So Long Randy

Ever since we moved to Atlanta in August of 2000, we have visited this make shift pumpkin patch on the side of the road. It started out with just some pumpkins and a huge pumpkin shaped air-jumper. I think maybe they even had boiled peanuts back then. We’d get bundled up, head out, pick out a pumpkin, and let the kids bounce away for a $1.00 a head.

Oct 2009

In the early years, we never thought to bring a camera; but the more I got into scrapping, the less likely it was my camera wasn’t with me, so the kids learned too well how to strike a pose. This has become one of my favorite shots – even though the kids somehow managed to choose a different head this year. They swapped up on me without me realizing it, but Lee’s always chosen Frankenstein. Appropriate, don’t ya think?

Pony rides, a blow up haunted house, and a rabbit petting corral were peppered in slowly. I could never understand what rabbits had to do with Halloween or autumn, but somebody apparently thought it was a good idea. It just made me feel sorry for the poor bunnies being chased down by unsupervised toddlers with a crazed look in their eye.

The put-your-head-in-the-hole doohas have also multiplied exponentially; perhaps they took cues from the rabbits. Yes, I’m aware the doohas probably have a legitimate name and that doohas isn’t a valid word; never-the-less, this dooha was a new addition this year and I thought it was photo worthy.

Face painting and Halloween props wormed their way in just a few years back. Every now and then a super cool prop appears. I wanted to take this one back home with us, but there just wasn’t enough room in the car for him.

This year’s new addition was the funnel cake shack. That’s so right up our alley, it’s like Randy could read our minds. Had I not just gorged myself on fried chicken fingers and onion petals from Folks just 30 minutes prior, I would have indulged. But even I have my grease limits.

Over the years Randy’s gotten too big for his britches, just like my boys. I really wish I had a picture of the first time we visited to compare – perhaps I can find one in my undeveloped film one day.

With the cost of his pumpkins, I’m not sure why we committed to Randy for so many years. The pumpkin jumper drew us in and tradition kept us coming back. But pumpkin jumper coolness aside – I think I was insane to pay these prices.

Gone are the days when the kids want to go through the tiny haunted house to be scared. They no longer want to jump in the super gigantic pumpkin on the side of the road. No face painting or rabbit petting. No – anything.

So this year, we lay a family tradition to rest. So long Randy, it’s been nice knowing ya.

Monkey Turns 12

It’s hard to believe 12 years ago I was in labor for the better part of 3 months; seems like it was just yesterday – that’s a pain one doesn’t forget easily. Hospital stay after hospital stay, my OB finally gave up, decided to show some mercy, and let this stubborn kid come a month early. So my November baby became an October baby – right smack in the middle of his mom and dads birthdays.

This year we kept the celebration tiny – just the family.

Izzy spent the morning watching Jeff Dunham:

Snatching bacon when he thought I wasn't looking:

Had his requested breakfast of bacon andFrench toast:

Was surprised by Grandma Barbara & Paw Paw Joe coming up and taking him to lunch –he chose Chick-Fil-A:

Got all the cards in the mail (on time!) from his out of town grands and great-grands:

Got the Fedora he’s wanted since summer:

Got the supplies he’s wanted for his comic drawings:

Got the latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid – one of his favorite book series:

Shared his Peanut Butter Cake (that he wouldn’t let me even put sprinkles on) w/ Jack (who’s technically 3 ½ now):

And spent the rest of the day playing a video game he rented.

He spent the evening gorging on Sesame Beef and popcorn while we watched the Addams Family and trying out a new look:

As I look back over his life, I don’t think we had a clue just how obstinate this kid was going to be. Determined, persistent, pigheaded – kinda like his parents; once he’s set his mind to something, you can’t change it. No amount of time, explanation, reasoning, or money will sway him. Who could ever forget the Bible Man incident, him wanting a dog, or trying to kiss a girl?

This year he’s 12, and attitude and hormones are flying like bullets at the OK corral. As I reflect, I become increasingly aware that we should dig in our heels and brace ourselves. ‘Cause kid #1 is going to pale under kid #2 – that’s if he lives long enough for us to see it.

Take 5 #004

-1-

We rented Guitar Hero: World Tour and sat down as a family to play it. Isaiah generally takes the mic. Ramblin’ Man by the Allman Brothers came on and he was really into it – he had the microphone strumming it like a guitar, eyes closed, head bobbing… then he realized he was in front of the window, panicked, slammed the blinds closed – and got right back into the groove of things. He doesn’t mind acting like he belongs to a family of dorks (because dorks we are), he just doesn’t want his friends to see it!

-2-

Speaking of Guitar Hero World Tour, anyone played it lately? Has anyone else noticed how long songs were in the 70’s & 80’s –when all they seemed to do was repeat them selves over and over? Don’t get me wrong; there are a few gems in both genres, but ALOT of those songs will put you in a trance – no drugs required.

-3-

We have a new game in our house this year – it’s called Fencing. Colby finally hooked up in time with the teacher and was able to join the club. He absolutely loves it. After practice, my usual “I’m trying to be suave and cool so don’t talk to me" son comes out all giddy and excited – just like the kid he is. He hasn’t lost a training bout yet, and apparently he’s a natural as he’s getting in trouble for using advanced techniques on “new fencers.” I’m stoked he’s found something he’s so passionate about!

-4-

Lee left his Pina Colada Protein shake on the counter when we went out of town for the weekend – I’ve been chasing down fruit flies ever since…

-5-

One morning last week, Monkey climbed into bed with me. He momentarily forgot he’s getting too big for his britches, but I dared not bring it up or he would’ve made a run for it. Quickly, yet casually (going for the diversionary approach), I asked him what he was learning in his various classes. He rambled through Math about dividing fractions and decimals, onto Science and how various rock types are formed, and got stuck with great fascination on Social Studies. I must say I was impressed with the level of detail he was relaying about the start of WWI and how it was linked to WWII. For just a second I forgot he was only in the 6^th grade.

“Did you know Hitler committed suicide?” he asked. “But they never found his body.”

I thought for a second. “If they never found a body, how do you know he committed suicide?”

He thought about this for a few heartbeats and I decided to push the extreme to see where his reasoning was, “How do you know he didn’t escape, or a gigantic vulture didn’t swoop down and carry him away?”

He stared at me for a moment… “You play too many video games and watch way too much TV.”

The Franklins Go Hiking

Recently, Lee and I have wanted to try out new things. I guess that comes with getting older, appreciating life, and being able to do what you want to do. That our kids will be gone in the blink of an eye plays a large part in this I’m sure. Sometimes, I just want to hook ‘em to my belt loop and drag ‘em around with me. Weird, I know; but I’ve got coolest kids on the planet; so it’s all good.

This past weekend, we decided to head out on a hike. I, of course, wanted to go up to North Georgia (let’s say Helen for instance), have a picnic and hike our brains out. Lee, being the more reasonable of us two, decided the park three minutes down the road was the better path to take for us novices – pun intended. The morning was overcast and cool; the perfect day for an outing. And after a morning of pumpkin waffles (minus the ever desired bacon =/), we geared up and headed to the park down the road.

I couldn’t help but think as we were walking how modern technology has such a valued place in our lives. Televisions, phones, computers, mp3 players, gaming systems, cars – we are indeed a spoiled bunch, living in a spoiled nation. Don’t get me wrong, I love being spoiled. Ice in my glass, hot showers, and indoor plumbing rock my world like it’s nobody’s business. Still, I wondered what it was like to live before these times; when things were simpler and one didn’t live beyond their means.

Missing technology aside (ok- the sasquatch DID have his phone and was texting a tad), but missing technology aside, we had a great time. The kids didn’t really complain about hiking, only that I was too slow. HA! That only meant they could stop and rest at every marker while waiting on me. Occasionally I’d round the corner and Monkey would do something goofy. Here, he was acting like Yoda – “Slow in the feet you are," he said...

All of them, Lee included, busted on me for taking so many pictures. But then we wouldn’t have cool pics like this tree that kind of looks like antlers...

And this crazy orange mushroom...

Or this one, where the boys are trying to figure out how far we’d come...

An hour and a half later I wished I had been smart enough to bring water. Colby was the only one who thought that far ahead, and we didn’t take a picnic as we didn’t know what to expect. Next time, we’ll pack a picnic and let Colby lug it in a back pack since he’s used to carrying 30lbs of books daily. I’ll let you know how long it takes him to start complaining about it when it happens!

We made it halfway around the horse trail, 5.5 miles dodging piles of horse poo and only slipping half a million times in our traction-less tennis shoes (Should we take up hiking as a regular activity, hiking boots will definitely be an investment). Finally, I had to make the call to take the shortest route back to the car. I try not to let my AS win, but it was flaring up and I thought certainly knives plunged into my back had to feel better than the pain I was in. By the time we made it back to the car, turtles were moving faster than me; but they weren’t half as happy as I was when I actually got to sit down.

Hurting the rest of the day - sucks. Having beautiful cool weather - awesome. Spending time with all my boys - Priceless...