Separation Anxiety

Someone in our family has been experiencing a little separation anxiety... and it's not Sarah. I've been gone for the past three weekends doing "girl stuff" and Kevin has been left at home to hold down the fort. Of course, he has taken every opportunity to try and make me feel guilty. He has been known to say, "Thanks for stopping in" as I run back out the door to bible study or other commitments. Unfortunately the comments did not keep me at home. We had to celebrate Nana's birthday at the Barn Dinner Theater with just the girls. Then the next weekend I had to help shower Emily and baby Ivey with gifts. This past weekend I attended the Women of Faith Conference. See, no room for boys.
Now, don't assume Kevin was sitting at home counting the hours until my return. He packed all three of our kids up and drove across North Carolina two weeks ago. They went to the Fossil Museum in Aurora, dug for fossils at a park, and then rode the ferry across the Pamlico River to get home. Here is a little evidence of their fun weekends.

Jackson getting eaten by a shark at the Fossil Museum.

Digging for shark's teeth.

"Look, I found one, too!"

"Daddy lets me drive when Mommy's gone..."

"...And he gives me M&M's. The blue ones are best."

I missed Jackson's last two soccer games last Saturday. This is the best picture Kevin could get of him getting his medal.

"Aren't you coming with me, Daddy?" (I love these steps Granddad. I climb up them every chance I get.)

I'll help you rake!

You can't rake leaves without playing in a pile or two!

Happy Halloween!

Our Halloween festivities lasted for about three days. Jackson was able to wear his costume to school on Thursday. Friday was a Teacher Workday- so no school for him. He spent the day with Gramma which he was overly excited about. Sarah and Adam wore their costumes to school on Friday and went Trick or Treating in downtown Burlington. It was a chilly morning, but the kids had lots of fun!

This is the best picture I have been able to get of Sarah. She did not like being a Tinker Bell.

More solemn looks from Sarah.

Adam was enjoying being Thomas the Train and getting candy.

Our town decided to celebrate Halloween on Saturday. Kevin took the boys trick-or -treating, and Sarah and I stayed at home to hand out candy.

Trying to get a picture of the three of them. Sarah did not want to cooperate. Maybe next year???

Sarah has dropped her wings and is trying to run!

Adam had no problem posing.

What are these pumpkins for?

Darth Vader, aka Jackson.

What? You needed this candy?

This was the look I got every time I came back in from the porch. She didn't understand what was going on. I started out taking her with me but she would scream when she saw the children in masks. If I headed down the steps to meet the little Trick-or-Treaters, she would cry thinking I was leaving her. In her defense, by the end of the night she was running a fever. She laid around all day today. I'm guessing it's her ears again. My hope is that this will clear up quickly since she has had tubes put in her ears. Thank goodness we return to the ENT this week.

Catching up...Again

I must apologize again for not posting in a very long time. I will try and catch you up to the happenings in the Faircloth household since the middle of August. Since then, school started back, Kevin celebrated another birthday, we went camping, Sarah turned one, and Jackson finished yet another soccer season. It has been a whirlwind of a few months. I cannot believe we are at the end of October.

Jackson's first day of second grade.

Kevin's birthday cake.

Getting ready to go to dinner for Daddy's birthday.

The three of them loved Kevin's present, Rock Band. Sarah plays the drums, Adam, the guitar, and Jackson sings.

Adam and Sarah had to start going to daycare right after Labor Day. Adam was all excited.

Poor Sarah didn't know what to think!

We went camping on Kerr Lake at the Shiloh Ministries campground.

We are hoping that pole dancing is not in her future. I think she really liked the idea that she could "walk" around in circles without falling.

The campground hosted a fall festival. Adam is trying his hand at the pinata.

Sarah turned one! She celebrated at home and then again the next weekend at the lake.

Ooh! Cake. I love this stuff!

Look! I got a birthday card and I want everyone to see it. Forget those presents, check out my card!

I finally got some baby dolls (three to be exact and she plays with every single one of them). No more playing with those boy toys!

We took some pictures in our yard after church one Sunday. I was really trying to get one of Sarah's dress but Adam and Jackson wanted some of them, too.

Adam and his "cheese" smile. I don't think he think he can smile with his eyes open. This was the best I could get.

A handsome little boy growing up way too fast!

Getting Away Before School Starts

We had to take one last mini-vacation before school started. We headed to Swansboro to see Grandma and Papa Jack last weekend. Aunt Kara, Uncle Kevin, and Aunt Jeanne were there too. As soon as we got there we asked Papa Jack to take us out on his boat. We rode to a sandy beach and "parked" for a few hours. Sarah loved playing in the sand and in the water. Jackson got excited over catching fish and a crab with the throw net.

The next day we all headed to the beach for the morning and then spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool. There was a nice little carnival for kids at the campground that afternoon, too. Jackson slid down a slide, jumped in the bounce around, and got dunked in the dunking tank. Yes, the line to be dunked was longer than the line to dunk! They also had popcorn, snow cones, and cotton candy. Poor Adam and Sarah both slept through it all. Thanks Aunt Jeanne for sitting in the car with them!

On Sunday Jeanne, Sarah, and I headed to the beach one last time while the boys went fishing. Kara and Kevin had to head home and Jan went to work. Jackson came back all excited over catching some sharks! I'm glad I wasn't on that trip. I think Adam was just excited to get to use his fishing rod.

Sarah splashing in the Intracoastal Waterway. Water always makes for a happy girl.

Look at the fish I caught!

"Come here little fishy. I want to play with you, too."
Those poor fish. I hope they lived to tell about their adventures with Sarah.

A girl's got to eat no matter where she goes!

Kara and Kevin were testing the waterproofness of their new camera case. They took lots of underwater pictures. Check out the bubbles coming out of Jackson's mouth!

Adam playing in the waves. Jackson would never stay still nor close enough to get a picture of him. Sarah would take a wave in the face like a pro. If we lifted her out of the waves she would cry to get back in. Crazy girl.

Thank You Aunt Jamie and Uncle Roger!

Adam and Jackson received tickets to Carowinds for their birthdays from Aunt Jamie and Uncle Roger. We decided to make a weekend of it and visit Aunt Emily and Uncle Joe. The boys had so much fun! Adam rode a roller coaster with Uncle Joe and kept asking to ride it again. I think he especially liked it because it was yellow. Jackson loved the Woodstock Express (formerly known as the Scooby Doo Roller Coaster). I think he rode it about 3 or 4 times. Sarah enjoyed riding the carousel, the train, and the helicopters. Kevin and Joe did get to ride the Intimidator several times. After we put the kids to bed, Kevin and I headed back over to ride a few more roller coasters.

Jackson and Adam on Snoopy's Airplane.

Sarah riding on her horse on the carousel.

We are waiting to get on the helicopters. Sarah did not like to have to sit down during this ride. She kept trying to get out of the seatbelt.

Jackson and Adam standing with Snoopy.

Adam fell asleep, and we all ended up taking turns (well, all except for the pregnant woman!) carrying him back across the park. That double stroller I left at home and almost brought with us would have come in handy.

We couldn't not go for a boat ride. Sarah had to miss out on this one though because she left her life jacket at the lake house. Luckily Aunt Emily volunteered to keep her at home.

A Day at Emerald Pointe

We all slathered on the sunscreen, grabbed our swimsuits and towels, and headed out to Emerald Pointe for the day last Friday. Sarah, Adam, and I hung around the little pools while Jackson and Kevin headed to the big slides in the morning. Sarah loved splashing in the shallow water. I don't think she ever realized she was in water as she tried to crawl around and stand up. Occasionally she would lift her head coughing where she inhaled some water but then would go right back down for more. Silly girl! Adam found three little slides that he could go down on his own. He must have run up that hill at least a hundred times. We all went on the Lazy River where Sarah tried to jump ship the whole time. She just thinks that she can swim!

Jackson and I headed off after lunch to slide down some water slides. We went down one normal one, and then he had me follow him up to ride the "blue one". A piece of advice- don't follow a seven year old to the top of the slide without first figuring out what type of slide you are heading to. Jackson went down first and then I went. This particular slide wasn't a long one but it had two big hills that went pretty much straight down. I prefer the curvy slides verses the hilly ones. I think Jackson missed that message or maybe this was his way to torture his mother. I landed at the bottom, skidding across the water to the steps. The force sent me under the water getting water all in my nose and dislodged my swimsuit in more ways that I want to think about. Let's just say it was not a pleasant experience and we headed back to Kevin, Adam, and Sarah where Kevin and Jackson took off to ride some more stuff.

Sarah's favorite thing to do was swing. Unfortunately because of all the water, this was the only picture I got.

Heeee's Baaaack!

I know it's not obvious in this picture, but Adam is back. Here, he was still feeling a little puny , but today, he's back to feeling great. He woke up in the best mood yesterday morning, and I don't think he has stopped talking since. Jackson was asking me what tonsils look like. This aroused some curiosity in Adam, so he asked where his tonsils went. I told him we would have to ask Dr. McQueen on Monday. He's also back to pointing out all the yellow vehicles on the road. Last week I missed the babysitter's house because I was in a trance and Adam usually announces our arrival. With his sore throat he wasn't talking. This morning he was loud and clear when we got close to Ivy's house. There are moments when I miss the quiet Adam, but I am so glad to have the "real" Adam back!