A wonderful surprise arrived on our doorstep today from Grandma Carolyn! A beautiful handmade hat and scarf. Amelia is sure to be snuggy warm and super fashionable this winter. We'd like to place an order for Grandma to make more as soon as possible!
Heading out to a playdate with some new friends.
Playing at the park with dad.
Mom, I dressed myself... I'm ready to go!
Having a snack and riding the train at the Durham Science Museum.
Mom, check me out... I can climb up on the stool all by myself. Yikes!
Shopping for leaves at the mall... and trying to look cool.
Coloring at the football game... giving dad a well needed distraction from the field.
Halloween is quite the event in Chapel Hill. Some will say that it's because 70,000 costumed crazies descend upon Franklin St. for Halloween festivities. In our world, the big event was Amelia's first trick-or-treating experience. And what an experience it was! 
the Busbee's carving party, Fearrington's pumpkin display, playing with Gus around the house - our little ladybug was warming up. Days of trying to teach her to say "trick-or-treat" we're unsuccessful. Not a "trick" or "treat" was uttered before, during, or after the holiday. 
We were more successful teaching the concept of the treat bag. Amelia carried her special bag from GG around the house for weeks leading up to the 31st. All kinds of treats were transported from her bedroom to the den - animals, trucks, balls, books - you name it, she carried it in her spider bag.
When the big day finally arrived, we were ready. We planned a complicated route around town, visiting good friends while trying to avoid the holiday traffic. First stop was at the Linkes. Dean, Leah, and Pirate Max greeted us with a giant bowl of treats that made Amelia's eye light up. She had never seen so many goodies. She'd choose a treat, look at it, and then put it back. This went on for several minutes. Leah was so patient and thankfully, we were early enough to beat the crowds. Amelia was suddenly distracted by Max’s pirate loot – the gleam of golden coins was too much to bear. She had have some! Max, ever the gentleman, put a few her in bag for save keeping.
Second stop on our treat tour was the Llewellyn's home. Anna met our little bug at the door with another big bowl of treats. Amelia couldn’t believe her good luck when Anna put the bowl on the ground for her to go through. Then came out another bowl. She had hit the jackpot! 
It wasn’t long until “impaled lacrosse player,” otherwise known as Ellis Llewellyn - athlete extraordinaire, surprised us. What a costume! Not being scared, Amelia recognized a friendly face, grabed Ellis' hand and smiled. I had to remind her she was too young to date just yet.
Next up was the Freeman’s house. Keith invited us to go trick-or-treating with his family. We couldn’t turn down such a great offer! Amelia took one look at Shelby (3 yrs), a fellow ladybug, and was delighted. The two girls went house to house, giggling all the way, at times holding hands. They’d compare treats, share a flashlight, and bring smiles wherever they went.
.
It's always tough to judge folks who dress up for Halloween. A wacky sense of humor? A desperate cry for attention? An opportunity to reveal one's true self? Well, if that's the case, I’m in big trouble! After weeks of growing my hair long, I shaved my beard into a handlebar mustache, put on my normal clothes, and became Earl Hickey. That's right, I dressed as the main character from the NBC comedy, "My Name is Earl." Unfortunately, I think I pulled it off a little too well.
the other folks at El Rodeo were like, "What's that loser doing with those cutie girls?!?" Anna was grateful to figure out I was only in costume and hadn’t lost my mind. Throughout our Halloween tour, I answered numerous questions about my list, brother Randy, and skateboarding. The best reaction though came from Lauren, who fell over laughing when she answered the door. It was all worth it! Oh yeah, did I mention I won our office costume contest?!
Julianna and I have a wacky nine-year tradition. Every October, since we started dating, we’ve gone to the NC State Fair. It’s a big hit every time – pig races, livestock competitions, 4-H exhibits, kids’ art, people watching, and fair food. I’d be lying if I didn’t mention that we tend to eat our way through the fair… fried Twinkies, corn dogs, gyros, root-beer floats, apple fritters… and that’s all just for me!
Last year, Amelia got her first taste of this tacky wonderland. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. But, this year solidified it – the fair is really cool! Between the pony ride, petting zoo, carnival rides, cows, and her first taste of fried-dough, Amelia can’t wait to go back next year.
This year it’s hard to pick a fair highlight - the pony ride or GG joining us for the festivities. Going with GG was a real treat, but the pony ride may win by a hair. For Amelia it was love at first sight with “Torch.” When our turn was over and Julianna lifted Amelia off of Torch, 
If you can believe it, Amelia took her first solo fair ride. She loved it, but I’m not sure Julianna was ready. Thinking she could ride with Amelia, JK had to be pulled away by the operator. He kept pointing to the height limit sign, clearly indicating that JK was way too tall to ride. It was perplexing, on the one hand Julianna was thrilled to be considered “tall”, on the other hand, she wasn’t sure Amelia should go by herself. It all turned out well and Amelia had a big smile on her face when the ride came to a stop.
All in all the day was a cornucopia of fair-tastic fun! Thanks for coming with us GG - let's do it again next year!
It's raining today... but that doesn't stop our fun! Amelia and I went to the story time at Pottery Barn Kids this morning and had to stop to play in a puddle. Thanks to two wonderful moms - Gina Kemp, Amelia's aunt, and Heather Cooney, a good friend of mine from college - Amelia is well prepared for the wet weather. 
Maddie outgrew her ladybug rain boots and sent them east. Heather has lovingly handed down the cutest froggie rain coat, formerly worn by her two cuties - Emma and Grace. 
Last week, we received a great hand-me-down from our good friend Mickey Herrin… a tiny UNC cheerleading outfit. Saturday provided the first opportunity for Amelia to sport her new uniform. I came back from my morning walk with Gus, to find a wonderful surprise - Amelia cheering for the home team. She was decked out in Carolina blue from head-to-toe, including tiny ribbons in her tiny pig-tails. I’ve never been more proud!
Amelia was the hit of the walk, as she got more hi-five’s than anyone else. She also got a hearty, “hey little momma”, from gigantic UNC lineman, Cam Thomas. 
To help shake off the loss, we headed to the mall for a little shopping therapy. Thanks to GG, Amelia is now the proud owner of a special spider Halloween treat bag. It will perfectly compliment her ladybug costume. Amelia loves checking out the shops, but her favorite mall activity is playing with the kids at the fountain. Close by there is a sculpture of ducks in a marching band - it really creeps out Julianna and me, but for some reason Amelia loves it!
GG treated us to diner at The Cheesecake Factory - a bit of much needed comfort food to raise our downer spirits. Even though we were stuffed from dinner, you can be sure that we all took a piece of delicious cheesecake home for dessert!
For sports fans, certain dates/activities are anticipated like a little kid looks forward to Christmas. Baseball fans celebrate the beginning of the MLB season, like Alabama and Auburn fans celebrate the late summer beginning of college football. Well, in North Carolina, there’s an activity that goes down every October that all true Tar Heel fans have had on their calendar since the end of the last basketball season. It’s called “Late Night with Roy”, once known as Midnight Madness.
In light of the Tar Heel struggles on the gridiron, Late Night was greeted with a resounding cheer. Julianna and I haven’t seen a movie in about six months, but I definitely made sure we had a sitter for Amelia this past Friday. 
Casual sports fans will think I’m crazy. What kind of person goes to a college basketball practice... not a game… on a Friday night!? Well, any self-respecting Tar Heel fan does. And they drag their wife to it as well! Surprisingly enough, Julianna actually enjoys Late Night. I think she likes the skits, silly dances, and stadium snacks, more than the practice.
UNC alum, Stuart Scott, of ESPN SportsCenter fame, hosts the entire process and it turns into a great evening. After the skits and dancing, the team laces up their Air Jordan's and hits the court. 
I'm sure many of you have sweet pictures of your little ones on your desk. Well, imagine if those smiling faces could talk to you and you'll experience my work world. 
We've had a busy few days, so I thought a low-key day around the house was in order. Amelia's access request has just been granted - she can now fully explore our hallway and has limited access to her room. Her play empire is slowly expanding. 
The hat and boots are recent hand-me-downs from cousin Madeline. We love when surprise boxes land on our doorstep from Aunt Gina... they are always chock-full of goodies!
Posts
All Comments
