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.