Pinewood Derby 2009

To me, nothing says being a little boy, growing up in a small town like a Cub Scout troop does and with that comes what else... The Pinewood Derby. I guess it's because I have vivid memories of McLean participating in this exact event growing up in Belzoni at this exact age and it always being at the First Baptist Church. Isn't it strange how some things you don't forget. To top that.. it was always held in the exact room at that church where I had my dreadful piano recitals that gave me ulcers unbeknownst to me at the time. I was always a very anxious and nervous child (keep comments to yourself if you are thinking paranoia-ha). If my mother was not first in line in carpool I broke out in hives and just knew that she would never return. What on Earth was my problem? Why did I have such fears of abandonment or neglect? I think I have dealt with those issues over time apparantly and thank goodness those traits have hopefully gotten lost in the gene pool since I am usually the last one peeling into PA at 3:30 and my kids seem totally oblivious to when or if I even come get them at all. If they had their way they'd sit there or catch a ride with whomever need be. (Thank you laid back Melton genes).. OK, back to topic... focus Lisa... focus...Last Saturday was our local Pinewood Derby for troop 4200 and it took place at St. John's Methodist Church. This event rotates locations yearly. Our troop is based out of our church, First Presbyterian and yes husband Floyd is the Scout Master. He does a great job I might add. He's so giving of his time and patient with the boys. I'm sure he has fun too but still....I know they all have a good time. Here are a few pics of the event. Floyd placed 8th overall out of about 50 or so kids. He and his Daddy worked really hard making it super sleek and getting the right amount of weights to make it just perfect. He won each Heat he was in but when all the times were calculated 8th was the final spot. His buddy, Alex Fann, got 4th overall. Good job Alex!

"and they're OFF"
"Floyd with Scoutmaster Daddy"

"the Green Machine took 8th overall"

"Alex Fann- 4th overall winner"

"gotta love the Derby"

SOLD!

I debated on how to title this post because it truly speaks for itself. We are now the proud owners of ONE home. Woo hoo! Lots of treasured memories that is for sure at 419 Bell Avenue but time marches on. I hope the Sanders family enjoys it as much as the several generations of Melton's surely did.

It Left As Quickly As It Arrived........Thank Goodness

The snow that is.....we awoke two Sunday mornings ago to the sight of a blanket of freshly fallen snow. Well, I best be clear here in saying that the KIDS awoke to the sight of newly fallen snow. Floyd and I, on the other hand, traveled home after midnight from Cotton Ball in the downpour of heavy snow. Two inches so they say! Didn't I mention that I am DONE with winter?? Nevermind that we are about to embark on our Spring Break ski trip to Deer Valley, Utah for some intense snow skiing. I must say that it's different if you travel to see snow purposefully but to have snow on the verge of Spring, after the Japanese Magnolias have fully bloomed, and on a Saturday late night, which doesn't even warrant any days off from school, why even bother. However, the opportunity for some cute pics presented itself in remarkable fashion.



My snow angel Anne Craig

My snow angel Floyd


So as the "Christmas" carol goes, not the "Spring" carol, "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow"... It was pretty. Don't get me wrong I do love to get snow at least once a year. Here in the Deep South I really prefer for it to come on maybe a Wed, Thurs, or Fri so that we can get at least one day off from school and can delight in the interruption of daily routines and travel paralysis. We all try to go to the highest elevation points we can find (usually your local levee) accompanied with the Flexible Flyer sled in tow to have a good time! Enough complaining... it was fun while it lasted. I am sure we will get our snow fill next week so brace yourself for many more snow pictures in the coming weeks that is for sure.

Happy Spring!! I think....

More of Melton Birthday week....

Not only did Floyd IV celebrate his birthday in late February so did Moms (aka: Elizabeth Melton) and Moss. We gathered for dinner at the Melton's to blow out a few more candles. It's so funny to think that most of Floyd's family celebrates birthdays in November and February. Oh, and throw Christmas in the mix of that and WOW! Let the partying begin!! Shwew.. I'm tired....


The kids with Mac and Grace

Mr. Ballas and Great Grandaddy

Moms with her new Viking pot

Moss' new duck waders

Floyd and his new Wii

Can you say...We had a LARGE time at Floyd's birthday!!

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY FLOYD!!!

My sweet boy turns 8 years old TOMORROW FEBRUARY 27th!! That is really almost too hard to stomach. Wasn't he just born? Wasn't it just 2001? I am sure I will blink and he'll be 18 headed to college but still it doesn't make sense and really any easier to believe. What is it about time??? Why does time seem to pass so slowly as we live each waking day in the routine of our lives and then when we take time to reflect on the past it's as though we've been traveling at wharp speed through some sort of bizarre dimension....thoughts to ponder indeed.... I know this is all part of God's plan in that these thoughts come to our minds and make us really thankful, appreciative, blessed and even angry too at things we did or didn't do in the time that we did or didn't have... OK, I'll stop now on the time topic.... getting a little too deep even for me...

It's hard to do a simple blog post about your specific child even if you know every little thing about them and all the things he has done this year to seal the deal that he is in fact EIGHT years old. But seriously... Floyd has grown a lot over this past year. Physically, he's super lean, (we can hardly keep any meat on his bones and are constantly forcing him to eat) he has gotten taller, his feet are longer, his hair a bit darker and teeth are missing in spots not to mention they are all shapes and sizes. (Yes, we need to start an orthodonture fund but that will have to wait) This I suppose is the official beginning of the "gawky years". You know those years that you hear about when people tell you.. "you better go ahead and get whatever portraits you want done before you know they get......'gawky looking'"

Floyd's past year has consisted of lots of transition. Second grade has been interesting but fun and exciting nevertheless. We've moved 2 blocks to our new beautiful "dream" home (it is not new by any means... it turns 100 years old this year). We buried our family dog of 15 years and there are always lots of happenings that I won't bore my readers any further with. I mean for goodness sakes they are on the blog... duh...well, not really yet.. considering I just started in the blog world last fall.

I decided to borrow a neat idea my childhood friend (Kim Sue Gilmer Wise) came up with that tries to capture the things that describe your child right now in time. Sortuv like a sit down interview persay.....Just call me Barbara Walters....kidding. Seriously...I sat down with Floyd last night and here's what he said. This is a moment in time right now.... Happy Birthday Sweet Boy. We Love You!

I AM....Floyd (the 4th) and I am 8
I WAS....in a bad storm in Rick's boat one time
I HAVE....a great family
I PLAY....soccer
I WORRY....about losing the ballgame
I KNOW....math tricks
I WATCH....Sports Center
I WANT....to go to Mardi Gras
I CRAVE....Mexican queso dip
I USUALLY....play outside with my friends
I REMEMBER....when Anne Craig was born
I DISLIKE....homework
I GO....to Pillow Academy and am in the Second Grade
I WENT....to the Cotton Bowl
I CAN.... skateboard
I DON'T....like to be late
I FEEL....good when I sleep late
I READ....Curious George and Berenstein Bears
I WRITE....with my right hand
I BELIEVE....in never giving up
I AM SCARED.... of getting a spanking
I LISTEN....to my teacher
I WISH....I could go to New York
I LOVE....my family
I AM HAPPY....I live in Greenwood
I AM THANKFUL....for my many blessings

Sweetness!

Should be interesting to see how this may change year after year....

Babysitters Extrordinaire!!

We had the distinct pleasure of babysitting Ainsley Sunday night while Moss and Shannon had a business dinner to attend. I can honestly say that she is the sweetest, best dispositioned baby ever!! Wonder where she gets those traits from?? Hmmmmm......Anyway, she was a good sport to pose for the camera in sheer fright in the arms of the kiddos. These pics are priceless. Enjoy!!

"Not so sure here...."

Gotta work on that fake smile Floyd!

me with the kiddos!