Making me happy...

* Spending a day with our Bonnie!

 * Little surprises in the mail from hubby...which include proof that he really does get it.

(Or that he at least listens to me when I talk...sometimes.)

 * My flowers!

(My mom called me the other day and said a gardening friend of hers said if my tulips already have buds/blooms they should be covered when it gets below 32.  This may be more than the amount of work I wanted to do for these little guys...which was none)

 They sure are pretty while they're here. ;)

Finding a good fit

My friend Grace has been thinking about putting her daughter in gymnastics classes.  She invited me to bring C along to a "trial class" to see if it was something he might be interested in doing too.  I've had a few people tell me that I should put him in gymnastics.  He is pretty strong...and has freakishly real muscles.  I'm serious, the child has cuts on him that grown men dream of.  It's a little disturbing.  ;)  Good balance...and of course, a TON of energy.

So, I thought, let's give it a try. A "try" is something I would've appreciated when it came to some of our previous attempts at organized activities, ahem, swimming and basketball. Right off the bat this gymnastics school scored big points with me for allowing (even suggesting) that we bring the kids in for a trial class to see if it's a good fit.

And by golly, I think gymnastics fits the child just right.  I had my doubts (still do actually, it was only one class) when all I heard the day of our class was "I don't know how to do gymnastics.  I don't want to go.  I can't do it.  Everybody will laugh at me."  When did my child develop this self-consciousness?  I reminded him that he didn't know how to do it because he'd never been to a class before.  And that we were only going to try it once and if he didn't like it, he didn't have to go back.  I also assured him that he would do great.  All he had to do was listen to his teacher and he/she would help him figure it out.

I don't know what he was picturing in his head when I said 'gymnastics' but I don't think it was accurate.  Because as soon as we walked in the place all doubts were erased and he could not wait to get going.  He was jumping out of his skin excited.  Like 'spinning in circles, running in place while singing' excited.  This brought to my mind new fears...like images of him completely ignoring the instructions of his teacher and running crazy around the entire gym prompting me to kick off my shoes and go get him and drag him out of the place kicking and screaming.

Little man totally impressed me.  He jumped right into the class like he belonged there.  He did not miss a beat.  He actually told the instructor a few times to let go of him because he could do it himself.  And he wasn't lyin'.  Not only did he do a great job completing all the activities, but he followed directions.  He listened.  The instructor was young.  But, it was very clear she knew what she was doing.  She treated C kindly, but definitely expected his obedience. 

I think we may have found an extracurricular activity we can finally stick with. 

Fingers crossed. 

(Did I mention we still have lesson credits at the swim school?)   

We're blooming!

We had a playdate today!  With new friends! 

 Letting my boy go outside and play in the mud on Monday seriously paid off.  We were joined by two more kiddos in rain boots and their mama, just out for a walk, looking for puddles to jump in.  The woman and I recognized each other from the park a few days earlier.  Our boys had played together that day.  And while neither one of us was bold enough to strike up a conversation then...the strong force with which a mud puddle draws a four year old boy outside brought us together again. ;)

 We joined them on their walk and wound up making an impromptu trip to the playground together.  By the time we were saying goodbye, C and I had already scored an invite to their house.

 And today we enjoyed quite a successful playdate.  Successful in that there were no awkward lulls in the adult conversation, and our children got into only minor altercations. 

It's Spring honey, and friendships are bloomin'. And that's not all...in the few short days since C posed for this picture, a few of our tulips have begun to bloom as well. Yellow! I need to take pictures stat! I am not known for my green thumb so these beauties may not last long.

Today I am loving...

* The sunshine

* That I made my very first purchase for my third baby boy!  We are putting together a care package to send to Korea and I picked out the sweetest little outfit and matching socks today, along with a photo album to fill with pictures of yours truly (and the hubs and C too I guess) ;)

* Being a new aunt again!  Hubby's sister gave birth to a sweet baby boy on Thursday night.

* My son's infectious giggle

* While I was flipping through People magazine C pointed to a picture of Justin Timberlake and said, "Is that Papa?"

You see it too, right?

 

* Boli's Pizza for dinner

* There are only 27 days until I get to see my husband again!

* And only 57 until he is home to stay.

*C's sense of humor...and how much it reminds me of his father's!

* Looking forward to a visit from a good friend next weekend.

* A new redbox movie and Reese's peanut butter eggs waiting for me after little man goes to bed.

Out and About

Just some pictures of what we've been up to the past few days.

The weather is warming up so I thought it was time to bust out the bicycle.  We took it, along with his scooter, to the motorcycle safety course here on base.  When not in use it's pretty much a giant empty parking lot, perfect for learning how to ride. 

 He's still having trouble with the bike, and definitely prefers his scooter.  But, while I was loading everything back in to the car he told me, "If I can't do it, I just have to keep trying, right Mom?"  Good job, kid.

 We went to the children's museum this week.  We really like it there, and always have a good time.

 Yes, yes he did. 

He was even spraying himself in the face!  And he thought it was hilarious.  I find it hard to believe this is the same kid who wouldn't go under during swimming lessons.

 He was drenched.  I mean to the point of he couldn't keep walking around the museum like that.  Thank goodness I had a change of clothes for him in the car (next time I'll just bring them in with me!) and we hadn't parked too far away.  We raced back to the car for a quick change and then headed back in for more fun. 

 He crawled through that drainpipe tunnel about a hundred times.  There was a group of kids there together and C really latched on to the two older boys.  Earlier in the day he had played on the little soccer field with one of the boys too.  They were probably around 10 years old.  And they were so good with C.  Letting him go first every. single. time.  You know how older kids can be when a little one wants to play with them.  But, these boys were so inclusive it really impressed me.  And warmed my heart to see them treat my child so kindly. :)  I even made it a point to tell their mothers I thought so.  It was so fun watching the moms hear such nice things about their sons.  They were really appreciative and I was so glad that I decided to say something.

 And lastly, we got the chance to go to the DC zoo with our friends this week.  It was a lot of fun, as a trip to the zoo always is.  But, definitely sweeter enjoyed with friends.

I cage the animals at night

Ok, he actually cages himself.  But, either way, it's odd...very odd.

Last night I heard a lot of commotion coming from C's room after I had said goodnight.  When I peeked in to see what he was doing he had emptied all his buckets/hampers and was sitting inside one of them with another on top of his head.  Just sitting there, looking around his room.  Odd, I tell you.  So, I let him be and went downstairs to run on the treadmill.  After sending him back up to his room once, I didn't hear from him again.  I didn't know where I would find him when I got back upstairs. 

This is the state I found his room in.

 And this is what I found him in!

 I am pretty sure he stayed like this all night.  Because an hour or so later when I peeked in one more time before going to bed he had slightly shifted, but remained in the hamper!

When he came in my room this morning he told me that he slept in his cage...because he was a cheetah...and that's what they do.   

Weekend in WV

Picture overload from our last visit to my sister's...

At the children's museum.

 My newphew B was so funny in this topsy-turvy room.  He refused any help from his momma and kept falling all over the place, but he liked it!

 And I thought one was a handful...yikes! :)

 Playing inside the air tunnel.

 Launching his rocket...that I made!

 Walking to the top of Dorsey's Knob.

 This picture makes me laugh...it's actually the best one I got of these two all weekend.

 Cousins racing down the hill.  I wish we would have videotaped this.  B's little feet couldn't keep up with the rest of his body and he would just faceplant every few feet.  And he would laugh and laugh!  Then get back up and do it over again...all the way down the hill.  It was hilarious.

Another great visit with my sister!  So, so glad we live close enough to do this often.  We are both looking forward to the day when we can hang out (with our husbands in tow) and ditch them with the boys for some girl time. :)