Summer...must you go?

Wow! This summer has flew by and we have a new hobby which has taken up most of our time this summer. ...like we needed another hobby, especially an expensive one like wakeboarding, which requires wakeboards, bindings, new lifejackets, wetsuits (for extending the summer a little longer), ropes, and of course, a boat. From our group of 6, only one of us (i.e. JB) could get up on the wakeboard at the beginning of the summer, now all of us have our own personal wakeboards and some of us are jumping like pros (that wouldn't be me). How's that for a few months of practice? We've spent so much time at the lake over the past few months that Nathan's reference to Tuckertown as "our lake" is almost true. A broken ankle (that would be JB) and numerous faceplants and sore bodies later, we're still coming back - glutton for punishment? I guess, but we're having fun. We've had a blast all summer and now that it's cooler, we'll still be at Tuckertown on Saturdays...but you'll see us in wetsuits. Don't want pneumonia - we've got enough pains to worry about!

Fun with the Kiddos

This past Saturday we took the kids to Dan Nicholas Park for a day of fun. The weather was super nice and since we didn't go to the lake, we decided to go to the park. The kids had a blast playing on the playground. It's so much fun to watch them interact and see how protective Nathan is of Reagan. I always stress for Nathan to take care of her and he does such a good job at it. We rode pedal boats (JB pedaled - me and the kids rode) around the lake - a first for us with the kids. It was a lot of fun. We ate dippin dots, rode the carousel, saw the animals and just had a blast together. I love my family - nothing compares to some quality family time! Add watching Beauty and the Beast together on Sunday and you've got a great family weekend!

A day in kindergarten...

Since JB and I were gone to Atlanta this week and Nathan and Reagan were with Nanny, we missed spending time with them. So today we met Nathan at school for lunch. JB, in natural fashion got the kids riled up and in trouble before he left. I hung around and helped with afternoon centers. The kids had a taste test of their apples and made a graph of their favorite ones. It reminded me of the graph episode of Sid the Science Kid. It was a lot of fun - no wonder Nathan loves school!

Ms. Boardmember...

I guess I need to prepare an acceptance speech or at least a round of thank yous. I was up for membership vote to be elected as a new board member to the NC Sustainable Energy Association...and I made it!

The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency in NC through education, public policy and economic development. It is the only non-profit in NC devoted to leading public policy change and driving market development in ways to create green jobs.

As our tax credit advisory team has evolved to include renewable energy tax credits in addition to low-income housing, historic and new markets tax credits, this appointment seemed to fit right in line with the type of work that is important to me right now.

Mr. Bad Luck

What a fun Labor Day - except for Mr. Bad Luck and his unwelcome appearance! Our plans for today included Daniel and Kristin meeting us to go to the lake and wakeboard. We had plans to meet Meemaw for breakfast and leave the kids with her. As we got in the truck and started down the road with the boat, the truck started to sputter and act crazy. Jonathan turned around, certain something major had gone wrong with the truck. I, on the other hand, knowing that we can't get nearly as good of gas mileage pulling the boat as without it, was certain the truck was out of gas. Jonathan unloaded the boat, put a gallon or so of gas from the garage in the truck and proceeded to the gas station to fill it up. 32.5 gallons later in a 32 gallon tank and we're on our way. - Mr. Bad Luck visit no. 1. So we're finally on the way to the lake with Daniel and Kristin when Mr. State Trooper turns around to pull us over. No tags on the boat trailer, so here's a ticket for your labor day. Mr. Bad Luck visit no. 2. At the dock, we unload the boat and head out for a fun day wakeboarding. We have a lot of fun with no issues. Once we stop for lunch on the lake, turn the boat off and sit for a while, then start back up, the boat starts to overheat. Mr. Bad Luck visit no. 3. No worries, we just needed to open the motor cover while we sat. Ok, so we made it through the day with Mr. Bad Luck giving us a little heartache and a whole bunch of laughs. Now we're just wondering when will Mr. Bad Luck go away.

Reagan and the tent

Who knew it would only take putting a Princess tent in Reagan's room to keep her in there all night long? We've had trouble keeping Reagan in her room. We can get her to sleep (albeit on a pallet on the floor beside her bed), but come 3:00 or so in the morning, Miss Reagan treks through the house and ends up in our bed. Thanks to Kristi, we brought home a Disney Princess tent (a hand-me-down from Lexi - we love hand-me-downs!) and Reagan now sleeps like a baby all night in her new tent. I woke up the next morning after setting up the new tent in a panic because Reagan wasn't in my bed. Amazingly, she was fast asleep in her room...on the floor...in the tent...beside her bed. Hey...whatever it takes - who needs a bed when you've got a tent!

First full day of school

Today was Nathan's first day of school where he stayed by himself all day. I was in CPE in Greensboro, so Jonathan did the honors of taking him to school and leaving him. It was probably better this way, because I know I would have had a very hard time leaving. He did fine when JB dropped him off and he had a great day! I'm so glad he likes school!