Tour de La France

This year we celebrated the second annual Tour de La France. The number of riders increase due to the fact that I made it a mom's club event. Also, the weather was hot and muggy, just like any epic event should be. And yet, everyone still had a great time!

James was still wearing his sweatshirt. He said it was to protect him if he fell, but I think he was trying to maintain his jedi force.



Andy is almost ready for his big boy bike. Almost. We will ask Santa this year!



As co-race director, James help to get everyone to the starting line:



Andy, well, he was playing bubbles:



The only time everyone started together:




And they are off:


James attempting the mountain stage:



Popsicle break!



Everyone received ribbons of their choice. Some received more than one!





A good time was had by all. See you next year!

Star Wars Six Party

Remember when I let James have a Star Wars party?

Yeah, you can already see where this is going, right? Well, a few weeks ago, James got it into his head that he was having a "Star Wars Six Party". He had it all planned out and it was going to be on a Friday. Excuse me? A Friday? I don't do Fridays. I am pretty fried by then so I talked him into postponing it until the next Movie Time Monday. I can deal with Monday, especially when I have already committed to having kids then. We invited one extra, but had the usual MTM crew. To those of you who were born before the year 2000, Star Wars Six means Return of the Jedi. I know, it is confusing.

So, James was immediately in costume:



And the light sabers were out and ready:



James had prepared a special treat for everyone. No, I am not talking about the Star Wars cookies, I am talking about James's "frescious cold water." James took little cups and put ice in them in the fridge and allowed it to melt. I think the term "frescious" is a combination "precious" and "refreshing". He is so proud of his water.



I was pretty embarrassed when he gave some to Henry. Henry didn't think it tasted like anything, but was impressed by the changing of the solid state to the liquid state.

Other activities, here are the boys in their speeder bikes:



And here is everyone in their X-wing fighters. I believe Henry at the point had determined that the couch was the Death Star.



One last thing, and Juliet may have to help me with the correct phrasing. I didn't understand why James was so insistant that he wear a sweatshirt through this whole thing, but he said later that is was a jedi because, he had "my sweatshirt with a hood". I guess it kind of does look like the jedi hooded cloak...

May the force be with you!

Play Nation

So, I joined Groupon.

If you know me, and if you REALLY know me, this is probably a surprise cause you probably know that I hate receiving emails. Especially emails from people I don't know. But one day, after a few glasses of wine, it sounded like a good idea, and I signed up. The only thing I have bought so far is for a place called Play Nation. Play Nation? Never heard of it. Never heard of anyone I know talking about it...and I know a lot of people. I carefully read over the rules and regulations, the fine print, and finally threw all caution to the wind and bought 6 admissions for $15. Well, put this down on the success column. Definately money well spent! Need to remember this when I buy a 60 min massage for $5. The main business of Play Nation is to sell their play sets. They have set them up in a warehouse and charge admission until they get sold. At $3/per child, totally worth it for playing in the AC, even with the drive to Greenville. We have gone twice. Once with friends. We met Mattie and Elaina there. Walking the the kids were very excited!

Mattie is sliding:



Elaina is swinging:



James is climbing:



Andy is also climbing:



Elaina is still swinging. So, apparently Elaina can swing ALL. BY. HERSELF. Poor James kept trying to pump. He kinda of got the hang of it. But not.



Oliver, not so much. He did what he had to:



But look at the proud big sister!



Just as an aside, look at this rules list. No running? How can you have a playground with no running?



We went back later with the rest of our groupon. Definately a nice option to have in the hot summer! James was still climbing:



Well, Mark had a ball!





So much fun he actually debated in puchasing one of these $5000 structures!



There was basketball:



And James was still trying to swing. No luck though.



They are suppose to have something in living social at the end of the month. I won't get it. I hate getting emails!

4th of July parade

We had a parade last year, but again, the kids have been planning another one ever since. Now that it has been done twice, it is a tradition, right? I did hesitate this year because I didn't want to make a commitment, ie, get locked into July 4 plans before I knew what I really wanted to do. We ended up at my parents house and came out marching of their house into the street:



My mom was smart enough to call some of her neighbors to cheer for us. She is waving at some here:



And some more up the road here:



We are so going to get called to return the favor for grandkids in the future! I think the boys will be cool with it. Andy started off with the cymbals from his parade party:



But then switched with his brother. Good sharing team!



We then marched down to the dock. How Americana is this picture?





and then back up to the house:



And a video. If you are good, you can hear Papa completely ignoring the parade to discuss Nikki Hayley's (the governor, not the stripper) recent overturned veto. Government waste...all of it...especially all those people who are out of a job and competing with ME for jobs. AWESOME!