The Zoo

We took the boys to the Atlanta Zoo last weekend.  They really enjoyed it, although they probably loved the playground, the train and the "miracle round" (as Will calls it) the most.  At every animal exhibit, Will would look at the animal, then say "okay.  Let's go see another animal."  The elephants were MIA, which I was kinda bummed about.

It was nice and cool when we started out that morning.  I was grateful for that.  The last time I took the boys to the Zoo was during my maternity leave with Brooks and it was so hot the animals were lying in the shade the whole time.  I love zoos.  I love the fact that there is still a place to go and learn about the animals  while still treating them nicely.  The Atlanta Zoo does this nicely - their exhibits are huge and very realistic.  The staffers are nice and truly love their animals.  I hate circuses.  I think they're cruel.  But that's another post for another day....

Here are a few pictures of our adventure.  My camera died right before we got on the train :(

Parks and Recreation

My boys are obsessed with parks and playgrounds.  OBSESSED.  Every time we pass a daycare or church facility with a colorful or wooden playground, Will says "Do you think Santa has anymore playgrounds for me?"  sighhhhh......  if only I could only afford the playground of his dreams.  In the meantime, we just visit every playground within a 50 mile radius.  They love it.  They love to climb and slide.  Brooks will swing a little bit, but Will wants nothing to do with the swings.  He likes to climb and walk around under the playset pretending things like "Captain Will!" 

This weekend we took the boys to a playground near our home and let them enjoy the near perfect weather.  Here are a few of the pictures....

Relay for Life 2011

Friday night, Brandon and I participated in Bartow County's Relay for Life.  This is an awesome event put on by The American Cancer Society and local organizations, churches and businesses.  Brandon and I attended the Survivor's dinner and then Brandon participated in the Survivor's lap.  

The Survivor's dinner was really neat.  The local nurses and oncologists that work with these cancer patients actually served the Survivors and their guests.  It was really an inspiring moment to sit in the dinner tent with lots of families who are also facing this cancer giant.  From an easy glance, you can see anxiety, pain, grief, and more importantly love and HOPE.  

After dinner, the Relay kicked off with the annual Survivor's lap.  This is where each cancer survivor stands together with their purple shirt and balloon and walks together.  It's easy for some, but for others it's all they can do to make that lap.  The survivors released balloons based on how long they have battled cancer.  For many (including us) it has been less than one year, but for most it has been 10+ years of chemotherapies, radiations and operations.  I had chill bumps all over when they released their balloons.

After the Survivor's lap, the Relay festivities began.  The company that I work for had a tent, so I spent a lot of time selling tacos and playing games with the kiddos.  We didn't take the boys because I wanted Brandon to be able to participate as he wanted and I had to work at the bank tent.  After the Survivor's lap, Brandon left to go get the boys but the poor little guys fell asleep before he could get them there.  The Relay goes all night long with the closing ceremony at 9 AM on Saturday.  We didn't stay all night because we both had to work the next day.  I tried to get a few pictures of Brandon with his family at the event.

If you get the opportunity to attend a Relay for Life event in your town, I can assure you that you will enjoy it.  You can't help but be touched by the amount of love and hope surrounding you.  And to be honest with you - you just never know when cancer will touch your life.  Last year, Brandon stood beside me on the sidelines watching the Survivor's take their victory lap.  This year, he was wearing purple.  It could be me next year, or my mother, or your mother or your husband.  Take the time to acknowledge how cancer affects the people surrounding you.  I promise you will be rewarded.

Busy Busy Busy

Hi there!  It's been a week since we got together last and a lot has happened since then.  Nothing too major, just lots of little things consuming this momma's time and NOT allowing her to blog as often as she would like.  Here's what we've been up to (without pictures because I just don't have time):

1.  Finishing two rooms in the basement.  I can't believe it actually.  After 5 years of wanting to finish the basement and three years of needing to finish the basement, we've finally started.  The framer came last weekend and started with the framework and had the sheetrock completed by Monday.  The two rooms will be a playroom (the biggest) and a "guy's" room (the smaller).  Brandon has a pool table that needs a home and the boys have an abundance of toys scattered from their bedrooms to the dining room to the living room and they need a "space".  Up next is to finish the sheetrock, paint, hang the ceiling, build the built-in bookcases for the playroom and lay carpet.  I've got PLENTY of ideas for the space and I'm already on Etsy and Pinterest daydreaming.  I'm sooo very excited.

2.  Cleaning out the rest of the basement.  Let's face it - our basement is cluttered with crap.  We kind of started finishing the basement before we cleaned it out, so we've just been moving the junk from space to space while working around it.  This weekend, the hubs and I have a date with the dump.  A few lucky passerbys will likely score some awesome finds because I'm putting stuff on the curb labeled "FREE".  I'm over it.  I want my basement organized and I'm not looking to make $20 by haggling with a bunch of weirdos over candlesticks and ugly wedding gifts :)

3.  Relay for Life.  This is an awesome event that so many communities are doing now and our's is tomorrow night.  Obviously, we have a special reason to celebrate this year and Brandon and I will be attending the survivor's dinner, as well as hanging out with our friends at the Relay.  The company that I work for will have a tent, as well as other local businesses and churches.  It should be a fun time!

4.  Buttons and Bows Children's Consignment Sale.  This is a local church's children's consignment sale. I've shopped at these events before, but never sold in them.  This will be my first year as a seller and boy do I have a TON of stuff.  I'm actually blogging to you now from my partially finished basement surrounded by bins and bins of gently-used (and adorable if I do say so myself) baby clothes, baby gear, and toys.  Don't let anyone fool you.  As a seller, you earn every stinkin' dollar that you make by doing this.  You have to hang them a certain way and tag them a certain way...... Whew!  I'll be glad when it's OVER!  By the way, I also volunteered to work at this sale because only God knows why.  I must be mildly insane...

So hang in there with me blog readers.  I promise to give you plenty of pictures of the basement (when it's decluttered) and maybe even some pics of the fam at the Relay for Life.  Night!