Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful, whirlwind of an Easter weekend! We loved being with our family, but also spending some quality time as a foursome. On Friday, I went with Melissa to a "Casting Crowns" concert in Greenville. I do feel a little guilty because the ticket really belonged to Walter, but he is still in Africa, so I sat in his second row seat! The concert was a wonderful, worshipful way to start the Easter holiday. On Saturday, we just scooted around Greenville finishing up our Easter outfits and then celebrated Kevin's Birthday with a delicious cook out at Nana and Papa Tony's house. On Sunday, we spent a wonderful morning back at Pelham Road Baptist Church. I love my church and I miss all of our friends there so much! We also got to see our favorite girl, Hannah, baptized. We couldn't have asked for a more meaningful Easter Sunday. Then, Kevin got to celebrate a little more when we had a great lunch with Nana and Papa Frank.

By the way, if you haven't already, you should check out the Tanzania blog and read about their Easter Sunday!

Happy Birthday, Papa Luke!

We were excited to celebrate Papa's birthday yesterday at the lake! We had a great time with our family and we, of course, ate well! Davis and Drew had a great time at the dock and playing with the dogs. Drew is always so jazzed to spend time with my cousins - they are so much cooler than me, apparently.

My Mom and my Aunt Lynn

Serving birthday cake (notice Drew has my cousin Robert cornered!)

Hayden playing "keep away" with Bailey

Papa Tony and his shadows

Me and my Daddy and Davis

The Birthday Boy! Isn't he handsome?!

Drew and Robert's dog, Gonzo

Tanzania Missions

Most of you already know, but I wanted to make sure everyone could find out what's going on with the Tanzania Mission Team while they are gone. They are leaving today for a 2 week trip. Please pray for their safety and health, their mission, and their families that are "holding down the fort" at home. My brother-in-law, Walt and his brother Wes are going, as well as our good friend Neil White (or "Neeee-uuul", as Davis calls him!) and a lot of other wonderful folk that we've known for years at Berea First Baptist. Just click on the picture of the team (which I borrowed) to be connected to their blog.

New Skills

Davis has a new talent...drinking through a straw! I know - it's not such a momentous occasion, but it got me thinking about how kids do things in their own time. Take Drew, for instance. I was so worried that he would never start talking (I even talked with the speech therapist at the elementary school where I worked). But, the minute I started worrying, was the minute that he really started talking and talking and talking. He hasn't stopped since. I can name so many instances where my children have just waited until they were ready to start something new.

So, Kevin and I were talking the other night about how Davis just would not drink from anything other than his own sippy cup (he even refused to drink from a cup borrowed from Hayden the other day!) and it would be a whole lot easier when we go to Disney World this summer if we didn't have to carry a suitcase full of sippy cups. Then, this morning he wanted Drew's leftover juice and the rest is history.

P.S. I know this is a lot of writing for this particular occasion, but I got some really great pictures!

Check out my Slide Show!

Eat Your Veggies

We had corn on the cob for dinner tonight (yes, I occasionally cook now!) and even Davis got in on the messy fun. He really got the hang of it after a while! Davis liked it so much that he took his corn with him after he was finished with supper.

A few tentative first bites.

Drew digging in.

Taking his corn on the road.

No caption. Just included this picture to embarrass him!

First Game

Drew's first soccer game of the season was today! He had a great time even though he had never practiced (Tuesday's practice was cancelled due to rain) and it was so cold and windy! He ran hard and smiled the whole time! Kevin got some great pictures that I wanted to share.

Has anyone seen the ball?

High-fivin' Coach Pearson!

The ball....anyone?

Drew on the move!

Hand warmers would be nice!

Homework Help?

Drew is so patient with his little brother! He accepted Davis' help with homework this afternoon without one complaint. Davis stood in the chair behind his big brother while Drew wrote using excellent handwriting (How? I'll never know!).

Whatcha' doin', Dewey?

Deweeeeee....!

Oooh - Wah!

Seriously, Mom? Now that I'm done, he finally leaves!

Soccer Mom

Yes, that's right! As of Drew's first practice on Tuesday, I am officially a soccer mom for the next 8 weeks. Drew, of course, is really excited to be playing. For now. I'm not sure he understands how much running is involved with soccer. He is also excited that he has new cleats, shin guards, and tall socks.

He was showing Davis how it all works when we came home from the soccer shop. I probably paid way more than I needed to at a specialty shop, but the owner helped us and told this clueless mom everything I needed (and didn't) for this season. I told him that I missed the old Umbro outlet at Stone Manufacturing in Greenville. Gone are the days of $3 shorts. I could use some of those right now!

Drew's first game is on Saturday, March 8th. We would love for him to have some fans this season. Email me or leave a comment on the blog and I'll send you some directions. He plays on Saturdays at 4:30 for the next 8 weeks (with a few exceptions during Spring Break).

Crazy Cousins

I was so thrilled that Hayden got to come over and play while his mom and dad were moving into their new house (beautiful doesn't even begin to describe this house, by the way - we are so proud for Melissa and Walter!). We had our first sleepover at our apartment in matching pajamas supplied by Aunt Melissa. It was all so exciting that I couldn't get them still for many pictures, but I tried, dog gone it!

Davis checking out his Budda belly.

Precious nephew tired of silly aunt with camera!

Transfixed by morning cartoons.

Playing together. And, yes, they shared. Most of the time...

Hide and Seek

Yesterday, Davis was in, let's say, a less than happy mood. And, for some reason, the only thing that would make him happy was holding my watch. Normally, I would never let him hold my watch. Kevin bought my watch at Disney World before we could probably afford it and it's very special to me. It is such a cool watch - I have had it for 5 years now (I don't have many things for that long) and it doesn't have any scratches on the crystal. Anyway, it consoled Davis, so I thought that I would watch him until he dropped it and steal it back. Nope. My attention deficit took over and I was on to bigger and better things. Then, as I was getting ready to leave for lunch, I realized what I had done. I was still missing it this morning when I was picking up the den. I happened to look down and see something shiny...in the fireplace. I guess I should be thankful that it wasn't in the trash.

Birthdays, Shoes, and Potato Soup

I haven't blogged in a week or so! I thought I would try and catch you up on what has been going on with the Fleming Boys!

First, and most importantly, Papa Frank and Papa Tony both celebrated birthdays this week. They are both so handsome and Kevin and I are so lucky to have such wonderful Dads (it's never too early to start the "buttering up" process for Christmas!). We are so thankful for them both.

Even more exciting news for Papa Frank - he has a new hip! He's pretty sore and it's challenging to get around right now, but he's a great patient because he knows how much better he will feel really soon!

Papa Tony is also our hero because Drew can tie his own shoes. Now, you may wonder, why is Papa Tony our hero and not Drew? Because Papa Tony was Drew's expert teacher (he's had years of experience tying shoes!). The picture is of Drew (and Davis) in their new Converse All-Stars, which was Drew's reward for learning to tie his shoes. They just happened to have Davis' size, too! Precious, right?!

The last thing I wanted to share was a Potato Soup recipe given to me by Ali White. Ali is mom to Sadie Anne, the cutie in the picture that I just had to share - Sadie Anne is actually in Davis' crib! Ali is also mom to Carleigh who is pictured with Drew in the Fiddlin' Pig post. Anyway, we had the potato soup for dinner on Friday and I will definitely make it again. Really simple and really easy! I think it came from Paula Deen's magazine.

Potato Soup

1 package (30 oz.) shredded/frozen hash browns

3 (14 oz) cans of chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup chopped onion
Pepper to taste (about 1/4 tsp.)

1 (8 oz) block of cream cheese

Combine all ingredients except cream cheese in the crock pot and cook for 5 hours on low. At the end of cooking time, add the room temperature cream cheese and stir (I also used my whisk) until melted. We added bacon, cheese and sour cream as toppings for our soup. Hope you enjoy!

Gettin' Piggy With It!

Kevin, Drew and I had a great time last night with lots of friends at the Fiddlin' Pig! The big kids got to come with the grown ups and the little ones stayed at home with Sarah. Thanks to Ali for the pictures - I forgot my camera...again. This is a picture of Drew with his friends Avery Arrowood and Carleigh White.

Drew was a dancing machine! He tried his best to learn to clog with Jamie and George Cowart! He also loved watching the band - he looked like a groupie hanging out at the stage.

This is Avery and Drew square dancing with Neil and Carleigh. I think Neil's quote was something like, "The things we do for our children...".

My Funny Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day to my three favorite boys! I tell them everyday how much they are loved, but I wanted to let everyone know today how much my boys mean to me.

I'll start with Kevin (because I've loved him the longest!). My sweet husband is such a wonderful example to my boys of what a true gentleman is. My children will grow up watching their Dad treat their Mom with respect and love. What a gift - although I really like my new bracelet, too!!

Drew is my 40 year old in a 7 year old's body. I love Drew because he is so kind and funny. He loves trying new things and is so brave. He jumped right into a new school this year and made friends in about 2 minutes. Other moms tell me that he is the classroom casanova (like father, like son!) and that their daughters tell them how sweet Drew is. I love watching Drew grow and learn new things. He's growing so tall. Kevin is excited that he meets all the height requirements for rides at Disney World now, but I'm a little sad that one day very soon he will pass me! Drew predicts that he will be taller than me by the third grade, but I'm hoping it will be more like the 5th grade.

Davis is my little sneak. I love that silly boy! He is so full of energy (good grief, I'm so tired!) and fun. I love to hear him looking for me in the apartment - "Mommeeeeee" - and call for Drew - "Deweeeeeee". He is loving learning new words and he wants to be just like Drew. Davis loves cartoons and climbing on things right now. My favorite times are when he brings me a book and we sit and cuddle and read the same book over and over. I love Davis kisses so much ("ooooh- wah") and the way he says goodbye to every customer in restaurants as we leave.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of our friends and family! We love you all!

For The Love Of Paci

We've been concerned lately about Davis' love of his paci. The love seems to grow stronger everyday, making our plan to take the paci away at some point harder and harder.

I don't know why we worry. I'm sure everything will be fine. No struggle at all. Not a problem. I'm sure he'll adjust just fine.

The Morning After

We had a great time watching the Super Bowl with Nana and Papa and the Whites last night! It was a really exciting game and the right team won!

But, it was a long night, and Davis apparently had an apple juice hangover this morning. He just has to learn how to drink responsibly and to know when to stay when. At least he wasn't driving.

Capture Eden

This past summer we found a really great photographer here in Asheville. The pictures turned out to be so much more than we could have imagined (I literally cried when she showed us the pictures for the first time). We had the boys photographed at the Botanical Gardens at UNC Asheville. It was a crazy, busy day, but Miss Michelle was there to help and the boys couldn't stop smiling at her!

Anyway, I know that was a LONG time ago. But, this morning I was checking out her updated website - http://www.captureeden.com/ - and a few pictures of my handsome boys made the site!! Davis is in her Gallery with the "Discovery" group of pictures and Drew is on the Info page. So cool!

I also wanted to share a few pictures that Kevin and I took at Falls Park in Greenville this past weekend (definitely not as impressive as the Capture Eden photographs, but we're learning!). We had a really nice walk on Sunday morning experimenting with our new camera.

Cowboy Spaghetti

We had the most fun at dinner tonight! I tried a new Rachel Ray recipe for my little cowboys and Davis was still practicing his new spoon/fork skills. Messy doesn't even begin to describe the scene at our dinner table!

Needless to say, we had a bath immediately after dinner. Never a dull moment at the Fleming house!

Here's the recipe for Cowboy Spaghetti. It was very simple and really good!

1 lb. spaghetti

1 tbsp EVOO

3 pieces bacon, chopped

1 lb. ground beef

1 medium onion

3 to 4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup beer

1 (14 oz.) can chopped tomatoes

1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce

Heat a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add EVOO and bacon. Brown and crisp bacon, then remove with a slotted spoon. Drain off a little excess fat if necessary. Leave just enough to coat the bottom of the skillet. Add beef and crumble as it browns. Add onions, garlic and stir into meat. Season the meat with salt and pepper and Worcestershire. Add 1/2 cup beer and deglaze the pan. Cook 5 to 6 minutes more then stir in tomatoes and tomato sauce.

Add hot spaghetti to meat and sauce and combine. Adjust seasonings and add grated cheddar cheese.

He'll Always Remember This Day

Drew had a big day today. This morning, we met his new guitar teacher. Her name is Anne (she's the arm holding up the guitar in the picture above) and she is completely understanding of how excited and impatient Drew is about learning to play the guitar. He wants to know everything NOW!!

Then, in the afternoon, we visited Musician's Workshop and picked out a Baby Taylor. I have to admit that his new "baby" is beautiful (it's the one in the second picture). He sat down and strummed on a few and picked out his first guitar - a pretty momentous occasion according to the other customers in the shop. Everyone was congratulating Drew and telling him that he would always remember this day. I, of course, started tearing up. He's in his room right now playing his new guitar and, by some miracle, is not watching TV. I love that guitar already.

So, who knows what will come of guitar lessons? If Drew gets his wish, he'll be playing in a band very soon. He tells us that, along with a few of his friends, I'll be his best groupie, Kevin will be his manager, Davis will be playing piano, Miss Brooke will be his sound engineer, Walt will be another groupie, and Neil will be his agent. Drew is looking for fortune and fame at 7 years old, but it's my hope that he learns to play an instrument that brings him much happiness through the years.