Doctor Doctor

Matthew had a check up on Monday to get ready for first grade. No immunizations necessary, just a quick check and he was good to go. I think the shots were all taken care of last year before he started kindergarten.

He enjoyed reading Highlights Magazine in the waiting room. How long have doctors had those in their offices?

He got weighed.

And measured.

He got his blood pressure checked.

And his hearing.

I tried to get a few photos while we were waiting for the doctor to come in, but of course he didn't want me to, so I had to be a little sneaky.

I took this one with the camera on my lap.

Dr. C showed him his height and weight chart on his computer.

He also checked out his reflexes before sending us on our way. Dr. C is so good with his patients, and keeps them laughing and comfortable during the exam.

Hey first grade, bring it on!!

A Swing and a Prayer

We had a great time last weekend at the lake when Andrew and Darci brought their friends Matt, Shelly, Abbi, and Makenna. They enjoyed some tubing and water skiing on Saturday, met the neighbors, and tried out their rope swing. I spent the day enjoying Haleigh, watching the girls in the water, and relaxing. In fact, I didn't take any pictures until after supper, when I got this one of Makenna introducing Jim to the fun of barbie.com.

Everyone slept in a bit on Sunday, and Abbi and Jim spent a little more time with Barbie.

The girls enjoyed the trampoline, and I think Makenna was practicing her ballet, or bal-la-lay, as she called it.

Shelly decided to swim a few laps across the lake, so Matt served as her spotter in the kayak.

Makenna is usually a little bit afraid of dogs, but Gumbo quickly won their hearts, and they enjoyed playing with him all weekend.

They jumped off the trampoline over and over and over....

and over again!

Abbi took a couple minutes to rest.

And they shared some fun with Mom Shelly.

Haleigh was entertained by the girls. Sorry for cutting your head off, Andrew, I was focusing on the baby!

Makenna says, "Oh yeah, oh yeah!"

They went across the lake to jump off the high dock and go down the slide. Makenna decided to hitch a ride with Drew and Darci in the paddle boat.

Daredevil Shelly jumped from the top of the railing. Andrew and Matt did it the day before. Holding hands even. But I didn't have my camera. It was sweet.

They returned to the rope swing on Sunday so I could get a few pictures. Jim passed, as he was a bit sore from a bad landing on Saturday. Hmmmm.... maybe someone is getting a little too old for the rope swing?

Andrew gets ready to go. I tried my best to get some pictures of everyone going off the swing. I call it crazy, actually. Thus, the title of this post... they did the swing, I said the prayer.

Shelly was the craziest bravest one in the group, as she was trying FLIPS off that thing.

Andrew did not try any flips.

Shelly got cheers from all the neighbors.

Matt did not try any flips either. I think he was feeling a bit sore from Saturday's tubing, skiing, swinging. Makes me sore just thinking about it.

This is part of the audience watching from the gallery.

These next four photos are in succession to show one of Shelly's flips. Yes, I'm still praying.

This one was a different turn, but I just liked the shot. That girl is fearless!

After the swinging, it was time for a little lunch.

And a little floating.

One of the neighbors was enjoying a float with her dog. Wonder if Gumbo would like that?

We ended with a snack of Star Kisses on the trampoline.

I'm not sure if there was more in their mouths or on their faces. Andrew took this just before Makenna decided to jump off the back of the trampoline without her life jacket. Fortunately, Shelly was nearby. That Makenna is fearless! Are you surprised??

Back Roads and Silly Bands

A pretty sunset, and an evening drive to the lake last Thursday. Matthew got to come with us to spend the night.

We stopped here, at Eddie's Pizza on our way, to have a quick supper.

Matthew thought he might like to try the pinball machine.

So Grandpa gave him a few quarters and a little instruction.

Then (of course) it was Grandpa's turn.

Grandpa won a free game, so Matthew got to try it one more time.

When the food came, Matthew didn't want HIS picture taken, but he showed me his breadstick.

On Friday morning, Matthew and I went to Nashville to pick up the name sign I had made at a shop there. He thought these trees made a cool tunnel over the sidewalk.

He enjoyed cranking this handle outside one of the shops.

I had seen some "silly bands" in one of the shops that were Purdue themed, so we thought we would get some. We wanted to find some UK ones for his friends Abbi and Makenna, but they didn't have them. They did have some North Carolina ones, so he got some to send to Uncle David and Aunt Shylah. Shhhh... don't tell them!

They are just rubber bands, but in different shapes that hold when you take them off. The Purdue ones had the Purdue motion P, a train, a football, helmet, and goalposts. I think the North Carolina ones are football themed too. Um, does UNC have a football team?

We were disappointed to find out that the name sign was not finished, so we stopped by the toy store on our way back to the car.

After careful deliberation, Matthew decided on a killer whale and a whale shark. He also got a small catalog with the entire collection so he can mark the ones he wants. Here, he was "swimming" them along outside the store.

On the way back to the lake, we enjoyed some of the names of the back roads in Brown County.

Back at the lake, Jim was in charge of watching Matthew for a bit, and this is what I saw from the deck. It's just a Stewart thing.