A Lesson in Politics

This afternoon, Congressman Bob Etheridge was in Franklinton, NC for a Town Hall Meeting. I remembered at the last minute (actually about 2 minutes after it had officially started) so I ran the kids out to the van and off we went. There were over 100 folks crowded into a room that would comfortably seat about 50-60. Congressman Etheridge met with folks privately the first hour so we didn't miss anything. However, the second hour he came out and addressed the crowd, their questions and comments.

Although it was a bit on the "boring" side for our four children, it was a lesson in how our government works. They've been hearing about the Town Hall Meetings. Now they've experienced one first hand. Although there were some strong opinions in the room (mostly contrary to the Congressman), everyone was polite.

Congressman Etheridge addressing the crowd

We were proud to know one grandma who was able to make some comments and ask a question. And may I add? Her remarks got the loudest round of applause during the entire hour!

As we were leaving B saw the 6 or 7 state troopers standing outside as well as the sheriff and city policemen everywhere. He said, "Why are they here? That's not the president!" I told him they were there to protect everyone in case someone got upset. He really didn't see any reason to get upset other than having to sit for 1 1/2 hours without talking. (By the way, they all 4 sat rather nicely during the entire meeting. All the hard work in "sitting" paid off!)

No matter what your opinion is on health care or any other topic, exercise your freedom to be heard!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Random Sayings by Our Youngest

Things E said to Dad yesterday while holding his hand and walking a trail at a park...

E: Dad. Dad. Ducks don't have ears.

Dad: Really? And how do you know that?

E: Cause C's duckie doesn't have any.

(C has a little blanket with a duck head on it.)

And then...

E: Dad. How old will you be when Pawpaw is 90?

(Disclaimer: This post is really for my benefit more than anyone else. I really want to remember the things they say when they are 41!)

Happy birthday, Mom!

Another year older...and hopefully wiser!

We can't have a party without balloons!

Yummy wasp nest cake...made by dad and 4 helpers.

I think Dad put the wrong numbers on the cake! :)

Gourds, Gourds and More Gourds

Some of you may remember last fall when H entered the NC State Fair in the gourd painting competition. She won two ribbons and has been talking all year about "the next fair". Well, that time is rapidly approaching so the past two Sundays have turned into "gourd painting days". (The heat outside was a good motivator for Mom to let them take over the dining room table.)

I won't share too many photos now. Don't want to let you know how the painted gourds look until after the fair. (There may be secret gourd painting spies watching our blog! At least that's what the kids think!)

Photos of the finished gourds will be shown the end of October. In the meantime here are a couple of "teasers". And this year all four are painting gourds so it should be a fun time for all.

C giving gourd painting her first try.

H working hard on the first coat of paint. She is working on two gourds this year. Everyone else has one gourd each.

And a great big, super gigantic
THANK YOU
to Pawpaw and Nana for growing these gourds with Uncle Stephen in their Tennessee pumpkin patch!

Tribes?

All four kids were playing Indians outside. E came in for a drink of water. I said, "E, what Indian tribe are you?"

She replied, "H and me are the Cher0kee. B and C are the Chickenp0x."

Shopping with Dad

While grocery shopping alone with Dad yesterday, he let C push the buggy. She told him more than once...

"You know I can't see over the buggy, so make sure I don't bump in to anything!"

Watch out W*l-M*rt shoppers! :)