Updates...

The flu bug made its way through our house the past couple of weeks. Took Greg out first, though at the time he was sick with a fever, chills and aches, we didn't realize it was the flu. It wasn't until I got a call from Luke's school that he had 103.4 temperature, and rushed him to the doctor. The doc tested for strep throat first, then for the flu. After the flu test came back as positive, we realized then that Greg must have had it too!

*Note: we have no way of knowing if it was the H1N1 virus, as they do not test for the type of flu at the doctor's office. He said that would only happen if his condition worsened and then was admitted to the hospital. But the fact is, it's not typical flu season, so yes, it's very possible that it was swine flu.

Poor thing - fell asleep on the couch. This is how I knew he didn't feel good... so I just left him there.

Later, we had a fudge bar to make us feel better ...

but he made a royal mess of it.

Earlier in the week, before he got sick, we went to a really cool birthday party at the Events at Sherlake!

After you climb up the rope wall, you slide down the awesome slide...

SO FUN!!!

That's Jack and his Spiderman birthday cake.

Isn't he precious?!?!

The Pool

So ... funny story. It's August and we have yet to go to the neighborhood pool this summer! I know - that's weird. Well, we have had a busy summer, and there's been quite a bit of rain at the beginning of the season. But most of all, Mommy didn't really feel like getting in a bathing suit so that's why we haven't been. But lately, Luke's been begging to go to the pool. So Saturday, if he took a good nap, I promised him we could go down there for a little while. So we got our suits on, packed the bag, sprayed the sunscreen, etc. And we walked down there. (It's only about a 1/2 mile, so might as well walk, right?) As we got closer to the pool, I saw that there was no one there! I got excited that we would have the whole pool to ourselves! Well, that turned out to be not such a good thing since my key wouldn't work. I tried and wiggled - I know it was the right key because it slid right in. I didn't think they changed the locks this year, but I guess I'll have to call the HOA on Monday.

So instead, we came back here and filled up the kiddie pool; and had just as much fun!!

Splashing!

These last 2 pictures, I was having fun with a setting on the camera ... I think they look pretty cool...

Collages

I was playing around with Picasa this afternoon and made a few collages. If you remember, I did this last summer too. You can check those out here.

Funny Stories

Why is it that words like "poopy" are hilarious to a four-year-old?

So yesterday morning we were in the car on the way to school. Normally, I have the iPod hooked up playing whatever song Luke is obsessed with that week. However, this particular morning, the radio was tuned to my favorite morning show - Marc, Kim & Frank on Star 102.1. I don't even remember what they were talking about now, but I hear a gasp in the backseat, and then "Mommy, he said 'butt'!" Well, I had been listening and I knew he didn't 'butt', rather 'but'. How do you explain conjunctions to a 4-year-old?? So I explained that he used the other spelling of the word, such as "I'd like to stay home, BUT I have to go to work." He sat and pondered this for a few minutes and then quickly started repeating 'but, but, but, but, but'. I scoldingly said "Buddy, I told you before not to say that word so please don't say it." He innocently replies, "But Mommy, I'm saying the other one!" Oh good grief!

And just when you think they aren't listening... We got home from school on a rainy evening and he wanted to watch 'The Incredibles'. So he's in the den watching a DVD while Greg and I are in the kitchen making dinner and telling each other about our days. Greg said the word 'crap' and immediately we hear a voice yell from the other room, "Daddy, we don't say 'crap'!" And then again, even louder, "We don't say 'crap'!" And there, he got to say it twice!

This morning, he wanted a piece of banana bread for breakfast, like Mommy had. Only, he didn't eat it. Rather, he shredded it into a million tiny crumbs on the counter. So I'm cleaning up his mess all the while questioning him why he has to make a mess of EVERYthing he eats. He replies, "because you make a mess." Um, No! I don't drop food ALL over the floor at EVERY meal. So I tell him that I am very careful when I eat and therefore, I don't leave a big mess behind. Ok, fast forward about 30 minutes and I'm pouring myself another cup of coffee. I grab the liquid creamer from the fridge and give it a quick shake. Well, the lid wasn't on securely and now there are several splats on the floor. Luke exclaims, "See Mommy, you do make a mess!!"

Weekend at Joy's

We spent the last weekend in Bakersville, NC visiting Greg's sister Joy.

This is her dog, Amber.

We hadn't been there 5 minutes and Luke had already found the water hose!

Before we left Knoxville, we stopped at the Fruit and Berry Patch on the way out of town and picked some blueberries and blackberries - only $2 per pound.

P.S. If you want to find a farm near you, go to www.pickyourown.org


We made a blueberry buckle with most of the blueberries.

This is a pretty little goldfinch outside Joy's window.

If you hadn't figured it out already, Joy is a potter. Here is a nice display she has outside.

This little butterfly liked Luke...

He was so excited that it landed on his hand!

On Saturday, we took a hike up on top of Roan Mountain

Isn't that an amazing view?!?!?!

The Cloudland Hotel site...

All that is left of the ruins on Roan Mtn

That's Joy's cat, Ziggy.

Back at the water hose again ...

A cool swinging bridge near Joy's house...

Throwing rocks ... boys will be boys!

We had a blast. We ate some amazing dinners, saw some awesome views, played some Scrabble, and took a ton of pictures! We'll have to go back again real soon!