Monday Musings

That's simply a smoke screen for the RANDOMNESS that follows....

First, Sertoma Bantam Packers are officially 1-1 this season. We fought hard in the torrential rains last Tuesday night and came out as the victors. It was a close one for sure. The boys did a great job and had great fun. We are back at it again on Thursday night. This game should be something pretty special since Grammy and Granddaddy are driving all the way from VA to watch Winston and his team in action.

Bethany's Tea Room starts today -- 2 weeks of yummy goodness with proceeds benefiting local missions. Can't wait to visit a few times these next few weeks. I signed up to bring desserts throughout the next 2 weeks...Lilly and I made a fresh apple pound cake yesterday that was a bit like torture for the Grant kids and Daddy. It was almost cruel to tempt the family like that - it sat on the counter and cooled and COULD NOT BE CUT ....I have plans to redeem myself and make one JUST FOR THEM later this week.

BHES PTA activities...in full swing...we had a hugely successful golf tournament this past Thursday night. Fall festival is around the corner....it's been quite the commitment so far this year but not a single regret...I'm glad I took it on this year.

The Grant Shoe Crisis of 2009 is well on its way to resolution. Lilly no longer limps out of preschool, church or dance class. Please dust off the crown for my Mother of the Year award - I will accept in person this year. Yes, quite charming isn't it....my poor girl has been wearing tight shoes to school, to church and to dance class for a few weeks now. I am pleased to report she now has ample room in some sporty new white Mary Janes, shiny tap shoes and some tennis shoes with a "pink check" just like she requested. It was a sad moment when I picked up the t-strap Keds and she gave me the thumbs down....she asked for shoes with a pink check like McCoy has!! (McCoy is her pal from preschool). So Lilly has her first pair of Nike's....and I must say, THEY ARE CUTE. Now onto Winston....he was limping a bit out of church yesterday....all we need are new church shoes for him and we can officially call an end to the crisis. I know you are all so relieved.

Last but certainly not least......and really.....I can get my point across in 7 words or less....

#4 has done it again...GUNSLINGER BABY!!!!

If you need me this week, I'll be gloating!!

This moment brought to you by a Teacher

A huge highlight of our week ....StoryTime with Winston.

Winston had an early release day from school on Wednesday. We had made arrangements for him to visit his old 4 year old preschool class (now Lilly's class) and read a story to the class. His teacher, Mrs Shabeldeen loved the idea and was so excited to have Winston come back for such a special visit.

Winston was very excited- he picked out a special book at the library last weekend and practiced reading it to us all week. He was very intent on reading the book and showing the pictures and wanted it to be perfect. Perfect it was!!

When I went to wake him up Wednesday morning for school; instead of the usual moans and groans about waking up so early - he bounded out of bed and told me he would get dressed first thing so he could practice his book while he ate breakfast. He wanted to be ready for his reading debut.

We arrived on time and the class was already on the carpet waiting for their special guest. Lilly was asked to introduce her brother and she stood proudly next to him during the entire story. It was a precious moment for sure. Winston did an AWESOME job reading the story and sharing the pictures. After the story, each of Lilly's classmates came up and shook hands with Winston and thanked him for coming. SO SO SWEET!!

I managed to get the tripod set up and the camera rolling so for once, I think the video job by me is decent!! The video is below. Enjoy storytime with Winston and look forward to an autumn version coming soon - he's been invited back and Winston wants to choose a special fall book for his next visit.

Thanks to Bethany CDC for this special moment and to all the teachers in this world who with their patience and dedication teach our children to read.

Packer Defeat was still Sweet

This week has been another crazy one for this household....but I couldn't miss a post about Winston's first game as a Sertoma Packer. We played our first full game on Monday night against the Sertoma Raiders.


For those of you just interested in the score....we lost 14-0. We had some great highlights (more on that in a minute) but in my opinion, we looked rough. Probably first game jitters and first game CONFUSION on many plays ...hey, we have to start somewhere. Joe was super busy on the sidelines helping with player substitutions; Lilly was a trooper as usual. She found some friends to play with and hung in there for a long night at the field.

I was in charge of audio -visual and in a nutshell, that spells D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R for me and anyone who has a hankering to view the video footage from the game. We used the tripod because a steady hand is NOT one of my skill sets; but frankly, I don't think it helped much. As much as I like to think I can contribute in that way to our team --I can't. For selfish reasons, I am MISERABLE behind a video camera....I much prefer to see the action and keep my eyes glued to #17 the whole time he's on the field....so I am hopeful we'll find someone who is better at it next game. We might end up putting some footage on the blog but Joe has to check out my handiwork first....oh mercy, I am sure it's going to be BAD. Don't hold your breath!

So back to the game....2 highlights in my opinion....and of course it's my blog so my opinion matters here!!! And because it's my blog, my highlights...well of course they are directly related to the amazing little #17.

First, he squirted right through the offensive line and SACKED THEIR QUARTERBACK!!! It was great great stuff....all by himself, he stopped a Raider play dead in its tracks!!

Second and really, the MOST important one...

Another Packer Dad walked up to me during the game, looked me in the eye and said this...


"I tell you this, Winston plays with more heart than anyone out on that field"


I could have wept right there folks....it was music to this Mama's ears. I know this....but for another parent to know this....well...what to say other than...WOW.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

win or lose....

at the end of the day, what really matters....

is giving something everything you've got....

and well, #17.....

he leaves NOTHING on that field when the final whistle blows

and while I know losing can be a bitter pill to swallow for that competitive little boy....

for me, his effort and his determination makes him every bit a winner, no matter the score.

I love you buddy....more every single day...win or lose....

Opening Day

First day our little Sertoma Packer suited up and played tackle football in a real tackle football game. Today was the Sertoma Jamboree- we had team pictures and played an 8 minute game against the Jaquars to kick off the season. Our team mom was under the weather so I stepped in and helped organize the boys for their pictures -- 20+ kids with their football gear and their picture orders was quite alot to keep track of. We managed just fine and the team picture should be great.

It was mighty warm out there today so it didn't seem much like football weather but that comes with Lowcountry living. Lilly stayed cool with 2 snow cones while we watched the Packers take the field for the first time. She is quite the trooper - out there in the hot sun (yes, coated in sunscreen if you're curious) supporting her big bro!! Joe is doing a great job as one of the assistant coaches and like last season, it's so fun to watch both Grant boys in action on the field. I hope Winston will always enjoy the memory of his Dad on the field with him being a huge part of his team.

Winston had a few plays on defense and loved it.There was a bunch of substitutions to do in a short amount of time to ensure every Packer got to play but the coaches did great with that and every Packer hit the field. The boys looked solid out there for sure - there were a few kinks to work out but all in all, a very good day for an awesome group of kids. Final score Packers 7 Jaquars 0.....nothing too shabby about that.

I love this picture - Winston getting a drink from Coach Bennie.

The only thing missing was Joe Buck and Troy Aikman up in the booth....but oh the beauty of mid-September, we'll here those voices tomorrow.

It's here people....it's finally here. Football season has begun and we're having a ball here at Packer Nation.

Tap Shoes and Cleats...it's how we roll

After school activities are in full swing around here. Football has been running at full speed for a few weeks now and yesterday we added ballet/tap to the mix. We got reacquainted with our Tuesday after-school routine and it was nice but oh my, our day ended after 9:30...FOR US ALL. Yikes...can't do that on too many school nights!!

We dusted off last year's dancing duds and pulled her hair back for a whirl around the dance studio. Lilly was thrilled to finally have sufficient "princess hair" to make one pony tail. This has been her personal mission since January of last year when she decided on her last stacked bob haircut - it's been a million ways of scraggly since then but finally, we've got a nicely trimmed longer bob that is well on its way to full on PRINCESS HAIR as dear Lilly calls it. I digress...

So we dropped Lilly off for some moving and grooving and in predictable fashion, Winston's Tuesday Treat of choice....ice cream from Guerins.....and almost all of my Cherry Smash too. He enjoyed his treats and we did homework in the car. After ballet, we raced home and re-loaded for football night.

The Sertoma Packers had their first scrimmage game last night in preparation for their first game this weekend. As it was the first night I went to practice, it was very....hard-hitting and as a result, hard for this Mama to watch at times!! Once again, I know I am his Mother and I am supposed to be convinced he is the BEST football player on the planet but folks, the boy - well he really is good!! I am always amazed at the amount of guts, grit, determination and confidence that's packed inside quite a small boy. He will NEVER be the biggest....EVER...well, unless he plays in the Bantam League when he's 16.....but ya'll -- the boy has the biggest heart of any one out there. Just watch for that little #17....he's a force to be reckoned with.


He plays at the defensive guard position and once he got his turn on the field - he played EVERY SINGLE defensive play we had -- you know why....because the kid NEVER EVER gives up on a play - he gets tackled and somehow he finds a way to squirm out from under the tackler and runs right towards the action. Determination has to come from the somewhere deep inside - I don't think it's taught - one either has it or they don't. When it comes to this sport, Winston has it....and hopefully, it will make up for his lack of size. He is always where the ball is -- he is just plain fun to watch....well except for the one time I looked up and saw his little body underneath a pile of ENORMOUS boys...and well, that wasn't so fun for me to watch. I think I even yelled something like "GET OFF OF MY BOY"....hey, I am a fan but a Mother first!!

Just one more memory I will cherish always....I never get tired of seeing those little ones of mine have fun doing something they just love. We just need to work on an earlier bedtime!!

Go Kiddoes Go!! Mommy and Daddy could not be more proud of you!

We listened to those cows....

And we ate more chicken!!

Yes ma'am we did. We all dressed in our favorite team logo shirts and headed to Chick Fil A yesterday for free chicken sandwiches!! Lilly was adamant she did NOT want a sandwich but rather nuggets...our good fortune continued as we arrived to find that her new friend from preschool, Hanna, was there with her family. While Lilly ran off to play, Daddy turned a chicken sandwich into magical chicken nuggets and Lilly, well, she was none the wiser!! Thank you Hanna!!

We had an extra sandwich because I opted for a healthier lunch choice so we took the extra sandwich with high hopes from Winston that it would be in his lunchbox today at school. Unfortunately, we left Chick Fil A and spent several hours shopping at the outlets so by the time we made it home, the freebie was most likely bacteria-laden so we tossed it.

We ended our nice long weekend with an almost-free lunch while wearing Panther and Packer gear -- what a great end to a great weekend!!

A Kicky Little Weekend

Nothing like a day of two of no humidity and temps hovering in the low 80's to trick us into thinking fall has arrived!! It's been a lovely few days and we are enjoying this nice long weekend!

It's been a very busy few weeks. I've been logging a whole bunch of volunteer hours since school started for BHES and Joe and Winston have been very busy with Sertoma Packer football. It was nice to have few plans and lots of downtime on the schedule this weekend.

Friday night was a great time with friends and the perfect way to start the weekend. We went out for dinner at the Baucom's. Both the kids and the adults had a great great time. Lilly was super excited to go to her friend's house to play and have dinner- she asked if it was time to go from the moment her eyes opened on Friday morning! Winston was quite enamored with the sights at Casa de Baucom. Jason is a hunter and was a football player in both college and high school so his stock was way up before we even arrived!. Winston got to see some of Jason's hunting trophies - the large mountain lion was a highlight a say the least. Brayden is Winston's kind of gal - she is an outdoorsy girl and loves to run and play, she has a pink bow and arrow too - yes, I predict any future daughter in law of mine won't mind a little dirt! The kids were playing outside when 2 deer walked up very close to the house - Winston thought he had landed in some outdoor show on Animal Planet -- he loved it. Great times with good friends - Thanks Christy, Jason, Brayden and Little A!

Saturday was the stuff dreams are made of....NOTHING on the calendar....just some housecleaning and college pigskin. We're probably one of the few familes around here who don't have one specific team allegiance. I think we're probably breaking some kind of law here in S.C. - it's probably some pre-requisite to moving here that we missed -- pick orange or pick garnet....seems everyone has a favorite but we really do not. Winston does like the Bulldogs, Gators and the Tide but he's a fan of winners so that can change quickly. We ended Saturday with a lovely dinner (new recipe - Coffee and Molasses Grilled Pork Chops -- wow) and a sparkling clean house. What's not to love about that kind of Saturday!!

Sunday began with church and lots of fun with the 4 year olds. I am an assistant teacher this year for Lilly's class and it's been really great so far. Those children are super sweet and very funny. I have some of my little friends from Bible School and one little testosterine-filled boy who reminds me of Winston and has stolen my heart.

Since our chores were done and no NFL on TV yet - we loaded up and went off in search of an adventure yesterday. We spent the day at the new (to us anyway) waterfront park and pier in Mt Pleasant. The day was GORGEOUS -- perfection really. A nice sea breeze and clear crisp skies. Winston took his new Ugly Stick for it's first attempt at pier fishing - not a big day for fish it seemed- no bites at all but it was still a great day. The kids got to see a baby shark up close and personal - a nice lady caught it; she let the kids touch it and help her throw it back in. We saw some dolphins swimming too. We played on the playground and the kids rode their bikes. A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

So today...Monday....what to do!!

Winston is donning his Panther jersey and is ready to hit the Chick Fil A for a free sandwich so I predict we'll venture there at some point today. One more day with nothing to do. We'll savor every minute - or at least the adults will...for some odd reason, the notion of boredom is lame to the little people who live with us!

Then it's back to the grind tomorrow....but hey, fall is here, ballet starts next week, football season has begun and Life...well IT. IS. GOOD!!