A Wonderful Day!

Here is a video of Rafe's new trick. He is SO proud of himself (and Mommy and Daddy are, too!)

My Pitiful Birthday Boy!

Well, Rafe's birthday didn't go exactly as I had planned. We spent the morning at the doctor's office with 103.5 fever and a double ear infection. Needless to say we stayed home all day and nursed the sick boy back to health! He woke up bright and early ready for his special day, but by the time we ate breakfast he was one sick little boy. Thank goodness for the wonder drug - pink medicine. It works like a charm and by the night he was ready to celebrate! All he talked about was going to Chuck E Cheese like we had planned. I am sure after another day at home we will be there! Happy Birthday, sweet Rafe!

Rafe's 5th Birthday Party!

Yesterday was Rafe's 5th birthday party. We could not have asked for a better day. The weather was perfect and everyone had a wonderful time! Rafe had a "Batman" swimming party with a jump castle and pinata. He had a fabulous time with his friends and family. This kicked off what I like to call "birthday week" at our house. Happy 5th birthday to my sweet boy!

First Day of School

Rafe started 4-K last week and he LOVES it. (I am the one who is sad!) When he woke up for school that morning he had a scavenger hunt that lead him to his "first day of school treat". I got Rafe a Batman basketball goal for his room and Daddy got Rafe an iron-man watch. He was SO excited!

Big Dig!

What a special treat for Rafe last Saturday. Pop took Rafe to the annual "Big Dig" event. This is a place where children can ride and drive tractors, bob cats, bulldozers, etc. Rafe had such a great time. Rafe drove a HUGE bulldozer, but I think the highlight for him was digging in the sand pit for hidden treasures. (go figure!!) He did come home with a lot of treasures. This was such a special morning for Pop and Rafe. THANK YOU Pop for taking Rafe. He will never forget it!

This was my favorite one. Wonder why??!!

Labor Day Weekend!

What a busy, but fun, Labor Day weekend we had! On Saturday we went to Hendersonville, NC to the Apple Festival and really had a great time. (so did thousands of other people. It was SO crowded!) Rafe enjoyed the rides and inflatables and, of course, tasting all of the delicious apples.

Sunday, Rafe and Pop even managed to squeeze in a little time to go fishing. Rafe really enjoys fishing, especially when they are biting!

Yesterday we spent the day at home getting ready for the big birthday party next weekend! Cory worked on the pool early in the morning and Rafe assisted him. They were discussing how cold the water felt and Rafe told Cory he wanted to jump in. Not thinking he would really do it Cory told Rafe to go for it. Next thing he heard was a GIANT splash .... pajamas and all! Rafe had a ball! I mean who swims at 8:00 in the morning in September. Needless to say he did not swim for hours!

Late yesterday we took a break from cleaning to go to the zoo. Rafe and I visit the zoo a lot, but he wanted to take his Daddy. We had a wonderful time, although it felt more like summer than fall outside. After Cory had had enough of the heat he asked Rafe if he wanted to go see the new exhibit of the 4-Runner birds. Rafe was SO excited and wanted to immediately see what they looked like. Poor thing, he didn't know the 4-Runner birds were my car!!

An Early Present

Rafe received a long awaited "early" birthday present on Saturday. Cory and Rafe went to the lake with some friends, so Pop and I went cat shopping. When Rafe got home his cat was waiting on him. Rafe has been telling Cory and me he wanted a cat for his birthday for a year and he has NOT forgotten it. He was also specific about the kind of cat he wanted: an orange cat named Garfield! Well, I found one and he is PRECIOUS. Although Cory is NOT a cat fan he did admit he was a sweet kitty. Who knows, maybe Garfield will even grow on him.

Rafe absolutely loves his kitty. They play hard together and then cuddle together when Garfield is completely worn out. I know they are going to grow up together and be big buddies. Buck even likes Garfield, but the feelings are not mutual! Garfield spits, hisses and swats at Buck when he is on the porch and Buck does not even look at him! It is too funny.

Here are some pictures with Garfield from the weekend. I am sure there will be lots more!

Open House

Today was Open House at Rafe's school. We had a wonderful time visiting his classroom and meeting new friends. They have a farm theme this year and Rafe made a "pig" cupcake. It must have been great, he didn't offer me a bite!! We are looking forward to a GREAT 4-K year!

All ready to go in and meet his friends

Rafe and his best bud, Nolan

Making his "pig" cupcake

Yummy!

Rafe and Mrs. Hamilton

Buck to the rescue

Yesterday before soccer I popped Rafe a bag of popcorn. We played some games and then I went upstairs to get his clothes. When I came back down he met me at the kitchen door and said:

"Well, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is I spilled all of my popcorn. The good news is Buck cleaned it ALL up, kernels and all!"

Rafe was SO funny telling me this story - he is so animated with his eyes and hands. I just hope the "good" news doesn't turn bad with all that popcorn in Buck's belly!!

Fun Weekend!

We had a wonderful family weekend. Saturday we went to Carowinds with Pop and Gram. Cory and I used to go all of the time, but we have not been since Rafe was born. We all had a ball. Rafe has NO FEAR of rides. The only problem was he wanted to ride everything and he was not tall enough. (maybe next time!!) The worst part of the day was the heat, however I hung right in there. If someone had told me we would be there when they opened and leave when they closed I would have laughed at them! I am glad we did, though. Rafe had so much fun.

Rafe on his first ride, the swings. Needless to say this

was NOT a ride he wanted to do again!! Wonder why??!!

One of his favorite shows, Scooby Doo

Rafe caught the tiniest frog I have ever seen

Fixing an icee

Last night we went roller skating with our church. This was Rafe's first time to put on roller skates. It took him a few minutes to warm up to the idea of doing it. (despite being SO excited about it) Once he saw Cory out there he decided to try it and he LOVED it! He did a great job. He even started dancing out there with his buddies. They were quite the entertainment. It definitely took me back to my middle school days. That place had not changed a bit!

Rafe and his buddy, Riley

Rafe and his buddy, Hudson

Hudson, Andrew and Rafe