Los Flemings

Monday night Sam decided he was in charge of dessert and started pulling out ingredients. He had a notion to bake something sweet. With a little nudging and consultation on proportions he came up with these chocolate cakey-muffiny creations. And Mame and I must admit that they were rather tasty.

Went in for the latest ultrasound and doctor check-up for the twins last Friday and everything is progressing nicely. Both boys are close to 3 3/4 lbs. each and are about a week ahead on the growth chart (i.e. two more healthy eaters on the way). Since they are squeezed in pretty tight it was a little harder to see them clearly this time so it wasn't quite as gripping for Sam as the previous ultrasound. He made it through the measurements for Baby A and was ready for a new activity by the time the tech got around to Baby B.

This afternoon, Sam and I went to the hospital for the "I'm going to be a big brother/sister" class. There was a story, some model fetuses to track development and the opportunity to practice holding a doll. The teacher charged each child with being the germ cop when their sibling(s) arrive. So be prepared for Sam to ask you to wash your hands. He was fascinated with the whole class and at the end they had kites to color for your future arrivals and he was proud to share them with Mame when we got home.

Yesterday was Sam's first day as a member of the mighty 'Cheetahs 3' an ABYSA under 6 team.

This is the introductory level and it only meets on Saturday for a 30 minute practice/instructional session and then 30 minutes of game action.

Here the Cheetahs 3 meet the fearsome 'Wolves 1'.










It was a great atmosphere - very positive and relaxed. Sam had a blast and can't wait for next Saturday's match against the hungry 'Hyenas 1'.

We got the word that the launch was postponed as we were approaching Cape Kennedy last week. At first it was for 24 hours, so Thursday we toured the Kennedy Space Center only to learn that the launch was going no earlier than Sunday night. That cut into other plans, so by Friday afternoon Sam and I were back home in Asheville.


We did get a great tour at Kennedy including riding out as close as civilians can get to the launch site. We also saw the bleachers where we'll get to sit when we do catch a launch. Sam and I 'rode' the Shuttle Launch Experience and he and Dandy took in one of the IMAX movies.










In this picture he's standing in front of a life-size mock-up of the future Orion capsule. This is the vehicle that will take over once the shuttle is retired - and would be the one Sam would travel on if he does end up as an astronaut one day.

We've been trying for nearly a year now to get Sam to Florida for a shuttle launch and today we are the closest we've been yet. STS-119 is set for launch Wednesday night at 9:20 p.m. EDT. Sam and I are about to depart NC headed to Kennedy Space Center with Donna and Frank. The weather looks good and so far the pre-launch check is going forward. Wish us luck.

Los Flemings made the trip to Monroe, GA this weekend to visit with the Chapmans (William, Kathryn, Rosalyn, Nell and Fieldon). Kathryn is a friend from their days together at Camp Juliette Low. She is also the mother of twins and they generously shared advice and baby gear.



Mame Nell, Rosalyn and Fieldon







We were also pleasantly surprised on arrival Saturday to find another camp friend, Jennie and her daughter Lena, were already there.


Mame and Kathryn on the side porch of their great country home.

It's a preemptive snow day, that is, school has been canceled for tomorrow.

The snow started about mid-day today and has been pretty continuous throughout the afternoon and is predicted to continue through the night. Here's Sam eagerly anticipating the prospect as the first snow started to accumulate.







Here's the same hillside about 6:30 p.m.


















Sam went straight to work making a pile on our front porch.