Memorial Day Weekend 2010

Well folks, we had a great Memorial Day weekend this year but I didn't take one.single.picture.  Can you believe it?  I simply forgot.  I know, I know. shocking.  We were just running around so much that I never stopped to snap a few pictures. Not even on my phone.  But, here's the run down for the memory book.

1.  Saturday moon bounce birthday party for our nephew, Luke.  William bounced 4 hours straight and fell asleep at 7pm.

2.  Sunday we went to church and helped out in the "older 3s" room.  Then we went out for pizza with the Simmons family and played at the pool for 2 hours.  William crashed on the couch for a bit and then we headed over to the DiCamillos for dinner and playtime in the backyard.  William left with 3 new, large scratched up knees and a million tears.   He's going to be ok but "didn't want to see blood come out of his legs!"

3.  Monday we went to Nordstrom Rack to celebrate the holiday with some shopping. We also stopped by Walmart for some groceries, Band Aids (see #2 knee post), and a couple new airplanes.  We came home to play airplanes for awhile and then we headed over to the Lungrens' house for a backyard bbq.  William asked me, "does Jack's house have a backyard and a garage?"  William thinks he's hit the jackpot when he encounters both a backyard and a garage.  Needless to say, tonight was the golden ticket.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY EVERYONE!

Just Talkin'

"Hold you Mom Mom"

"Hey Dada, nice house you got here."

"Dada, it's too bad you can't be my size."

"Mom, when were you a Johnston?"

"Keep both hands on the wheel Mom!  It's dangerous!"


William (trying to make his airplane noises):  "Mom, Mom!  I need your help!  I can't find my engine voice anymore!  I need to get it back!"
Mom:  "well, take a drink and try again." (he does this)
William:  "Mom, did you hear it!  It worked great.  I got my jet engine voice back!  We are ready for take off!"

"That's enough tv for now Mom Mom.  Turn it off and we can read books."

"Use your patience Mom.  You can do it, see!  Just takes a second."

"Snuggle me up with the covers Mom."

William:  "Mommmmmm, I really need to go home now. " 
Mom:  "Why do you need to go home so badly?"
William:  "Because I need to fly my airplanes.  I fly them every day and I have not had my turn to do that today yet.  They miss me."

Little Olympian

LITTLE OLYMPIANS SPORTS CAMP:  Your preschooler will enjoy a variety of different sports while learning skills and sportsmanship. Children are introduced to activities including soccer, t-ball, kickball, basketball, lacrosse, and tennis.

I signed William up for a class called Little Olympians.  It's part of the Arlington county parks and recreation classes offered throughout the year.  This class is pretty popular and I was not able to get William enrolled for the winter session.  So, here we are trying it out in the spring!  So far, he really likes it and thinks the coach is funny.  

I have a child who absolutely loves his toys and can play at home for hours at a time.  He is most content in his world of airplanes, race cars, books and a good playground.  So, I am really cautious about over scheduling his activities.  However,  I was eager to try this particular class because it provides a good introduction to all kinds of sports.  Yes, he's only 3 and my expectations are low, but none the less, it's been a fun activity for him. 

William has school on Tuesdays but this was the only class session that would work with our schedule.  So, Tuesdays end up being a long day because he takes this class after I pick him up from a full day of preschool, but the session is only 8 weeks long.  He always looks forward to sports camp and always asks me "what will I get to play this time?"  Although he has a great time running around and trying out the different sports, he's pretty pooped by the time it's over.   I usually pack him a snack which he enhales on the way home!  

These pictures were all taken with my phone so they may not appear as clear as usual.  

Another year of preschool has come and gone.......

It's the end of the preschool year for William!  He had a super year thanks to his loving teachers, Ms. Laurie and Ms. Grace.  They were amazing teachers and I am forever grateful for their dedication and sincere love for William and his classmates.  Ms. Laurie and Ms. Grace are remarkable ladies who truly made an impact on William.  They taught him SO MUCH about the world around him and spent endless time teaching the children about kindness and friendship.   I can't even begin to list all of his milestones.  Some of the highlights of the year include William learning all about shapes "Mom Mom a square has 4 equal sides and a pentagon has 5 angles", how to spell 3 letter words, mastering every detail of the 4 seasons, re-enforcing the "taking turns" rule, and forming some of his very first best friend relationships. 

It was incredible to watch him change from a little 2 year old on the first day of school into an even smarter 3 year old by the end of the year.  Even though he is still "little" he seems SO BIG to me.  I realize the baby is no longer there and has been replaced with a fun loving little boy who finds pure joy in every single moment of every single day.  I simply can't ask for more.  I hope that as William grows up, he continues to foster his gentle spirit, thriving imagination and his innocent desire to be everyone's friend. 

Here is a look at the end of the year gift that the teachers helped create for the moms.  It's a scrapbook filled with candid pictures of William "in action" at preschool, clips of his artwork, little interviews and trinkets that he's made throughout the year.  I am more than E.X.C.I.T.E.D. to have such a special present.  I told you his teachers were AMAZING and so very thoughtful.  I will treasure his preschool book for years to come.

Dallas Birthday Trip

William and I headed to Dallas for the weekend with Bebe and Pops and my sister, Rachel.   May 14th is Bebe's birthday and the 17th is mine, so we opted to celebrate our good fortune by shopping!  William was FIRED UP to see Bebe and Pops.  It's been WAY TOO LONG since their last visit.

William and I arrived at DFW on Thursday around noon.  Pops was there to pick us up and the 3 of us headed to Wolf Lodge in Grapevine.  Wolf Lodge is high on William's list of favorite places "ever" ("ever" being 3 years in toddler time travel) and although we have been to the one in Williamsburg 3 times, we had never experienced the Wolf Lodge in Texas.  Folks, it did not disappoint.  William was delighted to be at the water park and showed Pops the ropes.  We immediately got our room, suited up for the pool and hit the slides.  You would have thought William was an old pro.  He just waltzed right on in the water park area, picked out a life jacket and promptly told me to "put it on my body so I can do the wave pool."   Ready. To. Rock.

The Wolf Lodge in Grapevine and Williamsburg have a very similar toddler area.  However, there were many more toys in the water at Grapevine.  William thought this was fabulous and he spent most of his time climbing on the wave runners, shooting water from the buoys, climbing the fort, etc.  He really didn't hit the slides until we had a few hours under our belts.  William and Pops had a super time floating in the wave pool and crashing into the waves with their inner tube.   Sadly, I didn't take many pictures at Wolf Lodge.  It's just too wet and I am always afraid that my camera might end up in the pool. 

Friday we met up with Bebe at Northpark to start our shopping weekend.  The weather was kinda crummy, so taking William to a park while we shopped was not an option.  Never fear.  William was as good as gold.  A majority of the time, he is SUCH a go with the flow kinda kid.  He was just beside himself to be in the presence of Bebe and Pops that he could care less that we were spending our days in the mall.  He loved watching the duck and turtles in the pond outside Neimans, and we found a toy store with.....AIRPLANES.  Shocker.  He was in hog heaven and got to select 3 new planes to take home.  Throughout the weekend we divided our time between Northpark and The Galleria.

Rachel arrived Friday evening and William was so excited to finally get his surprise that Rachie had mentioned weeks ago on the phone.  A bag of M&Ms.  Oh how he loves his Rachie!  Saturday we hit the shops again and Pops and William explored the escalators and watched the ice skaters in between our shopping marathon.  We brought along the stroller too which was super because William could take his power nap along the way.

Saturday afternoon we also had lunch with cousin Meredith, the bride.  She's getting hitched at the end of June so we were all eager to catch up on the wedding details.  It's going to be a fabulous seated dinner  - WE CANNOT WAIT FOR THE BIG DAY!

Saturday night our family went to Rise to celebrate my birthday.  We had a delicious french meal in a cozy atmosphere of twinkle lights.

Sunday afternoon we said good-bye to Rachie and all William could do was whimper "Rachie, I miss you!" before she walked out the door.  I thought that was so sweet, but I was not prepared for the sadness that ensued when William and I left Bebe and Pops.  William sobbed.   and sobbed.  and sobbed.  He didn't stop crying until we got to our gate at the airport.  I felt so helpless as I tried to calm him down and let him know that we would see Bebe and Pops again in only 4 weeks.  Of course for a toddler, 4 weeks is like 20 years.  He was just so sad.  "Mom Mom I don't want to leave my Bebe!!!!!  Pops misses me!!!! I want to stay with Bebe and Pops!  I don't ever want to go home!  I don't like my house!  I want to stay with Bebe and Pops!" and on. and on.

The gate agent saw me and came over to visit with William.  She was lovely and a great distraction for William.  He stopped crying when she started telling him that she worked for American Airlines and knew all the pilots.  You say "pilots" and the world stands still for this little guy.  He asked her lots of questions including whether or not our plane would have winglets, did she know that American Airlines has a blue and red stripe and 2 letter As on the tail, what was her favorite kind of fighter jet, was the pilot on board, what is the pilot's name, and did she know that he had a pilot costume?  They had a super conversation and I was so thankful she was there to calm him.

Just before boarding, our sweet gate agent (Nancy) called out over the PA system: "Paging passenger William B. Barron.  Please come to the front desk, passenger William B. Barron."  William stopped dead in his tracks and gasped, "Mom Mom that is my name!"  We approached the desk to find that Nancy had found a pair of AA wings for William to wear as well as a brand new AA airplane key chain that makes noise.  He was beaming ear to ear and gave Nancy a huge hug!  She even let William board the plane first.  He got to say hello to the pilots and he told them, "I am William and I love airplanes.  I am going to be a pilot for American Airlines and Delta when I grow up. I have a pilot costume just like you."  The pilots got a kick out of that!

About half way into the flight, the pilots came over the speaker with a routine request for "everyone please return to your seats and fasten your seat belts.  We are experiencing some bumpy weather at this time."  I didn't think much about it.

Then they came back on the loud speakers.........

"We would like to extend a special welcome to our VIP customer in seat 14F, William Barron.  You might have seen this little fellow earlier while boarding.  He's had a hard time leaving his grandparents out of "Oak" City today, but we are glad to have him aboard our flight.  For those of you who will be flying in 20 years, he's let us know that he plans on being a pilot for American Airlines and Delta at the same time.  Glad you love the skies buddy!"

Needless to say, I was one proud Mom Mom.  Too bad my little pilot was fast asleep in my arms and missed the whole exciting moment.

Just Talkin'

William is still concerned with the fact that Mom Mom doesn't have a bed.

William:  Mom Mom, I have a great idea.  You like airplanes just like me so you can sleep in my bed.  I have the airplane pillows too.

Mom Mom:  Oh thank you William!  That would be great, but your bed is the perfect size just for you.

William:  Mom, Mom, Dada loves gardens so he can sleep in the garden bed.  You like airplanes better than gardens?

Footnote:  The bedding in our bedroom has an oriental pattern on it with some green leaves.  It's all very subtle, but William has clearly dubbed it "the garden room."

Celebrate!

TO BEBE AND MOM MOM!

William and I are headed to Dallas to meet up with my parents and my sister for a long BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!  We haven't seen them since Christmas (SO not like us and WAY TOO LONG!) so it is going to be one happy reunion and a very special birthday celebration!

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

William came home from school with this Mother's Day Gift.  Note the blue band aid on his forehead.  He's had it there for about a week.  Just because.

  Here is the poem underneath his picture:

Your voice to my ears is a jubilant strain,

As the birds of the fields' simple morning refrain.

Your patience and love are as timeless to me,

As a quiet stream's resolute trek to the sea.

Your face is as known to my heart as it's beat,

Your smile as pleasing as fields full of wheat.

And as sure as my breath I shall evermore know,

My home is your arms wherever I go.

To my William -

You are my very best boy.  I love you with every single ounce of my soul.  I stare at you in awe.  HOW did I get so lucky? Every single day my mind replays the second you were born.  Every single day I want to relive that moment.  Thank you William.  Thank you for making me a mom.  Thank you for giving me my very own Mother's Day.

Your very best girl,

Mom Mom

A camping we will go!

If you read my blog then you are well aware of a little lady named Ava who lives on our row.  Ava and William have known each other since they were born and see each other every single day.  They are more than friends.  They are like brother and sister. 

 Ava got a Barbie tent awhile back and she has been pestering her "not so rustic" parents about taking her camping.  I am sure they tried to brush her request under the table a few times, but she never stopped asking.  So, the Simmons turned to Mr. Dan to make her "wildest" dreams come true.

You see, Mr. Dan is our resident camper, hunter, and outdoors man.  We have a basement that might put the Boy Scouts to shame.  Inventory includes tents, poles, a tree stand, ropes, a deer head, canteens, sleeping bags, an archery range, a bow and arrow, camping chairs, fishing poles, flies, lures, night vision goggles, tons of camouflage, decoys, and various other things but I have no idea what you call them.  So, as you can see, Mr. Dan is our "go to" troop leader.

So on Friday night we took the Simmons family camping.  We headed for a car camping location near Luray Caverns in the Shenandoah River Valley.  It's run by the National Park Service so we knew it had to be very well maintained and more importantly, safe.  We got there about 4pm and unloaded our gear.  Ava was grinning ear to ear and thrilled to be on a real camp out.  

Ava and William were going a mile a minute.  I brought along 2 bug catchers so they spent a great deal of time filling them up with bugs and rocks.  When it came time for Dan to set up the tents, you should have seen these two 3 year olds.  Well, just look at the pictures below and you'll see what I mean!

Around nightfall we roasted hotdogs and Carrie had prepared a feast of potato salad, chips, fruit and smores.  She told me that if "she was going to survive a camp out she might has well go out with a good meal!"  Hince the bottle of wine she brought along for the ride.  Ava noticed the Hershey's chocolate for the smores and didn't stop asking about our "camp treats" for about 2 hours.  She was SO EXCITED and beside herself at the thought of gooey chocolate and marshmellows.  William on the otherhand just wanted a bite of chocolate and graham cracker "not on the fire mom mom!"  I only wish I had a picture of Ava savoring her smore.  I think she worked on eating that thing for about 20 minutes.  Hog heaven.

The kids continued to play in the tents and they also watched a movie on the DVD player.  The adults sat around the campfire and around 10pm we all decided it was time to turn in.  That was the latest Ava has ever stayed up and she was going strong!  The little lady was having the time of her life and she would have partied like a rockstar until dawn if we'd let her.  

The next morning we all woke up and declared Ava's Camping Trip 2010 a huge success.  The Simmons packed up and headed home around 8am, but we stuck around to try our hand at fishing in the river.  William has a Sponge Bob pole, but he's never done any real fishing with it.  Leave it to our trusty troop leader, Dada.  He got William's pole all suited up and what do you know...............

William caught his first fish!  Doesn't he look thrilled?

The camp out was a great way to kick off our weekend.  Thanks to Mr. Dan, Ava has a new found love for the outdoors.  Not sure what her parents think..........heeheee.