Five on Friday

1.  The countdown has begun for the Tennessee Baptist Convention.  T minus two and a half weeks and counting.  It really has been the best year! 
2.  Fred's sister, Liz, took pictures for us over fall break.  They were all great.  She included a few funny ones.  Here's a behind the scenes peek at a photo session for the Shackelfords.

3. Clayton helped in the yard this week.  When I say "helped" I don't mean he helped, but was really in the way.  I mean he helped.  It was glorious and everything I dreamed it would be.  By my calculations I will have a boy to help with the yard for the next 15 years.  Yahoo!

4.  Jack has been studying his spelling words intently each week.  For the last two weeks we have had him take a practice test on Thursday night.  Last week he slept with his list under his pillow...precious.  This week he made a 100 on his first practice test.  Yeah, Jack! 

5.  Andrew is 3 today!  (More to come on that later.)  Lately, he has been asserting his independence   through dressing himself.  Below was his wardrobe choice for the day.  Please note that it was 80 degrees outside and he chose shorts, a flannel shirt and boots (without socks).  Classic.

Five on Friday

1.  When we got married Fred was not, how shall I put this...handy.  Wow, what a difference 12 years can make.  Just tonight he changed out a ceiling fan and another light fixture.  He changes the oil in our car and does most of the maintenance to our cars as well.  I am almost convinced there is nothing he cannot do. 
2.  I don't think it's a secret, but just in case you don't know, I am extremely cheap.  Our cable bill is constantly being down graded.  Well, this week I did it.  It took two days for me to make up my mind, but I upgraded to a new package.  Welcome back HGTV, TLC and ESPN.  I have missed you.  
3.  Clayton asked me this week if I would snuggle up with him and watch tv (before the cable upgrade!).  I tried to remain cool, but he may have heard a crack in my voice when I replied, "Yes, I'd love to!"  Some times I wonder how much longer I'll get asked these questions.  I don't think I really want to know. 
4.  Jack rarely complains.  For the last week he has mentioned that his foot is hurting.  Somehow he hurt it while he and a couple of friends were  tackling playing football together.  After several trips to Mrs. Cindy, the school nurse, I decided it was time to have it checked out.  Nothing was wrong with it...thank goodness.  I think I know the problem.  Jack just likes hanging with Mrs. Cindy.
5.  Andrew has a birthday coming up.  Aunt Janice asked him what he would like for his birthday.  His reply..."An awesome toy."  That is the only response we get from him.  Needless to say, several people are on the hunt for "an awesome toy." 

Fall Break

Fall Break started Wednesday evening as we headed to Jackson after church.  Normally I teach on Tuesdays in Jackson, but my boss asked me if I could fill in for someone on Thursdays and I was happy to oblige.  After working I came home in time for lunch.  Since it was the day after my birthday my mother had a cake.  Not just a cake, mind you...a sugary, buttery, cakey, heavenly confection from Shirley's Bakery. (a.k.a. the best bakery on the planet!!) 

As I wiped the cake off my face, Clayton and I headed out the door to my childhood dentist.  Our dentist in Paris noticed a few problems so we wanted to get a second opinion.  We won't talk about the results, but suffice it to say that every possible dental problem he could have gotten from both sides of the family manifested itself inside his mouth.  Oh.dear.  The dentist office did speak Clayton's love language...tv's in the ceiling on the channel of his choosing?!?...ah, yes please.  I told him we had come to the big city and this is what you get.  I even signed in using an I Pad.  Up town, people, up town!!

After pulling myself off the floor from that appointment we headed to Memphis for my birthday dinner with Fred.  Through a series of events we actually got to go with Fred's sister and her husband.  In all our years together, we have never been out with just Zach and Liz.  Crazy, right?!?  It may have been the first time, but it certainly won't be the last!!  We dined at The Elegant Farmer (click here to view) and then hit up a Mexican ice cream shop.  Oh.my.goodness.  I found these places on a blog through pinterest.  If I lived in Memphis I would systematically work my way through this list.  I might just do it even though I don't live there.  Click here for the blog.

Friday morning we took family pictures.  It was the highlight of the boys trip.  Not really.  We loaded up after that and headed to the zoo in Memphis.  The elephants were especially loud.  Andrew was not impressed.  Of all my times to go to the zoo I have never stayed for a "show".  We actually got to see one on sea lions.  I'm telling you October is the time to go to the zoo.  Yes it is.  Fred and I may or may not have made a vow to one another to NEVER go to the zoo again during the summer again!

Of course, after such an exhausting trip to the zoo we hit Jerry's Snow Cone's in Memphis.  I would highly recommend the wedding cake snow cone with ice cream.  It was delicious.  Andrew and Zachary enjoyed sharing Clayton's snow cone.

The final day we just piddled around and ended up at the coolest park ever at Shelby Farms.  Good times!  Only one more year till fall break.  I'm counting down the days!

Five on Friday

1.  Fred and I had the opportunity to go to Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee this week.  He spoke at chapel Tuesday morning.  It was a quick trip, but we had the best time.  The president and staff of Carson Newman could not have been more welcoming.  I wasn't going to go with him, but a wise person in my family reminded me that Fred's tenure as president of TBC is drawing to a close.  On her advice, I jumped at the chance to go and I'm so grateful I did.  Thanks to my mom for corralling the boys while we were away. 
2.  I mentioned several weeks ago that I got some of my grandmother's furniture.  Well this week, I finally "settled" the dining room.  It really is my favorite room now...full of memories.  (I still have a few finishing touches to add to the room, but for the most part it is complete.  I'll just have to go to a "big city" to get them.)
Before...

 After...

3. Clayton has a Kindle Fire.  He loves playing Words with Friends on it.  The other night Fred and I were tucked in bed (at 9:30...I know, we are old!!) and his phone indicated he had a message.  It was Clayton across the house making his move on Words.  Too funny!
4.  While at Carson Newman I may or may not have committed Jack to play football for Coach Sparks.  Grin.  Click here to see more of the college.
5. When Andrew and my mom picked up the boys at swim practice she let all the boys pick something out of the machine. (I never do this!!)  Andrew picked out Twinkies.  I think it was his first time to eat a Twinkie.  I think he was/is a fan.

Five on Friday

1.  The day has finally arrived for Fred.  After researching, studying and pricing bikes, he finally purchased one.  I mean, seriously, who knew buying a bike could be so stressful?!?  As a kid when I went to Walmart to buy a bike I just looked at the color and the streamers.  I never gave a thought to what the frame was made of or what kind of pedals it had.  Seriously.  I am pleased to announce that Fred is the proud owner of a 2009 carbon framed Cannondale.  It is red, but has no streamers.
2.  My grandmother is still living in the "hotel" in Nashville.  Because of a recent turn of events we needed to get furniture from her house.  My dad and I headed to Franklin last week to load up a U Haul with her furniture.  As the movers were loading up the truck I stood in the driveway with tears streaming down my face.  Each piece of furniture that came out of her house had a memory attached to it.  Everywhere I turn in my house there is now a piece of my grandparents.  I can't help but smile...as I still wipe away an occasional tear or two.  (Once I get the dining room painted I'll post pictures.)
3.  Clayton's hair is way too long.  I have been telling him he needs a hair cut.  He does not want one.  He likes it long.  In an effort to not major on minor things I am letting this go.  Several weeks ago we were getting in the car after church.  Out of the blue Clayton said, "Morgan (a girl) likes my hair long."  I hear you loud and clear son, loud and clear. 
4.  Jack is a big kid.  At a recent high school football game, unbeknownst to be, he engaged in a game of tackle football with several of Clayton's friends (3 and 4 years older than him).   Once I realized what was going on I saw a kid crying on the ground.  Yes, Jack had tackled and hurt him.  My six year old.  So, we have a new rule at the Shackelford house..."No tackle football unless you and the person you are playing with have on all the proper equipment."  Jack was really bummed
5.  Andrew is 95% potty trained.  Almost there.  I have had a kiddo in diapers for 9 consecutive years.  Nine years.  I cannot believe this phase of life is ending.  To say it's bittersweet would be a huge understatement.