52 Week Project - Week 15 - Scenic

The really happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour

-Author Unknown

Back in February when we went to visit Erika and Richie, they took us to Wilmington for the day and it was wonderful.   We went to the aquarium at Fort Fisher and while we were on the way there, we passed a pathway along a beach and I begged everyone to please stop so we could take some pictures.   I was so glad that after the aquarium, they indulged me.   The aquarium itself was pretty and peaceful and we had a nice time exploring the grounds and enjoying the beautiful weather.
The beach stop though was my favorite part of the day.  It was hardly occupied, very peaceful and beautifully
Scenic

When we got there, we were pleasantly surprised by the unique trees, big sculptures, and even paths to run through in a big brush area, all of which we could not see from the car.  As soon as we took the kids out of the car, they were off running.

I wish I had a chair and could have sat there for longer: just catching up with Erika and Richie, watching the kids run around in the sand and listening to the waves.  I was so sad when it was time to leave but we had to head on to our next destination, the downtown area.

We had some lunch in Wilmington and walked along the Cape Fear River for a little bit and continued enjoying the beautiful day.  

As much as I love Raleigh and all that there is to do there, I have really enjoyed that on my last two trips to see Erika and Richie, I have gotten to see other parts of North Carolina.   I really appreciate that Erika and Richie want to show us things and I can't wait to see where they take us next trip.

Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going to fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.

-Eddie Cantor

(photo credit to Erika for the above picture - thanks!)

The Tooth Fairy

Under this pillow you will find
A teensy, tiny tooth of mine.
So while I sleep where dreams are made,
Let's see if you can make a trade.
~Author Unknown


Friday was a very exciting day in our house.   Ryan had his first loose tooth for about two weeks and it was on the verge of falling out on Thursday night.  When Grandma came on Friday, we showed her how loose it was - you could bend it practically perpendicular to the rest of his teeth.   Both Grandma and I left the room and a few minutes later when Grandma went back to help Ryan get dressed for school, the tooth had fallen out!


 Ryan didn't even realize it happened and we couldn't find the tooth at first.  While we were looking for the tooth (searching through all the blankets, pillowcases and in between all of the bed friends) and celebrating Ryan's first tooth coming out, Dylan found a way to keep himself busy.....with my make-up bag.

 Luckily, we found him before he got in to the mascara.

 I think that Grandma and I were more excited about Ryan's tooth than he was but when he got to school, he said to his teacher "Ms. Morris, do you want to see my smile?  Something is different about it than yesterday" lol
Of course, the most exciting part about a tooth coming out is a visit from the tooth fairy.   Before bed, we put Ryan's tooth in a baggie so it would be easier for the tooth fairy to find and then we got ready for bed - after all, the tooth fairy can't come if you are awake.  

 For the first time ever, Ryan told me he did not want me to sleep with him - he said that if we were laying on the tooth, then the tooth fairy would not be able to get under the pillow and he was worried that I would roll over in my sleep.   At about 6 in the morning, Ryan started yelling for me - when I got to his room, he asked if I thought the tooth fairy came and I told him to check (I can't believe that he didn't check as soon as he woke up).  Under the pillow he found a certificate, a letter, two ring pops (he very nicely gave one to Dylan), and 10 dollars!!


After I read Ryan the letter, he immediately ran out of his room to find his wallet and started counting all of his new money and his old money - he has been saving up to buy the Green Ninja from Ninjago even though we have explained to him many times we will buy it for him when it is sold individually (currently, it is only sold as part of a set that is $170!!)  

Ryan does look adorable with his little gap and it is about to get bigger - the tooth next to the gap is loose too.   I suspect we will be seeing the tooth fairy again very soon 

Fright Night Weekend 2011

From November 1, 2011 - pictures just uploaded

Halloween weekend was jam-packed with events this year.  Both boys had Halloween parties at their schools, our community had a party and of course, the highlight was trick-or-treating.

Halloween got its own post so this will recap our events leading up to the 31st.   The boys have a bunch of dress up clothes so it was kind of neat, they got to wear a different outfit to each event we went to and I didn't have to spend any nights worrying about how I could get taffy out of Batman's cape by the next morning.  First up was a party at Dylan's school on Friday afternoon that Grandma took the boys to.  I got there late and really didn't take many pictures but the boys had a good time singing songs, playing in the obstacle course and running around playing.

On Saturday the 29th, we met up with two of Ryan's friends from school, John and Jack, and we all headed over to PS 40's Fright Night.   

 

We got there a few minutes before the event started so we were lucky enough to be able to take pictures and play a few games before it got too crowded .

Not sure where John was when we took the pictures, but I am glad that we were able to get one of Ryan and Jack.  I am so glad that Ryan has so many school friends now and we are so lucky that we all live so close to each other. It was pretty funny that both Ryan and Jack showed up that night with green hair and it was totally not planned.  The boys thought it was hysterical!

The boys all played games, we went through the haunted house twice, they did some bookmark projects and we all had a bite to eat before heading home. 

 

 

It was a fun time but after about two hours, the party was very crowded and we all had enough plus it was pouring out and very windy and I think we were all ready to get home and in to our pjs. 

The next day (Sunday) was the big STown Halloween party.   Grandma and Papa came down for a few hours and we took the kids to the park and they got to paint pumpkins, watch a "magician" (don't think he did any magic) and listen to a band for a bit.

After lunch, Papa and Grandma left and we took the boys back down to the Oval so they could go on the hayrides and play the carnival games.   A bunch of the coaches from soccer were at the event so the kids got extra handfuls of candy!

 We definitely had a fun weekend and the boys have already started discussing what they want to be next year - I know that they will change their minds a million times between now though so I probably should start keeping my eye out for costumes on sale.   We can never have enough dress up clothes.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN