Not Forgotten

We're back from our trip, finally. We left a day late, and had a very long drive home, but we're here! I have not forgotten about my loyal readers (all, what ... 3 of you?). I'll be posting stories and photos soon, but I thought I'd share this one to hold you over ...

The Oyster Roast is tonight, and Joli has entered the Chili cook-off. I'll let you know tomorrow if we won (and yes, I did bribe our customers to vote for us).

More soon, I promise. Ciao!

So Long, Farewell ...

We're off to Pennsylvania tomorrow morning (we're leaving at 6 am) to visit with family and dear, sweet friends. We're so excited. Unfortunately, I am still awake at almost 11:30, watching the presidential election coverage. Certainly a historical night in U.S. history, isn't it?

Anyway, the laptop is coming with me. The camera is coming with me. So hopefully you will see at least a few posts during the next week. We hope for an uneventful drive up to Pennsylvania. We've got several movies for Allen (of course, Cars), snacks for all, and the car is already mostly packed.

Wish us a safe trip, and I'm sure you'll hear from us soon. Love and goodnight!

xoxo,

My Blogging Hero

Once upon a time, I thought I was going to have a career in journalism. I really wanted to do it. I love to write. I even went to school for it (sort of ... it was my minor while at WCU). And then a bunch of other stuff happened. And being that I'm not particularly ambitious or driven, I decided that the amount of effort it would take to try to make it in journalism was probably more than I wanted to devote to a career (especially since I'm just an average writer, and there are tons of more talented people whose written word I'm privileged to read daily).

I guess my starting this blog was my way to "write" again. And since I've started blogging, I've become quite smitten with the entire blogosphere. A couple months ago I stumbled across a lovely blog, and am now a devoted reader. It's in my favorites, and I read it every day. The blogger is a talented writer and journalist and she has become my blogging hero. Over this past weekend, Joanna Goddard, at A Cup of Jo, got engaged. While I usually don't comment on strangers' blogs, I was overcome with happiness and could not resist. I left a brief congratulatory comment on her blog. Can you imagine my surprise, delight, and awe when I discovered that she posted a comment on two of my posts?!?!

Perhaps this doesn't seem like a big deal to you, but this is a fabulous journalist, who writes for incredible magazines. She's been interviewed on CNN, she has a regular blog on Glamour.com. She's amazing. And she VISITED MY BLOG. Joanna, I love you. Thank you for gracing my blog with your presence!

Manhattans

Above is a shot of Allen sitting with Gigi and talking to Nana and Papa (while they were in Grand Cayman). I have lots to share with you, but am so tired these past few days that I cannot form my stories into coherent words. So instead, I post a lovely picture of "the kid," and perhaps an explanation of my inability to post these past few days (ha ha ... just kidding) XOXO, and I'll post real stories soon, I promise.

Aunt "Kissy" making Manhattans for me and her ... is that a large measuring cup she's using to make them? Hmm ... could explain a lot ...

What? This is Crazy!

I've always thought my kid was pretty good. I mean that in the wow-my-kid-is-like-so-perfect-and-better-than-every-other-kid kind of way. Well, then he turned two. Um, maybe he's not quite as perfect as I thought he was. I mean, he's still really really really cute. And when he's good, he's really good. And when he's sweet he's really really really sweet (e.g., "snuggle Mommy," "my Mommy," "Love you, Mommy" followed by a kiss).

Then there are those times -- times that are occurring two or three times a day -- when he is so bad. I'd say, incorrigible, even. For instance, yesterday he decided that he needed the Sheriff from Cars. He screamed and cried about this for at least two hours yesterday evening. Time outs didn't work (at least not for long) ... talking him through it didn't work ... nothing worked.

We went to book study last night since we were picking up Aunt Kristen on Monday night. Daddy was sick, so it was just "Kissy" and Mommy. He was quiet through the whole meeting -- I will give him that -- but he made up for it in how much he squirmed around. Up-down-up-down the whole meeting. I took him back to talk to him once. Didn't work. We went back again. Here's how the conversation went.

Mommy: blah blah discipline.
Allen: What? NO!
Mommy: Excuse me?
Allen: (Long pause, while sizing up my body language). Nuffing (nothing).

It was all I could do not to laugh. Not a whole minute after we returned to our seats, he said (rather loudly), "Mommy, change." I took him back to change his diaper. It was DRY! He just knew that if he said that I would take him in the back again.

Needless to say, Daddy made Mommy a drink after bedtime.

And the Phillies just WON the World Series (like literally, at this moment as I'm posting). How awesome is that?!?! I'm practically in tears right now, watching the reaction of the team. This is amazing! I am so proud to be a "Philadelphian" right now.

I have to go celebrate, but before I go, some new Allenisms ...

• I sink so -- I think so
• This is cwazy! -- This is crazy
• E-E-O-O-P Eagles! -- His spelling of Eagles

There's more, but I'm drawing a blank. I'll post more tomorrow, but lest you get angry, here's a photo of him while he was talking to Aubrey, Steph, or Annie earlier tonight ...

XOXO,

Good Start, I hope

I almost forgot this really sweet story. As you know, we read the Bible Story book to him every night before bed. And we've been trying to review the story with him each night. Tonight we read about Timothy and Paul. So after we read, we went over who was who in the illustration. And then I asked him if Timothy loved Jehovah, and he said "yes." So I asked him if he loves Jehovah, and he said, "yes." What a good little boy. I hope this is a good start for him, and that it continues.

Goodnight again!

Kissen, Puppies

Today was the grand opening of the Beaufort IHOP. Of course, we had to go. We love going out to breakfast (even when breakfast is at 11:30). Allen had eggs, "cake" (pancakes), berries, and "ceem" (whipped cream). He did a pretty good job with all of it.

We then ran to TJ Maxx to get a couple tops for me. I left with almost nothing, while Allen made out like a bandit! There was a Cars storage case/race track that we got him so he will be able to take all his cars with him next week to Pennsylvania. We also gave in and got him some "chockate" with "spinkles" (non perils). He was in hog heaven with those. I turned around in the car and he had chocolate all over his face, and he was licking his fingers to make sure he got every sprinkle and every bit of chocolate.

After his nap we were off to pick up Kissen from the airport. Since he had not watched Cars yet today, we took our portable DVD player with us and he watched it in the car. Once we got Kristen, Allen enjoyed telling her who the different characters in the movie were. Then we picked up Tink. Lily, and Zoe from Camp Green Dog and Allen was thrilled to have "Yily" sit on his lap the whole way home. He enjoyed it so much that he really wanted Tinky and "Yily" to sit on his "yap" and Nana's house. It was all very sweet, and sadly I have no pictures yet to share with you (though Kristen may have snapped a few).

Other new things he's saying:

• Empty -- Daddy taught him this word the other day, and he's been saying it every time he sees an empty box or plate or whatever
• Cars hurt you! (which sounds more like "caws hut chew") -- he says this when we're near the street
• Special -- usually explaining that someone or something is special

I can't think of anything else at the moment. I'm exhausted and hopped up on Benadryl, so my mind isn't working so well.

Go Phillies (as of now it's tied 2-2 and there is a rain delay)!

XOXO,