Funny Boy

Lee has been beyond excited about preschool the last 2 days. He has gotten up so easily in the mornings, and when I tell him it's time to go, he races to the door. Each day, I have been shocked at how comfortable he is going into his classroom. He goes right in and checks himself in and goes about his business. I literally have to chase him down to tell him goodbye. The best part is when I pick him up, he talks so excitedly about his day. He has never been one to tell me details on his own, so I have been so surprised how much he wants to tell me. Yesterday, I asked him how his day was and he said, "It was great-a-rooni!" Since he was grinning so big when he said it, I assumed that was a good thing! He has to take a snack with a drink every day, which has been fun for both of us to decide on and pack. His teachers are really focused on being healthy and only bringing healthy snacks. The first day, he said he wanted to take "a couple Reese cups and a sprite." Even though it sounds like a perfectly good snack to me, that is not what he normally has for a snack at home, and I don't think his teachers would approve. Last night, I asked him if he wanted me to make a trail mix with marshmallows, pretzels and raisins for his snack today. He said, "Oooh, that doesn't sound very healthy. I'll just take the marshmallows." Apparently snack time is a big deal, because he tells me who he sat by and what they brought for a snack. I asked if he shared his snack, and he said that wasn't allowed. I assume it's for allergy purposes. Yesterday, he said he had the choice of doing a puppet show, playing at the art table or singing. He chose the art table. I asked him if he made anything for me, and he said, "No, I made a get well card for Paul." I asked if his teachers asked him to do that, and he said no. I thought that was so, so sweet of him. He has really missed his best buddy this week. The last funny thing on my list is from last night. He did something naughty, and I gave him a bad look. He said, "Mom, I'm sorry I made you glare." I asked him what glare means, and he said, "It's when you act bad, and your mommy gives you a bad look." I thought that was so funny.

Big Day!

Today has been one heck of a whirlwind for us! The biggest news of the day was the first day of Preschool for Lee. Only the boys went today, and Lee loved it. He got up and was in a great mood and was ready to go when it was time. On the way there, he was quizzing me on several things we were bringing with us. I assured him that I remembered to bring everything he requested. He was quiet for a second and said, "Hey Mommy. You're awesome! I'm going to tell everyone that, okay?" Fine by me! As we were turning into the parking lot, he saw a friend's mom's car pulling in from the opposite direction, and he said, "Punch it, Mom! We have to beat Ben!" Luckily, we walked in at the same time as Ben, so he declared it a tie. He was such a good sport about taking pictures too. I took a few outside and then followed him inside for a few minutes. He went right to his cubby and hung up his lunchbox and checked himself in, just as he was told a couple of weeks ago to do. It was as if he had been doing this routine for months! Then he chose a game and had a seat at one of the tables and was happy as could be. I kissed him goodbye and fully expected some hesitation from him on my leaving. He said goodbye and kept playing. I stood at the door for a minute, and he was laughing and playing with the other boys. I was so proud of him and how brave he was. Tomorrow, the girls will join them, and I think he is looking forward to that a lot.

This is his little cubby where he keeps his things.

This must his favorite game. He chose it at the playdate too.

He wanted to wait to show us his projects until we were all home. So tonight, he showed us the turtle he colored and made and also his award for being a "Fabulous Friend." When I picked him up, he had the biggest smile on his face. As we were driving away, he told me I did a good job being the first Mommy there. Apparently it's going to be a big deal to him to be "first." Who knew that I would be the first mom there for pick up??? Surprisingly, he was a chatterbox the whole way to my meeting. He normally will not offer any details, but he was full of information today. He told me who he sat by, what the other kids had for a snack, what activities they did and what toys he played with. I was thrilled. I had a lunch meeting afterwards, and he was an angel throughout the meeting. He has been going with me since he was born, but he's never had to sit still for that long after having such a full morning. Then, after my meeting, we had appointments to get our teeth cleaned. It was rescheduled due to a conflict with the hygienist. I would not have chosen to have such a big day on the first day of preschool. Since we didn't have a choice, we just went with it.

Again, Lee was an angel. The hygienist bragged and bragged on how good he was while I got my teeth cleaned and then for her while she cleaned his. I have to admit that I was very pleasantly surprised too. I didn't expect such good behavior from him since I knew he was exhausted. We finished at the dentist and hurried home for some rest before church. We finally got home for the day at 7:50, and he barely stayed awake for story time. He might have set a record for the fastest time falling asleep tonight. I might be a close second! I have been so proud of him today and loved hearing everyone brag on him.

Cutie Cop!

Lee dressed himself in his policeman costume, again, last night. His collar was turned under, and he pulled his hat down so far that it kept pushing his ears out. He has had the best time playing in this costume already. I know next year that he will choose something like a Transformer, so I'm just eating this precious costume up this year! Seriously, have you ever seen a cuter cop in your life? (MeLeah, you're off the hook on this one! xoxo)

Never Too Big...

Tonight, as I was collecting my end of the day cuddles from Lee, I asked him if he remembered when I used to rock him to sleep at night. He nodded and said, "Could you do that again tonight?" Oh yes I can and will!! I don't care that your legs hang over the side of the chair, or that I could not stand up with you when you went to sleep, or that I couldn't move my arm for about 10 minutes after Daddy carried you to bed. If you want me to rock you to sleep when you are 16, there will always be room in my lap! Now Mamas, Aunts and Grandmothers, don't send me nasty comments on how I'm spoiling him or messing up his bedtime routine, because I know if you could go back and rock your babies, you would in a second! I loved every single second of it, and had he not been hurting my arm so badly, I would still be rocking away!

Water Party-Take 2

We were set to host the Preschool Water Party for the preschoolers at our church again this year. Matt and I filled the pools, hooked up the sprinklers, plugged in the jumper and water slide, and iced the drinks on Sunday after church. We were so proud of our progress, when we started hearing thunder. I came inside to check the radar to see that we were under a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING!! By the time I got outside to give Matt the bad news, it had started raining. We ran and unplugged everything and began dragging what we could onto the back porch. The slip-n-slide and baby pools were blowing everywhere. It was a disaster. All of our hard work went down the drain in about 5 minutes. We were out of breath and exhausted from running so much. Within minutes, it was raining buckets! The phone began ringing from guests wondering what to do. It was still an hour until party time, but our yard was quickly becoming a lake! There was no way we could have the party. We decided to postpone the party until today.
I stepped outside to take a picture of everything blowing, and Lee asked what I was doing. Matt said, "Lee, this is SOOOO going to be a blog post!"
The storm lasted over an hour, and our yard was flooded! If it hadn't been lighting too, we could have just turned the kids out in the giant mud puddle.

The real fun came today. Lee and Madi are enjoying some ice cream.

This cutie, Reese, loved the sprinkler.

Matt was in charge of pictures, and while I was helping to serve ice cream, I looked up to see him having a photo shoot with Buzz! It was hilarious to see. Buzz might have had more fun than the children. He ate all of the pizza crusts they left behind, and splashed in the pools when they were done.

The kids went to swing while we were cleaning up.

Lee ran over to Matt at the end of the party and said, "Daddy, thank you so much for making these mud puddles!" He was going from station to station as we were letting the water out so he could be the first to splash in the new puddle.

I think it was his favorite part of the day. Can you imagine what my bathtub looked like after this kid got in it?

First Soccer Game

The big day finally arrived! Lee's first soccer game was at 9:00 this morning. He was hard to wake up this morning, so I wasn't sure how he would do, but he was so excited to get there and get his uniform. He got jersey #2, which he immediately told me was for Rob Bironas, his favorite Titan, of course! I was glad he got a number that he liked. His team was there a lot earlier than the other team, so they had time for pictures and a quick game of freeze tag. The kids were so cute and funny. They played 4 on 4, so the hardest part was keeping the 4 non-players together and focused. We laughed so hard at them playing. They were absolutely adorable. Surprisingly each team scored several goals, with only one goal scored in the wrong goal. Here are some pictures from the game.

After the game, Nam gave the boys their Halloween costumes. They are going to be police officers this year. Lee was a sweaty, grass stained, dirty mess, so we told him he couldn't wear his until he had a bath. He was fine with that. Matt and I are hosting a party for the preschoolers from our church tomorrow afternoon. So we were outside getting things set up today, while Lee was having a nap. I had been in to wake him up and told him to come outside with us. I told him he could even put on his swim trunks and play in the water, but he didn't want to come. So Matt and I kept working, thinking Lee was still inside laying in his bed. Then we heard him whistling for us on the back porch. As we got closer, we could see why he was so excited.

He had dressed himself in his costume and was so proud. I love the giant tag that is still on it. We laughed and laughed, and then of course he didn't want to take it off.

I have a feeling we're going to be playing good guys/bad guys every day until Halloween!

Tennessee Football....How We Love Thee!

We didn't think football season was ever going to get here again! Here is an ode to our love for Tennessee Football and our joy that it is once again Football Time in Tennessee! Now if we could just keep the weeks from passing so quickly from now until January....

Here is Lee after the final Titans game in January. He's all smiles, even in his 3 layers of clothes!
This is one of my all time favorite pictures of Lee. It is from the first game of the 2008-2009 season. He began removing his cap during the national anthem when he was a little bitty fellow. I still get a little teary every time he does it, especially on his own.

This is the first year in several years that I (we) are truly excited to watch the Vols play. We can't wait to see what the Kiffins (& Marsalis) have in store for us this season!

Here is another one of my very favorites. This was on the way to a playoff game.

This is from the height of Lee's Patriot/Marsalis admiration. He told me that he was "being Marsalis" here. He got 2 years' wear out of his "Patriot suit," and I'm sure going to miss it this season, especially if we're sitting in 26 degree weather like last season.

He told me here that he was Vanden Bosch, who sadly has been replaced as Lee's favorite player this season by Rob Bironas. Lee has always loved Rob, but he claims he is his favorite this season. Of course it's still early.

This is how it all started for Lee. This one is from Lee's very first Patriot game, when he was 3 months old. I don't know what I was doing/thinking that night, but Matt took him to the game all alone. He has never let me forget it either. Either way, Lee has loved football ever since.