Birthday, BBQ, and a Ballgame!

Before I write one word about anything else we've done this week, I need to send out a BIG, HUGE, EXTRA GIGANTIC (just a tiny bit belated) HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a very special 8-year old friend of the Chessers! Mary Brittan, Jared remembers when you were born, so now that you're 8, I think that makes us officially old. We are so happy to know you, and we love you very much!! Here's a photo of Mary B holding Henry in church this morning...aren't her new glasses precious?!?! Last night, my mom-in-law, Betsy, invited us to sit in the sweet seats (aka corporate box) at the UCF Homecoming game. Since Henry loves (and that word "loves" cannot be overstated here) watching football on TV, we thought he might enjoy taking in a game. I'm not sure he really noticed the game thanks to all the lovin' he was getting from his sweet grandparentsand also thanks to the big-screen TV that was in the box. Jared and Jerry were watching Florida State SCALP the Clemson Tigers (sorry to bring it up again, Bo...okay, not really that sorry), and Henry just couldn't take his eyes off that game...see photo evidence below...For those who know Jared, you probably recognize that TV watching face. heehee. Seriously, though, the kid really appreciates the television, which as one might imagine, has caused more than a little bit of maternal guilt around the 2601. Here's the deal...if it's on at all, he turns his head and watches it. He likes sports the best, but honestly, he'll watch anything that comes on. He enjoys news anchors, Sesame Street, Regis & Kelly....even the Communist News Network...all the same.

Make no mistake about this, before he was born, I swore that he would never watch one minute of TV...now that he's 4 months old, I've decided to compromise and give him 30 minutes of Sesame Street most mornings and college football on Saturdays. I watched Sesame Street every day of my childhood and ended up a Phi Beta Kappa, NCAA Academic All-American lawyer...so, how bad could it possibly be for him anyway?

Here are a few shots from Thursday...I put him on the couch to watch Sesame Street while I did the dishes, and here's what I found when I came to check on him...Yep, arms behind the head, completely relaxed, singing along about triangles. Who could turn the TV off on that sweet thing?!?! Here's another one...Can't do the couch thing much longer, though, because little sweetness learned how to roll from tummy to back on Thursday...so, you know it's just a matter of time before he goes back to tummy to hardwood floor...ugh.

Before I wrap up, here's a quick shout to the boys who keep callin' us out to Keller's every Friday night. We know we're not that hip now that we're all old and married and have a baby and all that, but we love you and the Friday night ritual. Henry loves it too! And, sorry Uncle Dan, I know you tried to hide from my camera...but I caught you just the same...Doesn't the baby look sweet under the glow of neon?? No...not at all, but the green beans and sweet tea are TO DIE FOR, so judge away, and we'll be there every Friday from now until....well, more about that next time.

Here are a few family shots from the UCF game. Thank you, Jerry, for putting up with my neurotic 'family photo' requests. These are 2 out of the 20-something that Jerry took for us in an effort to get one where everyone was looking at the camera and Jared's glasses don't have too big of a glare...next time, I'll have to pay more attention to not holding the baby Michael-Jackson style. Thanks, again, Jerry...these are frame-worthy, for sure!!How hysterical are Henry's eyes in this one?!?!?

Alrighty, that's all for now...look for a biggie later this week!