Our Turtle

While cutting the grass the other Saturday, I ran across (literally) a small box turtle. Seeing it crawl (walk…I don’t know, what do turtles do…maybe swagger) away from his hideout that I had ruined, I quickly used my expert skills to pick up the turtle and take him over to show Sam and Davis. The boys were both excited to see the turtle, with Davis saying “He’s so cute, I want to pet him”. Sam asked where his mom and dad where. Sam and Davis both took turns holding him, although Davis did not like that too much.

But we ended up keeping him for a couple of days in an old tire, trying to give him some food. It was fun for the boys to run check on him, and fun for them to try and find him because he hid quite well in amongst the leaves. But I had to travel to GA on business, and while I was away, told Magan we should probably let him go.

I don’t think Davis took it very well, but in the end they said their goodbyes and Sam put him back where we found him. We haven’t seen him since, but hope he is doing well.

Taking my boy (Sam) Fishing

I have got a picture of myself at about Sam’s age holding a small fish that I had caught. I have fond memories of my PaPaw taking me down to Gordo to a family catfish pond and fishing for as long as he would let me…but then sometime around the age of 10, we stopped going. My dad took me fishing as well, but for some reason the trips I remember more were of PaPaw. He would always load the truck with some catfish food, then we would go out near the milking barn and dig us up some worms. Being a pacifist, I would allow him to bait my hook as I caught fish after fish in that pond. I think he carried a rod and reel, but most of the time, let me reel it in. Then, of course, he would get the hook out. As I write this, I remember him so well…and I miss him.

But…as I cherish these memories, I also realize that I have no idea how to fish. So somewhere along the lines other boys were shooting bucks, reeling in the big one, and playing with snakes, I had my nose deep in a book…or out back shoveling poop out of our dog’s pen. Neither of these activities preparing me for the fact that one day my 4 year old son would want me to take him fishing.

But we went out and prepared for the event…I bought us each fishing poles…Mine a Zebco 33, selected mainly because it came with all the “stuff” you’re supposed to need while your fishing. Then I purchased Sam the “Transformer Robot” fishing pole. So we were ready to go.

Sam jumped into the wagon and we loaded it up with juice boxes, water, and “fishing stuff”. I also took a pair of gloves and some scissors just in case we caught one of them fishes. We also began with an application of Off to keep the bugs away. Before leaving I took 30 to 40 minutes, while Sam was so excited running around, to get the string knotted on a hook. Yes, I was reading the directions on the box. Remembering how PaPaw had gathered our worms, I went in the backyard and began digging. After minimal success, one starving worm, I remembered that PaPaw had also been digging in much better soil than I appeared to have. So Sam ran to grab us some bread for the fish.

Once at the lake…aka large pond…, we attempted to get started. I first remembered that we needed a bobber, and after staring at this contraption for much longer than ever required, I noticed how it worked to get it onto the string. I did NOT however realize that I was supposed to attach the string at both ends of the bobber. So I figured I was ready, I had the hook, bobber, and applied a small piece of bread to the hook.

The first cast with the Transformer reel was thrown and it quickly transformed into a mess of fishing line. So as Sam waited patiently singing, jumping, and exploring along the bank, I worked and worked on trying to get the string back into the transformer reel. But that did not work, so one reel down, I still had mine and figured he could just fish with mine.

After thinking that I had properly put everything in place, I sent forth a cast from my Zebco 33, then watched as my bobber kept flying much farther than my line ended up. As I reeled in the string, I noticed the bobber remained far out into the pond. My gut fishing instinct told me that this was not normal. And as the string made it back to the rod, I noticed that I no longer had a hook as well. Apparently with strong cast, and incorrect bobber installation, the bobber had slid down to the hook and knocked, what I now believe was an incorrectly tied knot, the hook off into the water.

After tying a new hook, placing a weight?? (aka metal clampy thing) after the bobber, and connecting the bobber correctly??, we finally began fishing. The large balls of bread were taken as a generous gift to the fish that continued to eat all of our bread but not taking hold of our hook. Sam excitedly got to reel the hook empty back in after waiting patiently for 1 hour. “One more cast” I said to Sam before we would leave for the day. Then it happened again, similar to the first cast of the day…the string would not return.

So we balled up the string on both of our reels and put them in the wagon. Sam told me that he would like to go fishing again, but has since not asked again. We have bought new fishing poles…yeah, I know…and hope to return once more. Maybe one day Sam will catch a fish and we can get his smiling picture, but his Dad needs a lot more practice.

Six Flags with the Guys

I wanted to write this brief blog about my guy’s day out with Dad, Colby and John. We took a day and went to Six Flags over GA. Apparently my Mom heard that I was the kid of the group, and I really felt like it. I had not been on roller coasters like this in 10 years and wanted to run from ride to ride.

Goliath was probably my favorite, and we were able to ride it three times. The wooden coasters about killed my back, and John nearly gave me a black eye as his elbow came crashing down on the Georgia Cyclone. Our Superman picture shows me cracking up on that ride, the thrill of an inverted loop while laying on your back and feeling the G forces was amazing.

Notes for future reference…Do not squat too low on the Georgia Scorcher (roller coaster that is ridden standing up), this leaves you either killing your knees trying to stand up or uncomfortably jarring key areas if you lift your feet…Do not raise hands while on Georgia Cyclone (see near miss above from John)…Do not underestimate the amount of water that can be shot out of the canons towards your raft on the thunder river ride…Raise your feet up out of the bottom of the raft while waves of water crash over you and your brother’s back…If Colby starts giggling in line for a ride, slide upwind quickly... If John starts giggling in line for a ride, find where Colby is and slide upwind quickly.

In the end, we had a great day. Great weather and all the rides we could handle. But while the rides were great, it was the conversation on the ride there and back, the laughs throughout the day, the smile on my Dad’s face just as big as his boys on the Goliath, that made it a day that I will not soon forget.

Sam and the Pancakes

Magan had a picture appointment one afternoon recently, and brought the boys to me at work. So I was going to get a night out with the boys, and thought I would treat them to their favorite…Cracker Barrel Pancakes. But then I remembered that that was on 280 away from the house and would bring more traffic trouble on the return home. So I asked the boys if they wanted to try a new Pancake Place. After both boys said “YEAH”, I drove towards the IHOP. We entered IHOP at 4:30 PM and apparently are the only ones that eat this fine international cuisine around that hour.

Once we received our order containing three pancakes for the boys to share, I showed the boys what might later be referred to as “the culprit”, the tray of syrups. After a quick taste test, both Sam and Davis settled onto a mixture of half strawberry, half maple syrup not mixing but looking like a sweet tasting ying yang. Dipping into one side then the other, Sam and Davis easily put down one pancake apiece, which was fine because I only wanted one for my sweet tooth.

Pushing away from the table, and suddenly becoming irritable, I knew Davis was done…but not Sam. “More Dad” he requested, so more I gave. After about three quarters down his belly, he finally was finished. When he smiled at me, I never realized that I might not see that smile again until much later that evening.

We first stopped at the library, which many people call Books-a-Million, to play with Thomas the train and friends. After a while, we went towards home and took a stop at the park. It was here as the hot sun burned down upon our pancake filled bellies, that Sam first mentioned this might not be a good idea, “I’m ready to go home Dad”. I told him he could just sit with me and let Davis play.

Letting the boys both out, I looked out to see several families playing on the playground, a family enjoying a picnic under the shaded pavilion. Then hearing a spiting sound, I turned to see Sam start projecting the pancakes along the sidewalk. Picking him up and dragging him back to the van, we left traces of his supper like oil stains from a car that was leaking oil.

After round one, Sam looked up at me and said “I think I have to do that two more times”, then round two. During the initial phase of round two, I had begun putting Davis in his car seat and buckling up. Sam, never shedding a tear, finished round 3 and said “I’m ready to go home Dad”. Picking him up I put him in his seat, then got in the van to leave.

A beautiful day, I looked out onto a near empty play-ground, gazed across an empty pavilion with half-eaten food laid across two now-empty tables, and chuckled a little. Apparently they did not like Sam’s pancakes as much as he did.

Brothers and the Monster Truck

Magan was gone taking pictures this afternoon and left me with the boys. So after them begging me for awhile, we went outside to play. I was edging along the driveway while they played up at the fort, and then I got them some popsicles as I finished up near the road. Then I looked up to see what I have not seen since the infamous "Monster Truck" blog...Davis was riding with Sam and not screaming. I quickly ran to get the camera, and found them even...smiling and laughing together as they rode round and round on the monster truck.

Don't get me wrong...these guys have great times together, but not in a long time has it involved the monster truck. Another thing I saw as they were smiling at one another was Sam leaning over and kissing Dave on the head...and then this teary eyed dad saw Davis grab his big brother and plant a big ole sugar on Sam's cheek. I just couldn't help but smile...Sam saw me watching them, and I think he understood as well what a blogtastic story this was, and he gave me his big sweet grin.

After finishing sweeping up the driveway, The boys came down to me near the road where we just sat and waved to our neighbors as they drove by...saw a couple of airplanes...and watched a helicopter fly over low...

Back inside...skeeters were eating us up. We took our showers and got ready for bed. I love those boys...sometimes these little days at home just mean so much.