Recent Events

Lots of stuff's been going on this month and as a consequence of busy-ness combined with laziness, I have sadly neglected the whole blogging thing. Like anyone cares, I know. But for those few who do, be prepared for excitement galore.

A little while back, an old friend just happened to have a convention to attend in Raleigh. Some may remember Cherie from such places as Family Search... It was nice getting to see her again, and spending the day with her and her husband, Dennis. We went on an educational tour of Yates Mill, this old historical place on the outskirts of Raleigh, as suggested by Cherie. One would think that having lived in this area for almost ten years that I'd have some clue as to what kinds of things there are to do and see. Oh, well. I am boring. And lazy. So I think Cherie knows more about places of interest in Raleigh than I do, probably the history, too. Although I know a little more now, thanks to this loquacious old lady at a historical society booth. We got to listen to a bluegrass band play "Salty Dog." Ben was surprised that I knew of that song and could actually sing some of the lyrics, but anyone who knows my dad and his penchant for the "Andy Griffith Show" wouldn't be. Henry played some games and came in second place in a sack race (there was one other kid in the race) and won a ribbon. Since there were a million ribbons and only a few kids, Henry asked for and received a blue and a green one, too.

Ben and Henry at Yates Mill:



Monday was the Spanish Branch's annual Memorial Day picnic at Harris Lake Park. We all had lots of fun, ate some good Hispanic food, and got plenty of sun. Henry had a blast engaging in non-stop water gun warfare, Ben got to play some beach volley ball, and I got to sit and relax. Plus I only found one tick on me when I got home, so that was good.

Tuesday Henry and his Joy School classmates graduated. We were supposed to have the graduation party at the park, but right when we walked out the door it started raining. So everybody came over to our place instead. Henry was excited to move past Joy School and is looking forward to going to kindergarten this August. Yeah, Henry.



Wednesday I folded a giant mountain of laundry. Sorry, no before and after photo. It would be far too shocking.

Thursday Henry and I went to the zoo. We rode down with our neighbor and her little boy, plus one of her friends and her little boy. We had to make an emergency pit stop at the Wal-Mart in Siler City for a bathroom break. Henry didn't want to go in so we waited in the car. Then about thirty seconds later he decided he wanted to use the bathroom after all. On the way in we ran into my father-in-law. Henry looked at him and said, "I know you!" One should hope so, although I guess meeting people you know out of context throws everybody for a loop. The zoo was lots of fun and we got to ride the shuttle bus back to our parking lot, which Henry and the boys really enjoyed. Then I got a huge headache, but after chugging three quarters of a Mt. Dew the caffeine did it's job and I didn't throw up. Yeah!



And today we went to the library and I found a new suit for Henry on sale for fifteen bucks. Not as cheap as his old suit ($10), but this one came with a shirt and tie. I had to threaten him with death to get him to try it on. And yes, he looks very cute in it. Even when he pulls a silly face.

Another Random Sampler

A while back while we were on an outing, a little bird got inside the house. Ben had left the upstairs bathroom window open, which is currently sans screen. When we got home he was disturbed by what he assumed was something the cat had done on his computer desk. Of course, a few seconds later the bird made his/her presence known by flapping around the computer room in a panic, and hid behind some junk on the top of the bookshelf. Dori, of course, was delighted, albeit a little frustrated because she'd been unable to get her claws on the bird. Ben, however, was not delighted, as there were several deposits of bird poop on his computer. Ben asked me for help in evicting the bird, wondering aloud if we'd have to rig a sheet or something to scare it out. I told him to open the window, so Ben pulled up the blinds and opened the window about two inches. The bird didn't wait for him to get it open any further and promptly swooped down at the window, smacking right into the glass. Then after a moment it collected it's addled brains and hopped out of the window and out of our lives.

Look closely behind the carousel music box.


I believe this is a Carolina Wren. I also believe he did a fair amount of dusting while he was up there because there are usually more cobwebs adorning the knick knacks.

And for those of you craving a Henry story:

Saturday Henry gave a jubilant, "Whoo hoo!" Then he explained himself, "I said 'whoo hoo' because I didn't want to go to church."


And a photo of Henry and his cute cousin, Wesley:

Stupid Birds

Another bird smacked into our back window again. No corpse or anything, but I was getting sick of having to scrape feathers off the glass. Henry and I made a few scary silhouettes to keep them off.



Clockwise from top left: hungry raptor, vampire bat, starving kitty, and Henry's contributions: butterfly and boomerang.

I like the cat one the best since it's in attack mode. But you know that butterfly's pretty cool, too. Birds'll think it's a tasty snack up until that terrifying moment when they get right up on it and realize it's rabid! Ahhhh! We'll have birds dying of heart attacks left and right.