Adventures in Bowling

Jim's firm hosted a bowling night last week for their summer interns. We thought we would go and see what James thought - well, he loved it!! He started the night just watching the pins getting knocked down and exclaiming, "they knock em down, they knock em down!" Then he learned we are supposed to clap when a good bowl happened. He would clap wildly and laugh with glee. Then he discovered that the firm had cookies to eat - and the evening turned just about perfect. He bowled with his dad just a couple times, I think he was a little intimidated, but still thought it was fun... He and Jim got a couple of Granny bowls down the lane.

The Return of Orange Van!

Some time back I made a list of items that James takes to bed with him. One toy of honor has always been Orange Van, a matchbox orange van that was a toy when Jim was little. However, Orange Van was a casualty of the recent trip to Meme's. It did not make it home from Meme's. I kept telling Meme it wasn't a big deal and that a small Thomas train had already replaced Orange Van... Or so it seemed...

Meme came through and found Orange Van. James got a package yesterday from Meme and it was ORANGE VAN!!!

The triumphant return of Orange Van prompted lots of playing last night with all of James' cars. We had to get them all out one by one, talk about their color, count them, etc. The best part was that James lined all the cars up, side by side, all facing the same way of course. Wonder which one of his parents he gets this from?!?!? As this playing went on, the Thomas the Train book magnets also had to be lined up, end on end near the cars. They were also in a straight line. Oh my little OCD child...

Big cardboard boxes

Last weekend we bought a small deep freeze and it came in a big cardboard box. We thought - what fun - what kid doesn't enjoy playing in a big box. Well our son apparently. He really wasn't interested in the box at all. That is until yesterday when his dad hid a toy underneath it and James had to locate it under the box. Then the game was on. James got every one of his stuffed animals and hid them one at the time. He would hide it, ask Where Panda Bear go? And then pull it out saying "right here!" Then he moved on to all the balls downstairs. It was very fun and James was quite proud of himself. We managed to catch a little of it on video...

We have had a great weekend. It rained a lot this week so we have been grateful for nice weather finally. Last night we had adventures with the cardboard box. Tonight we went to a birthday party for a co-worker's little girl at this fun park with a great playground. James went down the slide at least 20 times. After a nap (too short), we picked up Chick Fil A for dinner and ate at the little park by our house, where James could slide some more. It was nice to have family time this weekend and not be too busy running around with new baby errands. And tomorrow Aunt Ke-Ke, Spencer and Madeline are coming to visit. Whoohoo - a fun weekend for us!

yummy sand

Tonight James wanted to play in his sandbox. Well, play with the sand in the sandbox. For whatever reason, he didn't actually get in his sandbox but used his shovels to scoop up some sand and put it through the toy thing that spins the sand down. He was very intent on this and did it over and over and over. The photo shows the end of the process. I finally decided I would video this for y'all, but then James did not stick to the script. Those are the best videos!

Madeline Elizabeth Day

And so precious Madeline Elizabeth Day arrived on Friday, May 15, which is her great-grandmother's birthday, Maw-Maw. What a wonderful present for Maw-Maw's 85th birthday! Madeline is just beautiful - you can see for yourself - and weighed in at 9 pounds, 3 ounces. Kelly is recovering nicely and Madeline is eating like a champ so they are well.

And yes, I am now getting worried that I am going to have a big giant baby. Maybe if I don't eat for eight weeks Mary Martin will come in under 8 pounds.

Also, we got to watch Spencer this weekend while Kelly and Michael were in the hospital and I caught the cutest picture of him...

new cousin tomorrow and week at Meme's

Well tomorrow is the big day for Aunt Keke and tomorrow we will welcome our new niece Madeline. All our prayers and thoughts go out to Kel and little Madeline...

In other news, James came home today after a few days with Meme and Poppie. He was very tired after his long car ride but did learn some new words and had fun! He was glad to be back in his own bed though. And for an update there - we have lost orange van for one and put a few other animals away. So tonight we only have panda bear, hippo, Schatzi and a wind up bunny. Definitely progress...

The Wharf 2009

Last weekend we got to visit Meme and Poppie's condo at the Wharf in Orange Beach. Gee and Grandaddy came too as well as Aunt Dianne, Uncle Darrell, Jackson and Linley. The kids swam, went down the slide 100 times, played and then crashed every night HARD. They had a great time! And I think their parents had a fun time too. Dad (Jim) even got flowers for me, his mom, his mother-in-law and his sister - it was a wonderful surprise for mother's day. Let's see what else did we do... Ate donuts that Granddaddy picked up for us (yes, Jackson held up his donut for me to take a picture), rode the Ferris Wheel, wore our cool Hawaiian shirt, and enjoyed many smoothies and slurpies. James and Linely both especially enjoyed the red slurpies - can't you tell?!?!