Safari

They say money can’t buy happiness, but I found out it is a heck of down payment. I didn’t realize the extent of what money, especially old money, can do. I heard my co-worker talking about this zoo in West Tenn., which struck me as funny, until we checked it out. I was thinking this would be more of a typical barnyard assortment of animals versus real exotic zoo creatures. The place is called the Tennessee Safari Park. Basically, the owner has taken his family farm (originally attained in 1860) and made it into a make-shift safari/zoo filled with a wide array of actual zoo animals. And get this… NO CAGES!!! You actually drive through the animal habitat, where the animals are at arm’s length away from your vehicle.

We had a great time, except for the heat! We saw gazelles leaping across the land right in front of us, a large bird (cousin to the ostrich) put his beak right on the driver’s side glass, Saraia fed a ‘Pumba’ a bottle, and learned that water buffalos look both ways before crossing the street!!

I had a chance to talk with the owner, before we left, and learned that he always wanted to own a zoo, which I later read on the website. I think it is great what he is doing and I recommend it to anyone in the area (about 30 minutes outside of Jackson). This will be a must see for anyone coming to town to visit, especially with kids.

Move Review - Kung Fu Panda

Kung Fu Panda - TWO THUMBS UP!!! from Saraia and Mommy. We met Grammy in Memphis and had a girls day out, Langston was the bodyguard. Kug FU Panda was very funny and Saraia loved it so much that she had to go see the pandas at the Memphis Zoo. Even Langston stayed awake, without crying!! Of course Saraia was the only one dancing to music while the credits rolled. She definitley knows how to have a good time.

Bath Time

Farewell

I can’t believe today is finally the day. The long string of Honda Accords in the family is finally over. I had to give up my 1994 Honda Accord we purchased from my folks. The ‘Green Machine’ has finally moved on to a better place. The prognosis from the doc all but sealed her fate. Everything was fine, but she needs a new CPU and they are $$$$$. Instead of putting her to rest, I found an old man who likes challenges and he has agreed to take her off my hands. We struck a gentlemen’s deal and now she is gone to me forever. He promised to take good care of her, do his best to get her healthy again, and treat her kind. Farewell ‘Green Machine’. You will be missed greatly. For those of you interested here is a clipping of the obituary:

1994 Green Honda Accord, age 14 originally of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away Tuesday, June 3, 2008. She is survived by son and daughter, Pathfinder and Acura (Memphis, TN) and two grandchildren in Jackson, TN, Camry and Mercedes.

Day at the Park

Langston is ready for his BIG day at the park!! Hat... check. Baby carrier... check. Mommy.... double check!!!

Memorial Weekend - St. Louis

This Memorial weekend we went to St. Louis to celebrate our cousin LaToya’s graduation. We left Jackson around 8p and drove through the night (no cops, sleeping kids, our music!!) until we got there at 12a. As usual, we had a great time with Tammy and Malcolm. They always make us feel at home.

We were the first to arrive (we are also the closest) and most everyone else was set to arrive sometime that Saturday afternoon. Of course, Saraia was the first to awake and the first to ask for breakfast (waffles to be exact!). She was so crafty that she was able to convince Latoya to get up out of bed, early, and start breakfast, which we here is a first! The blueberry waffles were fantastic!

Sunday was the celebration. It rained but it didn’t stop us from eating all that good food that was prepared (ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, spaghetti, slaw, baked beans, potato salad, plenty of sweets… you name it they had it!) The evening was filled with food and fun. Conversations spanned from Obama to Kobe to C/O ‘08 to ‘The Good Ol’ Days’. Great times were had by all!!

These trips are a great escape for us, especially with grandparents around. Grandma was able to get some much awaited sugar from her grandbabies. It was so beautiful seeing them laugh and play together. It was also beautiful for us to get a chance to relax and not worry about the kids!! Langston was just starting to smile and he laying his good looks on everyone, especially the girls.

Langston couldn’t take all the excitement… poor boy was just plain tuckered out from all the hugging and kissing and holding… he was just loved to sleep.

Saraia showed she was ready for Dancing with the Stars. All the older kids left to go to the movies… we couldn’t wait until they left so the real party people could get it started!!! Also check out Grandma ‘Crank that Thang’!!!

We had so much fun in STL, we are headed back. Date is TBD at this point, but it will be before the summer is out. Tammy and Malcolm are planning a great family weekend for us filled with activities. We can’t wait to get this all scheduled out and head back to the Lou!!! Congrats again to LaToya (for those of you who don’t know… sister graduated with a 4.75 GPA… got a full ride to Wash. U… a Pre-Med major…) go head girl!!! You make us all so proud. Thank you again Tammy and Malcolm for your hospitality.

South Carolina in July

Great news!! Although Mommy and Daddy still will not be able to make it to SC this summer, Grammy and Grandpa will be taking Saraia with them. This means so much to us. Saraia has been asking and asking to get back to the beach and now she can. It makes it even better, now that she can go with family.

Thanks again to Grammy and Grandpa for making this happen. We all really appreciate it. Wish we all could go, but the timing just really didn’t work out for us, especially with all the change we have coming shortly thereafter (Mommy back to work, new school for Saraia, Langston in daycare, etc.).

Crest Kid

My Sweetie went to the dentist for the second time today. She was such a big girl, no crying, and even helped clean Mommy's teeth!

No Kids Allowed After 8pm

We finally have our room back. Langston crib arrived today and he is sharing a room with his big sister. Every night she would ask if her brother could sleep in the room with her. He finally moves in and she wants to move out!! Go figure!! Mommy and Daddy finally have the Grown and Sexy Room, no kids allowed after 8 pm and doors open at 4:00 in the morning (Langston's breakfast time)!!!

Memphis in May

We went down to the Memphis in May BBQ contest this weekend. I hadn't been since I was real little. Needless to say everything was different, but it was still fun. We took both the kids and had a great family outing. Langston stayed cool in the shade of his stroller and Saraia was such a big girl, walking most of the time. It was a good time, good food, and good fun. My co-worker, who competes every year, won 3rd place for BBQ Sauce and should have finished in the Top 10 for Shoulder.