New adventures!

To all my faithful followers (all 5 or 6 of you!!) I must apologize for being so delayed in my blog posting.  My "world travels," my wonderful job at MUSC, and my current task of planning my 10 year class reunion all mixed with caring for my precious little 17 month old have kept me rather busy!  Some of you will be disappointed in this blog...I will tell you up front...there will not be pictures!  Only time for typing (while waiting on laundry to finish) tonight!

So....what has been going on in the Webb family?  LOTS!  We returned from our trip to St. Thomas on August 14th.  My parents and my Uncle Alfred and Aunt Moe were waiting on us at our house.  They had graciously brought Payton back to our house.  They also brought the boat!  We had a big day planned for Saturday.  We had a bit of a rough start, but eventually we made it out on the water in the boat for Payton's first boat ride.  We traveled down the Wando River to the harbor and then back.  Payton loved the boat and has been fascinated with the water and boats since that day!  Hopefully we will have a boat one day soon that we can all frequently.  I love being out on the water and I am was so happy to see that Payton enjoyed it as well...even while wearing a life jacket!  Saturday night we we able to eat on Shem Creek at RB's and watch the boats come in to dock.  Payton loved it!  My family headed back to Sherrills Ford on Sunday.

Monday brought a new challenge....Payton's 1st day of "school."  I was happy to have Chad home for the morning.  He actually  took Payton on his first day which made it a little easier for me to deal with.  He did great at school on Monday and Tuesday....however, by Tuesday night he had a temperature of 103!  Seriously!!!  I felt so bad for him!  He was so clingy and tearful Tuesday night and most of the day Wednesday.  We made a trip to see Dr. Linker who decided it was probably a virus that he had already picked up from the other kids.  By Thursday afternoon, he was back to the Payton we all know and love!  

Chad's parents arrived Thursday night from East Bend.  Chad had a conference in New York and I had decided to go with him for the weekend.  I had only spent about 4 hours in New York previously and thought I should take advantage of the chance to go.  I did not want to leave Payton again since we had just been home but Meme and Pawpaw were very happy to keep him!  I knew he was in good hands so off we went to the big city!  I had to spend a lot of time with several of the other wives but I had a great time exploring the city.  I am happy I decided to go for the weekend but I was not happy when our flight got delayed by 10 hours!  We did not arrive home until 2:00 am on Monday and Payton was already asleep!  I finally got to see him Monday morning as I rushed out the door to work!  Another busy week was underway!

Payton did great during his second and third week of school.  His teacher and the assistants have commented multiple times on the fact that Payton loves to mimic others, repeats everything, and that he is the class greeter.  They ride on a 6 passenger buggy and he loves to wave to everyone as they are riding!  I was very happy with his report yesterday.  His teacher wrote, "Today I was so nice and sharing with my friends. I was playing with a ball in the multi-purpose room and my teachers saw me give it to a friend two different times just to be nice!"  I could not have been more proud!  Now, if only he would keep up this good behavior once he gets home in the afternoon!  He is so tired from this new routine (he has to wake up before 7:00 most mornings and now only has 1 nap) that he is usually very fussy once we get home.  He now likes to lay in the fly, cry, and kick his feet.  He does seem to love school and is no longer tearful when we drop him off.  He waved bye-bye to Chad as soon as they got there this morning!  Tomorrow will be his last day for the week.

Last weekend we managed to stay here in Charleston.  Amazing, huh!?!  Sometimes it is a shame to live in such a wonderful place but never get to enjoy it to its fullest.  We live 5 minutes from the beach but I can't remember the last time we made it out there!  

We had a busy weekend.  Friday night we had dinner with Andrew and Laura.  It was great catching back up with them.  Our travels have kept us from seeing them as frequently as well!

  Saturday we made a trip to the Children's Museum downtown.  We have a membership and have been several times but it was lots of fun to see how much Payton has changed since the last time we were there.  He seemed to remember several of the rooms and seemed to know exactly where he wanted to go.  He got to use the mini-shopping cart and fill it with groceries, he played on the pirate ship, loved the water room and of course he still loved the room with golf balls!  He played in the castle with Daddy.  Unfortunately, he did not seem overly interested in the arts & crafts room.  Apparently he has not taken after his mom and grandma!!  I attempted to make him a craft while he squirmed in the seat!  We enjoyed a stroll down King St. before returning home.  Saturday night we had a cookout with Matt and Lindsey and followed that with homemade chocolate ice cream.  The kiddies stayed up long enough for ice cream again!  

Sunday we headed to church.  Payton did great in the nursery again....yeah!!!  Matt and Lindsey were heading to John's Island to a farm and small petting zoo.  It was a last minute decision, but we decided to join them.  Payton enjoyed seeing the horse, cow, lots of chickens, ducks and ducklings, goats, pigs, bird and cat.  I enjoyed an ice cold bottled Cheerwine!  We were about 2 miles from Kiawah Island.  After we finished at the farm, Chad and I drove out to explore a little on Kiawah.  Neither of us had ever been out before.  It is a little hard to explore because it is a private, gated island with multiple check points.  We did talk a "self-guided" tour of the Sanctuary.  It is beautiful!  I think my next vacation will be right in my backyard!  No need to travel far!  Payton was a champ!  He had been to church, lunch, very short nap that Mommy interrupted, hot trip to the farm, riding around Kiawah, and walking all over the grounds at the Sanctuary.  The little guy gulped down an entire juice in about 1 minute flat after our tour of the Sanctuary ended!  I really could not ask for a better kid!  

Monday started week number 3 of school.  It has been a very busy week.  We have had meetings and stressful work weeks.  Tomorrow after work we will hit the road again.  This time we'll be heading north on I-95 to one of our favorite spots....Chapel Hill!  We'll be staying with "Uncle" Kade for the extended weekend.  We're looking forward to the alumni basketball game, the opening football game vs. the Citadel, tailgating with friends, visiting with Eric "oots,"  seeing Holly and meeting baby Luke for the 1st time, and seeing Kim, Aubrey and Evan.  Busy, busy, busy but worth every minute!  Pictures will follow if I can find some downtime!  

As for Payton, he has learned to say "Go!" when we say "Tarheels."  His Carolina football jersey is packed and ready.  We'll take a stroll on Franklin St. and through campus.  He'll really be into the games this season!  I'm so excited to see his reaction to all the sights and sounds.  I know this is laying the foundation for his future!  Tarheel born, Tarheel bred......even while living in the wrong Carolina!  Go Heels!!