Life at the Mauldin House

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Fish, Fish EVERYWHERE





Last week-end Jim and Paw Paw (Jim's Daddy) took Sam fishing at a trout farm in Buford. They had a BLAST....and Sam caught the "biggest, hugest one". The picture of the kids all lined up was when they are watching them clean the fish...Sam was completely mesmerized. They also brought them home to cook and eat....yuck! I had been cleaning my kitchen all afternoon, and Jim brings in this bag of dead trout and that mischievous smile you all know and love.....so we cooked nasty fish in my house. They actually were OK....I took one courtesy bite. Sam ate 5 bites, which is actually a record for him to try something new. Anyway, next time I told Jim to be sure to take Dylan, then we can take the day's catch to my mom's.... :) I love my boys!

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Sam's Many Travels






The past few months have been very busy for Sam and me. Last week we were able to tag along with Mimi (Jim's mom) when she had to work in Colorado. We got to go to Vail and Boulder. While she worked, we went hiking, train riding, gondola riding, etc. with Papa John. Sam even got to sit in the condutor's seat when we visited the town of Leadville. He found snow when we rode the gondola up in Vail! He was thrilled! Of course, with my luck, it was so hot they had record highs while we were there. I did get to run 5 miles in Boulder one morning, and didn't sweat a drop! I want to move there! Jim is absent from the pics because he had to work, it was very short notice. :(

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Jim's Request


Ok...last post today, I promise! Jim just called me and said, "You HAVE to post the one of Sam scared to death on the Jurassic Park ride!" So, honey, your wish is my command!

(Sam's terrified face was due to the huge life-like T-Rex about to eat us. I am ducking because I am aware of the next part of the ride-splashwater falls.) I think I am attaching this one to my Mother-of-the-year application....nothing like scaring your 4 year old to death!

Family Pic


Here is my favorite picture from our Orlando trip...I finally got the scanner to work!
How cute are my two favorite guys????

Running the Peachtree

I was going to wait and scan in our pictures when I get them, but I will go ahead and tell about the race since so many of you have been emailing me asking me.....so here goes....

Jim, his sister Susan, and I ran the Peachtree on the 4th! Jim has been running it for 3 years now, it was a first for Susan and me. Jim "stayed back" and ran at our pace "to be sure we were ok", he is so protective. When he and I ran a 5K in May he was constantly warning me about the curb and bumps in the road...it is really quite cute. Anyway, he was my own personal water boy. He would run with a cup full for a mile or so until I needed another swig. I even heard faint calls from the crowd "You can do it!" :)

I got the slime award though....about at mile 3, this man came up to me, picked me up and kind of moved me to the side...completely covering me in his sweaty slime, it was truly disgusting.

I am just so excited we did so well. I had been training since March...running 15-20 miles a week, so it really was fun and "easy". Now I am hooked! We (Sam, Jim and I) are all running a race in August (Sam is doing the 1K fun run). Then, Jim, Susan, and I are all already training for the half-marathon in Atlanta on Thanksgiving. That is my goal.....

Sunday, July 09, 2006

ER at the beach...the story of my life





Here we are in Panama City! The WHOLE family went (Sam above with Dylan and the other precious girl with Sam is my neice Erin)...and it was truly wonderful...great weather...great condo....
but exactly one hour into our first trip to a fabulous pool....my nephew Dylan threw one of those plastic diving rings...and it hit Sam's eyebrow just right...that we ended up in the ER. I called Jim off of the golf course. We sat in the ER with the rest of the world for a few hours...and left with human super glue in his head and orders to not go near water for 10 days. Are you kidding me??? A week at the beach with my 4 year old who I put in swimming lessons in March to prepare for THIS trip....
So, we left the ER, went straight to Wal-Mart, and got waterproof bandaids....THANK GOD for nexcare!
The last picture shows his boo boo....and some jelly from toast (literally the only thing he ate on the trip). Now that the glue came off, he has no eyebrow left! Waiting to make the four year old pic appointment for a while.
By the way, how old is too old for Sam and Dylan to hold hand and walk on the beach for pictures? I am thinking....I don't know....18!

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Best Vacation Ever



We got to go to Orlando a few weeks ago...Jim had to work so Sam and I tagged along. We were able to go to Animal Kingdom and Universal's Islands of Adventure. The trip was the best vacation we have ever had. Everything worked out....except for a mildly horrible meltdown in Animal kingdom...(I am pretty sure someone outside the family restroom called DEFACS) .Other than that, we had a great time! Sam loved the Jurassic Park stuff in Universal. He was so brave, he rode Spiderman too....which is his parent's favorite ride ever! We stayed at a hotel with a "Kidsuite" so he had his own "room" with bumper beds (bunk beds). It was HOT...but fun! I recommend NOT going to Animal Kingdom in the summer....but that is just me!

Wednesday, July 05, 2006



Here is my big boy showing off his birthday card....this picture was "pre-beach ER visit for stitches (actually they used purple human super glue!) ...that is another story for another day!

A family of three...

Ok...I finally had to break down and start blogging, after reading everyone else's...and let's face it...I have plenty of embarrassing moments to share!

My first cute story takes place in Kroger, with my now big four year old boy......
Sam: Mommy, our family has only 3 in it.
Me: Yes, but one day God may decide you need a brother or sister, and then we will have 4.
Sam: Let me ask him. (Steps off the end of the cart and prays in the produce department-hands folded, head bowed) God, you want me to have a brother or sister? Uh huh, Uh huh, amen. Yeah, sorry Mommy, he said NO!
Me: (Trying not to die laughing....I just walked to the next aisle....what could I really say to that?)

So, in case you are ever in need...apparently Sam has a direct line to God!

Hope you are all doing well!