Day at the Lake Part II

We have so many good pics from this weekend that I wanted to post a few more:


Relaxing with Caroline



I will not smile for the camera, no matter what.









Our first boat ride of the day.


This tree is really heavy, but maybe if we all work together....

Day at the Lake

This weekend Kim and BJ invited the Canoe Court gang and some other friends up to the Lake. We had a blast hanging out by the water and riding around on the boat. Believe it or not, we allowed our 3 year old daughter to go tubing! (with her father holding on to her). She really loved it at first, but then we hit a few waves and she was a bit scared to say the least. A picture is worth a thousand words - in this case, a sequence of pictures. Be sure to look closely at her expression as the shots progress.

We had a great time and plan to celebrate the end of summer/beginning of fall with one more Lake trip to Angie's house next weekend. This time I think we'll keep Abby off the tube.

September Update

September has been a busy month so far. Abby started school right after labor day -- so far so good. We're keeping our fingers crossed for a positive experience. She has her first "show and tell" today, and she had to bring something red. She brought her red dragon and is planning to tell the class about how she and her daddy often go dragon hunting in the woods. I'll be interested to hear how that goes!

Last week the teacher told me Abby is her little helper and definitely the class leader, but she also got in trouble for telling an "untruth." According to the teacher, they were having teddy grahams for snack and Abby's plate was clean, so the teacher gave her a second helping. Abby finished that serving too, and the next thing the teacher knew there were more teddy grahams on her plate. Ms. Ruthann asked Abby where she got them from, and Abby replied "Daniel gave them to me." Only problem is, the teacher had already noticed that Daniel had no teddy grahams left. When she pressed her, Abby confessed she had hidden her first batch of teddy grahams on her lap so she would get more. I have to confess, when the teacher first told me my first thought was "Damn, she's smart!"

When I dropped Abby off this morning the teacher and I were chatting, and she looked over at Abby and said "She's a mess. She keeps us laughing, but she's a mess." She said it in a very friendly way and had a smile on her face, but this is a southern expression and I'm not exactly sure what it means. To me, a mess means she had dirt all over her! Mama Jo or anyone else -- can you translate? (Just post it in the comment section).

And now on to the little one. Wow. Emerson starting crawling a few weeks ago and she is fast and furious. On her second day of crawling I left her in the TV room and walked in the kitchen to make a bottle. Next thing I knew, I almost stepped on her. She had followed me all the way into the kitchen! She loves her newfound mobility and just goes all over the house, checking things out. She's also pulling up into a standing position, which has caused some (hopefully temporary) sleep problems. She loves pulling up in her crib but doesn't know how to sit back down. Once she's up, she's stuck there until I come rescue her.

Both girls are doing great and just love playing together. Abby taught Emmy to shake her head back and forth as if to say "No" and it's so cute watching them interact with one another. Girls, when you are teenagers and fighting over clothes and boys I'm going to make you re-read this!

A Bittersweet Day

Today is the 7th anniversay of the attacks that occured on September 11, 2001. It was the most horrific day imaginable, and I know how lucky I am to have been so close to ground zero and not have lost anyone.

I tried to write about my feelings today, but nothing seems right. Instead, I'm going to post an email sent from Mama Jo one year ago today. Abby and Emmy, surely by the time you're reading this you'll know how wonderful your Mama Jo is, but here's just another example:

From: Jo Dykes
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 9:37 AM
To: Erik Dykes; david; Jill Dykes
Subject: 9/11

To my children,

Six years ago, I, like the rest of the world sat glued to the tv, waiting for the latest news, watching tragedy unfold. As devastated as I was, there was a part of me that selfishly kept saying, "Are my kids ok?" "Dear God, please don't let anything happen to Erik and David and Jill." Throughout the day, half of me mourned for others and half was totally focused on you. Each time the phone rang, and you guys were wonderful about keeping me informed, I said a prayer of thanks.

I don't know if I ever told you that when I got home, I think everyone in Martinsville called to ask if you all were all right. I know it was their way of reaching out to New York, but it was very comforting none the less. Now, here we are.....six years later. I turned my little desk calendar today and there is a picture of a mother holding a baby and it says "Count your blessings." So not only am I counting my blessings, I am telling you that you ARE my blessings and I thank God for you every day.

Boys, you have each brightened and enriched my life since the day they first put your tiny bodies in my arms. Watching you turn into the wonderful men that you have become is awe inspiring. I love you both so much.

Jill, my love and admiration for you grows daily. I truly believe that you and David were pre-destined for one another and I am so grateful. You are everything I could ever want in a daughter and I am so thankful that Diane and John share you with me.

And finally, our precious Abby. What a joy! Who would ever have thought, six years ago, that 2007 would find you ALL living in Raleigh, our lives revolving around a tiny bundle of energy, and anxiously waiting for another little soul to love. How blessed we are. I love all of you so much and am so grateful for you, and that you include me in your lives. Today just seemed a good day to say so.

Mom (Jo, "mazjo" (the grandmother formerly known as Mama Jo )) :o)

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Like Mama Jo, I feel so grateful and blessed by my wonderful family. I'm so lucky to have such loving, helpful parents, in-laws, siblings, grandparents and of course my sweet girls and husband. I love you all!

PS -- Emerson, your name actually came out of 9/11. One day soon I'll write about the story of your name. I'm a bit too emotional today to do so.