Playdate

Zachary was going with a friend swimming.  Zane was sad so we decided to go to my house so he could play in the slip ‘n slide and other water toys.  Just then I had a thought – call his friend Aiden and see if he could come with us.  Well, actually I was calling his mom as she had called the day before asking about Zane going swimming and THAT was when I thought to ask about him coming to play.  As you can imagine, Zane was thrilled!  So we drove over just a few blocks and picked up Aiden.

These boys went from one activity to another.  First the water.

After several other toys were played with, out came boxing gloves.Racing trains.  It was a great day and I know they both did not want the day to end.  However, it was time and we will do this again.

Summer in full swing…

It is so hot here.  Hot hot hot!  Yesterday we had an all time record of 109 beating the old record of 108, met four times since the 1880s.  HOT!!  How are you beating the heat?  We are also in the midst of an extreme drought.  I have not planted any flowers or a garden this year – thank goodness!

We are staying inside and running the a/c – and the electric bill up!  Our water is well water so I am sure the electric bill is getting a boost from that too.  And the boys are swimming and playing in the water.  But we have not really made it to some sort of normal summer routine yet.  And Zachary heads for camp next week.  Looks like the mountains around Red River, where we wanted to go for a couple of weekends this summer, are also dry dry.  Not as warm as here but I think I heard there was going to be a ban on campfires.  We may still go jus to be in a nice cool place.  For a few days anyway!

Swimming lessons are going well.  The first day Zane was immediately moved up.  He is enjoying the lessons this year immensely.

Beginning classShowing them all he can do bobs. This and other abilities got him moved up.He wanted her out of the way so he could jump in. At this point he told them to move back.  Mr. Independence.Sitting dive.He was the first one to show them how it was done.  I could not get there fast enough for the first dive.  After lessons we went swimming.  The boys love to go down the slide.Zachary patiently waiting for Zane’s class to end.Zachary is at the end of his indoor football season.  He has been playing more as quarterback this season and really has the arm on him.  And he is not afraid to stay in the pocket and find his man.  More later.  Summer activities.

Heading home to Texas

We left Tybee and headed for home through Atlanta, Birmingham, Memphis, and I-40 home. 

Outside of Atlanta we decided to stop and see Stone Mountain.  It is the largest exposed dome of granite in North America and has a carving on it depicting Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis.  Pretty awesome.

Heading into Birmingham we stopped for a quick view of Talladega.  They were closed but we can say we have been there!  As we were making our way through/around Birmingham, in the rush hour traffic I might add, we stopped in a traffic jam.  Found out later it was a wreck.  I think we were in that traffic for about 45 minutes.  But as we sat we started noticing the trash and “neglected” houses with blue plastic on the roof and shredded trees.  Tornado!  We were driving by one of the paths of a tornado.  Our hearts just broke for these people all over again.  You just cannot imagine the devastation.  Oh, you hear about it and see it on TV, but in person it is so much more.

After that we spent the night in the last two motel rooms in Jasper, AL.  All rooms were taken by either displaced residents or construction workers helping to clean up.

Our next quick stop was Mempis, TN, Beale St.  From here we went to Ft. Smith, AR to spend the night.  Actually we stayed in Alma.  I messaged a cousin there, Gary Hood, and he and his wife Judy came to the motel to visit.  Loved it. 

Then we went home, to Texas and our own beds!  With wonderful memories.