Fireworks

On Monday, the three of us went to the fireworks show on Signal Mountain. Everyone gathers on the golf course to watch. I have never actually been to them . . . a few times I've watched them from this house, but this is the first time I've ever actually gone to the golf course. It was a lot of fun. It wasn't too crowded and the weather was beautiful. It was a clear night with a light breeze. I enjoyed and was even impressed by the pretty decent fireworks. I finally got to use the fireworks setting on my camera. Not bad! (Seriously, do people really take that many pictures of fireworks to warrant a setting for them?)

John took Charlie to watch the fireworks downtown on Saturday the 3rd. I wasn't feeling well and as many of you know, I'm not a big fireworks fan anyway. You know that one kid who goes nuts when they hear the loud booms and screams during the entire fireworks display? Yeah, that was me. I still have a problem with loud, sudden noises . . . I'm sort of like a shaky little chihuahua that way. Anyway, John took the camera, but no pictures. : P

Charlie LOVED the fireworks on Saturday and begged for days to see some more. John said he wasn't even scared. Then, on Monday, at the much smaller, quieter show, he did this the entire time:

I guess my latent childhood fears of fireworks became manifested in him. At least he didn't cry or scream . . .

Rochelle, Rochelle

(Sorry, Rochie. I couldn't help myself from naming this post that! You "Seinfeld" fans know what I'm talking about!)

Last week my good friend Rochelle stopped by to visit. It was SO good to get to see her and her kids. Rochelle is so unique and cool. I love her voice . . . those of you that know her know what I mean. She's got this awesome, chill tone to her voice that reminds me of listening to Blind Melon. But, as she puts it, she's not "hippity-dippity." She is her own woman and I love it! I'm wound up so tight and she just knows how to calm me down. We always have tons of fun when we're together.

Rochelle lives in Maryland and stopped in Chattanooga to visit with me and Charlie on her way to Mississippi. Rochelle and her kids Sophie and Micah had lunch with Charlie and me. It was way too short of a visit! We haven't seen each other in years so it was so fun to get to catch up. Rochelle finally got to meet Charlie and I got to meet Sophie! Unfortunately, it was around Charlie's naptime so he was crabby. Rochelle, I promise he is more fun than that!!! :) Here are some pics from the visit . . . now, you must understand it was super hot and humid and we were miserable taking these pictures! BTW, Brian, where did you get Rochelle that "Thesaurus" shirt? I have to have one! : )

Rochelle with Charlie and Micah on top . . . Charlie LOVED Micah! Don't they have the greatest hair? I'm so jealous of that beautiful red hair . . .

Sophie's famous "funny face." I love this girl! I was tempted to trade her for Charlie . . .

Sophie teaching Charlie how the "funny face" is done.

Awww . . . so cute! Hey, Haddads! I think an arranged marriage is in order . . . whadya' think? Better get Sophie's dowry in order . . . ; )

When Charlie Met Bobby

Charlie loves the mailman. He can hear the mail truck a street away. He'll bound to the nearest window or to the driveway if he's outside and watch the mailman deliver the mail. Occasionally, the mailman will wave or say, "Hi" which makes Charlie's day. One day, we had a package and the mailman came to the door. As I was signing for the package, Charlie came to the door. His eyes were practically bulging from excitement to see the mailman in person. The first words out of his mouth were, "I'm Charlie." (We're in desperate need of the "stranger" talk!) The mailman answered, "Hi, Charlie. I'm Bobby." (Is it just me, or is Bobby a weird name for an elderly mailman? He looked more like a "Gene" or a "Clive" . . . not a "Bobby"!) Entranced, Charlie said, "Hi Bobby." For the next week, everything was "Bobby" this and "Bobby" that. About a week after Charlie first met Bobby, we had another package. Charlie was in another room and didn't hear the door. I opened the door and what does the mailman say? "Well, where's Charlie?" I almost died. And it doesn't stop with Bobby!

When I get my allergy shots every week, what is the first thing the nurse asks me? "Where's Charlie today?" He's only been there all of twice! Every time he comes, "Nurse Britney" gives him a sticker . . . then he talks her into giving him two. I get the shot, he gets stickers. No wonder he loves that place . . . Finally, I was at Hobby Lobby last week and the fabric girl asks me, "Where's the little one today?" Again, he's hardly ever at Hobby Lobby with me and yet, he's what they remember. I guess I'm a pretty lucky mom to have such a memorable kid! Let's hope they remember him because he's cute and not because he's horrible . . . he's a little bit of both so it could go either way.

On a final note . . . we've finally made the transition to a toddler bed! I say "we" because Charlie kept all of us up three nights in a row. He was getting up or falling out of the bed every 2 hours. It was a miserable few days but he finally got used to it. Whew. Glad that's over. Guess it's time for the potty now . . . heaven help us.

Happy Trails

I neglected to talk about John's birthday last time! He got lots of nice things, the biggest being a bike trailer to carry Charlie in. When he first asked for it I didn't want to get it for him. I get nervous enough as it is when John rides alone. The idea of Charlie in tow behind a bike freaked me out. John promised he would only take Charlie on trails and avoid roads so I felt a little better about that.

Here are some pictures John took on he and Charlie's first ride together. I must admit I yelped when I first saw the picture of Charlie on this cliff! John swears up and down it was "safe" so whatever . . .