HAPPY 10th

Hampton turned the big double digits on Sunday. We celebrated with his request of breakfast in bed (my bed, of course ). Then he had his party at Gamestation which is where Austin had his as well. He wanted to have the cake at exactly 2:40 pm which is when he was born. He and his friends had a great time. We then had dinner at his favorite Japanesse hibatchi restaurant. He had a great day. Today, I am taking brownies in to celebrate with his class. Who says you only can celebrate for one day.

Gigi and Pops sent him a perfect card:

10 REASONS IT'S GREAT TO BE 10

1. Your video game skills are becoming unbeatable.

2. Only kids who've been around a whole decade know what's really going on.

3. You're starting to pass up those shrimps who aren't tall enough to get into amusement park rides.

4. You get to eat cake and ice cream till you pop.

5. Being a teenager is only 3 short years away.

6. A bigger allowance might be just around the corner.

7. Gifts
8. Now you're totally balanced - ten toes, ten fingers, ten years.

9. Single digits are SO last year.

10. You can't get any more perfect than a perfect 10.

It's all true for you - Hampton

RAIN????

It has been so long that it has rained. I walked out this morning and Hampton was out on his scooter before the bus. A light rain was falling. Hampton said, "It's tinkling." He was confused and forgot the word. Then said, "no, it's what?" I said that it was sprinkling. But I like tinkling so much better and much more appropriate for the very small amount of rain that we got.

Also, I have my first tennis lesson today. And no I don't have a cute skirt - yet - or ever? And no I probably will never be one of those cute moms that goes out to eat lunch AFTER tennis in their cute little skirt outfits looking like they never even played tennis.

OLYMPICS - Family Style

Our family participated in the Olympics this week. It was Austin's idea to do a family olympics using the Wii. Over two nights we participated in five events. Here is the outcome:

BOWLING
Gold - Austin
Silver - Mom
Bronze - Dad

TENNIS
Gold - Dad
Silver - Hampton
Bronze - Austin

SHOOTING
Gold - Austin
Silver - Mom
Bronze - Hampton

BOXING -
Gold - Hampton
Silver - Austin
Bronze - Dad

PING PONG
Gold - Hampton
Silver - Austin
Bronze - Mom

Austin won the Platinum medal for having the most medals. Hampton was in second place with four medals. Dad and I were last with only 3. Of course, this was the first time we had played a couple of the games so maybe next time we will have more. It was a lot of fun and a great idea.

FATHER AND SON RAFTING

Paul had the annual Nissan rafting trip and invited Austin to go with him. They had a blast. It was the last Saturday before school started (August 9, 08) and they had to get up very early to drive to the Ocoee River. This is the same river that Austin rafted at camp. Looks like Austin is excited:

Father and Son ready to go:

Relaxing in the river:

Austin getting ready to jump in the sluse. A rapid

that when you jump in it takes you down river:

IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

It was 6:15 and Austin got up fairly easily. He was not or will not ever be ready to say goodbye to summer vacation. He was reminding himself about the good things about school last night. The comic books in the library, lunch, and seeing friends. The best thing is that the bus is 30 minutes later this year. He can get up when the bus used to be at our house. Now the bus comes at 6:45. He was mad that four of his friends got into another class. But I told him that it was just an opportunity to make new friends and still see the old ones.



Next, at 7:00 we try to get Hampton up. He says to come back at 7:30. He can have 30 minutes of TV time or sleep longer. So he finally got up at 7:30 and got ready for the bus at 8:05. He was excited that he had friends in his class. Of course, after five years at that school he knows almost every boy there. He also gets to change classes this year. He will have two or maybe three teachers.

As for me, I had excercised, showered, vacuumed, did paperwork, and cooked lunch - all by 12:00. I feel like it should be nighttime by now, this afternoon.

Both boys had a great first day. Austin has friends in all his classes, not much from Hampton yet. Since it was a half day, they took off playing immediately.

Maybe we can make the 9:00 bedtime tonight.

Boating on Center Hill Lake

On Saturday we rented a pontoun boat and a tube on Center Hill Lake. The lake is so beautiful. It is clear and clean. The lake is in a valley with hills rising around it. The houses are high on the hills and nestled in the trees. There is very few boat docks. You have to use a marina or a boat launch. Most of the lake is owned by the Army Corp of Engineers and is undevelopable.

We had a blast. The boys loved tubing. The tube was big enough for two people. They also loved jumping off the boat and swimming.

Hanging Out:

Trying to stand up - while moving:

HANDS UP:

Taking a break

Captain Paul

Getting their hair wet - while moving

Do you think we got tired?


Here is a video that Austin took of Paul and Hampton tubing - remember we are moving fast: