When you make good choices

Pardon my slackness in posting this week, would you? It hasn't been as busy as previous weeks, but the crud has hit our home and while I'm not as sick as some people I know, I'm still on the "ugh" side of things.


The Boy has been hard at work. Rose told us that while the behaviour chart at school is wonderful idea and it gives The Boy goals to work for, we needed to sweeten the pot a little bit. Now, for five days of ALL sticker goodness, he gets a tangible reward. I told you about the banana split and how it really took him a while to earn that one. Once we paid up, though, he realized that, "Wow! This is cool!" What did we start? Because that meant we had to keep coming up with rewards that would make him want to work and do his very best.


The next goal was a trip downtown to the waterfront park to the playground there. He loves that park, even though it's small. I think the fresh salt air, the water right there, the boats....well, it all adds up to the best kind of stimulation for him. He earned that trip but we had sickness in the house. We explained that when everyone was feeling better, we would head that way. He seemed to understand and was off to earn the next goal.


Next in the goal line was a trip to Folkston, Georgia (<--click for link). Rumor had it that it was THE place to go watch trains and what little boy doesn't like trains? We talked about the trains and the new adventure and my son managed a PERFECT WEEK at school. Holy smokes! Even though Makenna was still sick (an earlier trip to the clinic with a day missed from school shows she has sinusitis), Paige was still fighting her cold, The Man and I were both feeling cruddy....we had to take that baby to fulfill this adventure.


I got the grand idea to make us a picnic to enjoy. We did a picnic in Mississippi on our way cross country when Makenna was four. She talked and talked about that picnic and the next year when we went, we stopped at the same place and had another. We've done a lot of picnics with Carla and her family and we just love a good picnic. I kept it simple with some sandwiches, chips, and a drink.


We trekked our way to Folkston (really not that long of a drive). The viewing deck/depot was full of Saturday train watchers. No worries. We decided to sit up in our big comfy truck and picnic. We seriously had a large time with that. I was a little disappointed that it wasn't a busy train day. We had to wait an hour to see one, but it was worth it! It was a huge train with many many cars. My son was thrilled to pieces over that loud hunk of rolling metal.


We decided not to stay and wait on another one as we didn't know how long it would be. I suggested to The Man that we head back to our town and go to the park. Just give our baby a FULL rewarding day. Off we went back the way we came.


Boy, was that kid shocked when we pulled up at the park. He shot out of the truck and was in full playing mode. It was breezy so the Ninja Biting Gnats weren't bothering us. We stayed for over an hour and let that boy get his play out. I wandered around the park just looking while Makenna took my camera and entertained herself with picture taking. Paige got a turn and snagged her some pictures. I know we've taken pictures at this place a dozen times, but it's just so pretty down there and the photo opportunities can't be beat.


To say we were tired when we got home was an understatement. Being sick and trying to fulfill your obligations will wear a person out! After enjoying all the bubbles he could make in the bathtub, we go no argument out this particular little boy on going to bed. (for those of you who don't know? Going to bed easy is HUGE for an ADHD kid.)


I thought I'd share a few pictures of our day with you since that's how I roll.



As you can see, the platform was on the full side but this is proof we were there! (if you look at the link I've provided.)

This is what happens when you let the kids hold the camera while you wait on a train. Good times, huh?


It was worth the drive for both of the boys, I think.

See what I mean? My baby was loving life on Saturday. Paige was a good Sissy and pushed him on the swings. I get warm fuzzies seeing my kids together like this having a good time and not at each other's throats.

Paige took this one. You just can't help but take pictures when you're there. Sunset was close and it was just perfect.

I know I have 20 different versions of this picture. I just love it! It's a beautiful place to go and no matter where we end up after retirement...I want to remember it.

That concludes a catch-up for all of you out there in Internet Land. We have a few grand things happening this upcoming week I'm excited about and can't wait to share with you!