Update / photo drop

Here I am again.... another event taking place in my life and  I need to blog about life in general before hand.  I just don't seem to be able to sit down on a regular basis and blog.  So loads happens, then something comes along where I know I will be blogging, and I need to get another post in before.

In this case, we are off to Florida this week.  This trip was planned many moons ago, before all the school stuff, Zumba trainings and crafting things happened.  I need to chat about life in general first.  So here are a few photos to prompt my memory.


My dad flew out on Halloween.  Lucky him to miss the madness.  I had gotten the boys all new costumes this year, pretty much to their desires.  Oliver was a police man, Isaac a nona, and Seba an Army man.  We had a great time going around the neighborhood.

Paul and I went prepared this time, with a small cooler of beer.  Certainly made it more entertaining....  As usual the boys had a great haul, and have spent the last few weekend mornings finishing it off.  The rest is going to magically disappear in the next few days.

We had our baby sitter sit for us last weekend.  We had already planned to go to Fountain Inn, the next town down to try out a new-osh bar, the Growler Haus.  Turns out we got invited to one of Paul's  ex-collegues birthday at the same place, on the same night. Coincidence? 

I drove, so was not able to fully appreciate the scale of craft beer on the menu.  This place rocked.  A couple of TV's, no loud music, you were actually able to have conversation.  Awesome.  I think we will be back there again.  

I recently found out about a local business closing its doors, and auctioning off the contents of its premises.  I told Paul, and we took part in the online bidding.  It was a crazy Monday morning, with items ending every 20 SECONDS for about 4 hours.  There were a few items I had my eyes on to repurpose for crafting and selling in our Etsy shop.  All in we did quite well.  We spent a fair amount.

We ended up loading up 2 X5 cars with our purchases.  Pick up was crazy, there was stuff to be collected everywhere.  Luckily the lady from the auction house was amazingly helpful.  We came prepared to pack too.  We ended up with a couple of side tables, lamps, a waiters friend.  Below are the picture frames we purchased.  We guesstimate there is about 280, about 95% still have their glass too.  

This is the glass ware we purchased.  There is all sorts, from vases to mini martini glasses, wine glasses.... All sorts!  

We also purchased this delightful tall table for about $11.  This thing is heavy, and came with the light.  It works really well in our computer / crafting room.

Saturday just gone, we tried out Lowe's Saturday Build and Grow kids workshop.  The kids have spotted the ads for this outside the store the last few times we have been.  They really wanted to go and make a Jimmie Johnson Nascar.  For the amount of people taking part, Lowe's had it down.  IT was really well organized in the store with plenty of space.  The boys got to keep their safety glasses and aprons.  Upon completion, they were given badges to put on their aprons.  So cool. Think we will be back next month

That is pretty much it.  We are off on holiday this week, a mini tour of Florida.  Look out for blog posts coming in the next few weeks........

Halloween and other stuff....

I am so sorry I have not blogged in a while.  We have been pretty busy.  I uploaded these photos about a week ago, and never did anything about them.  So here goes.....

We got our pumpkins from Holy Cross Pumpkin Patch here in Simpsonville.  This is set up every year to raise money for charity.  The boys enjoyed it....

They got to pick one each, and we got a big one for the faaamiiiillllyyyy.

Seb and I took a trip to the zoo the week of Halloween.  They had their Boo in the Zoo paraphernalia set up, so he got to see all that.  Funnily enough, he does not like inflatables that move....

                                 

Here are our carved pumpkins.  The boys drew faces, and I carved them.  By the time I got to the big one, I had a good technique and was able to get quite intricate.

Isaac had a party at school for Halloween, and I got to make the cakes.  I think they turned out quite well!

Before his party, they had what is called the Primer Parade, where all the kindergarteners walk around the whole school showing off their costumes.  Here is his whole grade.

                                 

This year they did something different.  The seniors (top end of school) walked with the primers.  Isaac ended up going round with a monkey.  He was infatuated by his tail! Sebastian even got in on the action.....

                                 

And then the night itself, we ALL went trick or treating.  It was Sebastian's first time, and he loved it. To me, it didn't seem as crazy as last year.  By the time we got about half way round the subdivision, Sebastian was shot.  Think he had sensory overload from the lights, sounds, costumes and people.  He was very pleased to get home for his candy

                                 

We awoke on the 1st November to a light dusting of snow.  We had already decided to go up to the mountains to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the Autumn/Fall colors in the trees.  The nearer the mountains we got, the more snow there was.  We got to the parkway, and it was closed due to the inclement weather!  We decided to head into Asheville for some lunch, and it was still snowing, almost blizzard conditions!  We ate at the Outback, and you can see from the sign just how much snow there was!!! The boys were able to have a snowball fight as there was about 4 inches on the grass and benches!!!

                               

We drove back to Greenville, and the sun came out, with no snow anywhere!!!

Last week the boys did their first full week of school in about a month!  They were shattered.  We have had conferences (parent teacher meetings) also.  Oliver is fine.  He is performing above average, but still needs to push himself.  Isaacs.  Well.  Lets just say we have some behavior issues.  He had been in the office on numerous occasions, the director and assistant director of lower school know him well.  We are working on ways to curb his behavior.  I think we are getting somewhere, but it is hard for him to conform.  School has been a big change for him, and I think he has struggled, particularly when he had a lot of time out.  I do remember this happening a lot at this time of year.  Its like school begins, he thinks its great.  Then he realizes he can't at home as much and starts misbehaving.  This has happened the last 2 years, I am sure of it ( I even just checked back through the blog for reference of it, but can't find a specific to link!).  I feel so awful sometimes, like we are the only ones having these issues.  I know we are not, but that doesn't help!  We are working on it, so hopefully his behavior will improve.

This weekend I did something I have been talking about for ages.  I completed Zumba Instructor basic training 1.  I am now licensed to teach Zumba!  I am so proud of myself for this.  If i want to teach here, I will need a work permit.  But I feel like I need to work out some choreography first...

Oh, and we joined the gym. This was partly for me to do regular Zumba, but also to be able to swim during the winter as a family, and for cheaper swimming lessons for the boys next spring.  Because of Paul's work discount, it is cheaper per month to be members of the gym than it is for Sebastian to go Kindermusik or Gymboree.  Madness.....

Think that is all for now.  Next up: Isaacs birthday and Thanksgiving.

Halloween and Clemson

I am going to make this quick....

It has been a bit of a long week.  I had Oliver's conference at school.  He is doing really well, batting at above average on most things.  He needs to work on checking his work, his handwriting and becoming more of a risk taker, but she had no major issues with him.

Another baseball game, another convincing win.  The season ends next week, with a scheduled game followed by a make up game.  Then a pizza night and trophy presentation.  I am so hoping that Oliver and Isaac want to do it again next year.

I have caught up with a few friends this week which has been lovely.  Thursday was Halloween, and Oliver and Isaac have been so excited about going trick or treating.  I had to buy Oliver a new costume, as the one we got him last year is still too long in the legs. So he went as a ninja, and Isaac as a pirate (we have really got our moneys worth on that costume)

The boys had great fun.  There was a real sense of community on the subdivision.  Some of the houses got really into it, and were very well decorated.  

We went the whole way round, and even down one of the cul-de-sacs. There is an unwritten rule on this subdivision that you only knock on houses with the outside lights on, but a lot of people had set up their chairs on their drives, ready to greet the trick or treaters.  The car park by the pool was full of cars from people who had come from other areas.  The boys got a very good haul. It was very different to last years experience.

They have been really good about sharing with Seb too.  We have let them eat a fair bit of their candy this weekend.  They have enough to see them till at least Christmas, and that is with Paul and I picking at it too!

What with the craziness of last weekend, we have taken it very easy the last 2 days.  We had a pajama day yesterday, which was great.  We even sat and watched Forrest Gump last night.  I have not seen that movie in ages....

Today we went to Clemson.  This is a big university town, about an hour from here, home of the Clemson Tigers, a real big, and pretty good, college football team.  

We stopped by the stadium, for a little nose.  Typically our boys found the bronze statue, but had more fun playing in the leaves.

Seeing the stadium was amazing.  It has a capacity of 81,000, and pretty much all of the home games for the rest of the season are sold out.  Maybe next year.....

We drove around Clemson, it is a typical university town, though the old buildings are very pretty.  We took the scenic route home, it is that beautiful time of year, where the leaves are just starting to drop.  It makes everything so picturesque.  

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My sis-in-law has a blogger challenge happening this month.  You can find the link to the info here.  Basically, she has set a topic for each day to write about.  I will be partaking in a few.  

If you want to join in, please do, just remember to link back to her blog.  

Y'all have fun now!

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In case you have forgotten (or don't know)  you can find info about my blogs and other social media at various places.  Here's the list

Facebook  please like my page!

Twitter @HGmTravel

Pinterest - Have a little look around

Google+ just search for my name....

Think I might look for a little widget thingy me bobbie for this.....

Cars and Halloween

I have Oliver home from school today.  It is conference day, so no school.  They have put on a skate party in its place, but Oliver didn't want to go.....

On Saturday we went to Charlotte.  There was a hot rod car show on at the raceway.  Wow, what an amazing place.  I have been to Silverstone before, but never a Nascar track.  Talk about a steep bank.  All the cars were in the middle of the track, it was great fun walking some of the track, so steep!!!!  The cars were awesome, so many.  After a while they did just all blend into one... We met our friends there and had lunch together, the kids ran around a bit, before we went our separate way to look at yet more cars.  I have done car shows in the UK, but this felt different.  An enjoyable way to spend the day though.... We stopped at Ikea on the way back, picked up more bits and pieces fro our house, mainly Oliver's room.  It still feels quite empty though....

Sunday was more of a relaxing day.  I was very tired, and ended up having a sleep on the sofa while Paul built furniture.  Then we headed to the mall for some lunch, and a bit of retail therapy for me.  From there we went to Toys R Us.  Isaac has been invited to a birthday party this weekend, so we needed to get a present.  We are very good at going in this shop and not buying anything for our children.  We did scope out what Isaac wants for his birthday though.  I will be making a few trips back there in the coming weeks....

Monday was a normal day,  Tuesday Oliver had his halloween parade at school (they did it on tuesday, as they have chapel on a wednesday morning, and i don't think they wanted ghoulish dressed up kids in chapel).  We had bought him a Darth Vader costume, but it was too big, so he went as a pirate.  We met up with our friend Donna in a park in Greenville.  I am having great fun scoping out all these parks, and getting to know new people.

Yesterday was Halloween.  There is an unwritten rule on this road that kids are only allowed to knock if you have your porch light on.  We had a big bowl of sweets, and turned our light on after Isaac and Seb had gone to bed.  Oliver put his Darth Vader costume on and we answered the door many times.  Some of the kids were quite rude.  I reckon out of about 30 that knocked, only about 7 said thank you, and 6 of them had an adult that came to the door.  Next year, I think we will just put a bowl of sweets on the porch with a note, and take the boys out ourselves.

Looks like people have moved into our old house, so hopefully we might get some deposit back soon.  My car is going on ebay this weekend, so if you want a polo with less than 50,000 miles on the clock look it up.  It is a great little car.

We have got some friends coming round this afternoon.  Really looking forward to it.