Huntin' and Fishin'

We came to the lake for part of our Labor Day weekend. Since the water is low, we couldn't use the boat. Swimming would be fine, but apparently being able to see and touch the squishy lake bottom wasn't appealing to the kids. So, we decided to do some hunting and fishing. For you skeptics out there that didn't know the Wilsons were outdoors-y people, think again! First thing Saturday morning, we made our way to the dock to fish. Earlier in the summer we caught a fish, so we thought we could do it again. Mary Conlee was the only one with the catch of the day, as you can see in the pictures!! Next, we went hunting. Shooting a BB gun, to be exact. That is one of Cole's favorite off season lake house activities. A few years ago, Pop brought a bb gun that I used as a little girl to shoot apples off the tree and to aim at birds. Somehow Momma never knew that occurred in my childhood. We couldn't get the old gun to work, so Judd, the hunter that he is, went to Wal-Mart to buy a new one. After a few years with Judd's help, Cole is just now strong enough to hold the gun, aim, and fire. The unsuspecting targets? Aluminum cans! There are more battle scars on the current Orange Crush soda can than on a ninja. Knowing how extremely careful and somewhat anxious Judd can be (to put it mildly), we have to go over the 12 point safety checklist before engaging the firearm. Safety glasses? Check! The safety switch on? Check!! Aiming it at the ground and not at your sister? Check! After all that, finally the poor little fellow is able to fire away. He has a pretty good aim, from looking at the cans! Judd decided to add an element of surprise- a very well shaken Coke Zero can, full of hot soda! The little bullet went in and the entire can exploded. This was fun entertainment for the entire family- 3 different times. Bubbe, Judd, and MC spotted a mommy and baby deer while riding on the golf cart. That's another thing on our checklist- no shooting wildlife! We look forward to more great times there this fall.




The Kill

Daddy's In Charge

Most of my blog is centered around the kids and what they are doing. So today, Judd, this one is for you! Each summer, Jennifer (aka Crab) and I take a "girl's trip." This is our 4th annual trip, and we depart tomorrow! (I actually leave for B'ham today. Thanks to Momma and Daddy for letting me bunk there tonight despite the home renovations!) There's been a jaunt to Las Vegas, but mostly we go to the beach. Judd is always a good sport about letting me go, for which I'm grateful! Watching the weather channel and keeping up online, Judd has tracked tropical storm Fay around the clock for about a week. Last night, he encouraged me to take an extra book to read and he let me buy my own Nintendo DS, just in case we are indoors the whole time! Rain or shine, Crab and I will be shopping, dining out, and just relaxing! Getting to lay out on the beach is just an added bonus. I have complete confidence in Judd for the next 4 days. Getting them up, showered, fed, off to school, and to their after school activities. Then there's dinner, homework, and bedtime. Not to mention church on Sunday! The kids love when Daddy is in charge. All the clothes are laid out for each day and for any possible occasion! The pantry is stocked with lots of food and junk! So, if MC doesn't have a bow in her hair until I come back, or if Cole eats 3 Little Debbie snacks before bed each night, that's ok by me. If you see Judd and the kids out on the town, be sure to pat him on the back and thank him for me...he's the best! I love you, Babe!

Kung Fu Pandas

These 5 friends may not be Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Viper, and Crane from the movie Kung Fu Panda, but they are 5 friends who happen to be Parkway Pandas taking Tae-kwon-do at Kinetic Kick. These black belts in training are excited about their newest sport! Cole has decided to forego soccer and begin his Martial Arts career! It will be a long but rewarding journey on the road to becoming a black belt.

Slipping Through My Fingers

Yesterday, Judd and I drove home from the North Mississippi Medical Center with a newborn. Two of them, actually. And today, we dropped those babies off at school- BIG school. I can remember every detail of their births, what they wore home from the hosptial, what their nurseries look liked, and how they made us feel inside. Today, I remember every detail of the long 3 1/2 mile drive to Parkway. What they wore to school, what their backpacks looked like, and the way they looked from behind as they walked inside those big doors. What I'm having a hard time remembering is what happened between the ride home from the hospital and the first day of school! Where has the time gone? As Judd and I watched the movie, Mamma Mia, we were flooded with many memories. We went to London and Paris while I was pregnant with Cole. While we were there, we saw the musical Mamma Mia! I loved all the music from ABBA, but everytime I heard it, I had a resurgence of morning sickness. Hearing the songs Dancing Queen or Mamma Mia made me feel pregnant all over again! As we were watching the movie, some 8 years later, a new kind of pain hit me. The song "Slipping Through My Fingers" brought about a sense of homesickness. The feeling that my babies are growing up so fast and the worry that I'll miss something are all part of being a parent! From the song Slipping Through My Fingers

"Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
I watch her go with a surge of that well-known sadness
And I have to sit down for a while
The feeling that I'm losing her forever
And without really entering her world
I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter
That funny little girl."

So from time to time, I will have to pull out our ABBA records, have a good cry, and then thank God for His wonderful gifts- Cole and Mary Conlee!

Parkway and Peanuts

Tonight, we went to Parkway for "Meet Your Teacher" night. It's a great way for the kids to see their classroom, meet their teacher, and visit with their friends before the first day of school. Cole is a pro, with tonight being his 3rd time to do this. He enjoyed catching up with his buddies and is upset that school doesn't start for 3 more days. For Mary Conlee, this was the first of many more to come. She was so excited to find her cubbie with her name on it. Cole was thrilled that MC will be sitting at the green table. "That's where I used to sit, Mae Mae," he told her. Her teacher is a good friend of mine from my old teaching days, so I know MC will be well taught and well loved! Judd jokingly pulled up MC's dress to reveal her monogrammed bloomers and told the teacher to check there if she forgot her name. And if they forget which day it is, they can just take a peek at her "days of the week" panties! My friend, Tina, asked me what Mary Conlee was wearing her first day of school. I don't know which dress, but it will be smocked and accompanied with a huge bow and a pair of monogrammed bloomers, that's for sure!

After Parkway, we met Causey and Bounds (along with their parents) for dinner at Logan's. The peanuts are the kids' favorite things to eat! Bounds was eating the peanuts- shell and all, while MC was licking the salt off each shell. What a circus! Although Causey and MC will be going to different schools, it was funny to listen as they shared their stories from tonight. Causey said his favorite part of the classroom was the cash register. "And, we get to cook in a REAL kitchen once a week, Mae Mae." Her eyes got as big as saucers and she said, "Oh my word!" I'm sure there will be lots of "oh my word" moments this year as these two become submersed in public school kindergarten! But they are both so excited to begin their journey! Their mommies just need to smile and let them fly! That will be the hardest part.

Parkway Pandas


Cole and Mrs. Godwin


Mary Conlee and Mrs. Farned


Class of 2021


PEANUTS!


Back to School Treat


Oh My Word- Judd and Bounds!