July 4th 2008

Happy 4th of July

Although it's a little late, I can't let a July go by without a post about one of our favorite traditions, the parade in Weston, TX. We have enjoyed going to the parade every year since the kids were small...Avery attended her first one when she was 6 months old!! Weston is a small town...a very small town...and the parade represents all that is wonderful about small town America. A fire truck leads the way, followed by old cars, kids on bikes, trucks pulling flatbed trailers, tractors, horses and of course a goat painted like the Texas flag (I totally missed getting a picture of the goat the first time the parade passed by...he was tired and sat out the 2nd loop so again...no picture)

This year Grandma and Papa, Aunt Bev and I watched while the 4 kids rode in the 4-wheeler with Doug and Uncle Stan. They had buckets of candy to toss and flags to wave. It's such a simple way to celebrate...but for us, it's the perfect way...and this year it was even more special because Cousins M and B were able to join us.

People stand and put their hands over their hearts when the flag passes, adults look out for each others children as they run into the street to grab the candy that's being thrown, we pay tribute to the firefighters of Weston...all of which are volunteers, and we spend time together, as a family...the best part of any holiday.

The Beverly HillBillies of Weston, TX
This was my favorite float...although Granny quickly threw off her red crochet shaw in the 100 degree heat!!

Helping Cousin B with the slingshot

After the parade and a yummy meal, Doug and Weston hung out with the cousins while Avery and I headed for Canton...tired...our tummies full of hamburger...and as always, thankful and proud to be an American.

Down the mountain...

A few weeks ago, the kids and I went to Canton to get some things for a craft show here in Savannah. They took their bikes and Weston added his skateboard...thinking the empty pavilions would be the perfect place to practice their tricks. We spent some time in the pavilions, they were perfect...huge empty slabs of concrete....awesome for perfecting their riding skills. Then we walked over to "The Mountain".

This is a hill (although in Texas we do refer to it as a mountain :) that has an extremely windy road meandering up it...full of quaint shops and places to eat. Everything was closed of course, making it the perfect place to --ride your bike down full blast at 100 mph and nearly give your mom a heart attack on the spot!! Weston walked his bike up as high as he could, then jetted down as fast as possible.

Avery choose to go up just a little ways, then ride the brake down...a much calmer ride.

I let Weston ride down several times...as many as my heart could stand...then we loaded up and headed home before casts and stitches were needed!!

Gracie Rose

Each month, on the week-end before the first Monday, my girlfriend Debbie and I head to Canton for to open our store for a few days. We started out as the Pink Princessas...became Pampered Princess and are currently calling ourselves Gracie Rose Children's Boutique (Grace for Avery Grace and Rose for her daughter's middle name) I hope this name sticks!! We have a blast selling everything from beaded socks, hairbows and custom burp clothes to resale clothing and children's toys. It's my time away from home and the kids...time to eat out, enjoy some wine and be a grown up for a few days. I come back home tired, dusty and sweaty but ready to do it all again next month.

Our two helpers and the cuties behind the name!!


A view from the front...beaded socks and princess dress galore!!

Inside the shop...where we sleep, eat and sell for 3 days!!

A Girly-Girl Day

This week, Weston is at Golf Camp at Grandma and Papa's. Avery and I took advantage of this time to get our nails done. She choose hot pink for her fingernails, a bold purple for her toes...along with painted flowers and plenty of bling. It was fun to see her sit in the big chair and watch, without moving, while the lady did her nails.








We also enjoyed lunch at Subway and some shopping time...our purchases included a Hannah Montana backpack for school, Hannah Montana shorts and a Hannah Montana shirt...notice a theme developing here. Avery is such a sweetie and great company...she is growing up so fast which reminds me I need to slow down and enjoy these special days together...while she still thinks it's cool to hang with her mom.

Was it really worth it....

A few weeks after we moved to Savannah, we were checking out the park near our house. In addition to an awesome playground, there's a covered basketball court, lighted tennis courts, the clubhouse and pool...and a lake. With so much to do and so much to see, what does my son find...a baseball!! Where does he find it....in the lake!!



He worked and worked, finally finding a long stick that wasn't quite long enough. So, when all else fails...why not just walk into the muddy, mucky lake edge...after all, we're talking about a baseball here folks.



After much work and even more mud, the baseball is his. Victory is sweet!!!