Go Wolfpack!!

WTH------translation--- "Wolfpack in the HOUSE"! With a rocky start the wolfpack pulled it out in the end and we were there to witness the glory. We had such an awesome time. We thought Hanna was going to blow us away early in the day but by tailgate time the sky was clear and the sun was blazing. We hit KFC --no translation needed--right?--at about 3ish then off to Finley Stadium to start the big Hoorah. The Schafrons joined in on the excitement(Derek, Annie, Lexi and Bailey). We had the perfect tailgate spot--we set up chairs, tables, flipped the minivan seat and chowed down. We passed the time by tossing around the football and watching people walk by in amazement as Gates socked the baseball to the moon with every swing. I can't tell you how many people said "wow, how old is that kid?" We also did a lot of people watching. As we all know with rain comes mud puddles. Well, these were no ordinary mud puddles--they were covered with mulch and when stepped in they were like quick sand. We laughed until we cried and our stomachs hurt. I can't begin to tell you how many people we saw lose their shoes in the sticky stuff. They would step in, sink to their knees and were lucky to pull their feet back out. If you know anything about tailgating--all the college kids walk around struting their stuff--kinda hard to do muddy and shoeless!!!! You go from I'm so COOL to Holy Shit -- who saw me do that? We really did get a kick out of it--still makes me chuckle today(one of things where you kinda had to be there):0)

We only had four tickets so we took turns going in and out. Todd and I took the first crew in. We wanted Gates to see the opening with the intros and fireworks. It was sooooo exciting. There was even a fly by of 4 jets to acknowledge and thank the troops. Gates loved it. After the first quarter I took Gates and Lexi out and brought Gunnar and Bailey back in. Of course the ONLY reason those two wanted to go in was for snow cones and funnel cake--my oh my! So of course I complied with their request. What kind of mom would I be to deny funnel cake? So anyway, they loved the game too. Gunnar cheered as loud as anyone in the crowd. I swear she should be a cheerleader. While I was in the game with the girls Gates kept asking everyone that walked by "got tickets?" Finally one guy stopped and talked to Gates for a few minutes--he told Todd Gates was the "neatest" two year old he had ever met. He did have four extra tickets and gave them to Gates---so now everyone could go in. That boy doesn't have a shy bone in his body.

Finally, to top the night off NC State came back from a terrible beginning to end the game with an amazing WIN--34 to 10. GO WOLFPACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep your fingers crossed that the remainder of the season goes our way.

New Best Friends!!

So today after only a brief 2 and a half hours of sleep my alarm goes off and sluggishly I pull myself out of bed. Time to go get little man from school. Sounds so funny still for me to say that. I throw some clothes on along with a ball cap and jump in the blue mommy bus. Off I go eager to hear the report of the day. I go in and he quickly spots me---"mommy your here" (like I was going to leave him there all day). I scoop him up and give him a big hug---he's got a big kiss for me and a really awesome purple cow he made. I ask him what the best part of the day was and he says painting again. I say is Ms. Leanne nice, he says "yeah, she nice" I ask if Ms. Portia is nice " yeah, she nice too". "Did you play with anyone today?" he says "yup Car-ter---he my bess frien" I say oh that's great A NEW BEST FRIEND. Gates says, "mom he don't talk thou" I giggle. "He doesn't talk? "nope" . "then what did you do?" He proceeds to show me how they made their cheeks fill up with air really big and spit at one another... Who couldn't use a best friend like that.

LOLLIPOPS!!

I woke up before everyone this morning as most mornings but today it was on purpose. I got up, had my coffee, read a little, and just took some deep breaths. Today was the day Gates had been waiting for all his life---the first day of school!!! The day that three years ago I didn't imagine would come for a really long time and now it's here. I got Gunnar up first so we could have a few minutes of quite before the storm. She's a lot like me--NOT a morning person. I got her ready then we came down and had a little breakfast. I made Gates his hot tea and woke him up. He is sooo much more like Todd--a morning person. He was really happy and he jumped out of bed like his behind was on fire. "Is it time to go yet"---with a little lisp that he is obtained over the past few weeks. Smile. "Not yet buddy, let's get you ready". He was like tigger --bouncing here and there. It was time to take Gunnar to the bus and he put his backpack on because he thought he was riding that big yellow bus too---I told him he was riding the blue mommy bus--not so much fun but he was ok with it as long as it got him to school. Gunnar was off and it was quickly back home to make sure we had everything. I packed a bag for the gym as Gates ate his hotdog--yes, a hotdog for breakfast--at least it's something. We took a few pics, then off we went--Todd following closely behind us. We followed Gates as he ran to get inside. He remembered exactly where to go--he ran right in and didn't look back:( My heart was a little sad I must admit. I mean I'm really happy that he was so excited, but what about me, or us or goodbye or anything. Not a word. Other parents pushed by me and Todd as we just looked at each other wondering should we go in and say goodbye or do we just go?? Todd was adamant that he was going in that room to say goodbye and give him a kiss, but I convinced him otherwise. It was probably better not to rock the boat. Let's just say a quick BYE from the door. We did and we got a little wave---see ya mommy, see ya dad. Then we were on our way. Todd to work and me to the gym kidless--which is so unusual. I felt like I had forgotten something.
At noon I picked him up. Actually I got there about 15 minutes early just so I could watch him play:) He was so darn cute, walking around that classroom like he owned the place. When the door opened he saw me and ran as fast as he could---he had soooooo much to tell me. His favorite part of the day was painting with a big shirt on!! He made a duck with real feathers. He played outside. His teachers name is "teacher", he pottied twice. He saw Elijah outside. UMMM what else-it goes on and on. I don't think he stopped talking for about 10 minutes. I think it is safe to say he liked it. His class is called the LOLLIPOPS!!! How appropriate-that's Gates FAVORITE candy!!!!!

Last night when I was laying in bed I started thinking. Gunnar was just a little older than Gates when we moved here four years ago. Soon after that we had Gates. Now she's in second grade and he's starting preschool. I often think to myself if I could turn back time would I?