Carolina Balloon Fest - bust!

Sunday

We started with a rush. Baby got cranky for food around 5:30 am. Mom took care of her and then asked me if I wanted to go to the hot air balloon show. There was a massive launch at 7:00 am in Statesville. Mom got the kids up and ready to go. We ran up there as fast as we good, surely I was driving faster than the post limited. We didn’t want to miss the launch. The directions were pretty good. We got to the airport at 6:55 am. We stopped at a gate and was told that section was for the crew and to drive around to the runway lights. So we drove around there. When we got there we were approached by a security guard. He told us this entrance was for the vendors. He said to drive around to the next gate. So I hurried along as fast as I could. We drove to a dead end. Nice! It is now 7:05 am. Franticly looking around so we don’t miss the launch, I drive back where I came from. Then we noticed two large army vehicles outside of a locked gate and a few cars parked across the street. Maybe we have to watch from out here. So I parked with the others. Still nothing in the air. A few minutes has past and we saw some volunteers walk by. They were to open the gates. This place was to be open at 6:00 am. Why so late? So we drove our cars to get inline and wait. About 20 minutes has past now and we are still not in the gate, nor do we see balloons. One of the volunteers walked by and told us they were waiting on someone to stop by and open the gate. “Oh great” I say. “Are we going to miss the launch?” “No” he states. “It is only 6:45 am”. WTF?!? 6:45! My truck has 7:45. “Day light savings” the man says. Great!

Ok. So we are way early, could have had breakfast, or a few more winks. But, on the good side, we are ready for the balloons. Not missing that. The gates open shortly after that and we were in. Cool. Well, cool it was. The temperature was 36 degrees. Austin was all excited and ready to go. I told him, wait buddy. The sun is not even up and it is very cold. You want last too long out there. None of us would. The vendors weren’t even open and I still couldn’t see any balloons. So why move? We didn’t. But we watched folks pour in there. And then in about 30 minutes we saw them pour back out. By this time, the sun was out and Austin was eager to go. I saw some of the balloon crews’ cars coming in. So off we went. It was still 39 degrees. We weren’t ready for that. We walked across the runway and head for the vendor area. The wind was blowing pretty good and I thought we had better chances of blocking the wind down vendor alley. When we got there, it was cold. Still not that many vendors and where are the balloons??? As Mom stood inline for some hot cocoa, the line was long. The kids and I headed down vendor alley to see a few military aircrafts and maybe find a shorter line for hot cocoa. No such luck. As we headed back to see mom, there was a balloon trying to fill up. It was cool, but the cold made it hard to watch when you stepped out in the open. It was the lottery balloon. But it had to deflate because the wind was too much.

So mom was about to get the hot cocoa when we heard that the launch was cancelled due to high winds. Man, WTF!?! All this time, kids are cold, and this is what we waited for. Sux. This is the second time we got cancelled on for hot air balloons. So we headed to a Crackle Barrel and had a hearty breakfast. It was good! I just sat there with Jenny after we eat and had cups of coffe.

Jennifer's Crawling forward

Oh YES! Jennifer is officially crawling, forward. We are so excited. She is doing the ‘cat walk’ now and it is so cool. Don’t forget, she can still scoot backwards, rollover, and turn around just like always. But now, we have forward! We are so excited and proud of her. Even Austin is getting in on the fun, crawling around with her and making sure she doesn’t get into anything. This is so awesome, another leap in her development. She does get around really good now. We have to keep an extra close eye on her. Mom is more on top of her than I. I choose to let them wander a bit more than mom would. That’s me. I won’t let her get really hurt. But I would let her bump in to things, where as mom wouldn’t. It is all good. Kris and I are great for each other. She really keeps me ground, and on a few occasion, I get to help her be flighty like me!

Awesome, awesome, awesome. Jenny even sits up in bed now. Early this morning she was sitting up waiting for a bottle. No worries. I jumped right in and got her a bottle and laid her back down. She drank the whole bottle laying down and went to sleep. What a big girl!

Jennifer can also drink out of a cup using a straw and pick food up in her fingers and feed herself. She is growing up so fast.


Well, today Austin has school. We are contemplating if we should give him a show and tell item today or not. See, Tuesday is his normal show and tell day, but school was out. I think we will let him bring something. The teacher splits the class into thirds, a group for each day of the week. I think she can squeeze a few extra kids in today. I’m sure Kris and I are among a few parents who would remember their kids show and tell was missed and try to make it up. Hopefully, I’m wrong – but I doubt it.

Imaginon And The Pumpkin Patch

Saturday morning Austin had his theater class. I remembered that Imaginon was celebrating its first birthday, so we showed up early. There were all kinds of events going on for kids. Austin made some mouse ears, a Mad Hatters Hat, a book, a pinata, and all kinds of art work. There were all kinds of characters there, like The Velveteen Rabbit and Angelina Ballerina Mouse. Curious George was the biggest hit.


There was a juggler, musicians, and food outside as well. We all shared a funnel cake, yum! Austin did a cupcake ring toss, made a chalk drawing on the street, and had a caricature drawn. He tried playing the violin, and got a free book, "Friends of a Feather". Everything except the food was free. We had a fabulous time.

Saturday evening we went to the Hodges Pumpkin Patch with the D'Amico family. The kids had a great time pulling the wagons and picking out the pumpkins they wanted to bring home. Austin quickly picked up five pumpkins and put them in our wagon, but we limited him to three, so he put two back. There were rabbits, goats, and a horse on the farm. There was even a little hay maze for the kids. Austin, Abby, and Caleb had a lot of fun running through the maze. Before we left the pumpkin patch, the kids were allowed to pick a tiny pumpkin out of a basket for free. The all proudly stood for a picture with the tiny pumpkin of their choice.

Our Friday

On Friday, after dropping Austin off at school, dad played golf with Henry Osuna and some guys from Dell. While we were waiting in the parking lot for Henry to arrive, dad held Jennifer in the driver's seat and it looked like she was driving. It was so cute. Our little girl is growing up.


Austin had art lab at school today. He brought home a picture of some spiders that he stamped on some paper. When we got home he practiced balancing on his skate board. He is really getting good at it.

Our Thursday

Dad had to return to work today. Mom and Jennifer dropped dad off at Gateway after we dropped Austin off at school. Mom and Jennifer went grocery shopping while dad was at work.

After picking Austin up at school, mom had to get ready for an interview. Yes, an interview. After 9 months, mom is considering going back to work. She interviewed with Larson Allen Weishair & Co., LLP. After interviewing for two hours, they offered her the job. They want her to join the health care department preparing not-for-profit tax returns. The estimated start date is December 1. However, they want her to attend a not-for-profit tax seminar in November.


After mom's interview, the gang went to the UCUMC Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A. It was packed. Austin got a red lion painted on his face and he got his nose painted with some wiskers too. He saw Lydia and Sarah from his class and they all played in the playground together.

HD saga over!

O K, the HD crisis is over, has been. Sorry for the delay in the update. As promised, the family and I were at Best Buy Monday to discuss our programming plans for the day. The manager was impressed and had no issue discussing our options to rectify my dilemma. Perhaps it was the total Pittsburgh Steelers outfit I had on, or maybe it was just the right thing to do for Best Buy. I tend to think it was the outfit. Nonetheless, They had offered to replace my set with a new one. It would be the difference I paid then on my set and the new one, plus a new warranty. At first I was reluctant to hear anything more than, "Mr Shaw, let's get you a TV at no charge." But when I sat and thought about it, it was a good deal. I really love the picture on the JVC DILA. It is bright and does a great job. They didn't have a 52" anymore, just the 56" 1080p, pretty impressive too. It was $2500, on sale for $2200. That would be a $200 difference for me to make up, plus a $400 warranty. SO $600 for a newer set OR I could just get my lamp replaced and move on. As I pondered a bit; if this is truly and issue with the lamp, lamp engine, or whatever, it would surely blow again well before my original 4 year warranty is up. Then at that time, what technology would be out? It is clear that the $2500 price is the target for these sets as they come out. It is what mine was when it came out, but then I bargained that down to the $1999.

I elected to get my lamp replaced and recalibrate the set. The tech that called was hard to understand. It was clear, English was a 4th language. No hard feelings as I can't speak any other language. The set is awesome, again. I think, even brighter! IÂ’m not sure. It could be the two days I had no HD. LOL. At any rate, I'll wait for the new technology to exercise my warranty.

Toys R Us - Soccer - Doctor's appointment

This morning we went to Toys R Us to buy a present for our neighbor's birthday. Abby will be 4 years old on October 22. Her birthday party isn't until October 29, but we thought we better get a present since we never know what will happen between now and then. Austin got a nerf football. He was throwing it and catching it like a pro.


When we got home we played outside for a little while and then it was time for Austin to get ready to go to soccer. This time Austin got to wear a blue jersey during scrimmage. The other kids had a hard time keeping up with Austin. He made two goals. Way to go, Austin!

Daddy had to go to his last doctor's appointment for his shoulder while we were at soccer. They okayed him to go back to work. After his doctor's appointment, he had his last physical therapy appointment.

Preschool Teacher For An Hour

On Tuesday mom volunteered to watch Austin's preschool class while Ms. Shannon and Ms. Mary attended a mandatory meeting. Andrew's mother volunteered as well. So, it was just the two of us with 14 kids. We arrived in time to help the class with their lunch. All of the kids got their lunch boxes and we helped open juice boxes and snack bags. When the kids were done with their lunch, we helped them clean up and Andrew's mom ready a couple of stories. The girls sat and listened to the stories while the boys played with toys and puzzels. I helped maintain order while the boys played. At 1:00 we had to take care of dismissal, making sure that the kids were picked up by the appropriate parent. It was a lot of work and fun. Everything went very smooth.

Since it was a rainy day all day long, we watched movies when we got home. We watched Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Awsome movie!!

Around 4:00 mom received a phone call from Grandma Wolfe. Grandpa Wolfe had a doctor's appointment earlier in the day and they discovered that his heart is back out of rhythm. The doctor discussed adding a fourth wire to his pace maker, but grandpa doesn't want to do that just yet. They may try the cardioversion again (shocking his heart) to try and get his heart back in rhythm. Please keep him in your prayers.

Davis Lake's Park

On Monday Austin played with one of his classmates at Davis Lake's Park. Caroline, Robbie's mom, called and asked if we would like to get together and play at the playground around 10:30. Robbie and Austin ran all over the playground and Jennifer got to swing. After the kids played on the playground for a couple of hours, we walked to Chick-fil-A for some lunch. It was a lot of fun.

Crisis - HD goes out!!!

I'm trying to relax with the wife, but at the same time, ramping up for the football games. Picture In Picture and all! As luck would have it, my HD blew a lamp today. No fuzzy look, dim picture, nothing! I've had it since June of '05, so I guess I'm lucky since I've viewed the web and read about folks losing theirs in months. Usually, I watch my set in the 'Theater Pro' mode. However, today my wife just got back from NY and I wanted her to watch Mr. and Mrs. Smith with me, great movie. Anyhow, I change the video from 'Theater Pro' to standard, as I have cathedral ceilings and the upper windows let in a little too much light today. About 20 minutes into the movie, puff, it goes out, flashing blinking lights and all. I have to admit, the surround sound was up loud and I didn't hear anything.

I had bought mine at Best Buy and I had the extend warranty, in home repair. It was about $300 for 3 years after the manufactures'. Since that's what a lamp cost at the time, I figured it was worth it. Well, I hear today, they will be out Tuesday. Right I said. I exclaim, "Do you have any ideas how many football games I'll be missing . . All of them." Anyhow they couldn't help me, save the tech scheduled for Tuesday. So I call the local Best Buy store. I asked for the manager and explained my dilemma. Not much was offered there, so I gave him something to look forward to Monday. I told him that if my TV was not repaired today, I will be at the store Monday to set up camp at their showroom, with my family, for our daily dose of normal TV watching. Oh and YES, I do plan to watch the game that starts at 2000est Monday or get a new model. Let's see how that goes.

I noticed these folks showed 62 lamps in stock today.

Hot wife makes it home - Life is good!

The kids and I arrived at the airport early to pick-up mom. I had told her we'd head up there as the plan landed to pick her up curb side. With baggage claim and all, the kids and I would be there right on time. Well, I decided to show up early and meet her at baggage claim since it is about the last place left at the airport to meet folks, except being outside. As I reviewed the monitors for her flight and baggage claim zone, I noticed it was later then the arrival time, roughly 20 minutes. Jennifer is a great time keeper, too stagnate in one spot, and she'll let you know. So we took a few circles around the baggage claim area to pass the time. As only fate would have it, I run into a father whose son plays with mine on the soccer team. Normally, I'd see that as pure hap chance. However, this would make for the 4th time I've ran into him since soccer on Wednesday. Now that is uncanny.

Back to the story.

As we circled, we decided to take a gander at the ticket counter upstairs. BOY, was the backed up with travelers. It was not a good travel day out for Charlotte. Whew! I'm not good with that much waiting, which just gets transferred to the security checkpoint. Makes you wonder why folks don't do more electronic ticketing at home. Oh well. Since it was a mad house up there, we took the elevator down, did half a circle and then BINGO! I spot mom and her twin Karen walking toward us. I quickly gauged that they had not recognized us yet. Desperately looking around to hide, I can't find a suitable place and notice we are next to the women’s restroom!!! How NOT perfect for us. Where else are two girls going to go first after a 2+ hour flight. So quickly I say, "Hide behind Jennifer." who's in a stroller. Now, normally, that should just be a totally odd site, a baby stroller and no one around. But in an airport, with all the hustle and bustle, it was my only recourse. It worked longer then I thought. The two just glanced over us with only the restroom in site. But something caught Karen's eye about a minute later and headed over to us. Our Mom was not as easily convinced that her trip to the restroom should be averted for some random sighting her sister had found. Perhaps she was in more need to get relief, or, more sinisterly, it was a deep seeded sibling rival thing to beat the other. Who knows, but she was still headed for the restroom and glancing over too see what Karen was looking at. It must have taken 10 steps for her to clue in. It was great to see it all unfold. Mom was so excited to see us. It paid off, but almost too well. She looks so beautiful!!! The kids were jumping with joy!

We love you Mommy!

Daddy Daycare - Day 4

Last night was good. Jennifer sleep all through the night. She is doing very good for daddy. I think she understands. Austin is still doing great. We all got up around 0730est today. It was a little cool last night. They predicted the weather to be 39 or so. I rooted around the house and found an old floor heater we used for Austin. I set it up in Jennifer's room. I thought the house might be a bit cold for her and want to have her room a little warmer. It must have worked. She slept right through it.

We got up, dressed, and ate breakfast in hopes to reach our friends at the camp at the speedway. It was fun. They all were up and layered up in cloths. Here is their campsite; Brian, Jay, Mat.

Lunch was good. The day is sneaking up on me, passing us a little. We met our new neighbor down the road. Bob and Lou, Kevin, Darrell and his family, and Mike and Nathan were out. So Austin was playing with Nile. The time flew before I knew it was 1300est. WOW, time for lunch. The kids weren't complaining, but I wanted to stay in front of that in hopes to avoid it. Thoughts of what to do for lunch were racing through my mind; fix a frozen pizza (which I don't think we have), more cereal (not a good idea), peanut butter and jelly, or go out. The last thought got the most attention from my right side. So I entertained a Mid-Town Sundries thought when Cheddars just came blasting through like a train wreck. I mention it to Austin and he was game, even Jennifer offered a giggle. So we were set. Austin asked if Nathan could go. I asked Mike if they had eaten and they had not. So off we all were. It was good. My standard ordering was in place while Mike looked over the menu. We had a great time. Austin sat across from Nathan and traded crayons while coloring. Jennifer kept me entertained as I feed her. She is really a fun baby! We ran it a bit long, hour and a half. Jennifer was a little restless as I notice she rubbed her eyes, a sign a nap is coming on. So we headed home.

Well, Jennifer is still wide awake and playing hard with Austin. They crack me up with the little wrestling moves. Austin is really good with here. He loves to play with her, but at times, we have to remind him that she is still a baby and can't be handled too roughly. He is just playing, but still needs to keep himself in check. He is doing very good. We all have to adapt and he is surely doing very well!

Jenny took a nap while Austin played outside. She took about a 10 minute nap. She joined the rest of us parents watching the kids play. Austin was down the street, riding his bike while Aden, Dillon, Abbey, Caleb, and the parents all played in our yard. As it was getting late, we decided to have dinner together. We stayed close, Mid-Town Sundries. We didn't want to get caught up in race traffic.


Jennifer's Diet
Breakfast:
- Large bowl of cereal
- 4oz formula (left over from cereal)
- ~25 veggie puffs

Lunch:
- ~30 veggie puffs
- Water
- Turkey, Rice, vegetable baby jay (3/4)

Snack:
- Bowl of lucky Charms (baby size)
- Water

Dinner:
- ~35 veggie puffs
- Turkey, Rice, vegetable baby jay (rest of lunch jar)
- Mash potatoes
- Little prime rib
- Water

Snack:
- 60z formula for nighttime

Bank Of America 500

The kids and I hit the Bank Of America 500 rally early this morning.

More pictures

Daddy Daycare - Day 3

0948est
- Ok, we are already at the mall. We had a great night. Jenny made her second day of all night sleep. It was awesome. She was a dream. Austin got to bed around 2000est. He did good too. He and I reviewed the days photos and watched some TV. Yes, AFV again. Dad took a little longer to get to bed. The VCR was recording something and I was curious. Mom had setup the VCR for Survivor and CSI. How much more can this lady do?!? She is great and she isn't even here! I missed Survivor so Kris and I can watch it together. However, I did make it to CSI. It was a good one. Those guys are on the pulse of the nation. After CSI, I just channel flipped my way to sleep. It was all good. Even Blaze, our cat, cut me a break. He nibbled on my hand around 0645est this morning. Nibbling on our hands while we are sleeping is his way of waking us up when the meowing doesn't cut it. It's all good.

Austin got himself dressed again. Good deal since I was running a little late. As it turned out, I had 10 minutes when it was all said and done. That seemed like the longest 10 minutes before we left for Austin's school. Today is picture day at school. We combed his hair and put on some cool cloths. I think I'll leave out the details for mom. She can see the photos with me, together.

We miss you and love you very much Kris. You are doing the right thing.

1848est
- Jennifer is down for the night. Let's see how long that last.

Jennifer's Diet

Breakfast:
- Cereal
- 4oz of formula (left over from cereal.
- Some water
- ~15 veggie puffs (feed by Austin)

Lunch:
- 8oz formula
- Lots of water
- a bowl of dry Lucky Charms

Dinner:
- 4oz of formula
- 2 bowls of cereal (had to give her a spoon too)
- ~15 veggie puffs

Daddy Daycare - Day 2

Good Morning!!!

We love you mommy!

It’s 0645est.
- Not too bad last night. I did get up a few times just to replace the dreaded pacifier. I’m not a big fan of the pacifier, but it work magic last night. Mom has some pretty big shoes she wears around here. Austin is moving about upstairs now. Yes, it is him. He is asking for a shirt. He tells me he has folded up his PJ’s and made his bed. AWESOME!

Ok, we need to get some breakfast in us and get ready for school!

1132est
Ok, Austin is in school and I did our hall monitor duty. I was looking out for stray kids and stranger danger. I did great! I got a star. Jenny took a nap the whole time, slacker. They have a group picture of the kids at the farm posted on the wall.

We spent the morning driving around. Lowes Motor speedway is shaping up for the Bank Of America 500. I think I'll take Austin down there and we'll just make a day of it. There is so much to see and do. But first, I can't forget to pick him up from school and get lunch.

Mom called. Her and Karen are doing good. So good in fact, they are walking around the city. Just two great looking women traipsing around Baldwinsville, NY. She is staying at a very cool Inn, The
Red Mill Inn. It looks fabulous. What fun!!!

Someone is pulling on my laptop, pulling the cord. Oh, yes! It is Jenny. Ms. Move-a-lot. BRB.

1330est
- We have Austin. He has a lot of art work from school. I'll have to post it later today. We are headed to the mall for a few to burn off some young, spirited energy.

1425est
- We are at the mall. Jennifer is sleeping and Austin is playing in the play area. They closed it for 10 minutes. Not sure why, but we are back and playing. Jenny is tossing in the stroller, so I'll have to go soon. Blog, blog, blog. A Ice cream MOM?

1926est
- Jenny is asleep, has been since 1900est. Not to bad, just a little fuss tonight. We did a little formula for nighttime and some rocking. Jenny tossed and turned for a few minutes before she settled into her spot. Kind of like an animal circling around and around to find that just right spot. Funny, but true. Austin was great again. He got a his pizza and milk for dinner and helped clear the table. He even took Jenny’s cloths to the laundry basket. Way cool! He really does step up. He and I are watching AFV. It is a family wind down event. Wait! I hear something. . . Oh, that is awesome. Austin just got up, not prompted, during a commercial and brushed his teeth. He is growing up so fast. LOL, I just heard him spit and the cup hit the sink as he set it down. LOL. He just came in and asked me if his teeth are sparkling. LMAF! I said YES! AWESOME!!! Oh, and I've got a load of laundry in the dryer. I hope to get it before the buzzer goes off. Love you Kris!!!


Jennifer's Diet
Breakfast:
- 2 bowols of cereal
- 3oz of formula (from cereal)

Lunch:
- Finished off jar of pears
- Meat sticks
- 6oz of formula
- lost of water
- ~20 veggie puffs (at the mall)

Snack:
- Veggie puffs
- Lucky Charms

Dinner:
- Lazgana and meat (not too good)
- Tried the meat sticks. Too gel like. Yuck!
- Cereal
- 4oz of formula


More updated photos

Daddy Daycare - Day 1

Today started where last night finished. Mommy has a family emergency and is heading to NY. She leaves at 1602est. I've got both kids with me right here, right now1400est. This should be a blasted. I'm not sure how the kids will take to me 24x7. Austin was a bit clingy with mom and Jenny is just fine. As a matter of fact, she is in front of me trying to sit up. Too funny! She is crawling all around the floor. Ooops, I think I hear her playing with the end table. Yup! She did her famous backwards crawl over here. I sat her back to the starting position near the couch. Great, now she is headed for the coffee table.

Time for soccer!!!

1630est
- We are back

We did some outside time with the neighbors when we got home from soccer. Jenny thought she would validate the Flintstone era.

Let's see how good I am by night time!!! :>) I can’t be a replacement for mom, but we shall see how well I’ll do.

NIGHTTIME
Guess who didn't pass the test on "Baby Nighttime Observation Techniques" taugh by the world famous mom, Kristine?!?

Yup, me! I just wasn’t doing anything right. My first clue was the little fussing at bath time. I suppose the water wasn’t right. She really put me to the test when I took her out. I must not have let her play long enough. I had started late and thought I could make up the difference in time. Yea right. What is it now, 2030est or something. I’m an hour behind. The reason we had to cut it short was her little pebbles she left in the bath. Austin was up and out fast too! While she is little fussy at me knowing I’m doing it all wrong, I got her dressed in her PJ’s, sleeper, and set for bed. Little did I know it wasn’t time. After 10 minutes of rocking, I took her in to see Austin and catch a little TV. That didn’t work too well, but I fixed a bottle and was on to something. She was content and finished the whole bottle. She was falling asleep right there. However, I knew I had to burp her. I got her to burp, but she was wide awake again. My chance of getting another bottle into her was very slim and I wasn’t going to try. Then I remember that I had forgotten to put baby lotion on her. All the hand gestures to the head and face made me think, "Maybe her skin is tight." She is a girl and it is part of mom’s ritual for her. So, off the PJ’s went. Oh yea. She is happy now, NOT. I put the lotion on, put the PJ’s back on minus the sleeper, and headed back to her room for another shot. From her tone, you’d think I was head back to the torture chamber for another round of heavy rocking. I twisted her, me, both of us to all kinds of positions to comfort her, ones I knew I had watch mom do a number of times. I watched them work. All I got was the hand over the head and over the eyes as if to say, "Oh dad, why bother. You aren’t getting it. Just lay me down and let me cry to sleep." At which, I caught myself talking to my inter-voice, "Sounds good. I can get three doors between us." But I sat there and continued to try. Then I quickly found that laying her on my chest with hers and bouncing her up and down did the trick. It took 10 minutes of that to make sure she was in a deep sleep.

Austin was and is a big help. He was able to get me both bath towels, dry himself, get dressed, brushed his teeth, and lay in bed watching the TV at low volume. He was great! He probably got his bearings when he walked in to Jennifer’s room asking me a question while I tried to get her to sleep and snapped, "NO." I don’t even know what he asked, didn’t really care to be honest. I needed to get her down, priority number one! To his credit, he is being very, very good.

Cell is ringing. BRB. It was Kirs. All is good, but it is very late for her. Not sure what is up over in NY. Hope all goes well for her tomorrow. We miss you and love you mommy!!!

Oh MAN! I’ve got to clean up the Jennifer pebbles from the bath tub. Nice! Got to go. 2127est.

More photos

Austin's First Field Trip

Austin took his first field trip with his preschool class today. They went to Patterson's Farm in Mooresville, NC. He road in Miss Andrea's minivan. He rode with Luci, Sarah, and Lexi. Austin said that they took a hay ride pulled by a big tracktor out to a big pumpkin field. He saw horses, rabbits, goats, and chickens. He got a small pumpkin to bring home. Our little boy is growing up!


While bother Austin was on his cool field trip, I meet some friends!

Paint Ball

On Sunday dad and Austin shot some paint balls at a tree in the back yard. Austin was very excited to shoot like Dad. Dad stayed near by to coach Austin and make sure that the safty was on when they were not shooting. Austin tried on daddy's paint gun mask too. He looked like a creature from Star Wars.

Innate Thoughts - SFC Brown

Sometimes life doesn’t seem fair. But, then again, it may be that life is... just that, life!

I’m upstairs in my daughter's room typing this. Before you start thinking too hard, all is fine at the Shaw house. I’m tying to catch her before she wakes up and starts to whine a little. I’d like to let mom sleep in a little today. I’m sure it is all relative, but sleeping in around here means till 0700est.

Back to the fair question. Well, the thought comes after the review of some events that are happening around the world and a review of my friend’s web pages.


My long time buddy Brown is in Iraq. He had joined the military after high school and I after college. We were both in for Desert Shield and Desert Strom, in perspective with the Vietnam war, to me, an uneventful engagement. Nonetheless, we did our jobs in our respective branch of service. When I got out, I started the public sector hard to get a good job. I’m a poster child for hard work pays off. My buddy Brown is the same, however he opted to remain on military reserve duty. As fate would have it, he was called up for the Iraq war. His duty is great. I feel sad that I am not there with him. He must be a stronger man. This freedom we have is of high regard and we must treat it as such. We must stop the stifling of our own people in the name of money. Is that what he is fighting for? I know, it is larger than that some will say. But is it? From political figures being corrupt in all facets, I wonder what we are fighting for over there? We may call it democracy here, but aren’t the workers being taken advantage if just the same? Look around; Enron, Worldcom, Arthur Anderson, KPMG, Tyco, etc. They ALL took advantage of the people. So what are we fighting for, another country to follow those same “democracy footsteps” in less then 2 centuries? I’m not saying democracy is wrong. I’m just saying, let’s really do as our founding fathers intended when we came here. Hint, hint. It wasn’t to be cynicism to our fellow neighbors.

Family Fun Day At UCUMC

Can you spy Austin?

After Austin's Saturday morning theater class we went to the University City United Methodist Church's family fun day. They had lots of blow up activities outside for the kids to jump on and slide down. Austin recognized a classmate, Matthew, when we arrived. So, they stayed together running from one moon jump activity to the next.

It was cold, but the kids didn't care. It was only 55 degrees and misting outside. We brought some hot chocolate to stay warm. We had a cute bunny hat on Jennifer to keep her warm. There was a dunking booth at the event. We saw the guy get dunked several times...BURR!

Mom went inside the church to do the last cake walk to the day. She won and picked two dozen cookies as her prize. Way to go mom!

Friday

It's Friday!

It did rain Friday morning and Friday night. However, it did not rain all day long, like the weatherman predicted.


Austin went to preschool. He had art lab today. He came home with a beautiful farm picture.

While Austin was at school, mom and dad went to Northlakes Mall. We began the day brainstorming for business names over coffee at Starbucks. When the stores opened, we went shopping. Our first and only stop of the day was at Sephora. Krissy went in to see if they carried her skin cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. They did not, but the sales person recommended some Bliss products. While Krissy was looking at the products, dad was speaking with another salesman about some products for himself.


Since David was still looking at skin care products, Krissy started looking at the makeup. She ended up getting a free makeup consultation. Wow, did she look great!

By the time the consultation was over, it was noon. So, we had to grab a quick bite to eat and head over the the church to pick Austin up from preschool. When we got home we played some frisbee and basketball. It was gloomy and windy outside, so we decided to go rent a movie. We rented Narnia. It was fabulous!

The Week Is Flying By

On Wednesday we all went out to IHOP for some breakfast. After breakfast we went to the boardwalk and mom and Austin played tag on the playground while dad watched Jennifer.


Austin had soccer in the afternoon. Two new kids joined the class. They all had a lot of fun and got really dirty.

On Thursday Austin went to school while mom got her hair highlighted. Austin had music class and they learned a song about Noah's Ark. Jenny and Dad played at the park and eat at Boardwalk Billy's. We meet Mitch there. Jenny and Dad had a bufflo chicken wrap. Ok, well, Jenny had baby pears mostly.


In the afternoon the family played some basketball and we played on the swing set in the back yard. We played outside most of the afternoon since they are predicting rain all day for Friday.

Our Tuesday

Jennifer had her nine month wellness checkup on Tuesday, October 3. She weighs 21 lbs. 4 oz. (85%) She is 27.5 inches long (50%). And, her head circumference is 44 cm (50%). The doctor said that she is doing fine.

Austin went to school and was the calendar helper. I'm not sure what that means, but he proudly announced it to us when we picked him up from school.


Tuesdays are Austin's show and tell days. This week's show and tell topic was "the farm". Austin brought a collage of pictures of his Grandpa Randy working on the cotton farm in Arkansas. That's our "Cotton Pickin' Grandpa". He was so excited to take the photos to school with him. He also said that he wants to go see Grandpa and work on the farm with him.


After school we spent the afternoon playing outside. It was a comfortable 85 degrees outside. Austin climbed trees and we all played kickball with a really big ball. Mom kicked it and accidentally popped it on the gas lamp out in front of our house. Oops! We had to play some baseball after that.


For dinner we met Henry and Candy Osuna at a little mom and pop Italian restaurant off of Rocky River Road. The food is fantastic.

Children's Theater

Austin had his first fall theater class on Saturday. His teacher is Miss Jenna. He was very excited about starting theater again. Their first story was Cha Cha Chimps.


After class Austin played on the computers at Imaginon.


Jennifer found a great big moose and played on the floor with that.