boards III

Steve had to go down to Charlotte, North Carolina to take the clinical portion of his boards. He studied a bit at the hospital after clinic the week or two before, and we took off!

Parker and I tagged along for the food.

Durham, NC was a pitstop along the way, and we felt it was calling our name after our Egberts spent a year there and picked up a new pair 'o lungs. Plus Geri was always bragging about the food soooooo, you know that means I was all over that.

 Gingerbread waffle, apricot peach butter shmear, créme sauce, seasoned fried chicken, and some of the best oregano macaroni and cheese I've ever had. While we listened to Claire de Lune, Cannon in D, and a strings rendition of Nora Jones. Amazing.

#DamesChickenandWaffles

 Ger claimed Pelicans to be the best snocone in the entire world. Parker agreed.

#dirtydurham

 Hopped back in the car and finished the trip to Charlotte. Checked into our hotel downtown, and gave Steve lotsa butterflies and shallow breathing. I took his hand and led him to food instead.

 I really wanted to try some North Carolina BBQ, especially their vinegar-based sauce they're known for. While we waited around, we played toss-the-beanbag; apparently these things are all over here! Midwood Smokehouse delivered and we went back to the hotel. Two of Steve's classmates happened to be there for their boards the same weekend so he went to meet them for a little anxiety sesh and to practice getting to the building where boards would be.

 Parker and I stayed behind and read some books before getting ready for bed. I began thinking about how we have limited time before the little guy isn't my only baby anymore. I'm going to miss him being my little buddy and having him all to myself. I hope he still feels how much I love him even though soon I won't be able to give him all of my attention. Lots of hugs are tighter and kisses longer these days...

 Steve and I were both exhausted and went to bed relatively early around 10. The next morning we woke up and walked down to grab some breakfast, then had a couple hours to kill before the big moment. So we went to the library just down the street which was seriously incredible. So many hands-on games and exhibits and and toys and iPad apps for the kiddos. Steve went back to the hotel the last little bit to change and review for a minute without us. He thinks we're distracting or whatever...

We walked him down to the building and I told him to convey to me his current emotions.

 Four hours later, we got the text that Mr. Optometry was done so we packed up and picked him up to head out and beat traffic. Steve filled me in, including the part where he went through an entire skill having missed something, realized he missed it, then went back and re-did it with time to spare. He did awesome on everything else (one of the proctors even complimented him, which they're not really supposed to do), and finds out beginning of November if he passed or not!

Stopped again in Dirty Durham for some shakes and floats. You do what you gotta do, OK?