Fourth of July 2009

We had a great fourth of July this year. We celebrated with our close friends, the Howards. Before the festivities officially started, Jackson invited Finn (the Howards' oldest child) over for a lemonade stand. I figured it would be a good opportunity for them to learn a little about profit margins (can't tell I was a banker in my previous life, can you?). They spent about an hour setting up, making their sign, and overseeing the manufacture of their lemonade! When they finally got started, I headed out to check on them and saw that they were MAJORLY overcharging for this lemonade. A 5 ounce dixie cup was going for $1.50. I calmly explained to them that they would NEVER sell lemonade at that price and suggested they lower their price. They declined. I at least convinced them to use larger cups if they were going to charge that kind of price. They agreed. I went inside to round up some larger 12 ounce Solo cups. When I returned less than 3 minutes later, imagine my surprised when they had already made $20. Some benevolent neighbor had stopped by and bought a few lemonades, gave them a $20, and told them to keep the change. I lost all credibility at that point. Still, they agreed to upsize their cups. Two hours laters, when the novelty of the stand had worn off, they shut down the operation, but not before they made nearly $45.

Later, when the rest of the Howard clan arrived we grilled out burgers and had a few cocktails on the back porch while enjoying some beautiful weather. Finally, the sun went down and we headed out for some "legal fireworks". In North Carolina, the only fireworks that are legal are the kind that don't leave the ground (despite the fact that our neighbors showed us up with some illegal contraband!). We all had a blast!

Look carefully. How many grown men does it take to light a firework? Two, apparently!

Happy Birthday Jackson!!!

When we returned from our Annual Ocean Isle Beach trip, it was time to celebrate Jackson's 8th birthday. I cannot begin to believe that it has already been 8 years since we were blessed with such a sweet, kind, thoughtful boy. Imagine our surprise when we invited 7 of his closest friends for a backyard party and the party turned WILD! Jackson decided he would have a backyard water party. We put out the inflatable waterslide, blew up over 100 water balloons, put out buckets and buckets of water for the boys to fill their soaker guns. How bad could it be right? The weather was hot (perfect for a water party) and we had a relatively small crowd. The party started at 4:00 and by 4:15 Tod and I were really scared. These boys were WILDER than I have ever seen any group of children. We endured an hour of this choas before I announced that the pizzas had arrived and hoped that everyone would at least sit for 5 minutes. Didn't happen. I think they shoveled down nearly 4 pizzas in less than 3 minutes and were back at it again. The next hour proved to be even more wild than the first. We finally stopped them all and allowed Jackson to open his presents (which we don't normally do during the party itself). When all was said and done, no one was hurt and I think they all had a GREAT time. Tod and I are still recovering! Here are some pictures!

Another Catch - up Post!

Well, I promised myself I would not put myself in a position to need to do another "hodgepodge" "catch me up on the blog" post. Yet, here I go again!!! Since school got out for summer last month, the Durst family has been BUSY, BUSY, BUSY! We have been having the best summer ever but there has been little time left to blog!

Well to back up to the last week of school, Jackson's class participated in Field Day and also had an end of the year party. Here are some pictures from that:

Jackson watching as his relay team performs at Field Day

Jackson's turn in the relay of this silly race!

Jackson playing a version of Hot Potato with a football

Cooling down with a snow cone at the End of the Year Party

Waiting for his turn on the inflatable slide

Down he goes!!!!

Waiting for another station's activity

Even Austin got a turn

The Saturday after school got out, we headed down to Ocean Isle Beach for our annual trip with my parents and my sister and her family. We all have a great relaxing week but the kids seem to have an especially good time. Unfortunately, I didn't that too many pictures that week (guess I was busy reading on the beach!). Here are a few from the week, though:

Holly Tree Talent Show

About a month ago, Jackson came home very excited because Holly Tree Elementary was having their first ever Talent Show. Now as exciting as this sounded, I wasn't entirely sure why Jackson was so excited. As much as I adore him and think he is so special, I wasn't sure exactly what his talent would be. I was also surprised that my normally shy and quiet child was thinking he was going to get on a stage and perform. He went on to tell me that he was going to do magic for his talent. Hmmm.. Interesting, I thought to myself. I went on to explain to him exactly how these talent shows worked and that there would be an actual audience there and that he was going to be on a stage with LOTS of people watching him. He nodded and wasn't dissuaded at all.

We spent much of the following month practicing and rehearsing. His friend, John Tripp (who also loves magic) agreed to be his assistant. Finally, we narrowed the performance down to two tricks (each child was limited to 2 minutes on stage since there were over 90 children who wanted to perform) and he memorized a script. After doing very well at rehearsal, we could not wait for the actual performance night. Jackson was scheduled to go on stage halfway through the second act so there was plenty of time for me to get nervous for him. But when his time came, he marched himself right up onstage and did his act perfectly. My hands were shaking so bad I could hardly hold the camcorder to record him but he was not nervous at all. In fact, none of the children who performed seemed nervous to perform in front of what must have been over 300 people. Lots of people have come up to me since the show and told me how cute they thought the performance was. Mostly, though, I am just so proud that he had the courage to get up and do something that he has never done before!

Jackson introducing John as his assistant

An update!!!

I have no idea where the time has gone since I last posted. It really has been a whirlwind around here. Hopefully I can catch myself up with one post and do better going forward!!! Since the last post in March I have been playing a ton of tennis. The season just ended and our team finished the season just 3 courts out of first place. We had the same win-loss record as the first place team (12-2) but they beat us by winning 3 more courts of play than we did. It was an awesome, if dramatic, season and now I have one more thing to fit into our schedule because I have become a tennis ADDICT!

On April 4, Tod and I spent the weekend in Charleston with Dana and Scott to run the Cooper River Bridge Run again. We did this race last year and loved it. It is always fun to have a good race and then be able to spend the rest of the weekend in a city like Charleston surrounded by beautiful homes, good food, and good friends! I also met up with Laura Dudley, my best friend from Junior High. We had brunch with her parents, sister, and grandfather. We had a great time catching up and promised each other we would get our kids together soon since they have never met.

Me and Tod at our pasta dinner the night before the Bridge Run 2009

The following Monday, Tod and I headed for NYC while my parents kept the kids in Greenville (they were on Spring Break). We had an AWESOME time shopping, sightseeing, celebrity spotting, eating, and exploring such a fun city. I was NOT ready to come back home!

At the Today Show in Rockefellar Center, NYC.

Austin finished up another really good season of soccer. He managed to get on a fantastic team with a phenomenal coach. I think we were all surprised at how much he learned and were thrilled with the new friends that he made.

Finally, Austin graduated from his half day kindergarten class at First Presbyterian Church. He has come so far and learned so much this year. We are very grateful to the school and its awesome teachers for providing him with such a great opportunity to learn and grow. We will truly miss the school next year but we know that Austin is more than ready to move on to Holly Tree Elementary next year. He is extremely excited to be joining his brother there.

Austin on the playground at his graduation at Empie Park.

Getting a big hug from Mrs. Grzeck as Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Hunter watch!

Class Picture (Austin is on the back row on the far right)

Azalea Tri 2009

Last Saturday, Tod competed in his first triathlon. Coming only 4 weeks after his marathon in Myrtle Beach, he wasn't left with much time to train, but he still did awesome! The night before, we had dinner at the Macpherson's house along with our friends the Henrie's. Everyone (even the non-competers!) loaded up on a delicious spaghetti dinner! The next morning we headed out early to cheer some of our friends on. In triathlons, everyone starts at a different time. The first leg is the swim, followed by the bike, and finally the run. The weather was damp and very cool, but the rain that had been forecasted held off. The boys and I anxiously watched as Tod entered the pool and waited for his start. Tod was most nervous about his swim but he looked strong as he snaked his way through the pool. He got out with a time in the 6 minute range. Not the strongest, but certainly not the weakest either! I think he was pretty pleased. Then off to the bike. The bike portion was the longest portion of the race and while we missed him going out on the bike, we were very relieved when we saw him beginning the run with a smile on his face! About an hour and 11 minutes after he started, we watched him cross the finish line. What an awesome time for a beginner! Our friends Shawn, and Matt and Erin all finished with phenomenal times and Erin even won 2nd in her age group! Congrats to all the triathletes!! Can't wait to watch you guys at the next one!

Tod before the swim

Going out for the last leg, the run.

Coming into the finish

Matt coming into the finish

Erin cruising her way to a 2nd place AG finish!

Myrtle Beach Marathon 2009

Jackson and me at the Fun Run

Tod at the starting line



My spot at the 26 mile marker

Tod at the half way point still smiling as he grabs a gel for the second half!

Barely smiling in the rain at the finish. A job well done!

This past weekend, our family headed down to Myrtle Beach for their annual Marathon weekend. On friday night there is a 5K and a family fun run (which Jackson and I did) and then on Saturday there is a half and full marathon. Last year, Tod and I both did the half and had a great time. Due to some nagging injuries, I decided to sit the race out this year and I was so glad that I did. It allowed me to focus on Tod's first full marathon. He has trained so hard for this race and had set a goal of 4 hours. After weekend after weekend after weekend of long 18 mile runs, the race was finally here. We awoke to perfect running weather; cloudy and in the upper 40's. There was rain in the forecast but we were hopeful. I headed out with Tod to the starting line and watched the huge mob take off. I then headed to the halfway point to wait for Tod to come through. I was able to watch a lot of my friends finish the half marathon course while I waited. Much to my surprise, Tod came through at 1 hour and 50 minutes, which equates to a 3hour and 40 minute marathon. Much faster than he had planned but he was feeling good and strong and smiling big as I re-loaded him with gels for the second half. I was very nervous about whether he would be able to hold his pace or if he would crash from going out too fast. Time seemed to stand still as I waited at the finish for him. Finally at 3 hours and 54 minautes I saw him coming in. It has started to rain about 20 minutes earlier, but all in all the weather held out for him. I ran him into the finish and he ultimately beat his goal by finishing in 3 hours and 55 minutes; an awesome marathon time, especially for a beginner. And while he hobbled around much of Saturday and Sunday but felt much better on Monday (he even got on his bike to start training for his triathlon in 4 weeks!!!)

The rest of the weekend was spent shopping and eating and playing. Jackson and I did the Family Fun Run on Friday night (his second time) where he came in at 10 minutes for 1 mile; his best time ever! All in all we had an awesome time and can't wait to go back next year!