captain underpants

The Mayor hasn't worn clothes all week long. We are in the "no clothes" phase, which is awesome for the laundry load, but quite annoying when I have to bribe him to get dressed if we have to run errands. And this week, all the errands that we have run that didn't require him getting out of the car, he has been in just his underwear. I follow a couple of blogs where the writer has a son around The Mayor's age and a lot of the pictures they post on their blogs, their sons are just in underwear as well. I guess this is a normal phase for a 3 year old boy?

We had dinner at PopPop and Mamie's house for my birthday. Since we have been out of town the last 2 weeks, we celebrated today. Dinner was amazing! PopPop made homemade stuffed shells and homemade blue cheese dressing for the salad and Mamie made an awesome poundcake with cream cheese icing for dessert. And the best part, the leftovers came home with us!

Bennett, Love Bug and The Mayor had a blast playing together tonight. Those 3 crack me up when they are together. Just amazing, innocent, laugh-filled chaos...the best kind of chaos there is.

So happy today is only Saturday and we have another day left to our weekend.

A cute story I don't want to forget: when you tell Bennett and Love Bug to give each other a kiss, they walk towards each other and bump foreheads. Every time. This is how they kiss.

D and The Mayor wrestling

The Mayor and Bennett being silly

PopPop, Love Bug and Mamie

so sweet...checking out the birds outside

Bennett and Love Bug "kissing"

she is so cute

This little girl has me and D totally wrapped around her finger. Well, actually, both of our kids do. But this little Love Bug is starting to develop such a fun, little personality. I am really loving this stage with her. Everything is so fresh, new and exciting. Makes me remember this stage with The Mayor and thankful I have another little sweetie to go through this with. She isn't nearly as mischievous or adventurous as her brother, but she is starting to become curious about the world around her. There really is a difference between boys and girls.

The second The Mayor was able to crawl, the gate went up at the bottom of the stairs. Not because I was afraid he would go up the stairs but because I knew he would go up the stairs. If for some reason I forgot to put up the gate, he would sense the gate was missing and would be halfway up the stairs. I have yet to put up a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs with Love Bug. She could care less that the stairs are there. Unless you leave the room. I used to be able to run up the stairs for a quick second to grab something and she would be just where I left her. But now if I run up the stairs, she gets upset because she thinks she has been left behind and before I can get back, she is already halfway up the stairs. She has become quite the speedy stair climber.

We have been enjoying quite the lazy week at home. My car is in the shop (my friend backed into my rear bumper) so it has been in the shop for 3 days. Thankfully the car will be back in my possession tomorrow afternoon. A few lazy days at home is nice...but I am ready to have my car back so we can leave if we want to.

back into the routine

We are home. We got to Atlanta last night around 7:30 and enjoyed a quiet night once the kids went to bed. Today, I worked to get us back into order...back into our routine.

I have completely unpacked us and am working to get the house back in order. I desperately need to go grocery shopping (since we haven't been in 2 weeks) but somehow I have all the ingredients to make a yummy Mexican casserole tonight.

The 6 days we spent in Richmond were definitely some of my favorite days we have spent away from home this year. I love that town and feel complete when I am back there. But it is always good to get back home.

Since Sunday we spent relaxing after D's race and Monday we spent traveling, I haven't had a chance to post pictures from D's triathlon. So here are some of my favorites:

part of the cheering squad...missing from the photo is Uncle Bobby

and the entire Hennesey clan

the swimmers with the Richmond skyline in the background

D coming into transition after the bike portion of the race

"My Daddy Can Outswim, Outbike, Outrun Your Daddy"

waiting for his daddy to finish the race

hanging with Snoopy

all the kids (except Patrick and Love Bug) waiting for D to finish the race

almost done!

she didn't love the 5AM wakeup call...she napped through most of the race

"Tri Daddy Tri"

you can never go home again

The saying is so true...you really can not go home again.

We spent the afternoon driving around my old neck of the woods of Richmond. Something I love to do when I am in town and something I was so excited to do for this trip. The growth that has occurred in the area I grew up in is astonishing. What used to be miles and miles of trees separating our neighborhood from our schools is now miles and miles of shopping centers. Two lane roads are now 4 lane roads and the traffic (although nothing compared to Atlanta) seems to be quadruple what it was when I lived here. But I was still amazed at how I remembered getting around. We spent a majority of our time driving around my old neighborhood. Much of which hasn't a changed a bit since I lived here over 20 years ago.

When we pulled onto my old street, my stomach turned into knots. I hadn't seen our old house in over 7 years. I pulled in front, got out of my car, and walked to the front door. I wanted to ask the new owners if it would be ok if I took a picture of the outside (secretly hoping it would spark a conversation about my deep sentimental attachment to the home and they would invite me in). As I stood at the front door for the first time in my life as a visitor to that home, my heart sank a little. While I waited for someone to open the door to my knock, I noticed the paint chipping off the shutters, some spindles broken off the banister leading to the front door, the banister was leaning and poorly caulked back into place, a few bricks on the front steps were broken and a large ashtray filled with cigarette butts was at the front door. Blinds hanging in the window were broken or bent, sheets hung in some of the windows and Christmas candles were still in the window sill to the windows of the garage. I almost felt anger. I so badly wanted a sweet young couple with young kids to be the owners...respecting the home I still love so much. Unfortunately, I don't think that is the case. No one answered the door, and I was walked to the car, I told myself it was probably for the best. Had I seen the inside and it not looked as I had remembered, I probably would have broken down in tears in their foyer. Before today, the last time I was at the front door of that home I lived there; today I was a visitor. While I walked back to my car I realized, you really can never go home again.

my old house

(taken from the street because it looks so much better from a distance)

We left the old house and went to my mom's gravesite. My eyes filled with tears as we pulled out of the neighborhood and made the 7 mile trip to the church. The church hasn't changed a bit. I think the cracks in the parking lot are the same cracks that were there when we were members. We stopped the car, and I told The Mayor and Love Bug we were going to see their Nanny. (Meega and I refer to our mom as Nanny - my dad was very close to his grandparents PopPop and Nanny. My dad is now PopPop and we think our mom would have wanted to been called Nanny. They were awesome people...just like my mom and dad).

We made the somber walk to my mom's grave. Twenty-one years has passed and it still literally takes my breath away to see her name etched in granite. We told The Mayor and Love Bug about her, and although they do not understand, it still made me feel good to have them there so they could meet their Nanny.

After several minutes, D took the kids to the playground so I could have some private moments alone. It felt so weird. The last time I was there I was just a young married woman. Now I am a young married mother. Three years younger than my mother when she passed. It made me sad. Sad for all the moments I missed with her and prayerful I wouldn't miss those moments with my own children.

After the emotional afternoon, we stopped at the 7-Eleven for a slurpee. Meega and I grew up on slurpees...and let's face it...there is nothing better than a true slurpee. I got the largest one in the joint, one for The Mayor and a baby one for Love Bug. D, still in training, got a water. It made me happy to see my kids enjoying slurpees as much as my sister and I did as kids.

We are now back at Tammy's house. After a dinner and a trip to a frozen yogurt place, the kids are asleep. D is packed and ready for his race in the morning and the house is quiet. Everyone turned in early for the 5AM wakeup. Can't wait to cheer on my man.

a day at the rivah

Today, we went to my cousin Tammy and Dave's house on the river (or rivah as the locals call it). They have a permanent camper at a campground about 45 minutes away and they lovingly refer to it as the "Redneck Riviera". I called it paradise. First of all, it was a camper but technically it was an awesome 2 bedroom house with an amazing sunroom built onto it. They have a satellite dish, air conditioning and all the other comforts of home. Everyone drives golf carts and there is a water park on the property. It was amazing. There were water slides; a kids area that had fountains, suspended buckets dumping water and water sprayers; several kiddie pools; a regular pool; an adult-only pool (I looked at it longingly while we walked past) and a few other things that I don't really know how to explain...but looked like lots of fun! I am beyond disappointed with myself for not bringing my camera into the water park because to say that my children had a blast is an understatement. Love Bug climbed rope ladders (while water dropped on her from above), climbed stairs, slide down mini-water slides and stood in the middle of water shooting out of the ground (she may only be 16 months old but nothing slows her down). And she loved every single second of it. The Mayor loved running from one slide to the next, shooting people with water, floating around...too much fun. He did get quite upset when he asked to go down the big water slides, but you have to be 48 inches tall so we had to keep telling him no. He didn't love that answer. But once he saw all the other awesome things to do, he forgot about the big slides.

After the water park, we took the golf cart back to their place and relaxed all afternoon long. Love Bug took a much needed nap, and the rest of us chilled out while D and Dave took the boat out. When they got back, D and I took The Mayor to an ice cream shop on the property and for an ice cream cone. We grilled hotdogs out and stayed until 7:30 and then loaded up and came back home for quick baths and bed. The kids were fast asleep a little before 9:00, and we are not far behind.

It was an unbelievably, wonderful, relaxing day spent with family. I can't wait to come back.

my beautiful cousin Tammy making snacks

The Mayor cracking us up...he was on the other side of the sliding glass doors

Love Bug chilling out...she was eating ice chips out of that cup

and stayed in this exact position for over an hour

a sweet moment...The Mayor was eating some tortilla chips and

wanted to give one to his sister

part of the glass/screen sunroom

a day with dana

This morning we headed out to accomplish one of the things I was most excited about doing on this trip...hanging out with Dana. Dana and I became fast friends back in our freshman year of high school...you know those friends where you start out not knowing each other but by the end of the first weekend you hang out together you are just instant best friends. That is Dana. We have been through a lot the past twenty plus years we have been friends and she is absolutely one of my most favorite people on the planet. I love that when we are together it feels like we have never been apart but I do wish we lived closer than 8 hours away. Maybe one day...

It was HOT today so we went to the pool to try and get some relief. The kids had a blast running around and jumping into the cool water but after a couple of hours, the kids were getting tired. Luckily, Dana has 3 kiddos of her own so she is prepared. She had a pack-n-play that Love Bug was able to use for a much needed nap. The Mayor bounced around from playing in the playroom and lounging in front of the TV. He had a few moments of cranky tears but for the most part, the kids did awesome. Love Bug got such a kick out of Connor...she cracked up at him and he was so sweet entertaining her while she ate her snack. Lily and Love Bug took turns following each other around, giving hugs and sharing toys. The Mayor had a blast following Connor around, wrestling with him and attempting to tackle him (boys are such boys!) and egging Lily on for races back and forth from the sunroom to the kitchen while we were eating dinner. I would hear him say "1-2-3 GO!" and she would take off! It was so cute!

I so wish we lived closer but cherish the moments we do get to see each other. Luckily I don't have to wait too long...we are going back Saturday morning.

sweet Lily

worn out...he played hard

sweet girls...giving each other hugs

it's so good to be home

We arrived in Richmond late this afternoon and when we crossed the state line into Virginia, I got so giddy. I miss this city and realize just how badly I do miss it when I actually get the chance to visit. It feels so good to be back home.

We are staying with my cousin Tammy and her family. It. is. awesome. I am so happy we will be here for the next 5 days. My girl Tammy cracks me up like no one else can...and her daughter Darla is just as much of a character. Tammy always says she is raising a little me. What can I say...these awesome genes deep run in our family.

Tomorrow we are loading up and spending the day with my oldest and one of my dearest friends Dana and her family. I can not wait. I haven't seen her in YEARS. We talk on a very regular basis but just don't get to see each other nearly enough. But when we do...it is always fun. We laugh like it is our job and I just can't wait to get to her house.

There is so much awesomeness that is going to be crammed into the next 5 days. I am not going to want to leave. Friday we are spending the day at Tammy's house on the river, Saturday we will be visiting more family and my mom's gravesite, Sunday is D's race and then we will be back at Tammy's hanging out and relaxing. Monday, sadly, we are heading back to Atlanta.

I'm going to log off now and hang with my family. Need to soak up every single second.

Uncle Bobby

one fussy Love Bug

Patrick and The Mayor playing with trains and cars...all boy

Darla and Tammy

Darla...the thinker

south georgia birthday

We had a great weekend in South Georgia. We rolled into Valdosta around lunchtime Friday, fed the kids and then enjoyed the pool at my dear friend Carolyn's house. We got about 30-40 minutes of good pool time in before a nasty storm hit.

We headed on to Homerville when the worst of the storm passed and enjoyed a nice, quiet evening at MeMe and Big Daddy's house. MeMe and Big Daddy grilled an awesome dinner for us and everyone was pretty tired and hit the bed early. The kids slept in which meant I got to sleep in. And since Saturday was my birthday, it was a pretty fantastic way to start the day. Ringing in the old 35 was a lot easier to swallow with over 12 hours of sleep under my belt.

one of the kids' favorite things to do at MeMe and Big Daddy's...

running...

...and jumping on the air mattress

Love Bug couldn't miss out on the running and jumping

We had a pretty leisurely morning at the house, then went to Valdosta for lunch and then to Aunt Nat's house to celebrate Luke's 9th birthday. His actual birthday was on the 3rd but we celebrated with the family this weekend. After the party, we all went back to Valdosta for a birthday dinner. MeMe's birthday is on the 18th so we had a lot to celebrate. It was fun being together celebrating all the July birthdays at once.

Luke...the big 9!

Since we are going to Richmond Wednesday morning, we needed to get back to Atlanta to get laundry done and get re-packed so we left Homerville this morning after breakfast. We have been back home for a couple of hours and bedtime can not get here fast enough. We took them outside to play in the sprinkler and blowup pool, but the plan was almost a complete bust. The kids are really tired and we think Love Bug has an ear infection. So we get to add a trip to the pediatrician into our very short week at home.

at 16 months old, she already has "the look" perfected

look at that distance!

cars 2

D and I took The Mayor to see his first movie in a movie theater this morning. We had been planning for months for Cars 2 to be his first movie. Because he loves the original Cars so much, we knew he would be at the perfect age to sit in the theater and be engaged in the movie when the new Cars 2 came out. Meega watched Love Bug for us, and we rolled into the movie theater for the 11:15 showing with one excited boy.

Before we actually got to the theater, we went to the drug store to get some candy. What is a movie without some candy? After we bought our tickets, we stood in line to get our popcorn and Icees. The Mayor was set with his small popcorn, white cherry Icee, Skittles and M&Ms. That is what I call a lunch.

He. Was. Perfect. He sat in his seat during all the previews and the entire movie. He only spoke once when he said "dad, look, look, it's Lightning McQueen. It's Lightning McQueen". He barely made a dent in his popcorn or M&Ms because he was so enthralled with the movie. He did, however, manage to do some serious damage on the bag of Skittles...that's my boy. It is hard to tell who had more fun, The Mayor or me and D. We loved seeing this experience through his eyes. How exciting it must have been for him to see that huge movie screen, sit in that big chair and have all of that food...just for him. It was an awesome day.

We just bathed the kids and are getting ready to put them down for the night and then it is laundry and packing duty for me and D. Tomorrow morning, we pull out for South Georgia. Can't wait.

checking out the movie display

waiting for the movie to start

*I left my camera at home so I had to use my iPhone. The flash on the iPhone could light up the sky...it is blinding. Thus the crazy tint on the pictures of us in the actual theater.