Sunday, September 25, 2011

Tailgating at the Corner Spot

Luke was so excited that Clemson was playing Florida State, he was doing flips!

He's planning on joining in on the cornhole game.

Gracie Claire & Sarah love taking care of Luke at the games.

Getting their Tiger Paw on!

Bryan & Nate cooked Low Country Boil for the whole group...it was yummy!

Luke's tiger paw didn't last long.

Getting ready to eat!

If Miller isn't watching football, he's playing football!

YUM! Bryan did a great job as chef of the tailgate.

I think helping cook made Nate's appetite bigger, he had more than one helping.

Luke had to get in on this picture.  He was stuck to Mandy all day long.

After we ate, the kids made their own recipe of "Trashmore Stew." Nate didn't even make it into the game, he was so into this.

He & Gracie Claire are telling the younger ones what to go pick up to add to the stew...things like Shrimp Tails, pine needles, leftover Sprite...

Henry watched the whole game this week.

Sliding down the hill. 

Luke & Sarah in a box.

How many can fit in this box?

Calla & Luke make their own recipe.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Henry's first day of 1st grade - doesn't he look excited!

Nate's first day of 3rd grade.

I insisted on walking them in, they took off when we got in the door, no kisses or hugs, just a fast "bye Mom!"

Watching the First Friday parade with Bryan's high school friend's kids.

Luke loved the marching band, hated the Tiger mascot!

After dinner at Wingin' It with their new buddies.

Early morning fun.

Luke's birthday party

Thanks DeeDee for the beautiful Toy Story 3 cake!

Getting ready to blow the candles out

The cupcake eating contest (Joy's brilliant idea to do something with all the leftover cupcakes)

Wouldn't want to put these boys to bed tonight - Sugar Rush!

Notice Granny, I think she's wanting to get in on the contest.

The Mom's didn't like it, but the kids thought it was great fun!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Balloon a thon

Today was Golden Corner Preschools annual fund raiser the "Balloon-a-thon." This is my 6th year having a child at this preschool and every year they do this same thing, but every year the kids are thrilled watching hundreds of balloons fly off. 
With Kami watching the balloons fly away!


Letting them go


Luke's buddy Kai'Shawn


Happy 3rd Birthday Luke!

I'm determined to catch up on blogging, for Denise! Our smoke detector went off in the middle of the night.  Bryan is sure that it was because all these candles were on Luke's cake!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

I know I've neglected my blog all summer. I'm so sad that I haven't written about all the fun we have had. I just haven't had (or taken) the time. Luke starts preschool after Labor Day and I will get back to it. In the meantime....here we are at the Imax in Charlotte watching Tornadoes! Luke's bedtime conversation:
After a story about baby Jesus
Luke: Where's God?

Joy: Heaven

Luke: Where's God?

Joy: He's in heaven.

Luke: Where's God?

Joy: I told you. He's in heaven.

Luke: No He's not. He's in Florida.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Eating watermelon with Silas

What a busy week! No time to blog here at the Duncan house. We finally got to meet our sweet baby Merritt and we've been enjoying visiting with Silas, Mark & Denise this week. I have been working at cub scout day camp everyday while Nate & Henry are there. 7:30am til 4pm in 90 degree+ heat! It's been fun but I'm looking forward to the end!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

2011 Book of the Year according to Joy

Yes, I know you remember her, Anne Rice- Interview with the Vampire. Well, she has a series of books out called "Christ the Lord." Only 2 so far, the first one is "Out of Egypt" and it is good. But number 2, "Road to Cana" is amazing. This is a fictional account of Jesus based on the gospels. Run, do not walk, to your library or book store and start it (or the first one) today!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Quick Post

I'm running to the computer to post before I forget all the funny stuff Luke said at bed tonight. First of all I laid with him in his bed and as he talks himself to sleep, I thought, no ordinary 2 year old says this stuff, he's gotta have some big brothers. First he says, "mom, what's Luke start with?" which he knows. Then, "mom, what bryan start with? what mommy start with? what Joy start with? what nate and henry start with? what Colin (the boy we had dinner with) start with? what colin's parents start with?" enough Luke!
Then he sings "jingle bells batman smells, robin laid an egg, batmobile lost a wheel, joker got away!"
Then I hear "knock knock? banana. banana who? knock knock? orange."

Somehow we end up in my bedroom. Bryan says, " boy, you need to sleep in your bed." Luke replies, "there's no tv in my room."

Bryan is eating yogurt with oreos. Luke says, "dad, you gotta stop eating dat yogurt. Dat is yunk (junk). It's yunk."

This post is mostly for my own benefit so I won't forget all these cute things my boys say.

Head Injury

Yesterday was ended up in the ER with Luke after a scary head injury. We had a playdate at McDonalds for lunch. Luke tripped on another little boys foot and fell, hitting his forehead on the floor. A typical fall, one he's experience frequently. I was standing right beside him so I quickly picked him up. He let out a big cry and then he went completely limp in my arms. His eyes rolled back in his head. At first I thought it was a seizure, but it turned out to be more on the lines of being knocked out. My girlfriend, Jennifer witnessed his behavior & after about 30 seconds or so we both said in a panic, "he's not acting right!" I dashed out the door dialing my pediatrician as I pulled into the ER parking lot. Oconee ER was fantastic. We were with a Dr in a matter of minutes and by this time Luke was acting better, whining and ready for a nap. We stayed around an hour for observation and the Dr. decided not to perform a CT scan because of the exposure to radiation. He said he probably had a concussion, but you couldnt' be sure without further testing. We have watched him closely all evening & night and I am taking him to the pediatrician this morning for a recheck. He went to sleep last night in his bed, as usual, but just before Bryan and I turned out the lights, Bryan carried him to our bed. I snuggled him all night thanking God for all His blessings and praying that He would continue to protect my children. I know with 3 rowdy boys I am bound to see broke bones & blood, but I want to keep the head injuries to a minimum!

Monday, May 16, 2011

The best weekend...

We had such a great weekend! Really made me ready for summer break. Friday night we kicked it off by having 2 boys spend the night. Henry had Stryder again and Nate had Evan Mainous. We ordered Dominos pizza, played outside, watched a movie & stayed up til 10pm! I had spend Thursday night in the hospital to help Tara who had just had her first baby, a precious little girl! She had a grueling 16 hours of tough labor followed by a c-section, also her bladder was beat up. We got around 2 hours of sleep (reminded us of 6th grade sleepovers) so I was still recovering. I crashed early with Luke and Bryan put the big boys to bed.



Saturday we worked in the garden and enjoyed our company as long as they could stay. Saturday night, we hired a babysitter!!! Gianna (see picture below) and the boys loved her! She is in 10th grade so we had to pick her up and take her home, but we only paid her $10/hour and I know she earned every penny! Lots of interesting stories came out the next morning. Apparantly she put Luke to bed (he was exhausted) and left the room (which he's not used to) and he cried, of course. She said that Henry settled him down. I asked Henry what he did and he said he took Luke an oreo and chocolate milk to bed and surrounded him with pillow pets and he rolled right over and went to sleep. Well who wouldn't be comforted by oreo's in bed! Chocolate crumbs were everywhere!



Also, the next morning Henry went over to the recliner and sniffed around. He said, "I can still smell her here!" They can't wait for her to come again. Don't worry Grandparents, you're still the favorite, but it would be nice to have some backups!
We got a babysitter so we could check out a new restaurant in town Sole and it didn't dissappoint! Sunday morning we did something we rarely do. We skipped church and went on a family hike to Yellow Branch. It was the first hike that Luke really enjoyed walking and the day was just beautiful! Nate found a huge toadfrog, and caught it of course! Henry was like a puppy, always about a quarter mile ahead of the rest of us, running back & forth. Luke enjoyed all the "junior trails" that his brothers made for him, helping him maneuver the rough spots.
Saturday afternoon, we hit the pool! At 3:30, it was just the 5 of us, but by 4pm, there were 14 kids swimming! What fun! I love living in a neighborhood where there are lots of children. This week is Luke's last week of preschool!
Ready or not summer, here we come!





Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Welcome Merritt Joyce Powell!

Born May 8, 2011 at 6:55 am, 8 pounds 4 ounces, isn't she beautiful! She is in Florida right now, but I hope to get my hands on her soon and give her lots of love! Nate, Henry & Luke are already crazy about her pictures and want to hear all about her. Can't wait to meet you sweet baby!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Crazy Mondays

Monday's have gotten a little crazy around here. I have to be in the front of the pickup line so I can get Henry to Gap Hill Church of God in Six Mile for his 3:00 piano lesson. Then, Nate has piano at 3:30. From 5-6 we have martial arts class in Clemson. Then, if it's like it was this week, we will have a 6:30 baseball game in Walhalla. Luke and I are shuttling Nate & Henry from 2:15 (when we leave for school) until possibly 8pm.



Our only break is hanging out at MeMaw's & Papas during piano lessons and while we change into our karate outfits.



This Monday, the boys loved helping Papa spread Potash (did I spell that right?) on his potato gardens. They just love helping work outside and Papa loves having help. "Papa! I need more potash!"

Friday, April 22, 2011

Thursday/Friday spring breaking it still!



A big breakfast of biscuits, bacon and hashbrowns to give us enough energy to have an early morning Easter party at John Daddy & DeeDee's house! Dee Dee had boiled 2 dozen or so eggs and baked mini cupcakes for the boys to decorate. Sweet Luke loved his eggs so much he would carry them around until they finally cracked, then he would cry because they were broke. By the way, he has slept all night in his bed 5 nights now (not consecutively though)! Did I mention that when Stryder walked into the playroom at DeeDee's house I overheard him say, "Ahh paradise!" After checking the weather report (high in low 60s with rain all day) we decided to take the party to Chuck e Cheese's in Greenville. Chuckecheese recently won the honor of having the worst tasting pizza in America. But that doesn't matter when your a kid (or a dad!)













Please keep Stryder and his family (2 5th grade brothers & parents) in your prayers. Stryders mom was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and now it has returned around her heart and in her brain and liver. I could tell she was on his mind the whole time he was here. I always thought losing a child would be the hardest thing a person could endure on this earth. But now, I think being a parent and leaving your young child behind in this cruel world would be even tougher.