3 DAYS

It took 3 days to receive the first phone call from Jackson's teacher. His poor teacher must have appologized 15 times for having to disturb me at work and I was totally making it so much harder for her because I just couldn't stop laughing. I kept telling her how sorry I was that I was laughing, promising her that I was taking it seriously, but come on... 3 days! Only Jackson can get himself in enough trouble for a call home that quickly.

He'd been acting up in one way or another during technology class, but then it was the fact that he bopped his neighbor on the head with his pencil that caused the call. The school has a very strict 'self to self' policy - so pencil bopping is a definite no no. Once the poor woman tells me about the bopping I start laughing all over again - I was so not helping. Gee I wonder where Jackson gets this from? She was quick to tell me he reacted exactly as he should once he was caught; apologizing and taking full responsibility - he is a good kid, he's just Jackson.

Finally I managed to compose myself and was able to convince her I wasn't a complete loon. We haven't yet met the boys' teachers so I took a few minutes to tell her all about my cute little guy. How his brain defaults to joke and mischief, yet he's full of infectious charm and will unabashedly smile with his bright red lips and peer cutely at her from behind his long eyelashes to try and appear sweet and innocent. I told her not to believe it for a second. He is a good boy who will follow the rules, but he's a goof ball who wants to entertain and in the first week or so he's going to be testing all his new teachers and aides to see just what their limits are. I wished her luck, I sure hope she's more than a match for my little guy!

A week at the beach

My beautiful Teddy

Jackson being Jackson

Brad and the boys at the Whalehead Club

I still can't figure out how to move these pictures to the bottom of this post where I wanted them to be. I've been told it's easy as pie, but clearly I'm a cake person. So I'll start with three of my favorite pictures from the beach.

We just got back from a week in the Outer Banks of North Carolina; Corolla specifically for those who know the area. On the way down south as is our new tradition (2nd year) we stopped in Williamsburg to go to Water Country USA, which is an amazing water park. Lots of fun things for kids and adults alike, though Brad thinks there's an awful lot of 'ink', but since I fit right in, I guess I don't see it.

The water park was it's own adventure. We decided to take the 'back way' certain it would be quicker, but... uh.. not so much. It took about an extra 45 minutes or so, but no worries we eventually got there and much to our delight the parking people got confused and somehow thought we'd paid for the super deluxe parking and made us turn into this cushy lot pretty darn close to the entrance. We didn't realize their mistake until we were parking, so bully for us. We got there and met up with our friends and headed out to find some fun. Three long rides later; including the wave pool and 'Hubba Bubba Highway' (who can't love that) the skies opened up and it looked like the end of the world was near. It went from 80 beautiful, sunny degrees to 65 windy, dark and stormy degrees in the blink of an eye.

All the men pulled out their phones which had miraculously stayed dry amidst all that water and rain, and looked at radar pictures. At first we believed it would be a quick storm that blew over in a few minutes, but soon it became clear that no such luck. The storms, they were a-stayin'. So we made a run for it, only I couldn't come up with a reason to run because we were going to be soaked to the bone no matter what, so the boys and I took a leisurly stroll to the car; jumping in as many puddles along the way as we could. In the car we all changed into dry clothes (and I appologize to the family who I inadvertantly flashed) and headed to the hotel. Later when we headed out to dinner we were shocked by how spoiled we've truly become that smoking isn't allowed in bars and restaraunts where we live, we turned and left the first place we tried as their smoking 'section' was separated by a half wall from the rest of the place... uh.. no thanks. Finally we ended up with really bad food and service at some chain, but the kids had fun rolling crayons down the slanty table so it wasn't a total loss.

The next morning we had a nice breakfast at a local IHOP before heading down to NC. When we arrived at the go-cart place, our first stop, the first people we see are our neighbors who live four doors down the street from us. Brennon and Teddy were in the same class last year (this year too). Too funny. I don't think we've seen then all summer and here they are hanging out in Corolla just waiting for us to pull up.

We've always been really lucky and had terrific weather in the Outer Banks, but I think this year was the best ever. It was low 80s and sunny every day. The surf was mostly not too crazy except for the last couple of days when we got a bit of an effect with surf and wind from Tropical Storm Faye, but that just made it more exciting. For the first time ever the boys really, really liked playing in the surf. I don't know if it was the fact that Jackson really learned how to swim this year or not, but whatever it was - daredevil Jackson was all over being knocked down by the waves; he was in hog heaven. One after the other he positioned himself, much to my dismay, to get pummeled by wave after wave. He'd go down and disappear under the foam and I'd watch nervously until seconds later his cute little face would pop grinning from ear to ear before he'd yell 'AWESOME!' or 'SWEET!' and get ready to do it again. Teddy enjoyed it as well, but I think he enjoyed playing with the waves even more; thowing balls and toy boats into them and then retrieving them.

The adults did our traditional things; golfing for the men, spa and lunch at the Blue Point Grille for the women. This year the men took the older two boys out golfing as well one afternoon which I think all 4 of them enjoyed immensely. For the second year in a row our friends brought their South African au pair, Mandi with them. What a decadent treat for us adults to be able to go out to dinner all together. And once again we went to Meridian 42 which was just as amazing as it's always been. As is one of our favorite traditions we ended the week at the outdoor concert at the Whalehead Club where we enjoyed wonderful music, mediocre wine and an amazing sunset.

My kids have no idea how lucky they are, hopefully we'll be able to convey that to them in some way. Now it's back to school time, but that's for another post.

Camela

A conversation with Jackson

The boys and I took Brad to the airport for his trip out west (where he'll be until hours before we pull out of the driveway early Friday morning for vacation. I swear I'm not too bitter about that, really, I'm not.) It's a picture perfect day; blue sky filled with cotton ball clouds, 80 degrees, no humidity. The kind of day I dreamed of when I bought the convertible. Teddy and Jackson were in the back seat, Teddy with his nose in his game boy and Jackson watching the clouds, finally Jack popped up with the following:

J: Mom, Does God live in a cloud?
M: mmm, I don't know. I think God is everywhere, so I'm not sure how to answer that.
J: huh.
Now quietly, no longer talking to me. Jackson's looking out at the passing scenery.
J: Hey God, how's it going?
He waves at the trees
J: Hi God.
We pass more trees
J: What's up God?

It was just too cute.

Camela

Too cute not to share

Jackson at Hershey Park with his new friends.

I just couldn't pass this up. How many more adorable
little stuffed animal filled picture opportunities
will I have with my cute little 7 1/2 year old boy?

This is a family picture Jackson took.

Teddy's turning 10

Teddy will turn 10 on Tuesday, but he'll be away at camp on his birthday so we had the family over on Friday to give him a little early birthday celebration. Here he is with his grandpa.

Teddy headed off to sleep-away camp today. This is the first time he'll be away from us for a whole week. He's a little nervous; afraid he'll miss us, but otherwise very excited. His best friend will also be there which will make the transition much easier for both of them. The second picture is of Teddy and Matt on the steps of their cabin at camp. Each day he'll be water skiing/wake boarding, doing a ropes challenge course, and playing Olympic sports like soccer in a pool. I think is sounds like a blast.

In addition to those everyday activities he'll be playing in the pool and in the Elk River along with lots of other fun camp activities. In classic Teddy style he was most interested in making sure we were going to send him a care package. Of course we did - lots of food that's bad for you for him to share with his cabin mates.