At the Gym

A few weeks ago Tyler's friend, Rachel, asked us to an open house at her gym where she takes gymnastics. We gladly accepted and Tyler participated in her class. He ended up loving it a lot. It was just his thing because he was doing half the stuff at home already. LOL So, we decided to enroll him in the class. I was surprised to learn that boys actually do really good in the sport because of their upper body strength. His instructor has already made comments about how amazingly strong he is, especially on the bars. This is a really exciting adventure for us and gives us something to look forward to after the end of the school week.

Legoland in Chesapeake, Virginia

This is a title.

After he finished his homework this afternoon, Tyler asked me if he could use my sticky note pad to write on. He had it for a few minutes and then passed me this paper. Apparently, they are writing sentences this week at kindergarten.

Weekend Getaway

Ever since last year when Steve had to go down to Wilmington, North Carolina to do a story for work, he has talked about bringing us down here for a little family vacation. Well, this past weekend  we took that opportunity to get away with just the three of us. We left Friday after I picked Tyler up from school and Steve came home from work. It rained hard on the way down there at times, but we still admired the fantastic countryside with many fields of cotton before reaching our hotel.

The next morning after breakfast, we headed downtown for some sightseeing. The clouds were dark and it started to rain a little as we were walking through the outdoor market, but soon it stopped again. We walked by the courthouse where some scenes of Matlock was filmed which was really neat to see. Wilmington is a quite popular location for television shows and movies; they are way too long to list, but you can check the list out here. We could have checked out the various locations all day, but Tyler was too excited to go to the "army ship to do the maze." LOL We have no idea why he was calling it an "army" Ship and what maze he was referring to, but after being on the ship, I guess the whole thing could be compared to going through one big maze. LOL The USS North Carolina is huge and is a definite must for any visitors to the area. We spent a good hour and a half going through the different departments. The neatest thing was that they used the ship's original supply for the exhibits. The battle ship was only in commission for 10 years before it was retired, which is crazy compared to the 30 year average lifespan of our navy ships nowadays. 

Going up and down those steep stairs really increased our appetite. It was time for lunch! We got back in the car and drove to town again where we found this awesome Italian restaurant. We ate lunch on the side walk and were headed back to the car when it started to rain again. Steve decided to try and take us to the nature park where the only Venus fly traps in the world live. By the time we arrived to the park, the rain had stopped. The ranger told us an area to look for the plants, but we came out empty handed. Apparently, they are very difficult to find, but we did find some pitcher plants which were cool to see. The sun came out and the weather was absolutely beautiful for the rest of the day, so we decided to get some caches. Tyler had been asking Dad if we could go geocaching ever since he came home from the deployment. LOL We found a few caches including an earth cache where we had to answer some questions about the erosion in the area.

After a few hours, our tummies were starting to rumble again and it was time to head back to town for some food. Wilmington has some of the best restaurants. Apparently the chef from the popular food show, Hell's Kitchen, is from there. For dinner we went to an old brewery on main street. There was a little bit of a wait for a table, but it was well worth it. The food was incredible. After we ate, we went into browsed through a few shops while walking back to the car. It was getting late, so we drove back to the hotel and called it a night. The next morning, we ate breakfast and did a few caches until it started to downpour. Our luck with the weather had run out, which was OK because it was time to head back home anyway. We had an awesome weekend with just the family, more fun and terrific memories made. We are so very happy and thankful to be together again. :)

Miracle Grow

A couple of weeks ago I posted a story about Tyler planting a tomato seed without my knowledge. Well, a few days ago Tyler came to me and very excitedly said that a miracle happened. I asked what miracle he was talking about. He then brought me out to the balcony and showed me the tomato plant he planted all by himself was starting to grow. :)

Pink Power

Pink is my #1 favorite color. I call it my signature color. In fact, I've always wanted to dye my hair pink, but I've never been that brave to get it done. My hair salon is raising funds for breast cancer awareness month by offering pink extensions and feathers. I immediately thought this was my chance to get my pink hair because even if I didn't like it, I could just take it out when I got home. However, they turned out really pretty and now I think I'm hooked. I surprised Steve with them and he loves the pink in my hair. He actually said I should try dying all my hair pink next time...hmmm we'll see about that. LOL

Okonomiyaki

A long long time ago I remembered Steve telling me about this Japanese dish he had always wanted to try. He had seen it once in an animation he watched one time. The dish is called okonomiyaki and it sort of like a Japanese pancake or pizza. Yasuko wanted to teach me how to make it, but we never had time, but she assisted me in getting the correct ingredients.Tonight I tried making it on my own and surprised Steve with it for dinner. It turned out more awesome than I hope it would. Our taste buds were in pure heaven. It was mega tasty and definitely a recipe that's a keeper. On a totally different note, we took our first family photo, since Steve's return home from his deployment, this morning before dropping off Tyler at school. Then Steve and I had the rest of the morning with just the two of us. :) Unfortunately, he has to return back to the old grind tomorrow. :(

Daddy Takes Tyler to School

Tyler couldn't wait for Daddy to come home so he could take him to school. Well, today was the day Tyler had been waiting for. Daddy walked Tyler into school this morning and Tyler couldn't have been more happy. Afterwards, Steve and I had the rest of the morning together. We went to Trader Joe's, did some more shopping, went for lunch, and got the brakes replaced on the Impala. When we picked Tyler up from school, Daddy treated us to milkshakes at Sonic. Overall, it was an awesome day!!!

Welcome Home, Dad!!!!

The excitement was growing more and more omeyesterday as the time got closer to Daddy's arrival home after being gone for 6 months on deployment. Steve flew from San Diego earlier yesterday morning and landed in Atlanta in the afternoon. He gave Tyler and I link to a website where you could actually track his flight home to Norfolk. Once he got on that plane and Tyler and I could actually view the flight progress, we could hardly contain ourselves. Soon we were just too excited that we had to just go to the airport and wait. LOL Tyler had been wearing his jacket just waiting for the word to go. 6 months is especially long for a 5 year old.

After about a 20 minute wait, we got a text from Steve saying that his plane had landed. We decided to go upstairs to wait for him. We waited at the end of the moving sidewalk. Tyler held up the 'Welcome Home, Daddy' sign he had made for him. Everyone thought it was so cute as they passed by him. Then finally I caught a glimpse of someone that walked exactly like Steve, but he was too far away and the lighting was so bad that I couldn't tell. We started to walk towards this person and then all of a sudden they waved to us. It was indeed Steve!!!!!! So excited, Tyler and I both ran to him. I wanted to take video, like I usually do with our reunions, but I was too caught up in the excitement. LOL Words can't really describe how good it was to share in a family hug. We've missed Steve so very very much!!!! Tyler was a little shy at first, but he soon became more talkative. We came home, Steve unpacked all of his things and even gave us some very cool souvenirs he bought for us. It was after 11 o'clock by the time we all went to bed.

 Even though we went to bed so late, Tyler still woke up at his usual time. He cuddled in bed with us and waited for Steve to wake up. Then Tyler started to tickle him. We all got tickled in the end. LOL These are the moments you missed the most when one of us are missing. It felt wonderful to be able to have all have fun again. After breakfast, Steve jumped started the Impala. The battery went dead while I was in Canada. Then we went for a little drive and through the car wash. We came home, had lunch, and Steve and Tyler watched some Ed, Edd, and Eddy, before Steve replaced the stickers with push pins for the places he went to on his deployment. Then I made Steve's special welcome home dinner. My friend, Yasuko, showed me how to make somen noodles and bean sprout salad and since Steve's loves Japanese food, this is what I decided on making. Dinner was a success; he loved it!

Then it was bath time for Tyler. Daddy read a book to Tyler before bed and then Tyler read Daddy and I a couple of books. Steve was impressed with how well Tyler's reading skills had improved since he left 6 months ago. Tyler is now asleep and it's just Steve and I sitting on the sofa. There is nowhere else I would rather be right now. I'm so thankful to God for bringing him back safely to us. I haven't stopped smiling all day today and Tyler didn't stop following Daddy around all day. Life is good.

Beyond Excited!!!!

We've been following Daddy around the globe during the past 6 months. Now we only have 1 more day until he is home. :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Preschool Scrapbooks

While Tyler was attending preschool last year, I kept all his cute little crafts he brought home to us. My intention was too someday put them in a scrapbook. Well, during the past few months, whenever the motivation struck and whenever I wasn't too overly tired after he would go to bed, I would get out a glue stick and put them in a scrapbook. The scrapbook actually ended up being not one, but two scrapbooks. It was very emotional completing the scrapbooks, as it reminded me that he was no longer in preschool and was entering a new stage in his life. I'm so thankful to have kept all his crafts he worked so hard on. They bring such happiness to my heart whenever I looked through them.

Sick Day

Tyler woke up this morning feeling a little bit better; no longer had a headache or tummy ache, however he did have a little bit of a fever. Throughout the day, his fever would come and go. We spent the day camped out in the living room watching TV and playing some card games. Later this afternoon, he fell asleep. Tyler never takes naps at home, so I knew he must have been  still feeling miserable.When he woke up, his fever returned so we took some more medication. Tonight, he seemed to be doing OK. We talked as if he was going to return back to school tomorrow. Let's hope he is all better in the morning.

Back to School, Back to Germs

When Tyler came home from school today, he headed straight for the sofa and laid down. At first, I thought he was really tired, but then he said he had bad headache and his tummy was hurting. He also seemed to be burning up. I checked his temperature and it was 101.9 degrees. So, I gave him some pain reliever/fever reducer. He laid down for about 45 minutes more before getting up again and asking for something to eat. After eating a sandwich and some soup, he started to act like himself. He talked all about his day at school and who he played with outside. His temperature seemed to be coming down as well. We then spent the remainder of the afternoon playing board games. Before long, his temperature returned to normal. Tonight, he said he felt so much better. He no longer had a sore tummy or headache, but he did have a little fever. I gave him some more fever reducer, just in case. Hopefully he'll be 100% better for tomorrow.

Bubbly

As usual on Sunday afternoons, we met Yasuko and Yuki today at the park. Yasuko brought some really neat bubbles. The bubbles were super strong and lasted a long time after they landed. A few, as you can see from the photo, some landed in Tyler's hair. The boys had a blast chasing and catching all the bubbles.

Lunch with Sandra

It's been way too long since the last time Sandra and I got together. Today she and her cutie pie kids came over for lunch. When she first came in, she was holding Samara and I couldn't believe how much she had grown. Samara now stands by herself and even takes a few steps. Her brother, Danny, has also grown a lot. Both had a great time exploring the apartment while Sandra and I caught up. Tyler was sad that he didn't get to play with Danny, but we'll see them next week when we go over their place for dinner. Very much looking forward to spending more time with the Sosas.

Tyler Says the Darndest Things

Tyler asked me to watch him fly his airplanes, but right before he starts he said, "Enjoy the airshow, Mommy!". LOL

Career Change

Tyler told me today that he wants to be a person that digs for dinosaur bones when he grows up. So, he went from wanting to be a cow to being a mailman, then wanting to be a race car driver, back to being a mailman. He said he will probably work with his former preschool classmate, Tyler T., because that's what he wanted to be too. LOL

First Day of Kindergarten

Today my one and only baby started kindergarten. For the past 3 months or longer, even the thought of today would bring tears to my eyes. I was not ready for my baby to start the "big school" because they say once they start school, they seem to grow even faster. I tried my best to hide my sadness from him, but I think he could tell how I was feeling. He hugged me a lot this morning and gave me tons of kisses. I am always so proud how sensitive and caring he is to other's feelings.

Tyler, on the other hand, was ready to get back into the routine and be with some other kids. I drove him to school and as I walked him to the door to go in, another woman was just coming out and said hello to us. She said she just dropped off her niece that was also starting kindergarten. I asked her what teacher she has and it turns out the little girl was in Tyler's class! Then we went inside and the security guard said for us to proceed to the cafeteria where we would be meeting the rest of his class. The class starts off with either lunch or snack (if you already ate at home) and then the teacher brings them all down to the class together. We'll be doing this every day.

Tyler sat down with some of his other classmates at their table and ate his Scooby Snacks and had his apple juice. He was very quiet and kept to himself. I was against the wall with the other parents and I could see him look over to me once in awhile.

Then a familiar face came in. It was a little boy the same age as Tyler that used to live in our apartment building. His family moved out over the summer and I was so sad because at that time he was the only kid we knew going to the same school for kindergarten. Then I noticed him walking to Tyler table; they were in the same class together!!! Tyler and the boy were so happy when I pointed each other out and told them they were in the same class. It gave me some relief in knowing that Tyler wouldn't be totally alone and that he would have someone he knew there too. Then I happened to notice the little girl who was sitting across from Tyler. I was thinking she looked a lot like the little girl Tyler played with here at our pool this summer. They were like two peas in a pod, they got a long wonderfully. I remembered her mom telling me that she was also going to the same school and going into kindergarten. I checked her name tag and to my surprise, it was her!!! Both had huge grins on their faces when they recognized each other. I just couldn't believe that the only two kids, we knew going to B.M. Williams were also in Tyler's class. This school is huge!!! It has 12 kindergarten classes, broken down into six AM and six PM classes. This made me feel so much better knowing he has two great kids with him. Soon it was time to leave and I had to say goodbye. It was not easy and I started to get tears in my eyes. I had to leave before he could see me cry. I came back home my friend, Heather, phoned. She is going through the same transition as me. Her one and only baby started kindergarten. So, we talked and comforted each other. It was wonderful talking with someone who was feeling the exact same thing. Then my friend, Sandra, phoned and offered to come over and keep me company. I was very thankful for everyone's support.

Before long, it was time to go pick up my baby. I was very excited to hear how his first day was. As soon as he walked into the cafeteria and saw me there, he had this huge smile. It just made me so happy. After I signed him out and we walked out of the school, I asked how his day was. He said it was fine. He said he liked his two teachers and that he sat by a boy named Jason. He also said that they didn't get to play today or go outside, but they were taught all about using the bathroom in their classroom (they have signs to use). The teacher also read them a book about raccoons that were going to school. He quickly mentioned the fact that they are suppose to be nocturnal animals and how they are suppose to be asleep, not going to school in the day. The smart little bugger. LOL I wonder if he told the teacher. Anyway, he asked if I could take him to Dairy Queen for a strawberry milkshake. Of course, I said we could. On the way home, he said he wanted to go bike riding, but first he wanted to get his wrench and take off his training wheels. LOL I told him that I'm totally not ready for that yet. I am still getting over the fact that he is now a kindergarten. LOL Taking it one day at a time.

Tyler the Tomato Farmer

This morning Tyler says to me that he needs to fill up his watering can so he can go out and water his tomato seeds. It caught me by surprise because I had no idea what he was talking about. LOL Apparently, the day before, when I wasn't looking, he saved some seeds from a tomato he was eating and planted them outside. I'm not sure what's going to happen with them. I guess we'll just wait and see, but Tyler will definitely make sure the seeds get a lot of water everyday.

Japanese Noodles and Salad

Before Steve left to go on deployment I cooked a Japanese noodle dish for him, however it was a disaster. The noodles got overcooked. Steve had always wanted to try these noodles and I felt so disappointed, even though he said they were fine. I made a promise to myself that I would learn the proper way of cooking them for his arrival. I turned to my expert friend in Japanese cooking, Yasuko, for some serious help. Tonight she showed me the correct way and also shared with me a fabulous recipe and bean sprout salad. Both were incredibly tasty and I am so excited for Steve to come home so I can make them for him. Thank you so much, Yasuko, for teaching me how to make this yummilious meal.

Meet the Teacher

Today was 'Meet the Teacher' day at Tyler's new school. Tyler's teacher this year is Mrs. Tyner. She said she's been teaching forever, which is great because she's had a ton of experience and she's dealt with all types of children. She said it's going to be a very busy year for them with lots to learn. Tyler has 18 kids in his class. Our area breaks down the kindergarten day into AM and PM classes. Tyler is in the PM class and it will consist of 3 hours of instruction per day. It should be a great year, though I must admit that every time I think about my baby starting kindergarten I get emotional. I'm not ready for him to grow up so fast.

End of the Summer Play date

Ever since preschool ended, I wanted to get all of Tyler's close preschool friends together for a play date during the summer; unfortunately there was always something going on and the plan got pushed back. So, today we finally got everyone together for one last play date before they officially become "kindergartners". We met at the park where the kids had a blast. Meanwhile, it gave us moms a chance to catch up on everything and discuss the upcoming school year. It was nice to know that we weren't alone in our thoughts and that we basically had the same questions and concerns regarding this new stage in our children's lives. Unfortunately, they will all be attending different schools, but we still plan on getting together every now and then. But I will certainly miss seeing them every morning before school.