All about August

(With more pictures than any one person should need!!!)

We celebrated Nick's 5th birthday at the Bowling Ally with a Scooby Doo party

Poppy took Chatham and I back to Nevin park for some late Summer fun at the Splash Park

He was such a big boy dashing in and out of the water all by himself.

They had a ball- and Chatham even rocked on the duck (which he would have NO part of last month!)

Poppy has become Chatham's BEST bud!

Celebrating another birthday with the Cadwallader's- we had a party for Chris and had John Deer Cake!!!!

Chris has thirty candles more than Lauren this year; and Lauren was GREEN with envy!

Chris was a good sport with the mandatory attire

Wrapping up this busy month we went to a Crawdad's game with Ashlee, Sarah, Kathleen, the Cadwallader's and all the kids (7 their- and 1 on the way....that would be Sarah, NOT ME!) The Crawdads is Hickory's Baseball team- it's minor league- or minor minor league----double A or something like that.

Harris was given a foul ball that a nice gentlemen near us caught.

And some of the bigger kids went down to greet Conrad the Crawdad.

Devin is VERY pleased with how 'in' to baseball Chatham is. Maybe he'll follow in Daddy's footsteps.

Oh just forget it!

I'm tired, my son is off the wall (cranky, tired, FULL of tantrums) and my heart just isn't in it right now. I caved and bought a Cheerwine at work this morning AND I've had a handful of funsized Twix bars already.

The beginning of the school year IS NOT the time to try to eat better, quit caffiene and promise to blog for 30 days (STRAIGHT!).... so

these pictures will cover day 8-11 of the blog challenge- and in a few days I will let you know just how many nights I managed to fit in/stay awake for a work out.

Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad

Day 9 - a photo you took (see day 11)

Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you

This picture was taken in late 1985 or early 1986 (that's my dad giving my sister (in front) and ME a horsey ride!
Day 11 - a photo of you recently

Since this blog is REALLY about Chatham- I added his most recent picture!

DAY SEVEN

Nothing new to report- hoping to get back on track after letting things slide this weekend.

Here is your daily does of Chatham.... It fits right in with my day seven's challenge of a picture that makes me happy!



This was sent to me on Friday from Chatham's teacher

DAY SIX

Today I think the Blog Challenge: 20 of my favorite things....will actually be harder than the workout Challenge. In the words of Chatham "I DEED IT!" I worked out over the weekend!!! I have now made it further in the 30 Day Shred than all other attempts (COMBINED)

I have gotten a lot of support from friends who DO read my BLOG!!!! (thanks Lisa) Knowing that someone is actually keeping up with this helps me REALLY want to succeed!

SO- here are my 20 things....notice that while exercising DID NOT make the list Coke DID!!!

1.Chatham
2.Devin

3.Family
4.Friends
5.Suntanned skin
6. A good hair day
7. Shopping for back to school
8. Sushi
9. Sappy Movies
10. flannel PJ pants
11. a sweatshirt right out of the dryer
12. Family Vacations
13. Pictures
14. Cuddling

15. a cold-fizzy coke!!! (I MISS IT!)
16.picnicking in the park
17. Christmas
18. smell of fresh cut grass
19. new shoes
20.Flip Flops

DAY FIVE

I am starting today's post on a positive note....

My favorite quote is something that my mother has always said and that is "This is the Good Stuff"!

I find myself saying this a lot and that makes me smile- I like to know that I am aware and witness a lot of the simple pleasures in my life.

Here are a few of the simple pleasures I had this past week.

Looking at these pictures reminds me that my life isn't revolving around my 30 Day Shred Challenge....although I am in a slump with being sore, tired, and unmotivated. THIS IS THE GOOD STUFF- I am doing this to see more good in life and more good in myself. By following through with my diet and exercise I will be a happier person doing all the things I want (like the pictures above)