Just a spot on the map of the world

Plain White T's Map of the World

Love, love, love is sunshine

The story goes: I was about 3 and misquoted my mom's frequent phrase "the joys of motherhood" as "the mothers of joyhood" - this picture made me feel that way. It's funny how special a little welcome can make you feel - thanx, sweet baby Jack!

JT's Shower The People

from the other direction

The long-haired elder son lost his third tooth on Sunday but forgot all about it until yesterday

when he decided he wanted to put this one in an safer spot, so he wrote the Tooth Fairy this new set of directions:

Dear Tooth Fairy,

My tooth will be on my dresser in front of fish tank.
I believe in you!
Love, Jack

It worked because he found his favorite Lady Liberty gold dollar coin in the very same cup where he left the tooth last nite!
Jimmy Buffett's Scarlet Begonias

You've really made the grade!

Today was the first day that Harry brought home actual grades....not too shabby, little man ~

Keep up the great work!

David Bowie's Ground Control To Major Tom

when you go to school

Nothing like hoppin' 'em up on sugar before the first day of Second Grade!The ever-present stair pose...Harry had just tried to hug Jack, who was having none of it!
Posing some more
The long walk to the bus stop
Jack doing his happy dance Posing by the mailbox

Jack playing camera-shy as they wait for the bus

And they're off! Harry's happy face, sitting behind his friend Tyler

Supertramp's School

Piece by piece

The boys had their first projects of second grade,

Ziploc Quilts....

Harry showcased (l-r, t-b) his favorite sport (tandem biking with Daddy), his pet fish Jerry, a small item (map of Ocracoke), a picture of himself, a star with his name, his autobiography, his favorite cd (Cars soundtrack), his favorite candy (smarties), and his future occupation (chef)
Jack showcased (l-r, t-b) his favorite cd (Laurie Berkner's Buzz Buzz), a picture of himself, his favorite sport (soccer), his future occupation (inventor), a star with his name, his favorite candy (gum), his autobiography, a small item (lego man), and his favorite animal (leopard).

The school year is shaping up to be a great one, and they are loving being back with their friends, establishing new routines, and meeting new challenges. They've done a project and taken about 4 tests so far. Here's to second grade!



Dixie Chicks' Aunt Mattie's Quilt

Let it blossom, let it grow

Our first garden has apparently picked up on our lazy summer theme, it's taking it's sweet time, but we have had some yummy zucchini and a great cucumber so far. There are several watermelon slowly growing, a couple of cantaloupe, and some baby ears of corn. Since it's the first time I've ever tried, I've made a few premature cuts and am trying to be patient....

No, Jack isn't growing extra arms - that's Harry behind him

Jack actually learned that zucchini are delicious....

....and Harry's lemon tree experiment is off and running - hopefully one of these two will make it!

Eric Clapton's Let It Grow

so sweet in so many ways

The boys and I had breakfast last week, and they tried dipping their chicken in honey. While no one really liked it, it led to a 'sweet' discussion:

Jack: You know sweet can mean several different things: sweet, love sweet, sweet, sugar sweet, or sweet, awesome!

Harry: And it can mean suite, like a hotel!

It's been fun and crazy this summer, and I'm still digging through vacation pix - hope to get them up soon :-)

Happy Birthday to Dean's mom - good talking with you this morning, and Jack is in a better mood ;-)

Marvin's Gaye's How Sweet It Is

From HARRY to Eternity

The boy knows how to pose!

Frank Sinatra's From Here To Eternity - it's a hinky cover, but has some cool video from the movie's iconic scene

It's a sweet life living by the salty sea

Frolicking by the waves - we lucked out with a beautiful day. While this is the most crowded 'our' beach has ever been, the pix remind me how lucky we are to have such a gorgeous place to play!

Harry making sand angels
The boy takes flight

Jack always likes to try out new games with Daddy

Harry practicing his snorkeling - latest goal: scuba diver!

Body Surfing

The chase is on!

ZBB & JB's Knee Deep

a little Heaven on Earth

Arriving on the ferry

Reflective Ahabs

Even paradise can handle a toy or two

We've been sitting in this spot for over a dozen years....it keeps getting fuller!

Sun-kissed Harry

Happy Jack

It never gets old

Willis Gupton's No Walmart on Ocracoke

won't take nothing but a memory

My beloved gramma called them precious memories, and I never really got it until I watched our own babes moving through life at warp speed.

2007 - age 3
2011 - age 7

Miranda Lambert's The House That Built Me

There's a feeling I get when I look to the west

We heading back to the island on Sunday. Since I still have pix from 2009 trip in my to-do folder, I thought I'd try to do better this year.....

Friendly seagulls above the ferry

Stairway to Heaven?

Ferry men

Do you see what I see?

Land ho!

Cheesy tourist shot

Led Zeppelin's Stairway To Heaven (1971 live version, 10.3 minutes)