Weekend Update

D1 and I were feeling adventurous. We spent our morning playing with Ben and reviewing maps and websites for ideas on how to explore our new homeland. Surprisingly there is not that much outdoor activity in the mountains designed for a 1 year old. But we decided that both Ben and Ally would enjoy an outing anyway. So we loaded the gang into the car and headed toward the nearest state park. On the route, we saw signs pointing to Athens....and I just felt the car being pulled that direction. D1 was easy to convince - he has always wanted to visit The Classic City anyway. Ben and Ally were fine with it as well - or at least neither voiced an objection. So off to Athens we went. As it turns out, we chose a great day for it. The weather was beautiful and downtown was bustling with activity. It was the weekend of the big bike race and all related events - kids, families, and dogs galore. We fit right in and had a great time.

We did see this fellow several times - you will note there is no baby in any of his baby carrying gear. Can you say raw end of the deal? Poor chump.

Ode to Mimi and the Swing Song

Every time Ben swings I can hear my Mimi's beautiful voice singing....

How do you love to go up in the swing...up in the air so blue. My I do think its the pleasantest thing ever a child could do.

I did a quick search and found the full poem, if you are interested.

THE SWING

Robert Louis Stevenson

How do you like to go up in a swing,

Up in the air so blue? Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

Ever a child can do! Up in the air and over the wall, Till I can see so wide, Rivers and trees and cattle and all Over the countryside-- Till I look down on the garden green, Down on the roof so brown Up in the air I go flying again, Up in the air and down!

The Secret is Out

Today D1 was out of town and Ben and I were flying solo. As a bit of background, Ben seems to be doing very well at his new school - it has done wonders for his flexibility with food - he is much more open to new foods than he used to be. BUT I still haven't figured out what time he eats lunch because when I pick him up at 4:45 or so, he is just FAMISHED. I mean, it is a "Do Not Pass Go" situation until he gets some food. So today during his starvation hour, I decided to go through McDonalds (yes I know and I just don't care about the issues that surround feeding my child McDonalds). Anyway, I ordered a chicken nugget happy meal for Ben and a cheeseburger happy meal for myself (again, don't care). So....I ate most of my cheeseburger and Ben was eating his nuggets when..... I decided to give him the last bite of my cheeseburger....OH MY! Who knew? Ben was so delighted with the cheeseburger that when he realized that it was gone he went into a full out RAGE. He even threw a nugget at me! He was in such a state (and luckily we were doing our fine dining in the parking lot of the McDonalds) that I had to start the car and go back through the drive thru again and get a cheeseburger for Ben (actually I got two for fear of his wrath). Do you think he liked it?????

Mickey D's claims another devotee.

Wagoneer

In my typical obsessive fashion, I decided yesterday afternoon that Ben needed a wagon. After some research online, I decided that Pammy & Pop needed to order him one immediately. That agreement was easily reached with one phone call - aren't grandparents great?

Anyway, during an afternoon entertainment stop at Walmart, Ben and I found an even better wagon (the Radio Flyer Deluxe Family Wagon) for $30 less than Amazon. I don't even know why I doubt Walmart. They always have what you want, what you need and what you don't even know you need. And who knew Radio Flyer had about 15 different models anyway?

D2 was over and put it together. We quickly learned that Ben is a man who loves thrills. Trolling around the yard did not get much of a reaction....but going way too fast down the steep backyard.......

JOYRIDE.

It is what it is.

We are so happy to have my brother David (hereafter called D2) in town with us. The fact that he has a boat does not hurt his standing with us either. D2 took us out on the boat last weekend, and we all had loads of fun. Ben is obsessed with beer cans. What can I do? I tried taking them away from him, but the screams were just not worth it. So I take my chances.....I try to rinse them out, and I hope he doesn't cut himself, but as Ben's daddy (D1) always says, "it is what it is."

Can I do this?

Well the Riggs have moved to Gainesville, Ga. It seems like a whole new world. That said, I am wondering if I can tackle this new world of blogging. I am just not sure it is something for me. I read the blogs of others....they seem so smart and creative. Their blogs make me laugh out loud; their punctuation and grammar are always perfect. I just don't know if I have it in me. Nevertheless, think I will try. Two primary drivers are behind this venture: 1. maybe it will make me remember to take pictures and 2. maybe it will save me the pain of trying to forward said pictures around to everyone. This may be the first of many or the last one forever. We shall see.