TGIF

My week is FLYING by! I'm completely swamped at work- which is why I'm taking a break to write this quick little blog.

Jeff and I went to a fabu dinner the other night at the King Plow Arts Center hosted by Bold American Catering. It was so good! Everything was organic, farm raised or grown- tasty, tasty, tasty!

Tonight I'm going to see Mamma Mia at the Fox Theater with Andy and Libby. Should be absolutely fabulous! (nod to one of my fav shows on Comedy Central). Very much looking forward to it, but also looking forward to the weekend! Thank goodness for long holiday weekends!

Well, we did come home early from our vacation. However, we've not really gone off vacation yet. We went to the Yellow River Game Ranch yesterday morning. Gavin loved the animals! My dad said that he thinks he took me when I was a little girl, but we think it might have been the petting zoo at Stone Mountain Park. We had such a good time! Gavin liked the deers and chickens the best. Next time, we'll definitely have to buy more food before we start on the walk!

This morning, we went to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. It's been awhile since I've been, it was nice to see the new additions. They have a great kids garden that we spent most of our time walking through. We went ahead and became members so we can go anytime we want for free.

Jeff and I are feeling all goal-setting right now- lose weight before Joe's wedding, build some wealth, finish house projects...etc, etc, etc. Actually, we're about to run to the store- it looks like we might be rain, but you know Atlanta- all talk!

I'm thinking we might go home today. Tropical Storm Fay is just hanging out on the coast...seems like she needed a beach vacation too. It's not that we're worried about the storm, it's just that this is our vacation! You know, we want to swim in the pool, eat ice cream, veg in front of the tv, vacation stuff! Kind of takes the wind out of your sails when you're forced to sit inside all day. Especially with a 2 year old who wants to go outside all the time.

It appears the storm is going to go off shore, then head back inland later today. I think we'll be gone before that. It stinks though, because we'll definitely miss our visit with my family. If the storm were moving faster and was going to be gone by this evening, we'd stay. But as it looks now, it's going to hang out off shore, then move back later today, hang out tomorrow and still have some rain on Friday. Not my idea of a fun vacation.

I'm off to clean sheets and towels!!!

I can't believe I left my card reader at home. I've got some cutie-PA-tooty pictures of the boy since we've been on vaca. I keep trying to get up and get myself out to Target or somewhere to pick one up, but I'm just too lazy to do it. We did have a bit of a scare this afternoon when Gavin threw the camera across the room (shame on mom and dad for letting him have it in the first place). The lens wouldn't go back into place. I finally figured, what the heck, it's as broken as its going to get and forced the lens back into place. Who knew that would actually work!!!!

SO- we're on vacation, and a BIG storm decides to head to where we are, Daytona Beach, FL. Basically, we were in limbo all day because the rain and stuff was supposed to start last night. Didn't. THEN, it was supposed to hit mid-afternoon. Didn't. Now, it's supposed to hit tonight. I'm thinking this is really going to happen b/c the wind has picked back up. We rebelled this afternoon and got in the pool even though the wind was blowing like crazy. Actually, it wasn't too bad...besides there was no rain or thunder. I think we're sitting right on the outskirts of the storm...right now.

All in all, we're having a good time. We're heading up to Jacksonville on Thursday to see some family. Very much looking forward to it- haven't seen them in awhile.

Gavin's having a blast- we keep buying him Matchbox cars- score! He likes to line them all up so he and Jeff can count them. Very good spacial abilities this kid. Maybe he'll be an architect....hmmmm...

First off- we didn't get here until 2:15am Saturday morning...ugh.

Secondly, we have yet to go in the pool- and it's Sunday. We spent all day yesterday recooperating from the drive and shopping at the grocery store. It's raining. And there's some big storm heading this way as we speak...er, write. C'est la vie. It's all fun and games in the Stevenson household. We've got the Olympics on (did anyone see Phelps get his 8th last night- how awesome was that??!?!?) and TONS of toys in the living room. So, we're all happy.

At least we were able to go for another walk today. My goal is to walk every day that we're here, just to start building that into my daily routine. Actually, it's really easy to walk here, the streets are flat, and, weather permitting, there's a pool to jump in when you get back.

I've got to run to the store today to get a card reader for my camera so I can upload some snaps.

Regardless of the weather, we're still having fun and RELAXING!

Last night was our first parent-teacher conference in the new room. I'm very excited! Gavin's with bigger kids who do a lot more. I was really excited when they talked about potty training- the teacher basically guaranteed that he'd be trained by the time he left that room. That's summer of next year, but hey, it's right at or even before his third b-day!

I'm feeling a little anxious right now since we're leaving tonight. I'm pretty much packed, except for a few odds and ends throughout the house. I'm thinking we won't get out of town until about 6:30p, which puts us in Daytona around 1am...or later. Ick. BUT, at least when we wake up, we'll already be there and can just fall into the pool in the backyard!

Tomorrow we leave for our summer vacation- so happy! We're going to stay at my parent's house in Ormond Beach (spitting distance of Daytona). Happy! Happy! Happy! I'm taking my computer, so I'll send updates while I'm there.

I must say, I am completely addicted to two things right now- the Olympics and Facebook. Who knew how easy Facebook would be and how many people I could reconnect with?!

Two questions from the Olympics-
1- Does anyone know how the hell you score fencing? I have no clue...not sure I care, just thought I'd ask.
2- Why did Bob Costas dye his hair so dark? He looks terrible!

Seriously folks, I can't get enough of the Olympics- did you catch that swim relay race against the French? Hello, USA! USA! USA!

Gavin is warming up to his new room at school. It took a few days though. We have a parent-teacher conference tonight. I'm going while Jeff stays at home. The meeting isn't until 7pm. I wonder what single parents have to do since it's an "adults only" meeting. Again, my hat's off to single parents! I don't know how you do it!

Good news- the teacher told us that they're actually going to start potty training in class. Sweet! We've introduced G to his potty at home. He likes to sit on it naked...but nothing happening yet. We figured he'd do it on his own time, but, I also think if one of his friends does it, he'll be soon to follow. Ahhhh...potty training.

Ahhh...today is the first day of school for most of Atlanta's schools. There's something about this time of year. Now, I live in the heat of the South, so it's not like the leaves are falling yet or the weather has cooled down any, but there is something about a new school year. I came into work feeling all revived and yet, here I am...blogging away!

I guess it didn't help that it's not like I had a summer break...I had a weekend break, and I was sick all weekend!!!

Moving on- I did get well enough to go so some old college buddies- Paige, Paige and Windy- it was great seeing all of you! I can't believe that it's almost been 20 years since we all graduated from YHC. On the way into work, the radio station was putting together a list of songs to load onto an iPod they plan on calling "the iPod from hell." Well...some of those songs were pretty big back in the day, my day:
"I'm all out of love"- Air Supply
"What is Love"- who the hell remembers, but the song from "Nite at the Roxbury"
"Let's Get Physical"- Olivia!
"The Thong Song"- Sisqo
"Ice Ice Baby"- Vanilla Ice

Bring back any memories?

Jeff takes the first part of his real estate test today. Send good thoughts!

You know, I thought I'd written earlier this week. I think my computer caught something...yikes. Hopefully, it's just a glitch in the Matrix.

Gavin has discovered cars and guitars. I got him a guitar a couple of months ago...he can't go anywhere with out it. He even sleeps with it! In the morning, when he wakes up, Jeff and I can hear him tinkering on it...occasionally, he'll try to "sing" a little note. So sweet!

Last summer, we went to a neighborhood yard sale, with about 10 different houses participating. We bought Gavin a toy set from Fisher Price, stuck it on the top shelf of his closet and promptly forgot all about it. I pulled it down a day or so ago, cleaned it up and Gavin plays with it every time he goes in the family room. He makes little "vroom" and "beep beep" sounds with the cars. It so amazes me to see him go from one stage of playing to another. His playing isn't as generic as before, you can actually see him start to pretend. Very cool.

Very much looking forward to our vacation in a couple of weeks. We're heading to my parent's house in Daytona. It's a great house- right on the intercoastal waterway and they have a pool in the back. Another plus, we can take Maggie with us and not have to worry about dropping her off at Jeff's mom's house or anything like that. I'm also looking forward to hanging out on the beach.

It's funny, in Daytona, they allow you to drive on the beach. You can park and everything. Before my first "car/beach" experience, I was a little opposed to the idea. Between the traffic and dirtiest, it didn't seem like a good idea to me. HOWEVER, after our last visit, the convenience of the car so close is FABU! Half of my stuff didn't get covered in sand, I could keep the cooler in the car (thus, the ice didn't melt as fast since it wasn't in the blazing sun) and it was easier to pack up when it was time to go.

I love Saturday mornings ~ Sesame Street, the Wiggles, cartoons of all sorts and my son running around with his eukelele (I'm so sure that's not how you spell it) pretending it's a guitar. His "tar" is his favorite toy. I bought him a eukelele when I was in Santa Cruz in early June and he's still totally addicted. I hope his interest keeps, I'd love for him to learn how to play the guitar at some point. Actually, I'd love to take lessons with him!

Jeff has his real estate class again today so Gavin and I are going to Decatur to get his hair cut. I'll probably stop at Starbucks on the way home for a little treat. Afterwards, we might hit up the cheap book shop to see what's new on the shelves. Or, I might head to Target to get the little man some new jammies. Might sound like a mundane day, but I'm really looking forward to it!

Later today, we're heading to Mark's apartment to meet the gang and cook out. Because of Jeff's class, we won't be there until much later than everyone else, but that's ok. It'll be nice to see everyone.

(Side note- Jeff is now "wailing" on the eukelele- go daddy go!)