Another Year Older and Another McWane Trip

Magan took me out to my favorite place to eat on Monday for my birthday (I turned the big 31). We went to PF Changs and had some great chinese food. She even bought me a strawberry cake from Edgars Bakery....Yumm. Everything was great, and we had a great time.

Tonight I got to take the kids to the McWane Center while Magan went to her bi-annual shopping extravaganza at Kids Market. She will be there all night, so here I am at home and figured I would share some pictures of our little trip. It was a blast, we were 1 of about 3 families in the place, so we basically just ran around and did whatever we wanted.

I thought this was pretty cool. It was a room and with different angles that makes Sam look very BIG, and Davis look very small. Pretty neat, this is the same movie trick used in the Willy Wonka movie.

We also learned about Bernoullis principle that a high velocity flow of air can surround a light weight object and cause it to appear to float.Belle got to play a little, but mostly just stayed bundled up laughing at her brothers. And Indiana Davis was able to locate the bones of the McWaneasaurus.

Sweet Anabelle

Our baby girl is growing faster than I can breathe!!!!
I love her so much it hurts and makes me tear up!
Some of her favorite new tricks are:

CRAWLING (on her hands a knees as opposed to to belly sliding just started that this week Sept.20th-24th)

Waving (like a beauty queen)

Clapping (while singing if you're happy and you know it




Blowing out the light in the song, This Little Light of Mine

Trying to pick eveything she can find up with her little point finger and thumb to eat




Crawling to get the wires under the computer desk


Watching Elmo

Growing her first tooth (it broke through on Aug 9th)






Pulling up in her bed and on some things around the house (she pulls up in her bed at night and cries with her eyes closed, b/c she can't figure out how to lay back down) Oh, it is so cute yet so annoying, lol!




Saying DaDa, Bye Bye, Hey, and MaMa (every now and then)

Giving "sugar" on the cheek with a wide open mouth and toungue



Quite a list I know, but I haven't written in a while.

She sleeps through the night pretty well, but usually needs a feeding at about 5:00-6:00.

She still smiles ALL of the time and makes you feel special when you enter the room, like she had been waiting for just you : )

It feels like the past 9 months have flown by over night, you are the most perfect daughter, I LOVE YOU BELLE!

Those Eyes!

Those eyes will break your heart when they're hurt.
Those eyes will melt your heart when they're happy.
Those eyes make it hard to discipline at times.
Those eyes belong to one of the sweetest, softest, most perfect boys I know!

My Day with Davis in the Caves

I took vacation from work to get to spend some time with Davis. I know I have had a lot of days where it was just me and Sam in the past, and I wanted to spend some time just me and him. Since I was home, my day began with getting Sam ready for the school bus in the morning. It was fun seeing him so excited to get on the bus.

When I got back to the house, Davis was up and ready for our day. We just played a little around the house, then we had to start getting ready to meet Sam for lunch. Davis was very excited to go to the big school and eat lunch with his brother. Sam eats lunch at 10:13AM, so we had to get to school pretty early. On the turn into Chelsea Park, Davis told me that this was the right way to go because “Magan goes this way too”.

We signed in at the school office and waited for Mrs. Garrett’s class. They are the first class for lunch so we saw them coming from way down the hall. As soon as they were near and Davis spotted Sam, he ran up to him and gave him a bear hug. Sam couldn’t help but smile and all his friends were smiling to and asking “Is this your brother?” We then went and got our chicken nuggets (I think?), pudding, and pears.

It was really fun, Sam was relaxed and talking with me and Davis quite a bit. After lunch all of Sam’s class had to line up against the wall, and Davis just joined right in. I think he is ready for class.

After leaving Sam, Davis and I drove down to Childersburg to visit the Desoto Caverns. We were two of four on our caverns tour, and Davis was pretty frightened from the initial descent into the tunnel. He got excited when he saw the cave and throughout the tour he seemed scared then slightly OK with things. Then we got to watch the light show, which was pretty terrifying to Davis, especially when they turned out ALL of the lights. Total Darkness…this was not fun to little Dave. “I’m ready to get out of here” he kept saying to me. But he did like visiting the “Bat Room”, and told me that is where batman and robin live. He also got excited to see the Bugs Bunny room, where many of the formations looked like carrots. But in the end, he liked the cave, but was ready to leave as soon as possible.

We left the cave and bought him a souvenir marble ($0.25, I am glad they like cheap toys). Then we played in the fountains until it was time to go get in car line and pick Sam up at school. Davis fell asleep about as soon as we got on the road. It was a fun trip with my little crazy boy.

Day at the Zoo

Magan was doing her late night shopping for Kids Mart (She was there at 2:00AM and got home around 8:00AM), so I decided to take the kids to the Zoo so she could rest. Katie had spent the night with us, so she rode with me to the Zoo, and the plans were that Magan would meet us later in Katie’s car.

It was really great to sit and talk with Katie on the ride to the zoo. I can’t remember the last time we were able to sit and talk. We began our trip to the zoo in the Lorikeet petting area. We were the only ones in there and I was having little luck getting the birds to show to the kids, so I went and bought some nectar. Apparently they had not had bfast, because I had about 6 birds on me at once and all very thirsty. Sam and Davis held the nectar while I held the birds.

I was finally able to get Sam to hold the bird, but then when I put a bird on Davis’ shoulder and that bird starting licking his neck…He starting screaming and knocked that bird off his shoulder. It was hilarious. Belle loved the birds, but was a little too ready to grab one.

We then walked around the nature trail, and pet some animals in the barn. Katie played with the boys while I pushed Anabelle around a bit. Then we went to meet Magan at Chappy’s.

My favorites

Magan asked me the other day about what my favorite songs were, and in coming up with them I thought of the songs that I do not like stopping in the middle. This led me to think of my favorite movies, which are all very hard for me to turn off or leave while it is on. And then to my books, to which there are too many to choose from, but these are the ones I love. Anyway…I guess this is just a random blog about me.

Songs
American Pie – How can you not like this song? My favorite line is “The players tried to take the field, the marching band refused to yield”…The day the music died.
Imagine – The first time I remember hearing this song was on a Quantum Leap episode where Sam leapt back in time to his home. He played this song for his sister. Sure, it’s got some hippy lyrics, but I can’t seem to turn it off.
Something to Believe In – I remember sitting by the radio and taping this song onto a cassette tape. This is still probably the most listened to song off of my CDs than any other. Singing about a friend of his that was in Vietnam, Bret sings “Their bullets took his best friend in Saigon, Our lawyers took his wife, his kids, no regrets…In a time I don’t remember, in a war he can’t forget”
In the Air Tonight – Perhaps it was growing up watching Miami Vice with my parents…this song just grabs me and makes me wait for the drums that rock through the end of the song.
Frankenstein – I must say that my Dad once made me sit in the car as this song finished, and since then I have made many others wait as this song was finished. No lyrics, just some hard rockin’ mixed with some futuristic beats.
Lose Yourself – yeah, yeah, this is the Eminem song for the movie “8 mile”. It is also an Academy Award winning song that really captures the whole movie. “knees weak, arms are heavy, Snap back to reality, oh there goes rabbit he, choked he so made but he, wont give up that easy…” He then spits out a strings of rhymes that are really amazing.
Dead or Alive – I wanted this cassette tape very bad when I was a kid, but my dad would not let me get it. It’s really somewhat of a toss up between this and “Blaze of Glory” which both make me think of Young Guns.
Pocket full of Kryptonite – Really fun song from the Spin Doctors. They lasted for about as long as they could play “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t be Wrong”, but this was the song of the album. And still is a great song, although you have probably never heard it. Tells the untold story of Jimmy Olson and his love for Lois Lane. At one point Jimmy says to Lois “Com’n down here and stay with me tonight, I got a pocket full of Kryptonite”.

Movies
Say Anything – To know Lloyd Dobler is to love him, Diane Court is about to know Lloyd Dobler… This is the best John Cusack movie, and a classic from a heap of classic 80s high school love movies. There are two many good scenes from this movie, but the one everyone knows is the best…Lloyd Dobler holding the radio up playing “In your Eyes” as Diane listens in her room.
Karate Kid – This is the first movie that I remember ever renting after we purchased a VCR. It also has one of the best final scenes of all of the “Kid overcomes all, gets the girl, and beats up the bully” movies. “You’re the best Daniel” said by a young Elizabeth Shue starts the montage of fight scenes leading to the final match. “Sweep the leg”…”but I’ll be disqualified”…”No mercy” then Daniel is taken back with a hurt leg. Then Mr. Myagi does the loud clapping/high friction leg massage and like that “Daniel LaRusso is going to fight”…final match Johnny tears him up as he is cheered on “put him in a body bag, yeah”…then the final scene as the music increases, the crane kick (that boys will be imitating for years as they grow into men) takes Johnny right in the nose. Point Larusso. WIN DA DA DA…DA DA DA…DA DA…camera over to Mr. Myagi with a big smile and fade to black as the music takes over. By the way, My DVD no longer works very well because I have watched this final scene so many times.
8 Mile – This is basically Karate Kid in Detroit with rap battles. It is really the same type of movie which is probably why I like it. “Everybody from the 3-1-3, Put your hands in the air” if you follow me.
Kill Bill Volume 2 – The second volume in this set is clearly the best. The scene showing the training from Wei Pei is good ole fashioned kung fu classic, and the final scene with Uma and Bill has some of the best dialogue you can ever have. Tarantino’s writing style is over-the-top, but captivating.
Pulp Fiction – This hodge podge of scenes crossing through about 4 or 5 main characters is slightly confusing, but again, the writing and dialogue is captivating.
The Matrix – I saw this at the theater, and realized this was the movie that made other movies better. Keanu is just so much better when he is playing a more robotic character.
Better Off Dead – “I want my two dollars” I remember laughing with my Dad watching this movie, then buying it and realizing it is just as good today as it was then. The advice from Buger to Wayne Myers for skiing the K6 “Go that way real fast, if something gets in your way…turn”
Fellowship of the Ring – The first of the trilogy, and to me, the best. The scene where Gandalf the grey falls in the mines, and the scene where Aragorn kills the chief Uruk-Hai are really awesome scenes and the music just makes this movie great.
Top Gun – We are sending Maverick in on Alert 5…Need I say more.

Books
Hearts in Atlantis – I have read only a handful of books twice, but only one have I read twice and listened two twice. This is Stephen King at his best. 5 stories with characters interwoven together into a masterpiece.
The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass – This tells the tragic love story of the Gunslinger and Susan Delgado. Written around the same time as Hearts in Atlantis, I truly feel this is where SK was in the groove.
I am Legend – Recommended to me by a bookstore owner in Cullman, I read this and realized quickly that it was one of the best books that I will ever read. This is the book that opened my eyes to Richard Matheson and an earlier era of Sci-Fi writing that was really great.
The Help – This is a recent read, but one that I have recommended to pretty much everyone. The secret to the book is all in the pie.
The Martian Chronicles – This is my favorite of the Ray Bradbury stories. And for short stories, Ray is the best…hands down. This collection of old school sci-fi is great.
Enders Game – In the handful of books read twice, this is another. The best sci-fi story I have ever read. I can not remember who recommended this book, but I have since recommended it to many. And I am pretty sure, most agree with my assessment.
Kite Runner – Another recent read that captivated me. Such a different society where this takes place in Afghanistan, yet shows that evil is everywhere, and every once and awhile you get a chance to correct a past mistake.
To Kill a Mockingbird – Another twice read book, but this is just a classic. Required reading that makes you love required reading.
A day no pigs would die – Another required reading that turned out to be one of my favorites. One of those good “What do you do if you are 12 and now become the man of the house?” books. Makes me think of the old song “Patches”.
Dear John – This is easily my most favorite Nicholas Sparks book. The love story was great, as most of Nick’s books are, but the kicker of this book was the ending. Few books in my mind are ended as well as this one was, and that is why it has made my top list. If you watched the movie, I’m sorry…They butchered it.
The Lottery – This is not a novel, but a short story…and one I have read many times. I remember first reading this as a story in our 8th grade reading book. There are many times when a reader likes a story, but there are also times when the reader recognizes that without a doubt, this is amazing writing. The build-up to the lottery is wonderful, and the terror rises out of nowhere to grip you and hold on to you through the climax, even though you want to turn away…you can not.
The Long Walk – I first read this Richard Bachman classic in the 7th grade, then read it again in college. The latest hit by Suzanne Collins “The Hunger Games” is really good, but if you want a similar story with much better character development, Mr. King is at top form in this short novella.

Oak Mountain State Park

I have been wanting to have a day with the boys for awhile, and this morning I decided that I would take Sam and Davis to Oak Mountain to do some hiking…Just us boys. It was a beautiful day, and we had a cool breeze, so it was perfect for our little adventure. We began our hike at the Treetop Nature Trail.

We had not been to Oak Mountain in 3 years, and this was the trail we went on last time. It was fun…they have a large walkway built up high in the trees to give you a feel of being up with the birds. Then there are large cages along the path where they have owls, hawks and vultures.

We got there at just the right time, and saw the birds getting fed. Mice and Rats…Davis was so excited when he saw one bird grab a rat…”Look Dad, he got the big one”. So we finally made it through the “treetop” pathway, and I let Sam decide if we were to take the trail back down to the van, or the 0.6 mile trek up to the Wildlife rescue center.

Pretty easy decision for him, up we went. The boys had a blast…running ahead of me along the creek that ran near the trail. Then Davis caught on a root and skinned his knee. This held us up for about 10 minutes…He is very dramatic. But finally we made it all the way to the top…with Davis riding on my shoulders. He told me that “His knees were hurting”.

At the top we visited the Wildlife rescue center and saw all the birds and baby birds they were nursing back to health. We also saw some snakes and taxidermied animals. This was also a good time for us to rest and finish our crackers and juice.

The way down began ok, until Sam tripped over his own feet and scraped his knee. Now this is the knee that was already scraped two days ago pretty bad, so this new fall got it bleeding pretty bad. Sam was tough though, and lucky thing is that a lady and her children were coming up the hill at the same time as the fall and she had a bandaid, wipees, and Neosporin. So we bandaged Sam up, and he was no longer able to bend his knee without it “hurting so bad”…so up on my shoulders he went. We made it back down to a narrow portion of the trail with a steep drop to the creek on my left, and apparently Sam thought I was going to fall in so he started reaching for trees to hold onto. Laughing, I set him down and he walked the rest of the way no problem.

After making it back down to the van, we drove to the playground (Oak Mountain could use some upgrades here, basically just a slide and 6 swings). This went pretty well, and the kids did not want to leave. So Sam just kept sliding and I kept pushing Davis on the swing…until Davis for some reason thought that he no longer needed to hold on. I gave a gentle push and then watched him flip out of the swing backwards and land on his head….AGHHHHHH. I picked him up quickly and he went ballistic. But after about 10 minutes of crying/gagging/screaming, he was OK. But it was time to leave. Our adventure was over. The boys are both ready for the next Hiking Trip though.