Pumpkin Painting Party

Today Janna and Julia threw a "Twitches 2" party. (It's a Disney movie they watch) Actually, it was a pumpkin painting party. They invited 3 friends over to paint pumpkins, have cupcakes, and other goodies. The kids dressed up in their costumes. I dressed up as a witch, Gordon as a cowboy, Nana as a silly witch, and Paw Tom as a burgular. The weather was perfect. The kids got to spend a lot of time outside riding bikes and driving cars.

The fun didn't stop after the girl's guests left. Janna, Julia, Nana, Paw Tom, Gordon, Aunt Emily, Rick, and myself all competed in races. We competed "one on one" and even "piggy back". In addition to that the girls had a balloon poping race. They ran to the end of the driveway and back taking ballons with them to sit on and pop.

I hope this is smething that we can do every year.

Disruptions (or what happens when Daddy slacks on pull-up duty)

I am sitting up at 11:30 p.m. working on a Motion to Compel Discovery, and a Motion to Supress. I get up to go to the bathroom and head to check the girls. At that point I realize the evil truth, they went to bed without pull-ups…well its not that bad really since there is a waterproof comforter on their bed. Of course, I didn't make it to Julia in time, she had an accident right before I got there and it woke her up. The blame belongs squarely on Mommy and Daddy, we are the adults, we are the ones who should make sure they have a pull-up on at bed-time.

I love my girls to death, but between them and the dogs there is nothing in this house that is safe. Such is the life of a parent I guess.

I am feeling more than a bit overwhelmed lately. Between School (regular classes and a Moot Court competition), Bar Applications (they have to know every address where you have lived since you were 15, and every traffic ticket you have ever received among other things), and trying to be a dad I am strung out, and I know Melissa is as well.

My Great-Grandmother was fond of the saying “and this too shall pass” and I know it will, but it seems like these things take forever to pass.

Oh well, a few more cases and I can go to sleep. I don’t have to be up until 7 or so in the morning.

State Fair (Trip #2)

We did it! We have just gotten back from the state fair. I never knew that three 3 year olds could pull you in so many directions. (Someone should have put that in a book)

Janna, Julia, and Cousin Amelia all rode every kiddie ride that the Mississippi State Fair had to offer. Even the adults had to get in on the action. The duties were as follows: Uncle Steve - Whirly Bear and Flying Dragon, Nana - Merry Go Round, Aunt Emily - Funhouse and Caterpillar Rollercoaster, Paw Tom - Merry Go Round, Tugboat, and Caterpillar Rollercoaster, Me - Caterpillar Rollercoaster, and Gordon - Image Documentation (pictures). It amazes me how little fear toddlers have and how much adults have. (This is while riding the kiddierides)

We devoured fried Snickers, fried Oreos, Ice Cream, Pronto Pups, Cotton Canday, Chicken on a Stick, and Saratogo fries. No heartattack yet. But Gordon did run into his insurance agent. Hopefully, Gordon's dinner didn't void his coverage. There difinitely will be "sweet" dreams tonight.

I love going to the fair. It brings back childhood, and adds few extra pounds. The memories I can live with it's the pounds I hate. That's why I'm glad the fair only comes around once a year.

Picture Info

Some of you may be aware (and if you were not aware you are hearby notified) that I have been using Pbase to host most of my photos. But I have decided to move to SmugMug to facilitate people who want to order prints and possibly to download them as well. For now the bulk of the images are located at www.pbase.com/gshawjr but some have been migrated to http://www.gshawjr.smugmug.com/ (the girls gallery is hidden at http://gshawjr.smugmug.com/gallery/3542054 ) uploading takes a lot of time so please bear with me during the transition.

If you have any questions, suggestions or requests please let me know. Thanks.

State Fair (Trip #1)

The state fair has finally arrived and we were out there in full force. Gammy and P-paw drove in for the day. The girls had the time of their life. We parked by the agriculture center so that we walked by all the farm animals. The girls enjoy seeing all the different types of livestock. Then we ventured out into the wonderful October heat. There wasn't a ride that the girls didn't want to ride. We had to use our parent magic and sidetrack them from many of the large, bumpy, and wet rides.

My favorite part was taking the girls into the funhouse. Watching the girls eagerly walk though the maze and run into the glass had to be the most enteratining event I've seen in awhile. By the time we finished up: 3 slushes, 1 funnel cake, and 1 ice cream later, we had 2 extremely tired girls and even more exhausted grandparents and parents.

As I type this the girls are laying in their bed watching TV and I'm praying that in the next 5 minutes they are asleep. I am now in the recovery process of this event and getting ready for next Wednesday. This is when we set off for the fair with my parents (Nana and PawTom) and Amelia, Janna and Julia's cousin (who is only 6 months younger. The adults will again out number the children (6 to 3) but I fear that the adults will somehow lose this battle as well.

I'm In!

I just got an email saying that I have been accepted to the Mississippi College M.Ed. in Dyslexia Therapy program. I will begin in the summer of 2009. I'm on the waiting list to start in 2008. I really would like to start sooner, so I hope a spot opens up.

Here we go!

Well, I'm finally doing it. I am creating a blogspot so I can keep everyone informed of our weekly events. Yes, they are events. Everything that involves two 3 1/2 year olds is an event. Even things that involve just the parents sometimes becomes an event.

Here is an overview of our weekend.
Friday, I had a Home and Garden party at the house. Gordon (flying solo) took the girls to a birthday party and then to another friends house. Saturday, Gordon left for the Wooly Swamp (somewhere in the Delta) for a "guys" night. Somehow Gordon managed to return with a with a swollen knee and a cut up hand. He said he didn't see the stick on the ground. (He thinks it was a stick.) While he was gone, the girls and I went to find them an outfit for their fall picture. Finally, on Sunday, we stayed home, cooked, and visited with friends.