Month: August 2007

We went up to Jacksonville this past Saturday. CDF and Stephanie were throwing a retirement party for Carolyn at New River Baptist. We got up there around noon and went by Party Suppliers to pickup some balloons. There was a little mix-up about where to pick up the balloons, first CDF tried Michael’s, but they don’t sell balloons to begin with. So then she tried Party Suppliers two doors down and discovered it was the correct place. Anyway, once we got the balloons to the church, and MDF helped me tie them to the weights around the fellowship hall, MDF, CEF and I went over to my parents to visit while CDF stayed to get everything ready.

We visited and played for a while. CEF did not want me to leave her alone and cried whenever I got out of her sight. After lunch it was better, and she crawled around on the floor and played with Little People while I played HeroQuest with some of the other guys (MDF participated too for a while and played the spiders).

We were almost late getting back to the church. I didn’t count on how long it would take to pack up. But I was right about how long it would take to drive back. So we arrived a minute before 5 o’clock (when the party was supposed to start). Fortunately Roy and Carolyn didn’t get there until 5:30 (which now I think was the plan), so we had time to get settled.

It was a very nice party. A number of people who had worked with Carolyn stood and gave a speech. CDF and her sisters had made more than enough food and plenty of dessert. CDF didn’t like how the cake decoration had turned out. It was supposed to be a beach scene, but she didn’t like the end result. I thought it looked home-made, and didn’t find out until later that it was supposed to be a professional job. It still tasted fine.

We got home about 9:00 and both girls were wiped out. Especially since neither had had naps that afternoon.

I told Dom and Amber this story so I’ll write it here too.

This past Saturday, MDF, CEF, and I went to my parents house to visit. After playing on the swing set in the back yard we came inside. Since it was around 4:00 MDF was feeling snackish. I told her she could ask “Memaw” for a snack — expecting her to offer fruit: an apple or a banana. To my surprise my Mom said, “Sure, would you like to have some brownie? Aunt Heidi baked a delicious one with chocolate chips on the top.”

To put this in perspective my Mom has always discourage eating between meals. “Wasn’t much for snacks to begin with,” as Dom put it. So we were both amused that she is now following the Grandmotherly pattern of “spoiling” the grandchildren.

This morning I was talking with MDF about today being Sunday. It’s the day I stay home, we all go to church, and… “when we watch football with Mama.”

Last week CDF started the season with the girls by gathering on the bed to watch a few of the opening plays of the Sunday night NFL game. MDF enjoyed staying up late (though not too late), and CEF just like being in the middle.

Watching Football

Last week CDF spotted a bike trailer for sale on a Wilmington web site. We have been looking for a trailer since CEF was born, but they tend to be expensive (around $100). But the one for sale was only $10! I told CDF to go ahead and let the lady know we were interested. Unfortunately she didn’t understand what I said, so it wasn’t until that evening that we talked again and she sent a message to the seller. It was still available though, and CDF went to pick it up the next day.

It didn’t take long to get it set up and attached. I tried to put it on my bike, but I have a quick release bolt on my wheels and they don’t work well with the bike trailer bracket. So it’s on CDFs bike.

As soon as we got it attached and set up she tried it going down the driveway and I suddenly realized that the tires were completely flat. So she managed to get it turned around and I grabbed the tire pump. Once the tires were inflated it was a lot easier to pull along behind her bike.

Bike Trailer

We’ve gone out for a ride two or three times so far. Both girls enjoy it a lot. And its really nice to be able to ride around Burgaw again. The other night we took some books back to the library — like we used to — and then rode down S. Wilmington street and followed the “loop” that goes down McNeil street and then back past the Sheriff Dept.

Today I took the day off (actually just the morning since it was a half day) and we went to the Surf City beach.

Enjoying the water

We let CEF sit a crawl around in the water. We stayed right by her, but she managed to get bowled over by a wave twice and went under a moment before we could get her back up. It didn’t faze her though.

Swimming like a fish

MDF did really well swimming around in the shallower part. Low tide pools were startng to form and she took advantage of them.

I went out to swim for a few minutes before we left. As I dove under a wave, CDF told MDF to watch me swim. But the very next wave crashed me and MDF said, “he sank!” They both laughed.

Everyone had a great time, and nobody even got a sunburn!