Game Over!

Yep, that's it, Grady's first soccer season is over.

And it was so much fun.

They were a great group of kids with sweet and supportive parents! 

And a very proud Mommy and Coach Todd... Yes, Grady had to call him Coach Todd.

These are photos from the last game.

Here he is getting in on the action!

Gotta love him.

Looks like there is a chance the same kids will get to be on the team again in the Spring.

I really hope so, it was a wonderful experience.

Above is a little action from the game.

Obviously, Grady still doesn't get the whole concept, but he sure had a good time being on the field and if he is anything like his big brother, he will be tearing up the turf in no time at all!

Go Eagles!!!!

Go Grady Go!!!!

Getting in on the Action

As you all know, football season is in full swing.

And some teams did a little better this weekend...

...than others...

Unfortunately, that group also includes...

Yes, Todd's team lost this weekend to Millville, however they put in a good effort.

And Todd Jr was most excited because he finally got some more defense time!

Here are a some photos from the last couple of games...

Above are the Fearsome Foursome nicknamed so by Dat Dat.

Todd, Matthew, Garrison and Christian

They all started on the Tiny Mites 3 seasons ago and all of them have come such a long way.

This is just before they are headed out on to the field in the game against the Panama City Ducks.

Wish I knew what they were plotting.

They were actually they Captains for the game!

So Proud!

Here is Dat Dat at the massacre, um, game, against Springfield.

Yikes that one was ugly and did not fare well for us.

But the game must go on and Dat Dat wanted to get in on the action and was a member of the "chain gang."

#75 itching to get in the game!

There he is (black forearm pads), ready to go!

And Dat Dat can never resist getting in a little extra coaching!

My, how I love those Todds!!!!!

According to Grady, the Wimpy Kid is REALLY under the weather.

Todd Jr., courtesy of Grammie, has been reading and enjoying immensely the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

And, just like any little brother will be, Grady is always interested in what Todd is doing and is just as excited when Todd receives a new book.

However, kids, little boys in particular, hear and say the darnedest things.

Grady thinks it is called....

Diarrhea of a Wimpy Kid

I swear, after four books (and I think there is a 5th one on the way), I don't know how that poor kid keeps going.

No wonder he is wimpy.

Gives a whole new meaning to bathroom book...

(I was never really a Seinfeld fan, but I swear every time I see a rerun, it is that one!)

(Dat Dat and I cannot contain our laughter everytime he says it!)

Grady just walked in the room while I was blogging and saw the picture of the book cover and yelled...

DIARRHEA!!!!!

I think I just pissed in my pants.

I gotta go.

Student of the Month!

Dat Dat and I are soooooooo PROUD!!!

Look who is Student of the Month!

This little boy LOVES school.

I think you have heard me say this before.

There was an open house a couple of weeks ago.

Here is the Grady with one of his sweet teachers Mrs. Deb.

She is really great with all the kids.

Patient, kind, and always smiling.

Grady loves her and the other teachers as well.

That is a giant toothbrush...

the day we were visiting one of their topics was dental health.

Grady has even been bringing home Letter Homework and Math Homework each week.

Makes me think of Sesame Street....

This blog was brought to you by the Letter H and the number 3.

(I just made myself laugh... even though I was always more of a Captain Kangaroo fan.)

D**n!  I have the theme song to Sesame Street bouncing in my brain...

Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Streeeeeet....

Is it stuck in your head now?

Good, now I am not alone!



New Shoes!

 Don't you just love shoes?

I do.

Got some last Thursday.

They are black.

And they have some interesting detail to them.

And when you are moving you feel like you are floating on air.

It took a good week to find the perfect ones.

We hunted all over Panama City...

And finally settled on these...

Aren't they nice?

I just love new shoes.

Oh, you thought I was talking about me?

No, fighting motion sickness for the six hour roundtrip to my Father Dear's funeral necessitated Big Red being fitted for new "kicks."

However, I got new shoes too.

Target.

Flip Flops.

75% off.

$3.24

We won't discuss how much Big Red's four (yes, four... it was explained that basically they all had a hernia... ouch) new shoes cost.

The experience of the Firestone purchase was fine but try spending those 3 hours with a two year old who wants to hang on all the display tires.... surprised I am not bald again!



Take Her Hand...

Early this morning, just before 1am, our phone rang.

I know in a few years, when our boys can drive or are off at college, I hope the ringing of the phone at that time is not something we will hear, so often no good can come of that...

However, this was a call we were expecting.

Todd and I knew who it was and what it was about on the first ring.

It was Foe Foe.

My Grandfather  had passed away.

We knew it would be soon, he has not been well for a while, but we are saddened none the less.

He was my "Father Dear" and I was his "Natalia Dear."

He was a "big" man in a small town in Alabama and he was loved and respected by many.

He was also a really wonderful Grandfather.

When I was little he would let me "drive" the riding lawnmower to California... before I knew about things like earthquakes and fault lines. 

I flew an "airplane" (the twisted and low branches of a tree, now lost to a hurricane) in their back yard...

He would take us out on his boat... I drove the boat too...

He and my Nana also gave me my first car...

I am beginning to see a theme here.

I was fortunate to grow up in close proximity to them and was able to enjoy my grandparents company endlessly.

I had sleepovers with friends at their house.

Father Dear was always interested in all our goings on...

my heart is hurting and I miss him so.

So, for those of you who read this, maybe you would consider taking just a moment to offer a prayer for his soul to be at peace...

And to remind him that when he sees a beautiful little girl with dark curly hair, big blue eyes and dimples marking her cheeks, to take her hand and tell her that her Mommy and Daddy love her and she, in turn, will tell him how much he is loved.

Grady P. and Grady J.

Look, We found Hank Williams, Jr.

Just kidding.

Last Wednesday was Cowboy Day at Grady's School.

He was a HUGE hit!!!!

Isn't he HANDSOME!

However, if Dat Dat gets him hooked on country music...

Well, it's like drugs...

Just say NO!!!!!

I have to say, there is no child and I mean NO CHILD that loves school as much as Grady does!

There is no trying to convince me otherwise, your attempts would fall on deaf ears.

He asks every Saturday and Sunday morning if he is going to school... I think Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks are going to be devastating for him... and nobody better even mention the length of the Summer Break, we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

Here he is running back to the house so he can get in the car to head to school.

Sorry about the weird photo... I was trying some effects since it was already blurry cuz he was running so fast!!

Ah, Boys!

By the way, Dat Dat, I can hear you singing some "kuntry ditty!"

STOP IT NOW!!!!!!!!!