Blink and it is Friday WHAT!!!!!

My oh my where does the time go.  Here we are already Friday and a fun filled week end is fast approaching.  so let me start by bringing you up to speed on last week end's festivities, you already heard about Grandma & Grandad's visit and Soccer Saturday.  Now on to our adventures at the Biltmore Estate visit that I promised.........

Up early on Sunday, camera charged, kids loaded up in the back and off we went on our way to Asheville.  The ride didn't seem to long and as soon as we hit the foothills the collection of fall leave colors was amazing I just had to capture (of course while trying to do it through the speed at which Bombshell was driving)

 


We shortly arrived in Asheville and decided to walk around a bit as none of us had ventured into the downtown of Asheville.  the weather was perfect, nice sunny day and temperatures warm and comfortable.  After enjoying the sights of Asheville......

With no suitable lunch spot (all the good recommendations had over an hour wait) we decided to venture over to Biltmore Village.  After finding a lunch spot to eat it was now time to enjoy the rest of the day at Biltmore Estate

The kids were wowed by the long drive up especially with Bombshell stating how long the walk would be to pick up the mail and take the trash cans to the curb LOL you could see their little heads digesting that information and probably thinking how glad they were to only have a short walk to take the trash and recycle bins out at home :)

First stop was the house and while I remember the front I clearly didn't remember shuttle buses and no parking near. So I am sorry for the less than perfect picture, inside didn't disappoint they had started to decorate the house in all the Christmas decorations, I know, I know it is not even Halloween yet but it sure did get me in the spirit, should i mention Christmas is only 57 days

So after the house tour we planned our trip to the next stop, the Antler Village and more importantly WINE TASTING!!!!!!

So off Bombshell went with Bambeano to get the car while we stayed outside the front of the house, Now where is Jeeves when you need him.  Well quite frankly I think we have our own Jeeves judging by the pictures below

While we drove down to Antler Village we took in some great sights of the gardens and the colors of the fall foliage that taking pictures was hard not to pass up,  just look at the coloring of these pictures it was breath taking.

 



First stop at Antler Village was an ice cream for Grandad.  He was going to sit and enjoy the sunshine while the rest of us walked over to the farm and animals.  While Grandma was getting the ice cream I took advantage of some great pictures of Boo Boo and Bambeano

So after leaving Grandad happy with his ice cream we walked off over to the farm house and farm animals.  It was a nice pleasant walk and the kids were super excited to be outside.  There was plenty to see and do.  Bombshell and the kids trying the hat at some old games, pictures below tell a 1000 stories let's just say some of my pictures before editing were either blurry or crooked or both with all the laughing.

Well after busting a gut laughing we moved over to watch the blacksmith and then onto the animals.

 
 

Now onto Mummy's favorite part the WINERY while Bombshell got the kids ice cream.  So back with Grandad the 3 of us made our way over to the winery, starting in the cellars before making our way to the tasting.  2 whole pages of wine tasting and no limit SIGN ME UP!!!!

Grandad started the party going by smashing a wine glass, now I am not sure if it was too much slosh or just not knowing his own strength when setting the glass down, my bet is the latter, so with that Grandad finished up and went into the store with Bombshell and Bambeano while Grandma and I carried on enjoying the tasting, can you tell......

Where did the week end go?

Wow how time flies....Here we are already at Wednesday but boy did we have a fun filled week end, so much i will have to have TWO blog entries.  We had some visitors and the kids were really excited.  Grandma and Grandad (aka Chris' parents) flew up from Florida before departing back home to England.  Now they were only here for the week end so we had to pack in a lot (activities and of course wine, more pics to follow on that one)

So Friday afternoon with the kids out of school we all piled to the airport to meet their flight before racing back (with a side trip to Trader Joe's to stock up on wine :)) to get ready for Bambeano's soccer practice.  The nice sunny temperatures of 70's quickly disappeared when the sun went down so I sought refuge in the car to keep warm.  Now normally on Friday nights we eat out after practice with some great friends but alas they were preparing for their big adventure to Disney so we opted to return home for dinner courtesy of Chef Bombshell (No really he is a Chef) and of course crack open the wine.

Onto Saturday and by now you know it is SOCCER SATURDAY in the Bowden household.  First up Boo Boo, who with each game she plays is doing FANTASTIC in goal.  She knows every goal she saves is a goal scored for her team (her coach gave her this sound advice after she felt she let the team down when she let one goal in, he was quick to remind her all the goals she saved)  This game would be the first game she would actually kick her ball out from a goal kick and boy did she do great kicking way past the half way line, Bombshell was VERY impressed.

Here she goes with her first punt kick out and boy was it a good one.  Boo Boo is really coming into her element and doing great with her goalie skills. 

She really does enjoy this position and we are so proud of her.  She kept a clean sheet all game with her team winning 6-0.  WAY TO GO BOO BOO

With all the excitement Grandad fell asleep. Imagine that with all the shouting going on...... WAKE up Grandad we have got to get to Bambeano's game next.

With Boo Boo's game at 12pm and Bambeano's at 2pm we had to take 2 cars so Bombshell and Bambeano could leave ahead to warm up before the game.  Boo Boo had 30 minutes halves so was wrapped up with 40 minutes before Bambeano's kick off.  Grandma, Grandad, Boo Boo and I raced over to catch Bambeano in action.

We arrived at the field and Bambeano already had his sights set on having a GREAT game.  He definitely meant business with all to see; he had his number sprayed into his head.   His determination was very apparent and this I love....he sets his sights high and will do everything to make sure he achieves.  He asked me to rub his boots (cleats to my American readers), what I hear you say, sorry but it was a tradition the 1st time I rubbed them (his old gold ones) he scored and now he cannot go a game without me rubbing them and trust me there is a knack to this.  If I do not rub and it has to be at a certain time in a certain place he will not score - his words not mine - as so far it has been a very good omen.

I feverishly rubbed them and his parting comment was he was going to score for Grandma, Grandad and Mummy.  Of course I thought he meant one goal for all of us......No, No, No, Bambeano had other plans...........

Now this game was going to be interesting we had no subs so the kids had to play the whole game with only water breaks to help them, thankfully the weather was on our side.

AS you can tell by the picture Bambeano is in his element but I promise there were other kids on the field..... Bambeano just seems to have this thing called SPEED :)  And so he is off for his goal......

Now this game was a little different as Bambeano does not spend much time in his own goal unless we are up by so many goals. 

However, with the lack of players this week it was Bambeano's turn for a shot a goalie and he didn't disappoint......

Now remember early I stated Bambeano was going to score for Grandma, Grandad and Mummy......well he achieved his goal, 1 for Grandma, 1 for Grandad and 1 for Mummy, that's right a HAT TRICK for Bambeano with a winning score of 3-0. 

Way to go Boo Boo and Bambeano 2 games and 2 wins........

Stay tuned for our Sunday adventures to Biltmore..........  :)

A first for Mummy, Boo Boo and Bambeano.....

Yesterday was a trip to the races for The Bowden family.  A first for Mummy, Boo Boo and Bambeano, considering we are about 3 miles from the track this is an amazing feat, even my sister has been at a race at the Charlotte track before me and she lives in ENGLAND!!!!

So after a busy day of soccer with 2 wins we rushed back home to shower and get ready for the race festivities.......

The kids were in awe of all the people, including the squirming comments of why do they have no tops on (men), what does their chests say (not pleasant comments), why are they walking funny (drunk stumbling), and this was just at the beginning of the night.

After a trip around some of the race trucks the kids picked their goodies and off we went into the race track.

Bombshell scored some tickets in the Coca Cola suite so we quickly showed the kids the track before making our way up to the suite.

We were positioned between 4th turn and the finish line.

After getting settled and getting some food we sat down to enjoy the race, not before Bombshell had to go buy the kids fleece blankets the suite had the air conditioning on so low it was like a ice box in there.

What fun we had.....didn't stay to the end because believe it or not despite the loud thunder of the cars Bambeano managed to fall asleep.

All in all a great night and more importantly the kids loved it and we got to spend a family night together.

6 week in......

Wow how time flies.  We are 6 weeks into the school year and already parent/teacher conference are upon us. 

Now not before we get progress reports and on tender hooks I was eager to see how Boo Boo and Bambeano are doing and boy was I surprised, happily.

Boo Boo has not disappointed she is well on her way to a great school report.  Now she was a little apprehensive as she got 74% in one score which graded her at a D but with 13 A's who could be disappointed.  Bombshell and I certainly weren't.  We just have to bring her spirits up.

Bambeano is doing spectacular in Kindergarten which I knew he would only thing we have to work on his is excitedly behavior but other than that I am SO PROUD of my babies.