Busy Weekend

We are finding that there is much to do in our new area.  Last weekend we met up with DJ's classmates & his teacher, Mrs. Stuart, to see The LORAX.  The movie theater is only a few minutes from our house, but then so is pretty much everything.  Madison is definitely much easier to get around than Mobile ever was.  It also helps that we are only about 2 miles from Rte. 55.

We have gotten to know our neighbors on either side of us & a few throughout the neighborhood.  The boys' new BFF is Hiser.  He is 6 & soon to be 7 & our driveways touch.  They are constantly outside playing Star Wars, football, basketball, etc...

This past weekend was very busy.  On Saturday, we drove up to Philadelphia, MS where we took part in the 1st annual 5K Walk for Childhood Obesity.  When we came home, I mowed our lawn for the first time & didn't realize how big it was until it took me about 2 hours to complete everything.  The boys were nice enough to take me to one of our favorite restaurants- Bonefish Grill.  


We began Sunday morning biking at the Natchez Trace Parkway.  They have developed a biking & walking path that goes through wooded areas & around the Ross Barnett Reservoir.  Nana would love riding her bike around here!  

Boys all fresh at the beginning of our ride

  

Views of the Reservoir

Jack at the end...

We decided not to let the rest of Sunday go to waste.  We went to the Whisper Lake Country Club and started with lunch at the clubhouse & then to the driving range.  It was a perfect day & weekend!!

This clubhouse has the best fried chicken!! I think it is destined to become a Sunday ritual!

Jack getting some much needed instruction.

Shelby Park, Memphis, TN

We finished off our visit to Memphis at one of the largest national parks- Shelby Park.  The boys are still asking to go back to this park.  I wish it was a little closer to Madison.
It was constructed last year.  The play areas are surrounded by wire mesh tunnels which has trees and shrubs growing on them.  After a few years, once it has all grown in, each play area will look like a nest.  Pretty cool & I hope were around to see it!

Venturing Out

We decided to make a trip to Memphis, TN.  It is about 2 1/2-3 hours away.  We decided to do this since DJ wanted to visit the place where MLK Jr. was before he was assassinated.  Once we got there, our first stop was the Lorraine Hotel/Civil Rights Museum.  It was a really good representation of past inequalities & injustices.  I think it was even a little too much for DJ to comprehend, but there was still quite a bit that he did get & recall from what he had learned. 

The infamous bus where Rosa Parks wouldn't get up.  

Rosa Parks

On a lighter note, the zoo was our next stop.  The boys had a wonderful time & it was a beautiful day.

Dad wanted a picture of the boys in front of the elephant- go figure

Love these guys- evidently they come as a pair

Last time for DJ on Dad's shoulders- getting way too heavy

What a great day & we finished it off with dinner at the Germantown Commissary- Great BBQ & time with an old friend- Margo Sandler MacPhee & her family

Christmas 2011

Cooper, Jack, Emma, DJ & Maggie in front of fireplace, Mobile AL

Madison, Mississippi

We are finally getting settled into a new home, school & area. Keep in mind, it was only 15 mos. ago that we did this once before. I do have to say, I love this area. It is definitely more reminiscent of Harrisburg. We live in a subdivision- Belle Terre, which is only 5 minutes off of highway 55. I canget to some of my favorite shopping spots in 10-15 minutes. I even read in the paper Jackson is going to be getting a Whole Foods grocery store in 2013. I have never lived near a Whole Foods. Now, my only request is a Costco’s.
I do believe the cost of living is higher, but I have decided it is worth it for the wonderful school & the beautiful surroundings. There is something to be said about a planned community.
The boys seem to have adjusted. Even though DJ has said he never wants to move again, I think he is just feeling overwhelmed like the rest of us. He has said that this school seems a little tougher academically & that the kids are a little more competitive. He said that most of his classmates get A’s & B’s. I think he is up for the challenge. He did his testing last week, somewhat like IQ, and we will get the results in a few months. It will deteremine if he is going to get into any of the gifted classes. I am hopeful for him. I know he does so much better when he is kept challenged.
He was given an assignment where he had to choose a famous american & write five important facts that he will have to recite to his class. He will also have to dress in character. He has chosen Martin Luther King Jr. I was able to find him a shirt & tie. He will also carry a bible in with him. He looks so grown in his shirt & tie. His dad took his picture. I think he is ready!