Sandling beach at Falls Lake. Just 30 minutes from our house. The water was perfect and except for time to eat the kids played in it all afternoon while Carleen and I visited. Lovely....
Taye had his favorite friend over Sunday eve and we went for a pleasant bike ride down the paved greenway. Then the boys decided to do a little off roading on a single lane dirt path that winds along the river's edge. They came back to the main path dirty, soaking wet and eyes flashing with excitement to tell us how Jaxon slid bike and all down the side of the bank into the river and then the friend slipped trying to grab him and how Taye had to get a big stick to pull the friend out, who pulled Jaxon out, who was still hanging on to his bike. Taye had on new 24 hour old hiking boots too. They are broken in now. In the process of the great save the back tire of Taye's bike got all messed up. The bike shop is going to freak out when I cart it in there again for repairs. What does this boy do on this bike??????? Best adventure all week. That was the consensus. I've thought many times that I ought to have parents fill out a limit of liability form when they drop ...
We got rained out the first night. It wasn't just rain it was a torrential downpour! The meet was rescheduled for the next night. Taye earned first in free, back and fly plus first in the free relay and the medley relay. Jaxon got first in free, back and fly plus first in the 11-12 boys free and medley relay. He swam up an age group because they needed another boy. Scotia placed second in free and first in back. She was much braver this time than the first meet. We go to Dairy Queen for free ice cream cones after each meet. That might be the best part!
Taye turned 12 at the beginning of the month. He opted for a new hiking backpack for Scouts and a cheap party. Which I thought was a wise choice. The same friends as last year came to swim at the pool and eat lunch. They had a wonderful time. Grandma and Grandpa Brown sent a new suit just in time for Taye to be ordained a deacon . The blessing from dad reminded him that the very essence of the priesthood is serving others and you can only use priesthood power when you are worthy. Taye has already participated in his first combined youth activity and had a great time swimming at the lake and eating hotdogs - they combine two wards and it is a big happy group. Much different than my experience . It's a new era in his life. Fun to see him grow up. (I should mention that graduation from primary was a little traumatic. He's been teasing his 80 year old teacher all year but when it finally came time to leave primary for good he was crying....
Tyrone wanted me to post this text I sent him. Just adding it to the memory box. "Just picked Jaxon up from swim because it is raining and thundering. He was halfway home on his bike. Helmet, swim goggles still on, wet shirt, black swim shorts and rubber boots! So nerdy, so very, very cute!"
Last week Tyrone attended the UNC Update in Anesthesiology Conference at Grove Park Inn in Asheville. I tagged along of course. Perfect opportunity for a little get away. Emily watched our kids. She is a saint! I owe her big time. The Grove Park Inn is fabulous. The grounds and hotel and view are amazing. The spa was incredible. That pool! And of course we had fun eating out and trying new places. The Sunset Terrace at the Grove Park Inn had a stunning view while the sun set but was very pricy. A small hole in the wall restaurant down town, Salsas , was reasonably cheap and served outstanding food. Trying to think of a reason to go back so I can eat there again. While Tyrone was in class I worked out, had an afternoon at the spa, read at the pool. It was very relaxing..... View from our hotel room Sunset Terrace Spa Pool (borrowed this from the website. I didn't touch my phon...
I survived the first summer meet of the season. Ask me later about the drive there and back. Scotia swam one main event and won! She hates swim team and on an average day won't swim more than 5 feet without putting her feet down or grabbing the side, but on race day she dives off the block and swims like a Brown all the way to the rope (15 yards). Jaxon swam three main events (free, back, fly) and won them all. He's great! And Taye... In his defense --- he ended up at Silver practice for year around swim that morning and swam 3.5 exhausting miles at the pace of a high schooler. He was in no condition to race that night. Another summer team mate swims year around too although Taye always beats him - but this night he out touched Taye in the 50 free. And Taye... he hopped out with a big smile. Gave his friend a pat on the back and a big cheerful congratulations. I was so pleased. I don't remember the last time Taye lost a s...
We headed to Carolina Beach State Park last week. We found a strategic site with a direct path to the sound and an easy trip to the shower house. The kids like the sound as much as the beach. Taye was determined to catch a fish and they love jumping off the cliffs and exploring. The last morning fishing down near the marina they finally caught some fish and had a visit from two dolphins. We visited Britt's donuts twice. If you are in the area don't miss it. It was a fun trip but camping with kids is no vacation. (Last Year)
So I posted lots of pictures during my adventure with Jaxon to Michigan State campus for the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals . It was a great week - so totally out of our normal routine. We attended the opening and closing ceremonies in the huge Breslin Center, slept in our tiny and sparse dorm room, survived the shared bathroom that didn't lock and loved every meal at the cafeteria that I didn't have to plan, shop, cook or clean up after. We watched lots of other teams perform - and enjoyed seeing some of the other projects like Pet Project and ARTchitecture the musical . Twice we waited in a crazy long line at the Dairy Store for the best ice cream I've had. And of course the boys performed their long term project (the structure crushing) and did great on their spontaneous problem. Jaxon spent lots of time trading pins and collected quite a few from different countries. It was a wonderful week and I'm thrilled that Jaxon got to have this experience of a...
Taye finally met his spicy match at a Mexican taco truck last night. I don't know what that sauce was but Taye was breathing fire the whole way home. We'll have to take Grandpa Ripple next time he's in town.