Better Back, No Biting and Not at the Beach

Nigel's back is much, much better and Kingston and I are enjoying having good ol' Dad back!

Kingston finished off his week at "school" with a bang! He got great reports from Ms. Cindy. He played with younger kids one day and didn't push or act ugly to them. He also played with the older kids and didn't bite or fuss at any of them. I guess the boy just needed a good threatening to get him to act right!

And we are travelling! Kingston and I are in Raleigh with Nana for a fun-filled shopping, visiting, get away from home extravaganza! So far, so good. We made the trip in record time and didn't even stop once the entire way. That is 3.5 hours non-stop in the car. Kingston is a swell traveller and I must not have had much to drink today because I didn't even have to stop to pee! TMI? Sorry. We are planning to shop tomorrow and then have dinner with Core 4 Mere and her sweet little family. Yes, there will be pictures. Of us with Mere and family, not of us shopping. Just wanted to clear that up.

So that gets everyone (Mrs. Kathy) up to speed for now! I will report back in when we have more to report. And when we have pictures. Everyone loves a picture.

Beach, Biting and Bad Backs

Nigel's back is slowly getting better. Thanks for asking. He went to a quackropractor chiropractor today to see if he could offer any relief and this evening Nigel was well enough to do some dishes! I DO believe! Seriously, his back is loosening up and he is feeling much better.

Kingston got in trouble at Ms. Cindy's today. He bit a little girl on the hand because she leaned against the chair he was leaning on. Ms. Cindy jokingly said this particular little girl often deserves such a reaction but this time she really didn't do anything! She gave Kingston a very strong warning and said next time it happens he will go straight to Time Out. He bit me tonight when I told him not to grab something off of the counter and I put him in Time Out. It took a few tries of firmly placing him on his Time Out chair before he took me seriously. By the time I went back to get him he sure did look sorry and sweet! All was forgiven for now. Rumor has it Kingston's dad was quite the biter when he was a wee tot. Biting just may be hereditary, I think, and Kingston surely didn't get it from me (insert angelic smile here).

Sunday (before the tragic back injury) we played at the beach with Pappy and Ms. Brandi. Kingston has gotten over his obsession with running straight for the water and now likes to play in the sand and in buckets of water. He still likes to play in the surf but will hold your hand and doesn't have to spend every minute there. Pappy decided to take Kingston out in the water on his orange raft. Kingston wore his swimmies on his arms. I was casually taking pictures and later realized I had pictures before, during and after the wipeout that took Kingston off the raft. Good times.

Kingston took the wipeout. He should have the backache. Give him 30 more years. By then everything will cause a backache!

STELLAN NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS!

Attention all blog readers! As you know, I am slightly terribly obsessed with MckMama and her family. And right now, Stellan is being airlifted to Boston for treatment on his poor, tired heart. He needs all of the prayers and thoughts you can offer him, as do his family and especially his doctors. Pray for wisdom, patience, healing, and peace.


As for us, Kingston is feeling fine if not a little, or a lot, overtired and not napping. I'm fine, if not a little, or a lot, lazy and not cleaning my dirty house. And Nigel is laid up in the bed with major lower back muscle spasms. He is in a ton of pain and is being a total pain like all men do when they have an injury or illness being a total trooper. Looks like thunder storms for this afternoon and it is hot as blazes. It will be a miracle if we survive this afternoon together in this house. Just kidding. We will survive.

And we would like for Stellan to survive so we will pass that mirale on to him. Get better, buddy! We're all praying!

A First

We experienced a first tonight. Together. The Family Haynes.

It was the first time, in all 19+ months of Kingston's life, that he caused us to have to box up our 1/2 eaten fried chicken salads at Kill Devil Grill, pay the bill quickly, and hurry out with a kicking and screaming child under my arm. We were trying to get out of there before all of the other customers started passing judgement. You know what I mean. "I would never take a baby out to dinner at 8:00 at night. What were they thinking?" Or, "That kid needs an a$$ whipping." Or perhaps, "My child would never act like that." Even better, "What do they expect? They are feeding him ice cream. Hello? Sugar?" Yeah, I know. I was that person about 19 months ago. Until I became the mother of an unpredictable toddler.

The salad was just as good when we got home. And the company was still stellar, once the offender was put in bed and we got to finish our meal. The atmosphere left a little to be desired and the entire house needed a good deep cleaning but overall it was fine.

The frustration. Oh, the frustration. Something I could have lived without this evening. Hopefully this was not the first of many such outings. We knew better. It was too late. He was too tired. I hope we've learned our lesson.

Catching Up

Are you ready for a bunch of pictures to make up for not posting for a whole week? Will that make everything right again?

I mean, what if I show you a picture of Kingston and me at the park? Kingston's not looking at the camera but I am. Sometimes it's about me. Most of the time it's about Kingston. Just this once it is about me. Thank you very much.

What if I show you a picture of my big boy going down the slide all by himself? Are you feeling me?




Or is it going to take this picture of the cutest boy on the planet (or at least at Hayman Park one day last week) to make you forgive me?

Apparently it is going to take a few really sweet pictures of Kingston at the beach to persuade you to continue reading my blog.



Will you promise not to turn Kingston and Pappy in for playing on the dune? I'm sure it wasn't legal but they both had a ton of fun! I'm really not asking for much here.

Now you know you couldn't possibly still be mad after all of that. And if you are, please look at this cute picture of Lee and Kingston. Kingston doesn't look so great but Lee does! She and her husband Chris are in town from Brooklyn for a few days. Kingston and I had a great time at her party on Monday night.





There now. Please forgive. But please don't forget. I will post another fun one again soon. Thank you, come again.

I'd Rather. . .

read my book right now than post. I know. It's been a week. And I apologize for that. We have been quite busy with one thing or another but you don't want to hear excuses. I think I feel like I need to put a picture in every post and I just don't really feel like getting out the camera and downloading. Sorry. I'm a lazy bum!

This afternoon/evening we are headed to a cookout for Lee, who is in town from Brooklyn for a few days. I'll take pictures. And post them.

Eventually. Don't give up on me! Just be patient.

Please?

Oh, Great!

Great Grandmama. What a treat! We visited her today. We were just ensuring our places in heaven. Mom and I officially earned our spots although we don't plan to redeem it for years to come. Thanks, God. 'Preciate you holding those spots for us.

If there is every any question, we have proof. Pictures.

The most fun part of the day? Sam's Club. All 6,000 of the flat screen TV's were playing the movie, Surf's Up. I think we could have left Kingston in the cart and shopped and then come back to get him when we were done. In fact, I might try that next time. Could save us all a lot of headache. Kingston was not the best cart shopper today.

Kingston and I had another long day! He is asleep and I'm not far behind. Again. I'm so cool.

From Parks to Fanny Packs

Early Saturday morning, Kingston, Nana and I went to breakfast.

Then we went to the park.

Then Kingston went home with Nana and had a big time. This big time included hanging out with Uncle Mark and looking at a fish that he caught.

Meanwhile, back at home, I was getting geared up and ready for a night on the town. Specifically? Nicole's birthday. A fanny pack. A limo ride. A Cheap Trick, Poison and Def Leppard concert. Too much of a lot of different things, but especially too much fun!

Good times but I just can't do it like I used to! I have been tired all day today and I'm ready to hit the sack! Just wanted to share all of our Saturday fun. Tomorrow Kingston, Nana and I head to Franklin, VA to visit my grandmother. Talk about fun! Actually, I don't want to talk about it at all.

The 4th, A Day at the Beach and a Funny Picture

The 4th of July:

On the bike, eating a fruit rope, giving his sexiest look.

That's all I got for you. I failed to take any pictures of us at friends Jeremy and Nicole's pool party cookout. It was fun. Just believe me.

A Day at the Beach:

Kingston playing with Riley, Emma and Sydney. Nana was there to make sure no one took any of Kingston's toys away from him!

"Jjjjump!" One of Kingston's favorite words and actions. He very rarely actually leaves the ground but don't tell him that. He really thinks he is getting it done!


Michelle and Riley played out in the water with us. 2 week old Sophie was asleep in her private cabana in the sand! See those people way out in the water? That was Kingston and me! We went out past the waves and did some swimming and bobbing around. Kingston likes to be tossed with his water wings on. He goes completely under water and pops up asking for more!

Kingston, why didn't Nana wear her bathing suit to the beach?

I don't know either, son. She is silly! There's always someone on the beach that looks worse than you in a bathing suit, I always say. I just try to sit really close to that person and then I feel pretty good about myself!

A Funny Picture:

Yes, I feed my kid Chef Boyardee. Sorry, but I do. I actually still like it myself so at least I'm not feeding him something I wouldn't even eat! That was me justifying feeding him crap if you didn't pick up on it! Wanna hear another one? Nigel is out of town and I didn't feel like cooking a whole meal for just Kingston and me. Is that a good excuse? I thought so.

You can believe a bath followed this dinner.

And finally, I will leave you with this thought: fanny pack. Think on it. Dwell on it. Reminisce about it and wonder why I'm even mentioning it. I'll tell you about it another day. But fanny pack? Who came up with that name?! Seriously?

Kingston's Nana

Kingston's Nana is really quite cool. Check it out!

http://www.darecountyschoolsonline.com/moxie/websites/mes-site/2009-Outstanding-Math-Teacher-Rendy_King.shtml

I know who we will call when math homework starts pouring in in a few years!!! Congrats, Nana. You are number 1 in our book, too!

Before You Ask. . .

. . . the answer is "No." Just ask Kingston. He has just started saying no to everything.

Come on, let's go brush your teeth. "No, no, no"

It's time to go night-night. "No"

Stop taking your diaper off while you are standing in front of the TV watching Curious George. "No. No."

Oh, here we go. Next he will be asking me, "why?" Funny sometimes, but really not-so-much other times!

I can't wait to spend this rainy day in the house with Mr. No. Will we really spend the day in the house? I will take it upon myself to answer an emphatic, "NO!" Not if we all want to live to see another day. . .

Ocracoke!

Nan and Grandpa are spending a week or 2 on their boat in Ocracoke. Since Nigel has 2 business accounts down there and I had Wednesday off, we decided to take a family day and head to Ocracoke Island. Should have left the house earlier than 10 a.m. and that's all I'm going to say about that.

We waited 2 1/2 hours for the ferry to Ocracoke! Me, my 18 month old baby and my stressed out husband. In a stationary truck. With the windows down. In 90 degree weather. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Actually, Kingston did quite well with the delay. He loves to play around in the car in the driveway so this was pretty cool for him!

We finally boarded the ferry at approximately 45 minutes past. . . well, nap time. It was too hot to keep Kingston in his seat so we got out and checked the scene. Kingston wasn't the biggest fan of the wind blowing in his face! But he loved the sea gulls and the water, so all was good. Oh, and he never took a nap. Just so you know.

We did a little chilling (and I mean that literally since it is approximately 60 degrees inside the Winnie Dawg at all times) and cheesing (that is Kingston's "cheeeeeese" face) in Nana and Grandpa's boat.

While Dad did some work, Nana, Kingston and I went for a walk and a bit of shopping. This is Kingston after 45 mosquitoes tried to pick him up by his right leg and take him home with them.

We all met back at the boat and Dad and Grandpa did a little fishing right off the back.

Grandpa caught a little croaker! Kingston checked it out and even touched it!

Grandpa let the fish go and we had to wave bye-bye to the fish. Kingston went back to look for him and say bye-bye again a few times!

"Kingston, what happened to the fish?"

"I don't know!"

Nana and I went to the store to get some stuff for dinner. When we came out we saw this:

What's cuter than Nigel on the fold up bike? Well, Kingston in the basket on the back of the fold up bike Nigel was riding, of course! Only in Ocracoke would you see a baby riding in the basket of a bike! Don't worry, they just took one quick spin around the really small parking lot!

After dinner and a few more minutes of fishing with Grandpa, the Haynes family had to head home.

We didn't get home until 11:00 p.m.! Let's just say Kingston slept in his clothes that he wore all day. It was a long, really fun day! I was still pretty tired this morning at 6:45 when Kingston decided to get up. I'm off to bed now . . .