our next parade will be this Saturday in Cary. It is early in the day, so hopefully we won't have to deal with the cold weather and rain... wish us luck!!!

Dirt Bikes Galore

Gates has a new friend Hunter, that is in his preschool class and they are becoming best buds. Hunter has an older brother that has a dirt bike or two... Gates loves to go to Hunters house to play. There is ALWAYS something fun to do. They have a huge piece of property with tons and tons of space to play and explore, oh and ride dirt bikes!!! Hunters dirt bike use to have training wheels on it but have recently been removed... The last time Gates was there playing, he got to ride....ALONE!! He wore a helmet, chest protector, boots and I felt ok with him riding. The dirt bike goes about 15miles/hour, not too fast but definitely fast enough. It is a REAL dirt bike, not a battery operated toy.. REAL MOTORCYCLE!!!! YIKES.... and yes I allowed him to ride. Big mistake, because now that is alllllll he talks about. He has dirt bike FEVER. He wakes up and gets on the computer to watch dirt bike racing, stunts, crashes, etc... He has now basically begged Santa for a dirt bike, however Santa is not going to comply with his request this year.(poor little guy). Todd and I just can't bring ourselves to do it this year. We have absolutely no place for him to ride and I can see me loading a dirt bike in my car on a regular basis to take him to some field to ride.. YUP, not happening this year. I hope a skate board will do?? HEEHEE

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH!

Gunnar basically has no teeth at all!!! I think at the moment she is missing 6. She can barely eat anything. Corn is a big no no and wings aren't going over so easily either(two of her favorite things). Finding stuff that she can actaully bite into is quite the challenge for me these days. She is rolling in the dough, however... The tooth fairy was very good to her. NOt enough for an I touch yet, but getting closer with every tooth. I love to listen to her talk, makes me giggle;) I can already see lots of big teeth coming in, ugh, just another step in the growing up process!!!!

Mr. Dentist

What a hoot, Gates loved the dentist... unlike his big sis who absolutely can't stand going. This was Gates first visit to the dentist....EVER--oops. I was just a wee bit behind on getting him there. Actaully he had an appointment this summer and we had to reschedule and this was the first opening so we took it. Anyway, he did awesome. He hopped right up in the chair, put his son glasses on and let them go to work without one complaint. What a great little guys he is, not that I'm partial or anything. He was such a good boy that at the end of the visit he not only got one coin for the treasure box but two. He brought me back a present too, and said "mommy this was for you since you were so good while I was at the dentist"... too cute that boy of mine:) He told Dr. Rob he couldn't wait to see him again.. Oh and ummm NO CAVITIES!!!!!!

My Iron Man

So Todd is back on the raceway!!! He has got the fever again, I don't know if this is a good thing or not:) No actually we are really proud of him for doing it. It is always so fun to go and watch and cheer him on. His latest race was the Duke Liver Center half iron man. He finished 14th in his age group and 88th overall. There were about 500 competitors. He came out of the water 50th... I think that is pretty impressive:) Next on his list is a marathon in December... do I say UGH or Yeehaw????

Zack Brown Band

Todd and I enjoyed a fun night with friends seeing the Zack Brown Band in concert. A night with friends + a night without the kiddos = a night filled with fun!!!!

Wolfpack Girls!!

Nothing more needs to be said---these are the Wolf Pack Girls!! Nothing is more fun than a college football game and tailgating with friends.

Marbles Museum

The perfect rainy day place to visit, well any time is actually a great time to visit Marbles!! Gates loves it, especially when he has friends to join him in the fun. Carter and Cooper were with us a few weeks ago when we went. The boys had a wonderful time, and Helen and I were able to chat here and there in between chasing the boys.

LIMO RIDE

We like to travel in style.. Well actually, we were invited to go on a limo ride for Dominics birthday surprise from his aunt. We had a blast riding around town, waving at everyone and dancing to the blaring music. The kids thought this was waaayyy cool:) Not only was it a limo, but a stretch Hummer!!!! WooHooo

Feeding the Ducks

Gates and I went to Bond Park a few weeks ago with our friends Miss Helen and Carter and Cooper. We had a great time playing on the play ground and feeing the ducks. Although some of the ducks tried to feed on us!!!!

SKIP ITS

She made it!!! It was a day of waiting for poor ole mom. Whew, I'm glad it's over. To recap our day: At 8:15 I got a text that my little girlie had only gotten 10 double unders and she needed 20!!!! It wasn't looking so good for Gunnar. She had to meet the requirements in order to even be considered.(all of the other requirements she had mastered).. She still had 40 minutes to get it and from what I was told she looked like she was going to get it at any minute, but she was just REALLY nervous. At 2:00 I received a phone call that she had gotten 24!!!!! Thank goodness, that still didn't mean she was on the team, but the chances were definately greater. She got off the bus at 4:00--buzzing:) She was super excited. We waited patiently until 6pm when we looked at the school websit and sure enough her name was posted!! She was the ONLY 3rd grader to make the team. We are so proud of her. This has been a goal of hers since she started school. And now it is no longer a goal but a reality. I have a little SKIP IT living in my house;0)

Mr. Jump Rope

Dear Mr. Jump Rope,

I need you to listen carefully. Please follow ALL of my directions today. Let me lead. Go slow and steady, because you have heard that slow and steady wins the race, right? Make all the right moves. Swing left then right. Go up and down. Please remember do NOT frown. Together we will master this thing, if and only if we work as a team!!!! Let's go out there, do our best, and let the judges scores do all the rest:)

Best of Luck,

Gunnar Grace

Mrs. Malones Coffee House

Gunnar's teacher this year is Mrs. Malone. So far we think she is wonderful:) Gunnar just got her first progress report and WOW what an improvement from last year. Last week the class hosted Mrs. Malones Coffee House. All the parents were invited to come in and listen to the poems that their children had written. They are learning about all different kinds of poetry. So everything doesn't have to rhyme (like I always thought);0) It was so much fun listening to all the kids.. And if you don't know... more people die from the fear of public speaking than those who actaully get up and speak in front of crowds. What great practice for these 3rd graders. I think they should do this more often. Here is a little sample from Gunnars work:

Gummi Bears

We are off to meet the new teachers for the Gummi Bears..(this is what Gates preschool class is called this year). Gates is excited to get back to the grind and mom is ready for a break:) Hope his teachers are ready for a handful!!!!!

A Little Boy Who is Three!

I have a little boy and he is three, He can swim, he can run he can climb a tree, Today he decided to be training wheel free! So off came the wheels, and on went the boy, He rode that bike like it was a toy, So with all of that said, and remember he's three, My little boy is now training wheel free..

Ferry Ride to South Port

Cousins!!!

Cousins share that unique & special relationship that combines friend and family-a bond that is at the same time supportive and enduring. The woman who shares her life with a cousin like you is blessed.