Are you up to the beachball challenge?

My Dad accepted the beachball challenge - jump off the diving board and keeping hold of the ball get it onto the ground by the side of the pool.
He managed to complete this challenge successfully, joining Nick, Rachel and myself - Caz I cant remember if you have done this or not - please let me know. Much to everyone's shock my mum had a go at the challenge, but unfortunately she did not succeed. Get the photo from my dad's camera - it is brilliant. This is from Sunday night, Ray another challenger failed but plans another attempt at some point in the future.

Happy Fathers Day

We had a massive thunderstorm yesterday and a surprise visitor at the back door! We're not sure where he came from or where he went afterwards as we went round to friends for a bite to eat and a few drinks.
Above is a photo of Deanna, my mum, Artie, Tim and me enjoying a good ole southern style dinner. Olivier, Nick and my dad are either hidden from view or taking the photo.


Its Fathers Day today so we went to Waffle House for breakfast, yippee - cheese n eggs for breakfast.
I've joined Facebook so have been busy working out how to use that and feeling very pleased with myself for doing so. tonight we are entertaining so hopefully we wont be rained on and can eat outside by the pool. Must remember I am working tomorrow morning so I cant drink too much wine!!!

Next post may not be for a few weeks as we are off on a 3 week holiday starting Wednesday, will bore you with details on our return.

Graduation Day

Mum & Dad arrived here last Thursday, the 5th and have been enjoying the back garden since, especially the pool. We have sent them away for a couple of days to the gulf coast to try and find some slightly cooler temps as it is unusually hot here just now.

Nick graduated from his course today, he came top of the class (of 482). Above is a gift from one of his mates on the course, Don Supon, it is obviously an American Flag but it is an American Flag that has flown above the US Capitol Building and comes with a certificate of authenticity and a presentation certificate to Nick..very nice.

Here is a video of Tom (assuming I have managed to upload it correctly) that we took with our smart new camera, unfortunately the arty photos I have tried to take so far dont look as good as the arty pics my friends take - could it be that I am just a crap photographer?

Forgot to mention

Should have said on yesterdays post that we have now been here for 1 whole year, can't quite believe it.

Backt to last night though, Nick and Rach ended up going swimming, Rach was moaning about how much weight she has put on during her trip and then proceeded to break the step ladder while climbing out of the pool...priceless....needless to say, poor Rach was mortified and is having to put up with much ribbing from Nick

Also meant to mention that while we were sitting out on Sunday night we saw a shooting star, which was amazing, I don't think I've ever seen one that spectacular before.
There was a big meteorite shower over Alabama in Nov 1833 which is why the number plates in Alabama have 'Stars Fell on Alabama' written on them. Little bit of trivia for you.

This is my number plate which Nick bought me for my birthday last year, I was really embarrassed about it at first but now think its kind of cool. talking of number plates there are many weird and wonderful ones about here, I wish I had a camera with me so I could take snaps of them when I come across them out and about, UNVRKNW - that one took me ages to work out, 4PSNAPD, MOMOF4, STJ MOM, PRAISIN, ATHEIST - which was pretty gutsy since we're in the 'bible belt' down here.

Schools Out For Summer

Well, the children started their school holidays last Thursday, the 22nd May and I have them at home with me now until Aug 13th when they go back to school. I'm sure I'll manage as we have a busy first half of the holiday with visitors and holidays planned.

Rachel is with us at the moment, minus her luggage which didnt make the plane, she has been on a round the world trip since February, caught 14 flights and didnt lose her luggage until here. We had a drive out to the shops this morning for a few essential items so she was able to use the pool - when she wasn't being pestered by Lily.

We are sitting outside drinking wine now so I will go before I type something incriminating..

Hey Ho

Another week has passed in a haze of ballet recitals, end of season parties, birthday parties and a visit to the Alabama Nature Reserve for a talk on snakes native to Alabama - apparently there are 41 with 6 of these being venomous.

I'm afraid with our lack of skill and crap camera this is the best we could do for the ballet recital, -must go shopping for a new camera before our summer holiday. The recital was a success except for our error in not buying a bouquet to present to our little star at the end. 'My bad' as Lily would say. Yes, unfortunately she has turned into quite the little american.

Mothers Day

Yesterday was Mothers Day here and I had a lovely one. It started at about 6am when Tom & Lily woke me up with their gifts that they had made at school. After I had recovered from the early start we went to Waffle House for breakfast - Cheese n eggs, raisin toast and hash browns - delicious. the children had chocolate chip waffles and Nick had an omelette and sausages.

Then we went home via the doughnut shop and bought doughnuts for coffee break, we ate them round about lunchtime then we went out for dinner to Jim N Nicks BarBQ where we ate lots more delicious food. What a fab day - no cooking at all.

Today I have been swimming, 50 lengths at the YMCA, that might just about have worked off one quarter of the doughnut! Luckily I realised that my swimsuit had disintegrated in the wash and was now see through before I went out and I was able to wear a different one. Had a rather embarrassing incident last summer at Myrtle Beach with an old bikini when I hadnt realised it had become somewhat see through...