The Thomas Family Blog

"And wherever we are, Home is there, too."
~ Jack Johnson

Saturday, September 25, 2010

BOO!

Caroline is so funny... I mean, she really is. The girl is a DRAMA QUEEN - Travis says she is the embodiment of karma, and I am not sure if I should be insulted or flattered - it all depends on the circumstances precluding his making the comment! This weekend we began to decorate the front porch for Trick or Treating and, for the last several years, we have had an animated witch on display. She is motion activated and makes all kinds of spooky comments (one of them is, "Double, double, toil and trouble," which to Caroline is "Bubble, bubble, toys and trouble") and Caroline has a serious love/hate relationship with "Scary Witch." She loves her, yet she is absolutely terrified of her. So, this year, I got another one, a skeleton/ghoul and she REALLY hates him. We named him Ebenezer (aka Ebe-noozer to Caroline), and he totally freaks her out. Nevertheless, I was able to get her to pose with them for a couple of pictures. Conditions: she did not have to touch them, and I turned their power switches OFF!




"When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween."
~Author Unknown

All Tuckered Out

This is just one of those sweet moments when you are glad you have your camera handy. Caroline fell asleep with her Daddy on the couch one night this week. We allowed her to stay up a little bit past her normal bedtime so she could watch the season premiere of Dancing With the Stars - her favorite show. She told us she was not tired at all and wanted to watch the whole thing - she lasted about thirty minutes. So sweet!
"Dancing faces you towards Heaven, 
whichever direction you turn."
  ~Terri Guillemets

Eight Months Old!!!

Emily is now officially eight months old and I can't keep up with all of the new things she is doing! Probably the most exciting new development is the "Emily Wave." It is sooooooo sweet! She has started waving when we say, "Hey, Emmy!" and, "Bye-bye, Emmy!" At first we thought maybe it was just a coincidence, but now there's no doubt that what she is doing is, in fact, waving! It's great! One of the most special moments as a mom is the moment when you realize your baby is "really" communicating. Of course, every infant communicates in "baby ways," but when your baby begins to react and interact like an older child, it is really very poignant and precious. She is also pulling up and attempting those first steps. Looks like we are going to have another early walker on our hands. Remember... Caroline was already walking at this point - so we are waiting every day for the big event. Here's the latest bunny picture. I love how she is beginning to dominate poor Mr. Bunny. He needs to know his place, of course.


"Life reveals her beauty one 
precious miracle at a time." 
~ Flavia

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Beach Baby!

One of the most adorable sights in the world, to me, is a baby on the beach. Emily has now visited the beach four times in just under eight months, so she is a well-traveled beach baby, but this visit was the first time she could actually get down and play in the sand. She was enthralled! I think it is safe to say that she likes the beach. She likes the way it tastes, as well... we could not keep the sand out of her mouth! She must have eaten handfuls of it. She played for hours - fascinated by the waves, the water, and, well, honestly... the sand!

Shout Out to Summer

Okay, so I said that last weekend was our last shout out to summer before the lull of fall sweeps over us, but I couldn't help but take advantage of this BEAUTIFUL late summer weather and head down to Jekyll Island for a few days this week. It's our Fall Break from school, so what else was there to do? We rented a cute little cottage and drove down Wednesday and stayed until Sunday. Grandmama, Granddaddy, and Madison joined us on Thursday. We had the best time, as always. Of course, our definition of "fun" is different than most people's, but we make no apologies and absolutely love going to Jekyll and shaking off the "real world" for a while. We rented a Red Bug again, which ended up being white this time, and did a fair share of riding around, beaching, exploring, and relaxing. I actually saw the sunrise over the ocean each morning! I was very impressed with myself - and, man, was it worth it! Just breathtaking. Travis and his Dad played some golf, me and Grandmama did a little shopping, and the girls wore themselves out on the beach. The Georgia Shrimp and Grits Festival was going on while we were there, so we got to enjoy some good food and some good music along with that. We even got to see the filming of an episode of one my favorite shows, Georgia Traveler, while we were at the Festival.
One thing about going to Jekyll that is so special to me is that it is like our little family's "special" place - we have made so many precious memories there - and, hopefully, will make many more. What a magical place!!!
Caroline and I at the Horton House Ruins


Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Backyard Tailgate

It's definitely football season in the south and we were thrilled to be able to share a glorious day of football with some of our oldest and dearest friends: The Varnells, Bishops, and Browns. Everyone gathered at our house this past Saturday to watch the Dawgs take on the Gamecocks. We all went to college together and have remained close throughout the years. It's always fun to get together and catch up - even as our families grow (and grow and grow and grow!). The guys hung out around the grill while us ladies talked and reminisced. The weather was beautiful, if not a little too hot to feel fall-like, and we had a great time. Jennifer brought a Cecilia Villaveces cake from our favorite Athens bakery. It was sooooo delicious. I'm still hoarding one last piece in the kitchen... one bite at a time. Sadly, the Dawgs did not pull out the win - that was the only damper on an otherwise perfect day. Up next... a trip to Athens for the real-tailgating-deal!

"Loran, whattayagot???"
~Larry Munson

Monday, September 6, 2010

Goodbye, Summer!

Although the schools here in Henry County begin, insanely, at the swelteringly hot beginning of August and the "lazy days of summer" have seemed over for going on a month, we still mark Labor Day as the official "goodbye to summer" (even though it's still not the official beginning of fall?). For our family, this means the first UGA football game, cooler mornings, and a Bowers Lane block party. It has made for a nice weekend at the Thomas abode!
We began our weekend on Friday by relaxing together at home. First thing Saturday morning, Trav started working on some overdue projects around the yard while the girls and I (well, really just I) worked on getting the house picked up. At noon, we hunkered down to watch the Dawgs in their season opener against University of Louisiana-LaFayette. It was kind of nice to just be watching the game together as a family... weird, but nice! Next weekend we will be back in the regular tailgate/friends/family football pattern, and I can't wait! After the game, we went to Home Depot to pick up some complimentary garden items and worked the rest of the evening on digging, planting, and watering. After the girls went to bed, Trav and I fired up the chimenea on the deck and enjoyed the chilly air and a little grown up conversation. It was nice!!!
On Sunday, our wonderful neighbors, the Barnetts, hosted a block party at their home and pool. We always have the best time with them and they throw the best soirees! Our neighborhood is only about halfway completed, and there are around 15 families living here at present, so we all pretty much know each other and enjoy getting together. It's nice just going across the street and feeling like you are going out. Just this year alone, we've welcomed 5 new babies - and our best neighborhood friends, the Stanfords, will add to that number when Ella Ruth makes her arrival in November. It was fun sitting around talking to the other new mommies... it reminds me that I am not the only one who struggles to take a shower on a daily basis!
We live in a semi-rural area where roadside stands and cow pastures are regular scenery and it's not uncommon to get stuck behind a John Deere on your way home from work in the afternoon. So, yesterday, while we were at the party, a man on horseback came riding down the street. He was just out enjoying the early evening's beautiful weather... and he ran into our throng! Of course, the kids were enthralled and all ran out to see him and his horse, Sunshine. He graciously invited the kids to ride Sunshine around the cul de sac - I know that poor man did not plan to entertain our children for the better part of an hour, but he did. Caroline rode twice and Emily even took a spin on her first equestrian adventure. Her Grandma would have been so proud! We had plenty of food leftover from the bar-b-que and sent our new friend home with a big plate and big thanks! It was a lot of fun!

 
There is something about the outside of a horse
 that is good for the inside of a man.  
~Winston Churchill