In early October, we drove down to Atlanta for me to run 13.1 Atlanta with my friend Anna. My parents met us there. For some reason, I really thought the race started at 7:13 (would make sense!). My dad dropped me off at Anna's house at dark thirty, and we headed to Oglethorpe for the race start. Anna had told me she was running a full marathon the following weekend, so she wouldn't be running very fast. I gave my parents a map of the course and wrote the times I expected to be at each mile split. I calculated 10 minute miles with a starting time of 7:13, so my parents could pick a spot to cheer us on. When we arrived at Oglethorpe, I realized I had no idea where I got that starting time. The race started at 7:00. The start was very slow. We even had to walk after crossing the starting line. Anna and I sped up to make up for our slow start. I don't think we ever slowed down. I finished the race in 2 hours 1 minute! Needless to say, my parents didn't even make it to the finish line in time. Part was my fault and part was the faulty directions they received to the MARTA station. Nonetheless, we had a great family weekend with much success on my part. As I am training, every race will be my last, but now, I am determined to finish one in less than two hours.

I was very proud of Carter when he learned to ride his tricycle. I would push him and let go when he was paying attention. I was very excited to share the news when Kevin got home from work. The only problem was Kevin told me he had been riding a tricycle at daycare. Too bad no one told me!

The highlight of our September was going up to the North Caroline Transportation Museum to ride Thomas.


We started our day with a train ride:
On the train, Carter received a certificate.

After we walked around and met Sir Toppham Hat:

and climbed on a train we weren't supposed to:

(Type A Momma was floored at Kevin's blatant defiance)

After a long day, Carter was worn out:

Carter loves to cook. His cooking consists of mixing various spices in a bowl and playing with utensils. Over the summer while shopping with a friend, I found this adorable apron for him along with his own set of pots, pans, and utensils. He especially enjoys transferring his creation from bowl to bowl. "Cooking" can keep Carter entertained while I cook. If I don't feel like claning up after him, I have to be very careful about how I state I'm going to prepare dinner. He is like Pavlov's dog when I say, "cook." He responds, " I wan cook."

So, enjoy the pictures of him and ignore my messy countertops (Mom!).

We are so blessed to have such a happy child. Of course he has his stubborn streaks which he obviously inherited from his dad.

Carter is such a clown and is always performing. He reminds me of myself when he is laughing at himself before we can even laugh at him.

These pictures are of Carter wearing my lipstick. You can see how proud he is of his artwork.


He loves playing in my makeup. I have even given him my old powder compacts. We were in the car a few days ago, and Carter wanted my lipstick. I told him it wasn't for boys, so he asked for Daddy's lipstick. When I told him Dad didn't have any, he said, "Daddy's lipstick home."

Wow, I really need to buckle down and catch up. How embarrassing to look at my blog on election day and realize the most recent posts discussed Labor Day! So, for the 2 people reading this, let me catch up.

Part of our routine when we go to Wal-Mart or any place that might sell lawn mowers is for Carter to try them all out. Here he is at Lowe's taking one for a test drive:
Carter is very routine, so once we start something like trying out lawn mowers at a store, we have to do it every time we go. Maybe one day he'll convince Kevin to buy me a riding lawn mower, so my yard can look as good as my neighbor's.