A Disney Duck Encounter

Ok, so somehow we pulled off a little vacation during Spring Break.  It wasn't pretty at first...I mean, I wasn't pretty, but that's boring to talk about.  I was just sick with the crud Jesse had the previous week and anyway...bla bla bla...it's all Good.

Moving on.

So, we drove to Orlando...the four of us, Grandmommy and Aunt Kelly.

As soon as we landed and busted out of that Tahoe, we hit the pool.  I was watching the kids when Kelly brought my attention to this little fellow swimming in the water.



"Look at the duck swimming in the pool!" said Aunt Kelly.



Wow, you don't see this every day.



"What's up buddy?" we said.



"Ahhh, it's just a normal day for me, what's up with you guys?" said the duck.



"What's this?"



"Girlfriend's got some cute flip flops," he quacked.

"Thank you.  Please don't take them with you," I responded.



"What kind of duck do you take me for lady?"

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, " I responded.



"Seriously, I'm a Disney duck.  You might want to keep an eye on those black birds back there though."



"They are constantly trying to steal my food and such."

"Good tip, thanks!" I said.



"So, I would appreciate a snack pretty quickly...if you don't mind," the duck asked.



"I'm waiting," he quacked with a little impatient concern.



"Sit!" commanded Jesse.



"I can sense you have a dog at home and he is well trained on this command.  I'll try, but these black birds are moving in, and I got places to be," the duck responded to Jesse.



"Bring it on.  Yeah baby.  That's what I'm talking about!" the Disney duck happily exclaimed.

He enjoyed his snack, then walked to the bar and had a Margarita.  He probably chatted with the bar tender about the weather and such and was on his way.  Perhaps on his way to visit Donald.  Who knows?

And that is how our vacation started.  I knew it was going to be good.

Spring Ball is Here!

There is nothing better...well, that's probably not true, but it seems like it on Opening Day.  I love watching Jonah play ball.  I absolutely love it.



He is playing for the Dodgers this season.  He chose number 10.  It is his last season of coach pitch baseball, and my love is assistant coach.



Doesn't he look taller?  We even had to buy him bigger pants.  What is happening????



I can't seem to slow time down Jonah, but watching you grow has been an incredible ride.  You've made us so proud.



And you didn't have to be all that good in baseball to make your Dad and I proud.



Just knowing you have passion for something...whatever it may be....whatever you choose...it makes us proud to watch you strive to be the best you can be...and that goes for on and off the field...my best, best boy.

Seasons Change

Flag Football in the Fall



My love coached Jonah's team.  It was Jonah's first season of Flag Football.  It wasn't as serious as the padded version, but he took it pretty seriously.  I've never seen Jonah run as fast as he did on that football field.  We've decided that it just took someone chasing him.  Who knew?

I know this was an accidental coaching gig my love, but you were good.  You were fair.  The boys had so much fun.  I was so proud.



Basketball in the Winter



Jonah played basketball with third grade boys through his school.  He can get wild on defense when he's really on.  It's so fun to watch.  I turn into a crazy woman at the games yelling things such as "HANDS UP!" and "GET HIM JONAH!" and it just got worse towards the end of the season.  I got so much satisfaction out of watching his aggressiveness on the court.  I'm not sure what that means, but it is true.



They were a really good team...they were Division Champs!  Whoop Whoop!

And now comes Baseball.  I'm sure I'll have many pictures to share.  We also have a new sport to share...Jesse is playing softball this season.  It's fantastic to see her enjoying the game and "playing with just girls" as she says.  I'll try not to quote A League of Their Own too much.

The Spring is going to get really busy, so we will be splitting up some...my love and I.  I won't be able to watch every single one of Jonah's baseball games and my love will miss some of Jesse's for sure.  I worried about this a little till Jonah said, "Don't worry about it.  I'll tell you everything that happens."  Sort of like...I got it Mom.  Chill out...you know?

It's going by so fast.  He's acting too grown.

I think I'm going to go find a T-ball picture of him and have a good cry.

Goodnight.

Just Float

Remember the fish...









Just float.

Just a few Fall Pics

We took the kids up North again.  We didn't have a plan.  We just knew our days were limited to do so.  North Georgia is so beautiful.  I love our state.

I love these kids.





I'm glad we took time out to do it again.

Love you kids so much.  Loved this beautiful, Fall North Georgia day.

Here's to a great week.  Enjoy it all!

Fall Ball

Fall ball has been here for a while actually, and I haven't had time to share, but here it is.



Jesse is playing T-ball.  Her league is the most laid back league on the planet.  She doesn't really resemble a baseball player to me.  I feel like I should tell her to "Fill 'er up!"  Maybe it is all the blue, but it sure reminds me of a full-service gas station back home.  I miss those stations by the way.



She has Jonah's expressions.  She hits the T more than the ball.  She's the only girl on her team.  Heck, none of that slows this chick down.  She's rockin' it.



Gosh, that face kills me.  I love it.



"Hey buddy, my helmet may be pink, and my Mama doesn't have time to remove the Adidas sticker across the front, and I might even be wearing my old soccer socks, but you listen to me and you listen good.  My team is going to crush you.  Fear me.  I'm your worst nightmare."



"Ha ha!  That kid is scared to death.  Eat my dust bad boy."



"Rockin in my soccer socks...lalala."



"Do you all see me?"



"It's like nothing can slow me down."



"But, this red head, now I'll just sit here for a minute."



"Well, till I'm needed on the field."



"That was an awesome game coach, but you really need to work on your defense."



All these pictures were from her first game.



And I know the game medal is just a rotational thing, but...



she did scoop up a grounder and throw it to first like a pro.



And Grandmommy was there to see the whole thing.



And then we moved on to big boy here.  Just look at him.  Dang it.  Dang it.  Dang it.  Can I say that?



It hurts me through and through to see how tall and mature he is.  It's not just sports.  He's just as excited about rocks and minerals.  He loves his family.  Here he is with Aunt Kelly.  His smile alone defines the happiness in his heart.



That's it.  I can't handle anymore.  I love him more than words can say.

He's got a good heart.  I don't know what else a Mama could ask for.

Big Furlough Friday

I really hate that the playlist music is not playing on this space anymore.  I like music playing when I read my blog posts.  The music helps me feel the moment again, but the whole purpose of this blog was to publish it for the kids one day, and I'm pretty sure they haven't developed musical blog books.  It's a pity really.

On the bright side, someone is probably cheering that they do not have to turn the volume down.  Sigh.  Everybody needs a little Patty Griffin in their life, and I felt like it was my duty to let them know this.  Oh well.

Friday was a wonderful day last week.  I spent the day with the kids due to the furlough day in our county school system.  They didn't seem to mind that we didn't have huge plans.

We made the best of our time together I think and tried to make the day as big as we could.  Big = cleaning, going to buy dog food, and looking for some sort of filing system for all their school papers and such.  My poor kitchen table...I've lost it completely.  They have been in school such a short time, and I've already lost it...not that I really had it in the first place.

When Dad got home, well, it felt like a good, Mexican Friday night.  We kidnapped our neighbor and good friend, Bryson, and off we went.  We left with the kitchen table not much better than it was I'm afraid.

She was glowing when we returned from dinner, and the camera was calling my name.  Funny I say she was glowing, because she could have been covered in dirt and the camera still would have been calling my name.  It sounded good when I first thought it though.



Jonah was playing with Bryson in the back yard, and she was perched on a rock watching them.



Oh, this face.



She had bark on her hands.  I think it was bothering her for a minute.



Just until her Dad popped up and did something funny behind my back.



I have no idea what he did or said, but the result warmed my heart.



They played a little ball after dinner.  Hey Bryson!



This is a reason I love photography.  I may have never seen this face without the help of my camera.



Connection is such a satisfaction.



Oh yeah, and this is what the bloggers call, "Keeping it real."  She wants it all sometimes.



Eyes on the ball.



Wham!



She doesn't connect with the ball that way yet.



Not yet.



Those eyes are connecting though.  What is she thinking?

"Mom, will you please put the camera down and swing with me for goodness sakes?"

"OK!"



She had lots to do and no time for my foolishness.

So, I put it down.  And, I pick it up again.  And, I put it down.  And, I pick it up again.

So far, it's working!