Mommy and Daddy Fall Trip 2015

I have a confession to make.  I have a new favorite place in the country...really.  Jeff and I just got back from spending a few (kid free--thanks family!!!) days in the Western Kentucky/Nashville area and I have never been to a more fun, beautiful place. Maybe Preston will want to go to Vandy??  Seriously we had the best time and these few pictures do NOT do it justice....

We started out like a normal Thursday with Preston going to school and John Cole going to Pre-K, but the Jeff and I drove to Shreveport to catch a flight to Nashville.  Our flight from DFW to Nashville was delayed and we BARELY made the kickoff but we did!  Unfortunately, the Bulldogs fell to the Hilltoppers but it was a fun game.  Team looks great.  Quaterback looks better.  It's gonna be a great year.

The drive from Bowling Green, KY to Nashville didn't take long at all but it was still close to 1:00 when we checked in our hotel.  And would you BELIEVE we slept til 10:00 the next day??????? I don't.  It was truly fabulous.  We had lunch a "Bricktops" near Vandy campus then headed to Tootsies in Dowtown Nashville.  At this point it was POURING rain and we were so sad because we had awesome tickets to a music festival that was outside.....but then the sun came out and.....

WE SAT FRONT AND CENTER AT LIVE ON THE GREEN!  No one in front of us.  It was AMAZING.  We saw Zella Day (pictured), Big Data and the icing on the cake one of my favs for years Passion Pit.  The show was awesome and I didn't feel 36....until the next day...lol

My first thought Saturday morning was of my Preston as he ran his very first Cross Country meet.  I'm not really sure what place he came in ...he thinks 40th?? of all of the 1st and 2nd grade boys.  I think that is just wonderful.  A mile is a long way for those little legs and I can't WAIT to cheer him on at the next meet.

We had a three hour drive one way to get to the Ocoee River for our rafting adventure Saturday.  I really enjoyed it but don't think I want to do anything more 'hairy' as my dad would day.  Class 4 rapids were no joke.  Our boat had a tiny wipeout where 2 of the 6 passengers fell out and they ALMOST took me with them.  And I got hit on the cheek with a paddle during it and I don't even know whose paddle it was everything happened so fast...but we were all fine.

Saw this gorgeous sunset on the way home and I just had the biggest feeling of peace wash over me.  I've had some nagging pain that just won't go away and have been EXTENSIVELY tested.  But I still hurt.  I can't explain it though when I saw this sunset I heard God tell me that I was going to be just fine.  So grateful for this message and praying I can TRUST him to heal me ...

Saturday pm we had dinner at one of the SL top 25 restaurants of the South--"Rolf and Daughters"--it was just divine and after too much dessert we were done for the night...and our trip.  4:30 came early this morning but it was worth it to get home to get the boys back in their routine.

Thanks again family.  We really had a BLAST!  I will be back to see you NASHVILLE!!

A surgery and a Birthday

It is BECAUSE of my blog book, my friends, that I had a pretty accurate record of how many times Preston has had strep throat in his short life.  A LOT.  Otherwise he is an incredibly healthy kid, and because of that I ALMOST got cold feet about having a tonsillectomy, but on the other side I am SO GLAD we did it.  Now all of you Mamas out there--this is NO JOKE.  Preston--even with strep--is usually only down for about 24 hours tops.  So I was NOT prepared for the long, painful recovery his sweet little heart endured.  It was bad.  I wasn't sure he could go to school last week but he rallied and did it but he is JUST NOW himself really and its been two weeks. His surgeon took pictures of the puss all over his tonsils/adenoids and showed Jeff and I so I am certain we made the right call.  Thanks to all of you who helped his recovery with visits, ice cream and other treats :)

And in the middle of all of this was PRESTON'S 7th BIRTHDAY!  What the waffle?  We celebrated with a trip to Arlington with some friends as his "party" this year.  So glad our bday is not in the school year so we can get away with that.  It was a hard day on him--he was still in A LOT of pain but I know he enjoyed the time with his friends Hudson and Davis.

P has started school but I will do an offical "BTS" post when John Cole starts back next week.  Love to all and happy back to routine :)

CAMP CHAMPIONS 2015

I have been HORRIBLE at blogging this Summer.  I have no excuses. But I just had to document Preston's first overnight camp experience!  Camp Champions in Marble Falls, TX was a great growth opportunity and from what I can tell Preston took full advantage.  Now, I have FUNNY tales that involve four day worn swim trunks and never worn underwear--yes, it's true--but all in all I can truly tell Preston learned from his brief stay at camp.  Specifically he has not turned on his DS since being home and displayed some SERIOUS swimming skills at the pool today.  So proud of him!  And let me know if you are interested about this camp.  We are signed up for next year....I am impressed :)

Family Beach 2015

It is no secret that my happy place is a sunny beach with a drink in my hand watching my kids giggle and play listening to tunes with my hubby laying next to me.  Yep, I love it.  But our family beach trip was even BETTER this year with Nana and Pop along.  Lots of card games and family meals and QT with them made our trip all the more special.  Can't wait til Patrick is old enough to join in :)

Early Summer 2015

These pictures are just a GLIMPSE into our June.  Mommy has been mostly home full-time...so have the boys...and we have been BUSY!  Of course, the boys have had activities and Mommy has been playing some tennis but otherwise we are enjoying lots of family time together and lazy Summer days.  Mommy has had a little torn chest muscle issue and JC has had the tummy bug, but other than that--we are doing GREAT at The Parkers.  Hope you and yours are doing great as well!

Memorial Day Beach Trip 2015

It has become something of a tradition for The Parker Family to take a little trip to the beach on Memorial Day.  Mommy needs a little sunshine and the boys love a good "kickoff" to their Summer. And a fabulous beach trip it was!  We had three FULL days of sun ON THE BEACH--ie no crying to go to the pool minutes after unpacking a cartload of stuff on the beach--and some fun nights out at well.  And we were so grateful to have Miss Anna Grace with us...she made the trip much more relaxing for Mom and Dad.  Hope your Summer is off to a GREAT start!!!

SPRING 2015

What a BUSY and fun Spring we have had!  I am obviously way behind posting...but this rainy day has us stuck inside so I am catching up.

Where do I start??  Of course we enjoyed a super fun Easter this year and this bunny pic is one of my all time favorites.  Jeff says Preston is "too old" to go to the egg hunt next year so it may be my last....sigh...

Preston had a great first pitching machine season on the LA TECH PLANETARIUM team with Daddy as his head coach.  LOVED watching him hit the ball, actually pay attention on the field and MOST importantly saw some sportsmanship I was super proud of.  Still no scoring this year....that comes next...but his team was #1 to me!

Another of Preston's Spring accomplishments was his PERFECT performance in his Spring piano recital. Perfect.  Age 6.  Rhythm, dynamics, posture......and of course not a note wrong.  I really didn't want to push him this year until I could tell if he actually had talent and liked doing it.  But now that I know he absolutely does--on both fronts---we are going guns blazing next year.  Federation, Hymn Festival....the WORKS!  I can't wait to watch his talent flourish.

Can't leave out my John Cole who has been just a joy lately!  (Except for when he whines...ugh....) He has been cheering on his brother for each event...and will soon have his turn :)

And the BIGGEST news of the Spring is that Patrick Woodgate Singh arrived on 5-10-15!!  He is just a doll and we have all enjoyed getting some sweet baby love.  SO EXCITED to be this close to him and watch him grow up.  Gosh I'm going to be busy at the ballpark :)  Congrats KENDAL AND KEVIN!.  (Patrick will call me "Shel-Shel" or Shel if he wants....lol

And ME?  Well, I have the tennis bug BAD. I play literally every chance I get.  I came in SECOND in the 5.5 and under doubles bracket with my partner Nancy at a recent tourney.  I am playing in a Summer Squire League and driving to Monroe weekly for a league there as well this Summer......and getting some Mixed Doubles fun in with Jeff when I can.  I really have it bad......LOVE IT!

Lastly, Preston's second K year has come to a close and we are READY to tackle AEP 1st grade next year.  THIS WAS THE BEST DECISION!  If anyone has any hesitation at all about preparing a little boy for SUCCESS by giving him another year to mature so he is not the youngest kid in his class let me tell you it is the BEST way to do it.  Preston is reading so well and is a LEADER in his class.  His little friend Hydi nominated him for the "Citizenship" award in his class this year and he won one of four given.  Her mom told me Hydi nominated him because he is "kind. "  That, my blog readers, is something for a Mama to be proud of...and I certainly am ....

More soon!