Sunday Supper

What a crazy couple of weeks! Steven's mom had surgery, I've started back to school for Horticulture (though I am pretty sure I am already going to change my program), work has been chaotic, everyone around here keeps getting sick, and we sneaked in a quick trip to Florida! On top of all this I lost my camera- my life line!
The class is going well, but now I'm not sure that it's the best option for our family. So I may actually look at switching to some sort of allied health field. My mom asked today what was my dream job. . .my answer. . .part-time so I can be home more with Gray. So we'll see what the future holds. I'll finish this class up, and then figure out what to do.
Last weekend Gray and I flew down to Florida to visit for my sisters baby shower. My nephew Kaleb is due at the end of August, so the boys will be just a little over a year apart. It was good to see her and for everyone to get the chance to visit. Grandmoo and Pop-pop had such a wonderful time with Gray. Thank goodness it will be less than two months before they are up here and we are able to visit again. Sorry no pics from the trip- that was when I lost my camera. :(
Gray was an angel on the plane, and I am so thrilled. We have a big trip planned in July, with a much longer flight, so I was really hoping this would go well. I even had two ladies come up to me and tell me he was the best baby they had every flown with. Go Gray!

Well, with all that has been going on, it was nice to head to my best friend Nita's house to visit for Sunday Supper. Grayson got to ride in the wagon, eat fried squash, strawberry shortcake, play with Uncle Mike, and be doted on by the whole Herman clan. It was a great day!

camping

On Saturday we headed to Deep Creek Falls near Bryson City for Gray's first camping trip. I was a little worried about logistics, but it wasn't back country camping so it wasn't too bad. Gray loves being outside [heart singing] so I figured he would have a great time.

The camping trip was part of an event with the environmental educators of NC, so we met a few of my friends out there and their families. There were two older girls so Gray was in heaven watching them, and seemed to love having 'the baby' around.

Patricia and Tryon (EENC traveler)

We played in the creek a bit, then hiked around until it was time to eat. We even headed out for dinner- so it wasn't true camping I guess. We had planned to visit the local brewhouse, but it was brewhouse only, no food, so that didn't work. We did fine a decent Italian restaurant though and enjoyed the company before heading back for the campfire and 'smores.

Gray hanging out in the hiking pack- thank you Katzman's




I guess being carried around gets tough after awhile

One of the many falls at this section of the park

In the morning Gray was up bright and early and was excited to wake up in the tent. He kept reaching out for the sides and doing his excited dance. Even at 5:45 am you can't help but smile and laugh!

Mother's Day

The past two years have been rough come mother's day, but this year I was able to 'participate'. I hope all mother's out there had as wonderful a day as I did, and I am mindful of those that this day brings tears.

My morning started out with sleeping in and breakfast in bed- french toast, my favorite! Then Steven hung out with Grayson so that I could work on refinishing a desk. The desk is going to take a bit longer to finish, but it was nice being able to have quiet time to focus on the project for as long as I needed. For dinner we headed out to meet Steven's family, celebrating Mother's Day and Caitlin's 16th birthday.

Mamaw feeding Gray some potato soup. He couldn't get enough!

Aunt Veronica and Gray

I am beyond thankful for Grayson and our family. He is such a good boy, and I don't even remember life before him.

My wonderful Mother's Day gift for the garden

Picture Day!

A few weeks ago Grayson had picture day at his daycare. We decided to just go with the CD, so if anyone wants a picture I can either send it to a place near you to print, or I can upload it to Shutterfly. He is such a camera ham. Wonder how that happened???

Manners

Thank you, please, holding doors open, announcing your name when you call. . . all important in my book. In fact, not having manners is my absolute pet peeve. The fact that one of my godsons first words was please makes my heart melt (of course this was from his wonderful mommy, not me since he is hundreds of miles away).
It all kind of goes along with the golden rule, and in my opinion is just one more reason for the break down of society. We have truly forgotten how to be considerate of one another. When did this happen?
I remember as a child being so embarrassed to send out thank you cards. None of my friends did it, so I thought it was uncool. Now I couldn't be more thankful that my mom made me not only appreciative of others, but considerate. My son will be a dork, and he will write thank you cards. One day he will thank me.
This past week I was teaching at a local charter school. It was a K-12 school, and I taught eight different classes. It was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed the day. But I was surprised that out of the eight classes, only one teacher had her students say thank you. I won't go into the manners of the teachers, that is for a whole separate post (my fellow non-formal educators will understand). I just was shocked. That night when I came home I read an article on manners in Parents magazine. So I thought I would share. One because I think if we all remembered some of those basic manners, then maybe, just maybe the world would be a better place. The article was manners kids should know before age 9, but maybe as adults, some of us could use a little reminder. Thank you for you time.
parents.com/manners-list

Wacky Hair Day

So today was wacky hair day at Grayson's daycare. What could be wackier and cuter than a baby mohawk. So this morning Grayson donned his first mohawk, and what a cutie he was! Too bad he has a cold and/or allergies and isn't feeling very well.

My water baby

Today we took Grayson for his first swim lesson, more of an introduction to the pool really. He absolutely loved it. I haven't purchased a bathing suit to hide my new mommy body, nor do I look forward to the shopping, so Dad got in the pool with Gray. They had so much fun!

Making faces. Gray has started copying faces we make. It is quite funny. Steven and Gray could carry on forever doing this!



Gray is also getting his first tooth. It has just broken through the gum, so it won't be much longer before he has his first pearly whites! It's funny, for months people have either asked about him teething or suggested he was teething due to certain symptoms. Yet, once a tooth finally did erupt from the gum line it was all pretty uneventful. No crankiness (a little yesterday and today, but not much), he is still sleeping regularly, no excessive drooling, fever, nothing!