A fun way to catch up with the always interesting and mostly funny things that happen to me on a daily basis. And a great way to see recent pictures of the kids.
Last Saturday was the Overland Park Fall Festival. You know, hometown festival with a parade, arts and crafts for sale, farmers market and of course lots and lots of fried food. I'm happy to say we were partakers to all of it!
The only parade Blake has ever been to was in Disneyworld, so of course this was sure to disappoint. It's saving grace (and what made Blake say it was "the best parade ever") was the candy everyone was throwing out as they came by on the parade route. At one point I looked down and he was just standing on the street with his hand out.
I think we actually got more candy than we did last Halloween.
We also stopped to listen to a jazz combo. They were actually very good and very entertaining. Blake loves to dance and since most of the songs were up-tempo, he was able to show off some of his sweet moves.
Every kid in Blake's class had to draw a self portrait and the teachers taped it together like it's a quilt. They hung it on the wall outside the classroom and yesterday was the first time I really looked at anyone's self rendering (other than Blake, of course). Most of the kids finished their picture in a few minutes. Blake took two days to complete his- one day just for the frame and one day to draw his body. I told Sheldon, "look, he has your nose!"
This is the picture Emma made. Yep, boobies and all!
Not to be outdone, anatomically speaking, here is Noah's picture.
Blake's class has learned many things in the 4 weeks of school. Things I didn't even know they knew. Last night while he was in the shower I heard him singing, "this land is your land, this land is my land...." And he knew all the words. I asked him when he learned that and he said they sing it every day after they say the pledge. So I asked him to say the pledge and sing all the songs they sing after the pledge. He thinks all the songs are actually just one long song ("The Pledge Song," as he calls it), but that's ok.
P.s. Please try to overlook that he is grabbing himself almost the entire video.
Blake's favorite song these days is by Adam Levine (Maroon 5) and Christina Aguilera. It's called "Moves like Jagger." As in Mick Jagger. He makes me play it in the car all the time. Adam Levine was on the NFL pre-game show last week and Blake came running to the TV when he heard the beginning of the song. Right before I started recording this video Blake said, "mommy, I have the moves like Jagger." So of course I had to start recording after that. His best moves are near the end of the video, but I also think it's funny to hear him sing the song.
Last Friday was our Family Fun Night (as is every Friday). Blake decided that what he wanted to do was have a dance party. He got instruments for everyone and he provided the music. He gave me the ankle bells from Kindermusik class, so naturally I put them on and did a rain dance around the living room. Sheldon got a drum stick- yeah, one drum stick. And hilarity ensued....
Tonight was baseball in the backyard. Sheldon taught him how to catch the ball with his glove up, but nobody taught him how to pitch and his wind-up is actually pretty good. We asked him where he learned it and he said "I just did it tonight." He did hit the ball a few times, but his pitching and catching is much better than his hitting.
Sunday was a trip to Guitar Center. Actually, we were headed to Whole Foods to get some green chile roasted, but when we got there, nobody was roasting. So off to Guitar Center we went. Blake loved the guitar and how has a new item for his Christmas list, or if you ask him, his birthday list. I have to keep reminding him that Christmas is before his birthday, but he likes the idea of a b-day list better.
I was cleaning out some old photos in iPhoto and came across this one. I'm pretty sure I posted it on my FB, but I may not have for fear of what message the naked booskies might send.
This May, Blake was swimming at his friend Owen's house when he jumped out of the pool and declared he had "to pee-pee, so badly, so badly." I got his towel and was going to give him a quick dry to run in the house when Owen declared, "my mommy lets me pee in the grass." Being the total boy he is, Blake ran over and pulled his suit down. All the way down.
These pictures are too cute not to post. I love how Owen barely pulled his suit down to go and Blake dropped trou all the way to the ground. I also love the looks on their faces. The first one is cute, but the second shot is just priceless!
Ok, so maybe it isn't the sky and maybe it isn't an acorn, but I thought it was. I started out on a 4 mile run this morning and less than 1 tenth of a mile, yes like 25 steps into my run I felt something hit my head. Since I was on a woodsy trail and it's nearing fall, I assumed it was an acorn. Wrong. I brushed my hand over my head and it was covered, yes covered in poop! It hit my visor, which thankfully I was wearing or else it would have been on my face. And it even went between my visor and my hair.
Seeing no point in turning around, I kept going not knowing what I even looked like. I crossed paths with a lady a few feet away who saw the whole thing and was smiling. Instead of my usual, "good morning," I think I said something along the lines of, "i just got crapped on!"
Anyway, as it turns out, the sky is not falling. It's just poop.
Somewhere between King and Emperor (depending on who you ask)
An oriole, maybe?
An alligator missing half of his front right arm (reminded me of Happy Gilmore)
Not a bad job for a 4 year old photographer
We decided to hit the road this weekend and we headed to Omaha. I thought it would be further, but it was under 4 hours (or 2 movies on the DVD player in the car, if you measure time like a 4-year old). It will be faster when the roads open back up, but they are still flooded and at risk, so they're closed. We enjoyed our detour through middle America.
Our main purpose for Omaha was the zoo. It is an amazing place. They say it is one of the country's finest zoos, close behind the San Diego Zoo. So many animals and wonderful habitats for them.
One of the craziest things we saw was the silver back gorilla. There was a group of girls there who, for religious reasons, wore dresses and buns covered with black bun covers in their hair (I'm sorry I don't know my religions well enough to decipher, but you can picture them- especially when you see the video link). The gorilla either didn't like the girls' bun covers or he was trying to play. The docent said the gorillas do this anytime they see someone wearing something like that and they go really crazy when there's a nun. Check out the video. It was so loud and scary, but some of the signs and docents say they just do it for fun and to get a reaction out of people.
We also saw an IMAX about tornado alley. When Blake learned we lived in Tornado Alley, it became much more interesting. That is, until he fell asleep. What can I say, it was 3pm and we had been walking all day.
I know I missed a couple days on the post, but I was taking pictures of Blake. I can't figure out how to post to my blog from my phone. Any help?
Blake's first day of Pre-K was today. He has been so excited since camp ended 2 weeks ago. He got up early, got dressed (without a fight) and ate (also, without a fight). Then we were in the car and off to school.
The day was apparently good. He was happy when I left and happy when I returned. When I picked him up he ran right over to me and gave me a big hug. All three teachers were standing there in the doorway and I asked him "did you have a great day?" His reply (in front of all his teachers) was, "yes, but they didn't teach me anything new today." What do you say to that? Well, I said, "well maybe tomorrow." His teachers laughed, but then one followed us out of the classroom and got down at Blake's eye level and reminded him of everything she had taught him today. I think she was trying to prove a point to me more than to him, but I know my child and I know he is full of baloney, so she'll just have to learn. :)
Time for the 6 month check-up at the dentist's office. Blake sat through the exam and cleaning and thought he got two stickers because he "was such a good boy and probably better than the other boys and girls who only get one sticker." (his words) No cavities. The hole in the roof of his mouth seems to be about the same size- not closing, but not getting bigger. Good news I guess, until it's time for braces.
Blake-ism of the day:
"Blake, please put your shoes away."
"Mom, I have to do everything around here!"
Ok, so I heard an article on NPR about a local woman who, along with her friend, challenged herself to take a photo of herself everyday and post it to her blog.
I commented on my FB about this and several of you said you would rather see Blake than me. ouch. Anyway, I have decided to give it a shot. Now cut me some slack if I don't get one up here everyday, but I'm going to try.
Today he was trying to get away from me, hence the slightly blurry photo.
Blake is age 4 now and will start Pre-K on Wednesday. He is very, very excited and can't wait for the year to start, mostly so it will be over and he can move on to Kindergarten.
