Birthday Flight

A few weeks ago, I went to Kentucky to visit my best friend, Aubrey. Well, Kaleb and Paul picked me up at the airport when I got back into town. Apparently, that was all Kaleb could talk about that day. He kept telling everyone that he was picking momma up on the airplane! When they got me, he was very disappointed that he wasn't going to be riding the airplane like me. He kept talking about it for the next few days. So, I got the idea of trying to find out if there was anywhere we could pay for a short flight in a private airplane. There is a small airport in Madison with private planes. I knew they did flying lessons, so I contacted them and asked if they did any flights for birthdays, explaining Kaleb's situation. He got right back with me explaining that they will do an introductory flight with me and Kaleb for $98. That would include about a 30 minute flight! We decided that instead of a birthday present, we would do this for him instead. With Christmas just a few months ago, and the party in Covington in a few weeks, we really couldn't think of anything to get him. So, they told me to just stay in touch and if there was a weekend that looked pretty, to let him know a few days in advance and we could get everything organized. This week, the weekend forecast was supposed to be high 70's and clear skies. So I called Mr George, the pilot and let him know we would be planning on a Friday afternoon flight. We got to the airport around 3:30 pm. A person was learning to fly the helicopter and Kaleb was very excited. He actually wanted to ride the helicopter, but we persuaded him that an airplane was more fun. We went into the office and met Mr George, who couldn't have been nicer. He sat down with Kaleb and explained everything that we would be doing. After getting instructions, we headed out to the plane. It was a little four seater, single engine plane. Kaleb got to sit up front with Mr George while I sat in the back seat. He looked so big and was so excited! We put the headphones on him and he left them on for a total of 5 minutes, and then wanted nothing to do with them. Oh well! I got a few shots with them on so I was a happy momma! I love to fly so I was just as excited as Kaleb. I was very nervous as to how he would do when Mr George cranked the plane, but he did great. Mr George even moved his seat close to the front so he could reach the steering wheel, which Kaleb LOVED! Luckily, he couldn't control anything from his side. As we taxied around the runway, he did really well. Mr George did warn us that it was going to be a little bumpy because of the wind, but I was even a little surprised at how much turbulence there was. I guess I'm not used to the small planes. After we got into the air, Kaleb wanted to hold my hand due to the turbulence but didn't cry or whine. He just kept looking out the window. Mr George had said that we would fly over the Reservoir and look at all the boats, but after about 5 minutes, Kaleb said he wanted to "go down". So, we turned around and headed back to the airport. We did fly over our new house as we were coming in, which was neat. Overall, it was a great experience and Kaleb did really well. I honestly didn't expect us to get off the ground before he wanted to get out. I guess my little man is growing up! (tear)!
Here are a few pictures of Kaleb's first plane ride! Excuse my hair... we took the top off the jeep and my long hair doesn't do well unless pulled back!

Isn't he so adorable in the headset! Too bad he wouldn't leave them on.

Here he is getting all buckled in.

This is after the instructions but before we got on the plane!

Waving by to daddy!

He LOVED being able to reach the steering wheel.

Looking at Mr George for instructions

Holding my hand on the way in. It was a bumpy ride for sure!

On the runway fixing to take off.

Flying over the Reservoir

Me, Kaleb, and Mr George

Me and my little pilot!

Cowboy Up'

It was cowboy day at daycare today! This is my hat I got at the mid south fair when I was little!

Happy Birthday to Gary!

Today is my uncle Gary's Birthday! And I just wanted to use my blog to send out a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to him! He has been there for everything that I can remember growing up. The memory thing that sticks out in my head from when I was little is Gary getting to sing solos at church. He has the most beautiful voice and I used to love seeing him in front of everyone, praising the Lord in song. He is a very special person in our family and I just want him to know how much we love him! Happy Birthday Gary!

Gary and Meme with Melodie at her graduation from UT Med.

Me and Gary at my graduation from SCO.

Christmas Past!

Well, my favorite holiday has come and gone. I can't say that I am too sad that its over, though. When Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is in full swing, I am like a giddy kid. I love singing the Christmas songs at the top of my lungs! Everyone seems to be a little nicer and it is always a good conversation starter with patients. But, by the time it is here, I'm done. It has just run its course and I am ready to start the new year. The only thing I do miss is the threat of "Santa" with Kaleb. Every parent knows what I'm talking about. Here is the usual conversation: "Kaleb, please stop (insert bad behavior here). If you don't stop right now, I am going to call Santa and tell him that you are a bad boy and don't get any presents. (Pick up phone here and pretend to call.) Do you want Santa to bring you presents?... Then please stop so I don't have to call him." I worked pretty well the first few weeks but apparently even Kaleb was getting tired of it all because it was losing its effect. I think we are going to have to invest in a Elf on the Shelf next year and see how that works out. On a side note, I bet they are on sale right now and I could get one dirt cheap... Gonna have to check on that! =)

This Christmas was great for a number of reasons. First, Paul and I are in a really good spot this year to be able to give Kaleb everything we think he wanted and/or needed. Of course, if you asked him, all he wanted was a tractor! (CHECK!) Second, this year was the first year that Kaleb really understood Santa and the idea that he was getting presents from everyone this year. It was great seeing his excitement at the idea of it all.

Here are a few pictures that sums up our Christmas adventure in TN.

Kaleb and I headed north Friday after work. Paul had some business in Memphis to take care of earlier so he was already in town. We have found that two cars are needed in order to get everything back to MS in one trip.

Saturday at lunch, we went to Paul's mom's house and Kaleb got to open his first presents of the season. He is really lucky to have two sets of grandparents that go above and beyond for him. She got him his most favorite things and he made us take EVERYTHING out of the box. I left my phone in the truck (and my camera in MS) so I unfortunately didn't get any pictures.

Saturday night, our friends had a tacky christmas sweater party. We decided for cute instead of tacky, but we had fun just the same.

Sunday, we had dinner at my Meme's house. It was delicious as always. Unfortunately, my niece, Laurin, ended up sick (turns out to be the flu! Poor thing!) but she as a trooper and hung in there to open presents. Here are a few pics:

Monday night was Christmas eve and the tradition is to go to Ma's house. That side of the family is large and seems to get bigger every year making it a hoot and a half! I didn't get a picture of everything but lets just say, there was a lot going on. 

This little angel just gets cuter every time I see her. This is the present we got her. It is a Tangled doll with a matching dress for her. I think she liked it seeing she made T take it out of the package so she could put it on! So cute!

After we left Ma's house, we headed back to my mom's to open some more presents from Nana and Pop and then hit the sack for Santa. Mom and Dad do tend to go a little overboard but I know it makes them happy to spoil their grandkids! And spoil him they did.

Notice the HUGE combine from Pop. It was really neat. It was a perfect model of a new combine. He LOVED it!

He also loved his new kurio tablet from Nana.

And my present from mom and dad. I'm really excited. 

Santa. Notice the John Deere gator that was covered with presents. He didn't even see it was there until later when we started unboxing the toys!

This was my favorite thing to give to him. It is 30 in tall! It was the first thing he noticed from Santa.

Think he liked it?! He rode him around on his new gator. When we got back to MS, he made me back the cars out of the garage so he could ride batman on the gator some more.

That sums up our Christmas adventure 2012. Now we're ready to start the new year! I hope you had a Christmas full of love and family like we did. The presents are nice but its the family that makes it a true holiday.

My little helper

Kaleb wanted to help me with supper so I gave him a bowl of dry rice, an extra bowl and a big spoon!

Keepin on keeping on!

Well, I haven't discussed our diet and gym routine lately because, well, I have been slacking. Paul however has been faithfully going to the gym every afternoon. He has hit a plateau with the weight loss so we have decided to switch things up a bit. They offer several classes in the afternoon so we decided to give one a try last night. It is called Body Pump. Basically you have a bar with light weight and do about 100 squats, 100 lunges, 100 biceps curls,100 tricep curls, and some ab work at the end! Needless to say, I couldn't walk last night and today isn't any better! And I'm guessing tomorrow is really going to suck!! But after we left, we headed to McAlisters for some supper and our little turkey was being extra affectionate so I got a quick photo! 💗 these two SO much!!

Look how smart he is getting!

Never knew how proud I could feel of something as simple as my 3 year old son writing his letter!
And yes, he is batman today!