Firsts

As an adult we don't have very many "firsts". It seems like we have experienced many things, traveled to many places, and eaten many different things. Even if we are doing something for the first time, chances are we have experienced something similar to it. Growing up we have many firsts. First steps. First words. First roller coaster ride. First road trip. First taste of Thai food. Many firsts.

Well, Friday night Jacob had another first. His very first Jell-o shot. Yep, a Jello-shot. Loaded. Our neighbors had a party and the shots were sitting on a table in between the potato chips and the brownies looking very delicious and inviting. Many colors - red, yellow, green. Beautifully arranged on trays in little white cups. So tempting.

It was getting late and Brady was starting to yawn. I was gathering up our things to head back home. Another neighbor witnessed this "first" and alerted me about it. My first reaction was "Oh, No!" I found Jacob and asked him if he had one of the little Jell-o cups. He said he had and shrugged his shoulders. I told him that he didn't do anything wrong but the Jell-o had alcohol in it and they are for the grown-ups to have.

Jacob: "What's alcohol?"
Me: All I could think of saying was, "It has beer in it."
Jacob: "Oh....it kind of tasted sour and yucky."
Me: "Good!"

I told him it was time for us to head home because his brother was getting sleepy. He started to cry. I thought, he must feel bad about taking the Jell-o shot. I comforted him all the way home and told him that he didn't do anything wrong. Mommy should have noticed them there and told him that he couldn't have any of the grown-up Jell-o. I was wrong. He said, "I sure wish I had taken a brownie instead!! That's why I am crying!!"

I'm sure we will have many more first like this one.

My boys

This summer has been so much fun. I'm so thankful that we have such great neighbors that invite us over often to swim. Our friends Minka and Bob had us over and she took these adorable pictures of the boys.

I think Jacob looks so grown up!

Without

For the last week I have been without. Lost. My computer wasn't working properly and the warranty was about to expire. I had to make the tough decision to ship the ol' laptop off to the Dell wizards for repairs. Yesterday, by miracle of FedEx, my laptop arrived home. I should have made 'Welcome Home' signs and hung balloons. I tried to hide my enthusiasm from the FedEx guy, but I think my tear filled eyes spoke volumes.

For three days we were even without cable. Jacob was completely distraught. When we told him that there was a time when TV, computers, and video games did not exist he said, "What did people do?" Tod and I just shrugged our shoulders.

I'm sure Tod was tired of me calling him at work to "look something up." I may be banned from the library computers....two kids and a quiet section don't mix well. I also used the phone book for the first time in two years. (I had to find it first!)

I am now re-connected and completely plugged in. Aahhhhh.

Summertime...And The Living Is Easy

Summer has come to the Carolina's and we are soaking it all in! We have all been so busy that I haven't had a chance to sit down and post anything. I was a little worried the last few weeks of school about planning and scheduling our summer. Making sure we had "things" to do. I have to admit...we have been so busy that we haven't done a single thing that I "planned"!

Jacob had soccer camp the first week of summer. He did great! He even got MVP on two days! At first I didn't think he was enjoying it, but by the end of the week he LOVED soccer camp. The coaches were great and really taught the kids some great lessons on teamwork. Here is Jacob looking very serious before he got his certificate.

After they called his name he ran through the coaches and parents for a huge line of high fives.

And some deserved pats on the back!


Week number two of summer we spent at Pawley's Island. What a beautiful place! Tod, the boys and I spent the week with my parents in a great condo overlooking the ocean. Tod had to go back a little early, but we stayed the rest of the week and had some fun in the sun. My parents played golf one morning so the boys and I took a hike around the complex. We saw some crazy birds and tried to find the alligator they say is on the island. Here are the boys on the hike. Jacob so wants to be a rock star!

We ate at a great restaurant, The Fish House. It had a fun playground for the kids while we waiting on our table. Brady kept saying, "Arg! I'm a Pirate!"

My arm!

As you can tell, the boys were truly on vacation. They had a TV in their room. Every morning they would wake up and turn it on. We wouldn't see them for another hour....until they were ready for breakfast.


Pool time! Jacob and Brady loved floating around in the pool in their new floats.

Jacob in mid-cannonball!


...and Jacob doing his "dead man's float.".


Beach time! After soccer camp.....we had soccer at the beach.


Brady instantly took to the water. He would jump in the waves for such a long time. We swam out to a sandbar and the boys played in ankle deep water for an hour. So much fun.

I believe vacations make brothers turn into friends!

My favorite picture!

Yesterday, my neighbors daughter brought me this strange flower that is growing wild out in the field across from our house. I looked it up and it is a Passion Flower. Such a beautifully odd looking flower.


And finally my summer harvest. I picked all of this today! We have a tomato, a cucumber, a zucchini, some peas, and some radishes. It feels so good to have a garden. This summer has turned into a bountiful one!!

Jacob's Last Day of Kindergarten

I just can't believe that Jacob's Kindergarten year is over. Yesterday his class put on an amazing performance for the parents. And, yes, I cried. We met in the music room where the kids sang three songs then surprised us and played FOUR songs on the keyboards! I was totally blown away!

Here is Jacob and his friend Francisco. So cute together.

Jacob has always said that he wants to be a Rock Star when he grows up. You have to start somewhere!!

The music teacher Mrs. Fuller did a great job with the kids. Here is their Mexican Hat Dance. It made me laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn3ZvZ4yA9o

And this is what made me cry...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta_Zg6gfO8s

We left the music room and headed to their classroom. Jacob's teacher Mrs. Carroll showed us a video that she made of EVERYTHING that the kids did all year. She included every field trip, holiday, project, and even spotlighted each student on their birthday. It was something so special. Each of us got a copy of the video. I can't wait to see it again.

Mrs. Carroll and the teaching assistant Mrs. Brewington made each child feel so special. They all got a special award. Jacob got the Super Scientist Award because he was so into their lessons on dinosaurs and bugs. He is so proud of his award.


Mrs. Carroll and Mrs. Brewington made this year so easy for me to "let go" of Jacob. He has turned into such an amazing boy. I am overwhelmed at all that he has learned. I feel like we have all grown up a little this year.

Brady's Song

Yesterday was Brady's last day of school. The 2 year old classes performed first. At the Christmas performance Brady just stood there with his bottom lip out and didn't sing a single word. Boy, Brady sure has changed!!! Please stick with the video. I know it is shaky, but I was giggling so much!! At the end of the song Brady breaks out into his favorite song, "Big Yellow Truck Going Down The Road"! Too funny! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEqvP5_D9rA

Adventures with Brady

It seems like Brady has decided to move from "baby" to "little boy". Tod and I have been so worried about him for such a long time. Brady has finally realized that it is more fun doing things himself. He sup rises us all of the time. We have been spending a lot more quality time lately and it truly paid off. We have been able to have many more adventures and here are a few of our latest.

We went strawberry picking with a group of friends. Brady had a blast. He would pick one strawberry then eat two. Look how delicious the berries are!


Brady with his berry container.

Brady and his buddy Mason trying to find the best strawberries.

I've been trying to teach Brady to wink. Here is his attempt...with a container full of strawberries.

I'm so glad I put him in a red shirt!

Another picture of Brady and Mason stuffing their faces!

Where's Brady?


Brady has discovered music. He likes to listen when we are in the car. It doesn't even matter what kind...just music. When the radio DJ's come on Brady yells, "LISTEN TO MUSIC!" Tod let him listen to his iPod. He sat in the window for a long time listening to music.

Maybe it was a sad song?


Tod finally has someone to ride the roller coasters with!! They are in the last car. I wish you could see the expression on his face. Pure joy! Brady laughed the entire ride. I took him on two other rides that he was barely tall enough to ride. He LOVED it. Giggled and screamed the whole time.

I thought I would be sad to see my baby grow up, but I'm not. I love each new chapter in our lives. Brady has suddenly decided to be a little boy and I know I will still be surprised when he decides to be a big boy!