A Birthday in Charlotte

We went to Charlotte on Saturday to celebrate Anthony's 3rd birthday and what fun we had.  He is sweet and funny and pronounces words with a flair all his own.  He likes grasshoppers and calls them gas-hoppas!

Tony and Marie went out for their 6th wedding anniversary while we babysat--and much like us, found themselves yawning at around 9:00 p.m.  Having 2 and a half kids is tough!

While we were in Charlotte, David and Brenda sent us pictures and videos of Alexandra.  She is alert and responds to voices while she is kicking her legs and swinging her arms around.  What a doll. 

Anthony got a Hungry Hippo game for his birthday and we had fun playing it.  Jenna had one when she was small.  I guess the noise and the action really entertain kids.  We made sure Anthony won a game (since it was his birthday) and he was happy.  

While talking to Anthony, I was reminded of the conversations I had with Ben when I was walking him home from pre-school and how funny they were.  Anthony was being silly and I said, "Oh, you're goofy."  To which he replied, "No, MoMo, my name is Anthony, not goofy."  He had me there!

Papa played ball with the kids and tried to trick them with magic and games.  Dixie got in the act while they were tossing the football.  She ran interference, grabbed the ball and scored a touchdown!

We watched the Panthers game with Coleton and were amazed by his knowledge of the game and the players.  He encouraged Cam Newton to run for the first down and was thrilled when Luke Kuechley (probably didn't spell that right!) made key tackles.  A play would happen quickly and Coleton would walk up to the  TV and say, "show that again, I didn't see it."  He would watch the replay intently and cheer if the play went in favor of Carolina.  

We had a good time that ended too quickly.  Like they all do, the kids got bigger and more entertaining.  Next week, it's down to Florida to see Alexandra for the first time.  

Here's the Charlotte trip:

Mr. Birthday starts to open his presents

Oh boy, Batman!!

So cool!

Yea, more presents!

Mommy keeps track of the gifts...

Look at that smile!

Bedtime and reading about Dumbo...

Papa explains that Dumbo was bullied and that isn't nice...

"My Boys," Generation 2

Everyone dives for the ball

Anthony concentrates .....

...and here it comes.....

Got it!

...and back to Coleton...

his eye is on the ball....

...and here it comes! 

 

We got Anthony, Chase, the dog from Paw Patrol and Chase stayed with him the whole day!  Anthony put him in the window so Chase could watch him play ball!

Dixie intercepts the ball and dodges and weaves through traffic....

....she's at the goal line....

....outrunning the opposition....

...and she scores!!!  "Touchdown, Dixie!!!"

Coleton watches Cam Newton with Tony, Jr. 

What do you do when you are told to take a nap, but you aren't tired?  Put your lovie blanket over your head and sing to Chase

And, finally, the day and activity takes its toll on the birthday boy....

...and Dixie, too!

Shopping For The Baby....Brenda Said Alex Needs Bows.....

Tony and I love each and every one of our grandchildren...all 5 boys and 2 girls and the new Charlotte baby boy who is on the way.  But, we all know that baby girl clothes are much cuter than baby boy clothes.  And boy, do I like to shop for baby clothes. 

I remember when Ellie was born....I ran to the mall and bought every cute outfit I could find....and when I was checking out at the baby department register, a sales person who was on break came back into the department, looked at all of the things I had on the counter and asked the sales lady ringing me up if they were doing inventory?  "No," responded my sales lady, "all of this is for this lady's new granddaughter."  "Oh," was all the first lady said.  

Well, we went shopping for Alex today...Brenda said she needed hair bows and we found some....and some really, really cute outfits as well. 

Geez, we had a good time.  Take a look at a few things we got for Alex today:

Tony showing off a new bow!

My favorite outfit....right out of the '70's...fringe and hippy!  

Vintage with a bow....when Kate and Rob have a little girl, we need to find a dress like this!

You can see  it in her eyes now...there is no one like Daddy!

And this one says, "Dad and I agree, Mom's the best!"

And of course, "My Mom is my Super Hero!"

All kinds of pretties!

A light coat to visit Papa and Momo in cooler weather

A summer fun dress....

Loot!

A beaded, smocked blue dress...

Butterflies and a Pink Rose

I just love this one!!!

Going to Lakeland soon....hopefully a fashion show will be a new blog subject!

Waiting, Waiting and Waiting Some More......

Oh, waiting for a baby is a long wait....you wonder what's going on...what is Brenda feeling....why won't "Smalls" come out?   Oh, it's a long wait.

So, we did what we could while waiting for "Smalls" to be born....for a long time now, we have wanted to get a canopy for the beach.  We go to the beach and I manage to get really sunburned on the right side of my face and shoulders.  I can't read my tablet because it's so bright...but, I still love the beach.  Getting a canopy is multi-functional.   I can not burn, it's a no bird poop zone and I can read my tablet.  We bought one and a wagon to carry our stuff.  I realize now that we are serious beach go-ers.  We have food, wine, things to read, my camera and all kinds of stuff we carry.  Having a wagon will reduce our "shoulder weight" and give us a nice area to enjoy the day.  

We "christened" the wagon by putting Dixie in the bottom and riding her around the backyard.  I think she liked it!!  It was so, "Dixie-esq," she is the queen and we are the servants.  

We burned some time waiting for "Smalls."  I can't wait for David to call Tony and say, "Dad, I have a......."   We are so excited.   David and Brenda will have their first child....a long, awaited child.  

It's a beautiful day for "Smalls" to be born....just when..., just when....

Today:

Tony takes Dixie for her first ride in the "wagon!"

Now, it's my turn...."

Dixie's Daddy, the canopy and wine....great day!

Check out the clouds...

...same cloud formation....10 minutes later...

...15 minutes later....

...30 minutes later....

Locus on the tarp...

...same locus....really big

Same clouds...45 minutes later...

A beautiful day.....

Baby? Maybe!!

The Florida baby countdown is quickly running out--Brenda and "Smalls" are being induced, which means we can go shopping again once we know if "Smalls" turns out to be a boy or a girl....needless to say I can't wait.  

We won't actually see  the baby in person until October 9, but thank God for "face time."  

All of our grandchildren have blonde hair (some really blonde, some darker) except for Ellie, so I am  hoping not only that "Smalls" is a girl, but a girl with beautiful dark hair.  

Only David and Tony Sr are still in the baby pool.  David guessed a boy, born on September 21, weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces.  Tony Sr guessed a girl, born on September 22, weighing 8 pounds, 4 ounces.  

Stay tuned for the big event!  In the meantime, enjoy memories from the shower: 

"Smalls' Cake"

Opening baby stuff

Pretty Mommy

Happy Daddy

"I don't know what the fuss is all about, I'm still the princess!"

Getting Back To Normal

Tony and I got back from the wedding in Rhode Island and did a lot of decompressing.  I was off of work for another 5 days and I just hung around and enjoyed being off.  

Dixie did forgive us for leaving her with her Godparents--in fact, she seemed to have the run of the place and probably wouldn't have minded if we left her there for another week!

That is not to say, however, that she didn't get some revenge. Dixie has this "puppy love" thing for Chance, a rescue dog who lives a few houses down from us.  The other day, when Tony was driving for the Disabled Vets to Fayetteville, I rolled out of bed early (complete with major bed-head) to take her out to pee in the backyard.  She got too close to the wet lands at the back of our property and I was concerned that she was investigating a snake, so I pulled on her collar to get her to move. Damn....she slipped the collar and knew it the minute it happened.   I actually saw a grin on her face as she took off. And, off she went.  There was a period of about 10 minutes when I had absolutely no idea where she was and was quickly starting not to care!  I ran through yards, through shrubs, trees and mud.  I was a mess.  

Whenever she surfaced, I went after her, but she was too fast for me. She would let me get close and then run away.  After what seemed to be forever, I heard the neighbor's dogs barking and I figured she was trying to visit Chance.  She was.  I rang the doorbell (and it was way, way to early to visit....) and our neighbor, Bill, came to the door pretty much in the same condition I was (minus the nightgown and bed head.)  He kind of grinned at me because by this point, my nightgown was wet from the knees down, I think I only had one strap of it up on my shoulder and not only did I have bed-head, I had sweaty, bug infested, bed head.  I told him that I thought Dixie was trying to get into his backyard and just as I said that, she came zipping around the side of the house, up the steps and headed toward the front door.  I yelled to Bill to shut it and he did so I was able to catch her.   Bill opened up the door after I caught her and was laughing at me as I was yelling at her....he said, very wisely...."Jan, go back to bed...." 

I did, but not until Dixie got a spanking.  I didn't see her for the rest of the day, but when Tony got back from Fayetteville, she wouldn't leave his side. It was like she was telling him what I did and asking for protection.  What a brat!

September and October are big birthday months for us.  Tony Jr., will be 35 on the 16th of September and Sam, Zach and Anthony all have October birthdays....and, don't forget "Smalls," who still hasn't made her (OK, I'm thinking pink...) entrance yet.  Hurricane Jose is starting to increase in activity near Florida, so I hope she arrives soon.   

I can't believe that I am talking about October....that means 2017 is almost over.  What a year it has been.  My retirement list is growing with things I want to do.  

It is warm here, but the nights are cool and it is nice to be able to sit on the lanai and enjoy a glass of wine.  

Tony and I are still working with our health issues.  My arthritis is in high gear;  stretching now to my right hip and back.  I don't think I will look at people who come to the hospital with back pain in the same way now that I have it.  

Here is what our days are looking like now:

In the safety of Daddy's arms!

Tony's view from the golf course--sunrise

A REAL rattlesnake on the golf course....yuck...

Love from Joyce, sister-in-law , the day after the wedding

Coleton has moved from "Day Care" to Kindergarten!!!

First day of school.....

A reptile guarding our front door....they're everywhere!