Evening Fun

After the boys got home from day camp and Todd got home from work yesterday, we spent some family time working and playing outside. In reality, Todd did the working while Chad, Evan and I did the playing. The weather was actually pleasant and we all dreaded going in for supper.

Evan riding his scooter.

Chad practicing golf.

Me practicing golf.

Evan helping Todd mow.

Life Without Children

Yes, I do love my children dearly and am missing them as Chad is off to camp and Evan is staying with my parents for a week. Nevertheless, Todd and I had a super day.

After I got caught up at work and Todd made his weekend trip to the grocery store, we headed out to New Orleans for lunch. We ate at Nirvana, which is one of our favorite places to get Indian food.

We have heard from multiple sources that The Hangover was a movie that we should check out, so after lunch, we headed out for the movie theater. It is definitely adult fare, but was funnier than I thought it was going to be. There were some parts where I couldn't stop laughing and tears were running from my eyes, so I will definitely give it a "thumbs up."

After the movie we were in the mood for a pick-me-up, so we got a latte and cappucino from McDonalds on the way home. They have a new coffee menu called McDonalds McCafe. They grind the coffee beans for each cup and I do have to say that it was pretty good and kept our day moving along.

In the evening, Todd and I went outside and hit some practice golf balls back and forth to each other in the backyard. I have my third golf lesson this week, but am not very confident that I have improved much since my last lesson even though I practice every day. Anyway, it was fun and nice to get outside and enjoy the "less hot" (I wish I could say "cool") evening weather.

Father's Day

Father's day turned out to be a pretty typical Sunday for us in HOT, south Louisiana. Late in the afternoon, Todd decided that he wanted to try out the new golf clubs that we got him for Father's Day.

The boys and I have been practicing in the backyard and several of our foam balls had ended up in the gutters which run alongside our roof. Since we don't really like Evan going up on the roof to get them, we devised a new way to get the balls out. Evan climbs up on the antenna and lets us know where they are. Todd and I stand on a stool and reach our hand up into the gutter and try and follow Evan's directions, "Over a little; you almost got it; Yes, that's it!"

Todd: I hope that you enjoyed your Father's day. Thank you so much for all that you do for me and the boys. You are always willing to put us first and never complain about it. We are so lucky to have you!

Our Lookout

"I love being up here."

Todd trying out his clubs.

Practice Makes Perfect!

The boys are continuing to have their fun at daycamp during the day. When they get home in the afternoon our routine has become to go outside and practice our golf swings.

Both boys are very supportive and encouraging in my efforts to learn how to hit a golf ball. Evan is very sweet to me when I totally miss the ball.

"Did you mean to hit that one, Mom?"

"Yes, I did."

"That's okay, just try again."

When I top the ball, he gives me instructions, "Make sure you get underneath it, like this." He will then come over and give me a quick demonstration. Chad has heard Todd's instructions to me and will frequently remind me, "Bend your knees, Mom."

We occasionally hit some of our practice balls on the roof. We have an antenna on the side of our house that Evan has learned how to climb. We will occasionally give him permission to climb it, get on the roof and retrieve the balls from the gutters. It scares me to death to see him up there, so we try and not make it a regular practice.

"Oooh, that's a good one."

"I'll get the ball."

No fear here!

"I love climbing."

Sunny Sunday!

Summer is here; it got up to 94 degrees yesterday! That couldn't keep us inside, however. Chad and I spent some time practicing our golf swing. Evan kept himself busy hammering wood. In spite of the sweat, it was a fun, relaxing Sunday!

"I have a lot of work to do here."

"I love making things!"

Hammering Away!

"Watch this shot."


"Was it a good one?"

New Clubs and More Insects

As I talked about in my golf lessons blog last week, I ordered my own set of clubs to use for my lessons and to eventually play with after I learn the basics. Today they came in and I picked them up. I was so excited to get them and am looking forward to my next lesson.

Todd's golf clubs are pretty old, so he decided that a new set of clubs would make the perfect Father's day gift. I ordered him a set of his choosing and his came in today as well. Tonight we all had a great time unwrapping our clubs and fantasizing about the great shots in our future.

Evan played outside this afternoon after daycamp, as usual. He was very pleased with his find of the day...a locust shell. My usual rule is to keep animals outside of the house. However, since this one was dead, he figured that it was okay to bring it in and give it a little wash.

Evan's locust shell.

Evan washed his locust shell in the sink "to make it shiny."

Golf Lessons

This week I have stepped out of my comfort zone and tried something new...I started taking golf lessons. I have wanted to play for a long time, but knew that it was a sport that I would not be able to teach myself. About a month ago, I saw a sign on the side of the road advertising golf lessons. The next day I drove by again and took down the number and here I am with one lesson under my belt.

Since I don't have clubs yet, I borrowed one of Todd's for my first lesson. My coach is so great; very patient and encouraging. We started with the grip and how to approach the ball before swinging at it.

When I was showing Todd at home, he thought that it was taking me a long time before I actually hit the ball. I told him it was because I was concentrating on so many things from my grip, to the position of my club, angle of my club, where my feet were etc. That all takes a long time and lots of concentration. It was a little frustrating for me when I would go through all of that and then miss the ball completely. I just have to remind myself that I am just learning and that my main goal is fun.

The other thing that I had trouble with is hitting the ball from underneath. To do this, you have to hit the ground and it messes up the grass. That seems to go against my nature. It also makes the head of the golf club dirty. Yes, I do have a long way to go.

I am now in the process of getting my own set of clubs. Since I am so tall, the golf expert recommended that I get men's clubs. I should be getting those next week and am looking forward to my second lesson.

My coach advised me to go to You Tube and find some other golfers hitting golf balls so that I could see what it looks like. Here is one that I found of the awesome Tiger Woods. You don't have to play golf to recognize what a great athlete he is.