Tick Tock

Do you hear that clock ticking? It is SO LOUD. And in double-time…  This very strange clock has been ticking like this since about 10:00PM on September 7, 2006. You know, when Will was born.

It has been a big few weeks for us.  After a very (not so) patient wait, we finally found out what elementary school he will be attending next school year. And then another short wait to find out what track he will be on, since he is going to year round. Then Sunday I took him to our local YMCA to sign him up for after-school and track out care.  How is it possible that my itty bitty (ok, not really) bouncing baby boy is about to start his formal education?? And to think that he was a mere 7 days from actually starting this LAST year!

I took him with me to the Y so he could see what it was all about. See the rooms he will be hanging out in. See the rock wall. And the basketball court. Just in general get him familiar and excited about this new endeavor.  As we’re walking around after we got him all signed up, he is so excited about everything, which made me feel good. Me, I think I had this very sad and probably half way bewildered look on my face.  There were BIG kids there. Now, I know they aren’t part of the programs Will will be attending. They were just high school kids there to work out or shoot hoops on a Sunday afternoon. But still….he is going to be that BIG kid before I know it.

But you know what my almost kindergartner did the entire time we walked around….he held my hand. Tightly. He never holds my hand. Even when I scream at him in a parking lot to hold my hand, he completely balks at the mere thought of holding my hand.  So I guess that means there are two excited yet nervous people in my house!

Then….

Now….

Spirit Week

A few weeks ago, the children's school had spirit week! Not that this household needs an extra special reason to be full of spirit. Of course half the time our "spirit" is of the whining, complain-y nature. Just telling it like it is folks!!

Monday: Wacky Tacky Day
While Avery's attire in this picture is a little wacky and very tacky, it isn't out of the norm for what she would pick out herself. In fact, she refused to wear the outfit I laid out for her, claiming it didn't match (duh!), and then picked out this by herself. Will, on the other hand, was out of control wacky/tacky!!!

Tuesday: Favorite Sports Team
No pic!! But I am sure you can imagine what they look like in NCSU garb! It isn't like you have NEVER seen that look on them before!!

Wednesday: Pajama Day
This is one jealous mama!!

 Thursday: Silly Hat Day
A side note, up until at 8PM on Wednesday night, I just thought it was "hat day". I can do just plain hat day. Will told me, as he was getting in bed, that it was "silly hat day" and begged me to make him a hat. Well, this is what silly hats made at 5AM the morning of look like. Don't be a hater.

Friday: St. Patrick's Day Party - wear green!

Pullen Park

This past Friday, Will's class, along with another class, went on a field trip to Pullen Park. It has been a few years since we have been to Pullen Park as it was closed for a long time for a complete overhaul. Boy is it nice now. I see many visits in our future.

A pre-play pose for a pic

 And they're off....

All aboard!

 The boat ride...poor Will was less than enthused with this once it got going as it was a little slow.

 Wolfpack Twins! Lindsay's mom, Sarah, works with me and ordered the girls these fun shirts!

 Will, his best buds and their parents. Aka, the cool caboose!

 Avery and her bud, Samantha. Samantha's older brother is one of Will's classmates. The little sisters were very happy to get tag along!

 Yes, he climbed all the way to the top. Just about gave me a heart attack!

Avery on the infamous Pullen Park carousel.

 Will showing Avery a worm....

And then my favorite photo ever...Avery realizing Will is showing her a worm!!!

It's feeding time!!

 Matt calls this one "proof that Janie was there"!! I guess I stay behind the lens a lot.

 Me and Will on the carousel. Matt and Avery were riding on the other side. For the first time every, Avery was a lot more independent on this outing. Instead of just wanting to do what Bubba is doing, she had her own opinions and own desires. It actually made things harder for Matt and I....at least from a "now we have to be in 2 different places" perspective. Should make for an interesting Disney trip!

 See Saw.....

We had lots of fun, including the class picnic and pick-me up soccer game after lunch. Of course Matt, the kid whisperer, was the ring leader of that one!

See you soon, Pullen Park!

A Yee Haw Birthday

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

We went to the coast this past weekend to celebrate my mom’s 60^th birthday.  We typically don’t venture out to dinner with the kids down there….just too much other fun stuff to do. But since Mom has been so tied up with my grandmother the past few months, we wanted to get her out of the house. We took her to Texas Steakhouse, which was a great choice for 2 overtired kids because it was loud and they could throw food on the floor there!!! 

Mom opened her gifts. Or more precisely, Avery opened Mom’s gifts.   Dad gave Mom a diamond ring….the look on Avery’s face when she opened the box was PRICELESS. Pops, I think Avery expects jewelry from you on her birthday next month!!!

The highlight of the evening was when the wait staff came to the table and sang their rowdy version of a birthday song. The kids LOVED it. They had never experienced anything like that before (since they don’t come sing at your table at Chick-fil-a)!!! Avery ate most of the birthday treat that was brought to our table!

Vote for Avery!!

Vote for Avery!!

Think back to preschool days and how important it was to be the “line leader”.  Well, the other night at dinner, Avery announced she wanted to be the line leader of the country.  I said, “Do you mean the President?”  Her reply was something along the lines of “Yes, I like presents.”

So I say what the heck, vote for Avery!!!!  I have never seen a cuter line leader!!

Go Pack!!

On the first day of the ACC Tourney, my unit at work had a cube/office decorating contest. Ironically, only 2 ACC schools were represented: NCSU and UNC. Guess we are all a North Carolina born and bred group!

The best part....I won!!!  A few pics of most of my decorations.

Welcome to the RBC Center. I mean PNC Center.

Will drew NCSU playing Clemson for me.

Box Seats

Come spend your money at the Fan Zone.

Note: Court not drawn to scale.

Who's Number 1??? Me, that's who!

Family Literacy Night

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Dr. Seuss!!!

 A week or so ago, on Dr. Seuss’ actual birthday, our preschool did a “Family Literacy Night” to kick off a Scholastic Book Fair and to commemorate Dr. Seuss’ birthday. There was even a Cat in the Hat cake!

The kids and I were on our own that night so we grabbed some Burger King (YUCK) and headed up to school to have dinner with their classmates. After dinner, we visited the various classrooms, which had activities set up for the kids to do.

We made bookmarks (sorry, no pics!)

Listened to stories….

Made Cat in the Hat hats….

And butterflies....

There was even a visit from Clifford the Big Red Dog.  Thankfully neither of my 2 were scared of him and in fact gave him lots of love. But no one wanted to pose for pics. Too much other fun stuff to do I guess!

Dixie Deer Classic

Every year, the Wake County Wildlife Club puts on the Dixie Deer Classic. Matt and his dad are members so they work the show the whole weekend. Typically on Sunday afternoon, the kids and I go out to see the sights and visit with the guys.

A few pics of our adventures....

Someone got distracted by shiny things....