Happy Anniversary... Happy Birthday

This past week has been full of milestones: on June 10th, Todd's parents rang in their 50th wedding anniversary. Two days later, Todd welcomed his 40th year of life. We will celebrate his parents anniversary later this summer when the whole family gets together in NJ, but we did go ahead and celebrate Todd's birthday in a unique way this past weekend.

We rented a 3 bedroom timber-frame house up in the NC mountains and invited some friends and their kids to join us. We ate and drank a lot of good food and wine including several of Todd's favorite foods. We went to the nearby downtown of Bryson City to see what it was all about. We were there on a Sunday and most everything was closed. But - the area around the train station was hopping... and apparently this is a big thing for Bryson City - train rides for kids and adults through the Smoky Mountains.

We went for a hike in the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On this relatively short hike (1 mile +/- each way), we came across two waterfalls - including a spot in front of one of them where there was a shallow pool. The kids - Lily, Mercer, Alex, and Aaron - had a great time dipping their toes in the cool mountain water. This particular area was very populated with a lot of people walking up the trail with inner tubes and floating down the river. Perhaps one day we will partake in this, as it looked like a lot of fun. The kids also spotted different kinds of bugs along the way - interestingly - there were a lot of little purple butterflies there.

The following day, as everyone was leaving the rental house, Todd and I were preparing for another adventure to tackle on our way home: to go on a hunt for a letterbox hidden in the nearby Nantahala Village. (Here, Mercer is sporting his letterbox bag, hat, and sunglasses in hand. The sunscreen & bug spray have been applied.) He is officially ready for "the hunt" which led us through a complex of cabins and by an old working farm-turned day spa. Then we continued toward some horse stables and into the woods. It was a nice walk at first, but as the hike continued, we started to wonder how much longer the journey would take. The trails were walking / horse trails. Unfortunately, we never got to see any horses - but we saw lots and lots... and lots of horse poop along the way. Because of that, Todd carried Mercer for much of the hike so he would not hit any of the targets. Finally (after 1 1/2 hours of walking) we followed the last clue to the hidden letterbox. After so many paces... there is a large vine-covered tree on the left. Look across the path from the tree to a group of rocks knee-high and the box is under the rock on top. Well, there were several vine-covered trees and groupings of rocks, but we did it... we found it! It was pretty rewarding because we weren't even sure if it was there -- it had been several years since anyone else had logged its find. Mercer had fun exchanging stamps in the stamp book.

The clue also said there was a nice picnic spot, so bring a lunch. Well, it wasn't obvious at first. We were surrounded by tall trees, lots of foliage, lots of vines climbing ever upward. It was actually dark in the woods, but about 20 yards further down the path we could see a clearing... and... it was gorgeous. We had our own little private picnic spot in a cove off of the beautiful blue-green waters of Lake Fontana. We watched little fish swim by at the clear waters beneath us and dragon flies playing and flitting around us. There were some spiders on the rock where we perched, but Mercer didn't notice those thankfully. In the distance, we could hear a woodpecker. Above us, a hawk was flying. It was absolutely stunning. It made up for the dark, damp, horse-poop-filled trail!

Once we were finished eating our lunch and taking it all in, we decided to make our way back to the car. Thankfully, the directions to get back took us a different way -- a much shorter route to the lodge where we parked. And - as a bonus, it took us by this beautiful weeping tree and stone ruins.

It was a tough hike. It was one of our most challenging letterbox adventures, but perhaps our most rewarding? We persevered. We didn't give up. We found the stamp, a gorgeous picnic spot, the tree and stone ruin... as well as a part of the NC mountains that we want to go back and explore more!

Reflecting on how rich our lives are...

It's been awhile since posting. We've spent a lot of really really good time together as a family. In fact, I was just reflecting on how rich our lives are.... all 3 of our lives.

Since posting, we've attended our annual neighborhood putt-putt golf tournament and had a great time with our friends; luckily, they have children that Mercer adores. It's a win-win for all of us. We spent Memorial day weekend together as a family. Intentionally, we stayed at home so that we could complete a project: build a sandbox for Mercer. We love our back yard... it's a wonderful space for the three of us to play in, to entertain friends, and to relax. Mercer has learned to enjoy the things that we do back there - tinkering in the garden, interacting with the fish in the pond, watching the water move through the stream, and the stone wall (he climbs & jumps off of it). Likewise, we have learned to enjoy the thing that he does back there - playing chase, hide and seek, and kicking a ball around.

But, the sandbox is the first "fixture" that we've incorporated into our back yard specifically for him. He knows that it is HIS space.

And with that in mind, he was thrilled when we suggested that we host a play date in the back yard. For days before hand, he kept saying "friends coming over? to play in my sandbox?" He would go through a list of friends that he wanted to have over. (This list started with some neighborhood kids, then went into a list of kids from daycare, but we "cut it off" at just the neighborhood gang... which he was still really excited about.) The same group of neighborhood friends we played with at the putt-putt golf outing were back at our house in order for Mercer to host & entertain. After several of the kids played in the sandbox, they all cooled off on a water slide we set up in the back yard. Then, they moved onto playing with sidewalk chalk and sidewalk paint (mostly by jumping on the bottle of paint & seeing how far it would squirt out). It was a fun evening for all of us - adults and children alike.

This sandbox is a unique one, of course. It is made of cedar and has a lid that keeps neighborhood cats out, but the lid folds to form benches on either side of the box. We saw one online that was smaller, so decided to build here instead - and make some modifications to the design. Overall, we're very happy with it... and seeing that Mercer has played in it almost every day since we built it last week... he seems happy with it too.

Later Memorial Day weekend, we went to the Chattahoochee Nature Center for some hiking, exploring, and a picnic. I was most fascinated by our happening upon a group of geese eating flowers and leaves off of some tall grassy plants. For awhile, we lurked behind some bushes in order to watch, then Mercer's attention was turned elsewhere, so we moved on. The geese munched from the tops of the flora... and eventually we walked right past them. They did not move. Apparently, they are used to people.

After eating our picnic lunch, we played a little frisbee out in an open field. We thought this was Mercer's favorite part because he got to run and throw something... but when asking him about what the highlight of his day was, he said he liked hiding in the bushes. And eating blueberries (we had just finished some angel food cake and berries).


I think he must really love blueberries. Earlier in the week - we were praying. He goes through his normal "thank you for mommy... daddy... and Mercer" then he names a friend or a family member. One night, he said thank you for blueberries and strawberries. CUTE!

Some other cute things he's doing: he seems to be very concerned with our happiness and pleasing us. We're still working on his potty training... and when / if he goes, he immediately asks "are you happy?" Sometimes randomly he'll ask if we're happy too. When we say yes, and hug him, he smiles really big. LOVE that!

He's been able to count in order to 20 (with a little bit of help around 13, 14, 15, 16). Just like his ABC's... it's memorization of how things go in order. But - he's starting to recognize objects and groups of objects and associate a number with them. There are 4 geese. There are 2 motorcycles. I have no idea if that's normal at this age -- he's moved past rattling off numbers in order, but we're fascinated by his comprehension and development. Seems simple, but I love how he is relating things with others by a similar trait. "Mommy, the sky is blue like your car and daddy's car is the same color as the trees."

It's a cool thing to watch. Yes, indeed, our lives are rich!

this is the first time in 20 years...

that we are without a pet in our house. Earlier this week, we had to put our cat, Pigg, down. He was suffering from kidney failure. He lived a long time -- 15 years. Todd adopted him before he was weaned from his mother... a stray cat that was living under my mother's house.

He got his funny name not from the puffy nose he ended up developing (some sort of allergy he had did this to his nose and also made the pads on the bottoms of his feet puffy too). He got his name because when he was a tiny kitten, he wallowed in his food like a pig. Todd used to feed him baby food on a plate and milk in a little bowl. He would lay down on the plate and suckle his food and milk. He used to have the stuff crusted all over his belly and face. Todd used to have to bathe him... and - for awhile - he was a cat that actually liked water. He would even jump in the shower!

We had a funny name for our first cat together too. There is history behind his name as well.

My freshman year in college, my roommates and I smuggled a cat into our dorm room. I ended up with the cat, Haley, after school let out. Sophomore year, she lived in and out of the rowhouse I was renting in Savannah... and while out, got pregnant. She gave birth to several kittens: one solid gray - one black / white - one stillborn - and one gray / white. The gray and white one was tiny and had problems breathing and walking. The rowhouse had hardwood floors and this small "runt" would drag his back legs behind him while pulling himself forward with his front legs. When he would stop and sit, his back legs would flop out to the side of him -- like a frog.

Eventually, the condition improved and he grew (and grew and grew). He was a big lump.... a big loving and easy-going cat who passed when he was 14. I took it pretty hard when he passed.

Todd and I adopted another cat while in Savannah. We were going to name her Tadpole (like a little baby frog) but we thought that was silly. We were calling her Kitty while we tried to figure out a suitable name, but we never could. Kitty - a very original name - stuck. We wrote about Kitty a couple of years ago on the blog when she passed at the ripe ol' age of 14. Mercer was too young to remember her though.

Pigg - on the other hand - Mercer knew quite well. So far (two days later) he's doing ok. He pretty easily accepted that Pigg wasn't coming back. Every now & then Mercer asks about the cat - but we tell him that he's gone / he was really sick / he died and went to kitty heaven. Mercer says "ok" and moves onto something else.
We all had a nice weekend together. Sitting together a lot. Giving hugs. Giving treats. All of our animals will be missed.

just found an application to associate with the blog...

By posting this "badge," brighter planet will offset 350 pounds of carbon - which is like turning off 100 light bulbs for a day..... or going 2 weeks without a car

Pretty cool.

strawberries and a monastery

While the weather is nice, we are trying to spend as much time outdoors as we can. We are having a blast running around the back yard, kicking balls, chasing each other while Mercer yells "I'm going to get you", swinging on the hammock, and peddling the tricycle on the sidewalk.

Last weekend, we took some of Mercer's friends along as we tried out a new experience: picking strawberries. All of the kids did really well, each picking red berries instead of those that were unripe. (It kind of looks like we're really putting them to work?!) They made sure not to pick the squishy ones. Todd & I told the kids that they were not allowed to eat any berries while out there -- that we had to take them home & wash them first. They complied, so they were rewarded with strawberries and angel food cake when we got back. (followed by a little t.v. on the couch.)











I plan to put the canning skills to use that I learned last summer... making strawberry jam & maybe even one with a little kick to it too?

Yesterday (on Mother's Day), we went to a monastery that we've talked about visiting for some time - the Monastery of the Holy Spirit (http://www.trappist.net/). The church was open air when we went. It was cool inside and through the open windows, you could hear birds chirping outside. It is definitely a serene place, but we could not stay long... with an active 3 year old in tow. We spent the majority of our time outdoors - watching geese, ducks, and bugs that we happened across. We had a picnic lunch under a tree then played kick-ball for awhile. Here, I'm giving Mercer a kiss and getting a slobbery wet smooch in return.

Also as luck would have it, they just opened a series of new buildings last week which added a lot to our experience because we like to look at interesting architecture. The monks practice the art of bonsai. They also produce stained glass and make some edible products to sell too in order to support their order.

Afterwards - while in a different part of the state (1 hour from our house) - we sought out a letterbox that was planted in nearby historic downtown Conyers. The place where the letterbox was originally hidden was a gem... a garden with rock out-croppings, stone walls, and a flowing series of koi ponds. Unfortunately, the letterbox was not planted where the clues led us to (we looked around for quite sometime) but we're still glad we went, for we discovered a lovely little spot that - if in the area again - would be worth another visit.

We don't have anymore adventures planned anytime soon, but who knows what the weekend will bring?!

Since our visit to North Carolina....

I started my new job. And the past few weekends we have filled the calendar with lots of "fun things."

"fun thing" - we checked out some Habitat for Humanity playhouses that were on display at Decatur Square (I designed one that was loosely constructed as drawn for my old office - who sponsored a build with our state energy office.) In taking the term "playhouse" literally, the idea is that the doors (painted with chalkboard paint) could swing open & extend the stage as well as serve as the set for the play. As built - because of the modifications that the team building it made - it's not really what I had in my head, but that's ok... it was for a good cause... and it's prompted us to start thinking about a design for one for our back yard. Mercer picked his favorite that he kept going back to - the bubble house. (If interested in checking out the others, they can be seen here: https://dekalbhabitat.org/Playhouse_Collection_A.html)

After leaving Decatur Square, we headed to a playground at a small airport. Mercer has been fascinated by airplanes lately, so he really enjoyed this spot!

"fun thing" - We were paid a visit from our friends Susan, Chad, and their 4 kids. We all had breakfast in the back yard then the kids ran around & played ball, played on the hammock, played in the pond (well, not literally IN the pond), and concluded with a round of stomp rocket in the front yard. We hardly get to see them, but love every visit we get to have with them! Their very active family was no match for Mercer. He hung right in there with the bigger kids!

"fun thing" - We went to a baseball game - Braves vs Mets, of course. Mercer did a much better job of running the bases in the kids zone. Mercer & I went to a couple of different areas for kids while Todd tried to send good vibes to his team from the stands. Mercer & I ran back up to our nosebleed seats just in the nick-of-time to catch the 7th inning stretch where we all sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." This is a song that Mercer has learned recently and wants to sing just about every day... if not several times throughout the day. It's really cute. (ps - he learned about cracker jacks - and loves them - no doubt!)

"fun thing" - The weather has been fabulous lately, so we've been taking advantage of eating breakfast and dinner out on the back deck. From there, we watch clouds and airplanes overhead, birds taking baths in the stream, and watch the progress of our mulberry tree ripening / birds starting to peck at the fruit. Breakfast (on the weekends) or dinner is usually followed by playing chase in the back yard, jumping off the deck or rock wall, playing ball, playing on the hammock, playing in the pond (well, not literally IN the pond), etc.

"fun thing" - Mercer got to participate in several Easter egg hunts in the course of a week. One was held at the home of our church's young pastor / his wife... one at his daycare... and six more (yes six more) in our neighborhood at a progressive (traveling) egg hunt. The group stopped for a photo-op in our back yard. The adorable baby wearing the fluffy bunny ears stole the show while the older kids played and joked around with each other. Overall, Mercer got way too much candy - which we're doling out as treats for his potty training to slow down his consumption / hopefully encourage his progress.

"fun thing" - We walked up to church yesterday for the Easter service and on our way home, stopped by & saw friends that we haven't seen in awhile. Later that day, we hosted other friends at our house for an nontraditional Easter dinner. Dinner was followed by more playing in the back yard: kids running around & playing ball, playing on the hammock, paying in the pond (well, not literally IN the pond)... etc etc. : - )

Good times with friends. Good times with our wonderful little family unit.

Have a great week ahead!

between jobs

I'm officially unemployed.
(I've been off from my last job for a week. I start the new job on Monday.)

In the mean time, Mercer and I took a trip to North Carolina to visit family. We actually had the chance to visit folks that we did not get to see while up at Christmas: Aunt Becky, Uncle Tony, Uncle David, and Aunt Francis. We visited the zoo where my mom works... it's been at least a year since we have been. Mercer's favorite thing still seems to be the playground there. He said he also liked riding the carousel. This carousel ride was much better than the one we took about 1 1/2 years ago at Central Park in New York City. He's the right age for it now.

We also visited my mom and my grandparents - Mercer's great-grandparents.

My grandpa Nunn was celebrating a birthday... aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces & nephews all gathered to celebrate with him. In his 86 years of life, this may be his first birthday party with silly-string. (Mercer was scared of it for quite awhile, but the other nieces & nephews had a good time spraying grandpa with it!)

We also got a chance to see some friends on our way home that we didn't get to see last time. My girlfriend Cindy has two boys - ages 5 & 3 - and they have some really great toys that Mercer enjoys pulling out & playing with. It helps to break up the drive home. I assume he had a good time - as he was talking about Daniel & Trevor all the way home.

On this road trip, he sang a lot of songs. He likes Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the ABC song. "A-B-C-D-E-eh-G... H-I-J-K-el-la-lamo-P... cue-R-S... T-U-V... W-X-Y and Z... now I know my A-B-C's...D-E-eh-G... H-I-J-K-el-la-lamo-P... cue-R-S...T-U-V...W-X-Y and Z...now I know my A-B-C's...D-E-eh-G...." etc.

He gets caught up on the "now I know my A-B-C's part & starts back over!" It's adorable.

Another thing that makes us smile: when he sees a truck or a car with a picture on the side, he lets out a big laugh and says "That's Funny!~"
When we got home, Mercer got to check out his new "big boy" bed. Awhile back, we converted his crib to a toddler bed (by taking off the side rail & installing a roll-guard). But - Mercer is so tall that he has pretty much outgrown his toddler bed.. it was imminent that we move him to the next phase - a full-sized bed with roll-guards on either side. He LOVES his new bed!

He's going to the potty (sometimes) all by himself... sleeping in a "big-boy" bed... and can dress himself when he puts his mind to it. He's definitely growing out of his baby / toddler stage. (so sad)