Geared Up and Ready to GO!

Collin is officially entering the world of organized sports, and he is so excited.  We (meaning me, the mom) missed sign-ups for spring soccer.  Each time we went to watch Collin's best buddy, Joe-Joe, play soccer Collin would ask when he was going to get to play on a team.  Finally, it is time for fall soccer.  I almost missed sign-ups again, but we got in just in time. 

After searching a couple of days for soccer gear small enough for a 3-year-old, we were able to order the whole shabang.  Collin has soccer cleats, soccer socks, soccer shorts and shinguards.  The only thing we are missing is the team jersey, which he is actually concerned about getting.  He has asked multiple times when he is going to get the shirt for his team.  I am assured we will have it before the first game :)

To top it all off, he is playing on the same team as his best buddy.  Needless to say, he is geared up and ready to go to practice tomorrow!

Birthday Party!!!

Not even a hurricane could stop a 5-year-old's birthday party.  We returned from our hurrevac just in time to celebrate the birthday of one of Collin's friends.  It was a great time.  There is no way to go wrong at a bouncey house place.

Then, to top it all off, Spiderman was there too.  Collin wasn't quite as thrilled to see him as I thought he would be.  He wasn't afraid, just not so interested.  He was way more concerned with playing and when he realized Spiderman didn't want to go play on the bouncey houses (Spiderman is too big for the bouncey houses) he was fine to leave him.

Happy Birthday, Scott!!  Best wishes for a wonderful year!!

Hurrevac

Just a few hours after we returned from our 5-week southeastern tour, Hurricane Irene started gunning our way.  What a welcome home surprise.  I was not excited about packing up and leaving.  I have never left for a hurricane and I've been through a few (Hugo, Dennis and Rita).  There was one point in my life, where I actually stayed on purpose, equipped to stand like an idiot in torrential rain and down pours to let everyone else know just how bad the hurricane was.  In any case, this was my first hurricane with a toddler and a baby on the way, and that made all the difference.  So, we packed up and went to visit my family in SC.  Even though we got out of town in plenty of time my mom still felt that Collin needed a hurricane survival kit. 

So, the brown truck delivered his package to my Uncle's.  It was complete with non-perishable snack food, a video game (for his mobigo that runs on batteries), a soccer ball (that matches his new cleats) and some flashcard games.

Alas, those indoor games weren't really needed.  We didn't even get rain at my Uncle's.  So, he and Collin had plenty of time to play outside.  Collin kept trying to beat his "best time" on his tricycle.

Then, of course, soccer season starts this week and so Uncle Woody played soccer in the backyard.  Huey (the dog), even got in on the game.

Since my grandmother lives in the same town, we were able to spend some time with her as well.  It was wonderful.  I can't imagine what those two were plotting...if you knew my grandmother, you'd be afraid too.

There was even time to sit on the front porch and rock, but not for too long.

And of course, we bring the race car everywhere we go.  Collin and Uncle Woody had a blast racing Lightning McQueen up and down the driveway, and into the grass, garage door and whatever else got in the way.

In the end, we had a wonderful weekend and the only time Collin really had to play the mobigo was the trip home.

Fortunately, all was well at home when we returned.  Hurricane Irene just gave us a great excuse for a fun little vacation. 

FOUR!!!

Collin has a new best friend, his name is Bryan and he's 16-years-old.  What is so funny about this is that, to Collin Bryan may as well be his age (except that he's so much taller).  We met Bryan through his parents and he so kindly "took" to Collin about as quickly as Collin did him. 
Bryan is a very talented golfer, and Collin wants to be a very talented golfer.  So, Bryan invited Collin for a day of golfing, just the guys.

So, I packed Collin a cooler, got his clubs set, and he was off to play golf with his new buddy.  Bryan was so good to not only play friend and coach, but caddy too. 

He worked with Collin on how to stand and swing, and have some fun.  It was a hot day and they played hard.  





I didn't realize that Bryan stays at the golf course all day.  Collin wasn't really up for that so Bryan's mom came to the rescue.  When Collin had enough of golfing, Mrs. Allen took him to the pool.

Collin got to cool off and, as he says, "play, play, play" some more.

I'm pretty sure he even convinced Mrs. Allen that Chick-fil-a was the only place to go for lunch.

And after a long hard day of play he was one sleepy boy.  No dinner or bath and the mobigo was still playing. 

Collin loves his friends who are his age, but he so enjoys the attention of the big boys.  He couldn't have been more excited about his day off with Bryan.  Bryan may never understand the impact the "big boys" have on the little boys, but both of the moms do.  So, here is a special thank you to Bryan and his mom for creating such a special and fun day for my little guy and for giving me and my mom some time together.

Chopsticks

At Collin's request we had Chinese food tonight.  Ok, so it was Japanese, but he didn't know the difference, and it was so much better than any of our Chinese options.  The waitress asked if we were interested in chopsticks.  I quickly said no thank you only to hear my son say, "Yes, I want some chopsticks."  I think the pictures say the rest.

Kachow!!!!

If you have ever been to build-a-bear and you have a little boy, (or a medium boy or a big boy) you HAVE TO GO to Ridemakerz.  It is a guy's dream.  Instead of build-a-bear, it's build-a-car and any car you want, any way you want.

First you pick the shell, and of course Collin chose a Lightning McQueen...Kachow!!!  He kept jumping, and punching the air, saying "Kachow, Kachow!!"  He moved to quickly for me to get a picture of that.

We stuck with the stock wheels, but opted for an upgrade on the rims.  Collin picked the red ones to match Lightning McQueen

Then it was time to choose a chassy (street car or monster truck).  I couldn't believe he didn't want a monster truck.  Lately he's been pretty fascinated with "big trucks."  But no, Lightning McQueen is a race car, not a monster truck.  Then there was the remote control option, of course we had to have that.  Lightning McQueen HAS to be able to race and race SUPERFAST.  I think Collin got a little bored on the explanation as to how the remote works :)

Then it was time to build.  Yes, they even let Collin build it!  There were some screws to drill...

tires to outfit and accessories to choose.

Admiring their handy-work.

Papa explaining how long the battery needs to charge, and how to take care of the remote.

And there it is...a Lightning McQueen race car, customized just the way Collin wanted it.  He had a blast!  It was the best couple of hours, and money we've spent lately.  Now, he thinks Daddy and Papa each need one so they can all race. 

Sunset on the Beach

I have known since I was young that I did not want to get married in August.  My parents did and it seemed that their anniversary was always overshadowed by something, usually something having to do with their children (like back to school).  Well, with both children out of the house we are somehow still interfering with their anniversary.  So, their sunset anniversary dinner on the beach included Collin and me, and some of our dear friends.

Collin got to play beach soccer with Papa and his new best buddy Mr. Scotty.  Mr. Scotty went with Collin on his golfing trip last week, and now he plays soccer.  He is the best!

Then of course they had to look for seashells.  Amazingly enough they found a handful (the west coast of Florida is not known for an abundance of seashells).

These two just don't need words...

We had a wonderful sunset dinner, and I think inspite of all of the company my parents still had a wonderful anniversary.  Maybe after 36 years, the "extra" people can make an anniversary just as special as being alone.  Maybe it's the people, who show you some of how your relationship has grown and what it has meant over the years.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my parents, the couple who showed me what it meant to have a loving, committed, Godly relationship (and a whole lot more, but that's another post).

Sunday is Funday

Collin would spend all day, everyday in the pool if we let him.  So, when we were looking for something low-key to do Sunday afternoon it became the obvious choice.  The most exciting part for Collin, mommy and Kaka got in the pool too.  It's usually just him and Papa, but this time the girls got in on the fun.

Mom jumped in to spend a couple of hours floating around the pool.

Kaka hung out in the spa and showed Collin how to climb from the big pool to the little pool.

And of course, what could be more fun than playing a little baseball in the pool?

It was definitely a fun day!!

Think, Think, Think...

What on earth could possibly be going through his mind?????

I asked what he was doing, his response, "I'm just sitting here thinking."  I asked him what he was thinking about, his response, "I'm just thinking."

I can only imagine.

Tee Time

Collin loves all things sports and one of his new favorite games is golf.  He has had a few sets of plastic clubs that inevitably break the first time out or quickly become a dog's chew toy.  So, after noticing a continuing interest in the game we bought Collin a "real" set of clubs.

He loves them!!  He can identify all 3 of them.  Yes, that number is not a typo.  There are only 3 clubs in a child's set; a driver, an iron and a putter.  Hey - what more could you need at 3 years old? 

We brought the clubs with us on our trip to Florida and off Collin and my dad went for Collin's second trip to a real golf course.  He was so excited, he even got excited about being able to carry his own bag.  Thank goodness for the backpack straps.

Collin even noted that it was so hot outside that he needed to take a Gatorade with him.  Ha!  He is such a funny little guy.

The girls did not go on this outing, and my dad and one of our dear friends were so involved with teaching the art of golf that these are the only pictures from the day.  However, I am assured that everyone had a wonderful time and Collin has been showing us his golf stance.   

Out Came the Sun...

Finally, after 4 straight days of rain the sun appeared, and actually stayed all day.  So, Collin got to play outside all day.  It was great for him and for me.  He slept in a little, had a great breakfast, chatted with daddy and then he was out of the door to the sandbox.  There was some soccer played and time with the dog.  While I was unable to capture everything Collin did outside today, I did get his pool time.  Papa even made it home from work in time to play for awhile.

He is so proud of himself for going under the water.  Ok, he obviously didn't do it on his own, BUT he didn't come up flaling and crying like he usually does.  He just had a really shocked look on his face.  The he kept talking about telling his daddy because daddy would be so proud of him for going under the water.  Too cute!!

Then there were some attempts to repeat on his own, not quite as successful, but he did get his whole face in the water on his own.  BIG success for us.

Of course there can't be a sunny day by the pool without a popsicle.

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

...and I have a little boy who NEEDS to go out and play.  The forecast isn't showing any improvement, not for two weeks.  What to do with a high-energy child who has not been outside to play in 3 days?????  Well, we did the best we could.

We braved the rain and headed toward the mall on the chance that there was some sort of play area.  I don't know why we thought there would be.  My mom had never seen one, but surely, since the mall has been completely redone in the past few years, there should be something. 

And alas, after braving the pouring rain, there it was, an indoor play area. We could hardly get a picture. Collin was bouncing off the walls, or should I say bouncing off the benches. He jumped on, climbed on, slid on, went through and over everything that was there. I think it was as much of a relief for him as it was for me.  I'm not sure how often we'll be able to do this (refer to the above mentioned forecast) before the "new" wears off, but we'll take it as long as it will work.

I will say, I think every mall should have something like this.  There was a store front called the family room.  It had a restroom, nursing room, and large play area with a television.  Just outside of that is the above play area.  This isn't just good for a rainy day,  this is good for any shopping trip.  Mom can shop for awhile and then the kiddos can play.  Everyone is happy!

Camp-out with Kaka

There are some things that only a grandmother would do.  Ok, so maybe a mom would do it too, if she weren't very pregnant and trying to keep her toddler on a schedule.  In other words, it's more likely to happen at grandma's house (in our case, Kaka).  It's a camp-out!

They had everything they needed: a movie, comfy pjs, sleeping bags, pillows, toys...oh, and headphones.  Yes, headphones for the mobigo (in case the movie got boring) and for the ipod (when it's time to actually go to sleep). 

We all watched the movie together (Collin probably saw about half) and then I went to bed, leaving my mom and Collin downstairs.  Apparently they saw 12:30 a.m. (keep in mind Collin had had a 4 hour nap from 2 - 6 that afternoon).  My mom told me the next morning that Collin woke up about 3 a.m. to tell her not to forget he wanted to go get a Candyland game.  Holy cow, that child's brain never rests.

He had a great time, and would have done it all over again the next night if I had let him.  It was neat to see how excited he was for his "special" time.  It sent me back to a summer at my grandmother's house, my sister and I begging to have a "sleepover" in my grandmother's room.  She finally agreed to share her bed with the two of us.  I don't think anyone slept, but everyone had a great time.  Most importantly a memory was made, a memory that is still vivid more than 20 years later.  What a blessing to see my own child making those memories (with all of his grandparents) that will last a lifetime.