How to properly play in the leaves

Because we've only been in our new place for about three months, we are still learning the ins-and-outs of the house and the acre it's nestled on. There are a few lightswitches that we have no clue what they turn on and off, the ice dispenser on the fridge is permanently stuck on crushed and 90-percent of our trees decided to drop all of their leaves within a three day span. And since Chris got a sweet Stihl leaf blower for his birthday this past May, we decided to gather all the fallen leaves of the lower yard for some autumn awesomeness. 

The Amys family goes Glamping

Since joining the Country Club of Asheville three years ago, we’ve been pleased as punch to find out that the majority of the younger membership are a pretty good time to hang out with. In fact, we’ve become close friends with a number of the families, and since many of us have kids the same ages, Taylor and Luke have made a lot of new buddies too. And now that we’re on the north side of town and mere minutes to the Club, we’ve been spending as much time there as we can.

And the best thing about a strong younger membership is the addition of fun, family-oriented events to the social calendar. Two months ago there was a bean bags tourney, and last month they scheduled a fishing derby on the course’s pond. And this month they put together Camping on the Range, where members were invited to pitch tents on the driving range and camp for a night.

And other than Taylor and I joining the Marks girls for an overnight adventure this past spring, the Amys family is not a big camping kinda family. It’s not like we’re anti-camping. It’s mostly that we don’t own any of the gear, and we have two small children. Sleeping on the ground in the woods a long ways from our house doesn’t sound all that appealing either though. But I know it’s a wholesome family bonding experience... But so is the beach. Or a mountain house. Or anything else that lets you sleep on a mattress.

But this event wasn’t advertised really as Camping. It was touted as Glamping. Glamorous camping. And it was about a mile from our house, meaning if everything started going wrong, we could jump ship without having to pack up everything and drive a long ways in the middle of the night. I was intrigued.

And we able to borrow a tent and sleeping bags from Kelley, and then some camping chairs and flashlights from Paige, so we had everything we needed. And since the Club was providing all food and entertainment, we didn’t need to get anything for it.  Let’s go glamping!

So this past Saturday, after that awesome Hawkeye win! GO HAWKS!, we drove to the driving range and set up our giant, borrowed tent along side a bunch of our friends.

At around five, they put on a scavenger hunt for all the families, having the kids search the range for fun items such as acorns, pine cones and twigs shaped like alphabet letters. It was a good way to get the kids moving and excited to be there.

After an hour or so of scavenging, everyone took a hayride from the range up to the clubhouse.

Once we unloaded, the kids played tag on the putting green and we were treated to a great campout spread of food and keg beer.

Oh, and of course they had s’mores.

Even Lukey got a taste of the decadent camping goodness.

And because it was a special occasion, Taylor got a second.

But Pookie just got a plain old graham cracker. THE INJUSTICE!

And after s’mores, we washed off the bits of marshmallows, and then jumped back on the hayride back to the range. At this point, Chris ran home and fed Ruby and let her out for the night, and then ten minutes later he was back and ready to party. The after-dinner setup was awesome:  A blow-up movie screen and animated wonderfulness playing for the kiddos and a manned fire pit with camping chairs for the adults.

So we got into our comfies and cracked some beers and glowsticks. Let’s get our camp on!

Luke lasted about fifteen minutes before getting whiny and ready for bed. And because we brought his portable crib and some thick fleece pajamas, we crossed our fingers and put him to sleep in the tent. And as I was totally expecting him to stay awake with all the commotion surrounding the tent, he took in the fresh, night air, snuggled into his blankie and passed out. Glad I didn’t let him have that second sugar-laced s’more!

And after running around, watching two movies and having a glowstick-shaking toddler rave, Taylor and her little friends all started dropping like flies. So I took my little girl for one last potty stop at the halfway house, complete with electricity and running water, and then wrapped her in fleece and tucked her into her sleeping bag, surrounded by stuffed animals and glowsticks, with her baby brother snoozing on the other side of the palatial tent. And then I crossed my fingers and slowly tip-toed myself back to the bonfire to join in on some adult fun.

Oh, and it was FUN! Lots of laughing around the campfire that night. Our kids were all snoozing, and we were carrying on our grownup conversations while breathing in the heat and smoke from that awesome fire. And two-by-two, the party made it’s way back to their respective tents to join their sleeping babes. And as Chris and I wiggled our way into our own bags a bit too late, crossing our fingers that our kids let us sleep those few precious hours. AND THEY DID! We lasted the whole night.

And the next morning I woke up to sounds outside our tent around seven, and shortly after Taylor started stirring and then Luke and Chris began to wake up too. A bit foggy and smelling like campfire, but up and moving. And while Chris declared, WOW! I feel awesome! I should sleep on the ground more often! I was a bit more sore and ready to say Hello! to my pillow-top mattress. Camping is fun and all, but nothing’s better than my bed.

After collecting my thoughts and loosening up my old-lady joints, we made our way back onto a hayride and stepped into the clubhouse for a much needed cup of coffee and fabulous spread of pancakes, eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy and such. Fresh squeezed orange juice and simmering hot chocolate. Oh yes. We’re spoiled.

And then the kids and I left Chris to clean up our camping mess and rushed home to let Ruby out and feed her breakfast. And then I finally took my contacts out and changed out of my jeans. And LAYED ON MY BED! Next time I will definitely bring an air mattress. I just don’t think I can rough it like that again. Camping is hard stuff. (Please tell me you’re picking up all the sarcasm I’m throwing down.)

GO GLAMPING!

Boo!

I think we're going to have a spook-tacular Halloween this year.

I am the fastest woman alive. Kinda.

After finally checking the Asheville Half Marathon off my bucket list last month, I was feeling pretty good about my running skills. So when Chris suggested I run in a road race that his rotary club was involved with, I jumped all over it. I hadn’t competed in a 5k since January, and I was eager to see how fast I could cover the 3.1 miles.

So last weekend we woke up early and headed downtown for the Parsec Prize, which started right in front of the Parsec Financial office on Wall Street, and then winded itself through Montford and back into downtown. It was a fast course, with only a few short hills and nothing too exhausting. Not to mention only about 60 runners were competing, so I was able to snake my way to the front of the starting line and didn’t have to step around people after they blew the horn.

And once I took off, I REALLY took off. Translate:  I was moving it. And as I propelled my legs faster and faster, I was aware that I was on the front-end of the pack, but I had no idea who was behind me or how close they were. And I really didn’t know how fast I was moving until I reached the end of the first mile and I wasn’t through my second song on my playlist yet. Oh yeah. That meant I was sprinting at a tremendous seven-minute mile pace. Which, for me, is basically lightening speed.

I kept it up for the next mile, relying heavily on my long-distance endurance training and my awesome music. It was one of the best playlists I’ve ever made. Seriously, if you ever need to run as fast as you can, whether it be for a race or away from danger, blare B.O.B. by OutKast into your head. No one will ever catch you.

I sprinted into the final mile, knowing some freakish runners had probably already crossed the finish line, but also aware that I was going fast and no one had passed me since the start line. And while I had run past a number of dudes, I hadn’t even seen another female runner since breaking away during the first mile. So when I turned the final corner to head into downtown and heard someone yell, YOU’RE THE FIRST GIRL! a huge smile broke out on my face.

So you better believe I had to put on a good show, and sucked it up and ran as fast as my legs would allow the final blocks of the race. And when I got to the end, the look on Chris’s face when he saw me before crossing the finish line at 23.35 was of total amazement. Yep. I AM AWESOME!

First place, Baby! I got a gold medal, two tickets to a UNCA men’s basketball game and a $25 gift card to Ruth’s Chris. Oh, and total bragging rights. How many races have you won?

Not bad for the awkward teenage girl who fumbled her way through high school sports, eh? In your face, Darrel Ehlers.

Friday fun-day

Since Taylor is only in preschool on Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursdays this year, I’m making an effort to embark on a fun adventure either Monday or Friday. This is my last year having both my kids home with me twice during the week, and I need to spend this treasured time doing something other than running errands and going to the gym. So this week we ventured to the WNC Nature Center for our inaugural Friday fun-day.

And then followed up with lunch a Chick-fil-A and ice cream downtown.

And then naps for everyone, including me. Fun-day indeed!

My niece’s first-ever party

Since Libba is in her final months of pregnancy, we decided that the Birmingham Blackwell birthday weekend would be a perfect time for her baby shower. Oh, I am SO EXCITED for my sister to become a mama! She has essentially been a second-mother to my children since birth, and I can’t wait to watch her and Dirk transition into parenthood. They are going to be the best parents ever. And Baby Girl South is already one very loved and protected little person.

The shower was such a beautiful event, hosted by all of the Blackwell tooties. It was a group effort to make the day as lovely as possible for Libba, and I think it turned out wonderfully. I put together a craft of paper elephants that guests wrote words of advice on for Libba and Baby South. I was even able to send out some elephants to our wonderful Bloggers, who were all so sweet in returning in time for the shower. I watched my sister read every word on each of those elephants, and she teared up with joy or laughed out loud or both on every one. Thank you so much to you to the you fabulous out-of-town ladies for contributing. It made the day even more special.

Libba is blessed with so many wonderful friends, and I was so happy to see them again and meet new ones and let them know how much they mean to my sister.

Taylor was smitten with my cousin Meg’s daughter, Mallory, for the event, following her around like a duckling and helping bring her Beeba gifts.

Luke, thanks to his YaYa, ended up consuming his weight’s worth in lemonade and jelly beans, and proceeded to run around the room showing off his belly, giving high fives and flashing that charming smile.

And then the sugar buzz wore off, and he turned into a monster.

But not even a few tantrums could put a damper on such a fantastic event. I was so happy to be a part of it, and as excited as I am to watch me sister become a mother, I am even more excited to MEET MY NIECE! I am going to smooch her and cradle her and smother her in love. And it was crazy saying goodbye to Libba as we left the following morning, knowing that the next time I’ll see her that Baby South will be here. Hurry up, Thanksgiving!