pierce baby project

From Duke to Duchess | Photo Story Friday

2012-02-09T23:46:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe that it’s been two years since we said goodbye to Duke-the-Dog. However, he is not forgotten in any way. Duke comes up in conversation fairly regularly with Harrison and he is always pining for another dog – most likely named Duke or maybe Carl.

Then last summer he had a new plan. A parrot. I suppose between all the pirate stories, pirate toys, pirate cartoons, pirate movies and even pirate Legos, he decided on a parrot.

Why a parrot?
Because parrots can talk.

Harrison wanted a talking bird.

Now, I loved my pet parakeets when I was young, so I was able to quickly talk him into the more manageable size bird. We read about them on the internet and watched YouTube videos of talking parakeets and Harrison even picked out a name, Duke. In memory of Duke-the-Dog.

Although I was trying to hold out for Christmas or his birthday I found a great bird store that hand feeds and hand raises their parakeets and I took Harrison to see the birds. He immediately picked out a blue, male parakeet (males are more likely to talk than females) and was able to touch and hold it. He was sweet and gentle… and he was sold.

A month later, we went back to our favorite bird store ready to adopt. Harrison walked to the parakeets and picked out a sweet little yellow female. He was set, she was IT. But Duke no longer fit. Then the G.I.D. offered up '”how about Duchess?”
Duchess it was.

She’s still a bit shy.

But we keep working with her, like letting her watch some Disney channel with Harrison.

We give her the run of the house…

Yet she always heads back to her “safe place”.

And like Duke-the-Dog, she doesn’t always want her picture taken and has no qualms about screaming about it.

After I walk away.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

“Great. Now I have guilt!”

2012-02-09T13:19:00.001-08:00

I love Toy Story, don’t you? And Rex is the best… well, I love all the main characters. Although Harrison gave his Mr. Potato Head away because he said Mr. Potato Head has bad behavior and isn’t always nice.
As usual, I digress.

Back to my guilt.

Last week I started Harrison’s valentines for his class. I planned to get Trader Joe’s Organic Lollipops, but I was rushing and happened to be at Target where I spotted some heart-shaped lollipops on the cheap.

On the cheap.
Translation: filled with high fructose corn syrups and, more so, several artificial colors and preservatives that I can’t announce and would never endorse. Plus there was my internal voice saying “WHAT?!!!”, that I was ignoring with a figurative hands-over-the-ears-saying “la-la-la-la… I can’t hear you!!” motion. (I learned that from a college boyfriend who did that to me once – literally. [WHAT?!] But that’s another story.)
Anyway, I bought them and moved on.

Then, earlier this week, I was reminded about the evils of food dyes when I posted an article about the subject on my Facebook wall. That’s when I felt it, I looked at that pile of valentine cards with a shoulder-slumping sigh of defeat. That was not what I planned, heart-shaped or not, I can’t in good conscious give a candy to another child that I wouldn’t give to my own. (Even though I let Harrison try one – DOH! Maybe that’s why he was hyper the other night.)

Food coloring dye. Maybe you have heard of Red #40 and are familiar with the studies on the effect of [petroleum based] food dyes on children’s behavior, especially children with ADHD. I first heard about the effects of red#40 from a friend while at Disneyland in 2008, she asked me, “Do you notice a difference in Harrison’s behavior when he consumes food with red#40?” “No”, I answered. She responded by telling methat it’s in everything including Kraft Mac and Cheese. I thought for a moment and realized I hadn’t bought Kraft Mac&Cheese for some time. I went home that night and looked through my cabinets and I discovered I no longer buy most name brand packaged foods. […reason why I suck at collecting those silly Box Tops.]

Fast forward to today and the ongoing war against food dye, while the FDA has recently concluded that there is not enough evidence to link food dye with hyperactivity and voted not to add warning labels to ingredients, others beg to differ including the CSPI. Even the UK removed artificial dyes from the food beginning as early as 2008.

Consider this from the CSPI:

On my Facebook page alone, a friend brought up that her son is allergic to all synthetic food dyes, which is in EVERYTHING from our food (including fresh fruit) to our clothing. I’ve heard stories from friends about the change in behavior they observed when they cut out the artificial colors and preservatives from their child’s diet. But my other concern is that most of these dyes are more carcinogenic than once thought to be. Why do we continue to fill our bodies with petroleum based preservatives? It doesn’t even sound appealing!

And I’m not even going to start on High Fructose Corn Syrup, that’s another entire can of worms.
But think about this – HFCS and food coloring started to be used in mass in the 1970’s, less than two decades we began to see a shift in the health and weight of our children and now we are in an obesity epidemic.

Just to keep it real, I am not perfect and I’m not a food Nazi either. We do consume HTCS and food colors when were out and about it can’t always be avoided, but I don’t buy products with those ingredients. It’s one of my baby steps to better eating along with better planning and fresh ingredients.

So when Harrison takes his completed Valentines cards with a little treat attached to school next week, I will have no guilt.
Next to a home baked goodie, it’s a treat that a mom can be proud of giving.
Okay, I’m pushing now.

But even a 1st Grader can pronounce every ingredient on this lollipop label.

The Next Best Thing

2012-02-07T11:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, some days I hate living in a condo.
Because honestly, some days I just don’t feel like going down to the nearest park for outside time.

Some days Harrison hates living in a condo.
Not because I won’t go down to the park for outside time.

No.

Because he wants a tree house.
And why not, he’s a boy.

Heck, I wanted a tree house when I was a kid… and I’m a girl.

Anyway, this summer I did the next best thing I could do, I went to Home Depot, picked up some wood and put together a portable tent, all for less than $10. I’m so handy - I even drilled the holes in the wood for bolts so I could fold it and move it when need be (I guess those Theater set building classes in college finally paid off)!

It’s a little big for inside this home, however we had to give it a test run.

Then we set it up outside on the deck. Yup. I used a curtain rod to hold up the fabric (which I already had).

After some select toys, pillows, blanket and twinkle lights, he was set.

He spent hours out there… until the rain set in a couple months later and we had to take it down for the season.

Back yards and tree houses are highly overrated anyway.

Not Really.

Linked | Sleep and the Big Blue Blanket

2012-02-03T16:36:00.001-08:00

What is it with us moms and our sleeping babies? No, he’s not a baby any longer; but like so many other moms feel, he’ll always be my ‘baby boy’. So how could I deny the rare opportunity capture the sleeping boy one afternoon.

I love these quiet moments when all is well with the world. When I just look at him and sigh.

He came home from school this day, asked for a snack and announced he was going to take a nap. A nap that lasted almost 3 hours. A nap that doesn’t happen often.

A nap cocooned in his Big Blue Blanket.

I bought the blanket on clearance at Target ( I love Target) to use as a throw blanket for our old, beloved blue sofa right before Harrison was born.
I think we love that sofa almost as much as our blue rocking chair. Maybe because it’s one of the first pieces of furniture we purchased as a married couple. You would start to think we’re hoarders or have a thing about the color blue. No, not really… on either count.

Harrison didn’t have a comfort item when he was tiny which was quite challenging. Until he discovered the Big Blue Blanket. (as it is now called) around two-years-old. The blanket has not been very far from him ever since. It’s even made several appearances on the blog and flown half way across the nation multiple times over the last couple years.

I know the days are numbered for both the ‘boy’ as he is now and the blanket… which is starting to show it’s wear - not unlike an much-loved stuffed animal.

In the mean time, there he lay, on the sofa, sound asleep, happily wrapped in his Big Blue Blanket. Perfect, beautiful, peaceful.

I love these sweet quiet moments…

I still remember the day I noticed those freckles appear and I LOVE those little eyelashes. Sigh.

Such a peace to this sleeping boy.

Of course then he wakes up and it’s ‘Game On!’ once again.

Never a Dull Moment.

Get linked each week this year with: Tracey, Stacey, Michelle, Heather, Andrea, Jenn, Jessica, Kristin, Sara, Janet, Lesli, Amanda, Amanda, Naomi, Tracey, Rhonda, Carla, Lena, HeatherA

Harrison and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Harrison woke up on Monday and it was raining. He doesn’t like the rain. He gets wet in the rain. And when he got to the table to eat breakfast, he was greeted with a waffle and hash brown patty instead of pancakes. Waffles give him heart burn.

“Waffles don’t give you heart burn.” I responded.

“They do today”. He answered.

On the way out the door I gave him a different umbrella, it’s doesn’t open automatically – the other one opens automatically. The other one has to spokes sticking out, I don’t want him poking some kid’s eye out. I got a heavy sigh and frown.

At school, he got in trouble for not listening – “twice”, he announced.

“I was telling friend #1 not to sit on the square because something yucky was on it, eeww! Then the teacher told me I needed to listen.”

“Later on friend #2 wouldn’t move forward, he’s supposed to move forward! I told him he has to move forward – the teacher told me I have to stop talking and listen.”

During recess Harrison fell and scraped his knee. He told me that it REALLY stung but “there are only two reasons you can go to the nurse - if your bone is sticking out this way (as he twists his wrist into an unnatural position) or if you’re bleeding”.

“I wasn’t bleeding.” He huffs.

Then at the end of the day friend #3 jumped in a puddle, kicked water toward him and got his socks wet. He had to walk home in wet socks.

“I hate wet socks!”

At home I sat down on the sofa next to him to listen to his day assuring him that we all have bad days, he burst into tears and blurted out, “And now I can’t find the paper fortune from my cookie and it was really good!”

“…I was kind to that little boy in the store this weekend and helped him find his mommy and then he smiled at me and my fortune said, ‘be kind to others and kindness come back to you’… BUT NOW I CAN’T REMEMBER IT AND I LOST IT!”

(we found the fortune under the dining table.)

Later, as I started making dinner, he was jumping up and down behind the counter, playing peek-a-boo with me... Until he misjudged a jump and bumped his head underneath the counter.

Not too long after that as he hid under the table, pouting about yet another indiscretion, Daddy came over to inform him it was time for homework. A short drama ensued. We told him he had to come out and do homework or else and as he crawled out in his grumpy state, he stood up too soon and banged his head again – “in the same place!”.

“I’m really having a BAD DAY!” he cried.

We sat down on the sofa to regroup and pray. After a few more tears, I played him a Nina Simone song– reminding him that tomorrow will be a new day.
God and Nina, that made him feel better.

The G.I.D. told him that his mantra for the day was,
“Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down".
And even though it was lost on the six-year-old – I smiled.

At the dinner table I read Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Harrison laughed and happily declared, “At least I didn’t have THAT BAD of a day!”

And with that, bedtime was a breeze.

I hope it doesn’t rain next Monday…

A Big-Kid Room

2012-01-24T00:32:00.000-08:00

It’s actually been MONTHS since we re did Harrison’s room. After we moved we had to combine Harrison’s room with the toys from the guest room/playroom/TV room. Not to mention the toys big Brother brought over to the house before he went off to college.

It quickly become obvious that just moving the furniture from Harrison’s nursery wasn’t going to cut it in the new space. We had to let some of it go to move forward in a new environment.

I searched for a good couple months. Finally, I landed on the Ikea Expedit shelves as the perfect resolution to my space issues. Shelving that could grow with Harrison.

So off we went to Ikea to get the new furniture – only to find out they were changing manufacturers and would have the units for two – three months!

Let me tell you, we have three Ikeas within a 50 mile radius – I tracked them all and I became very well acquainted with Craigslist to no avail.
Finally, they were back in stock and I drug the hubby to the nearest Ikea as fast as humanly possible.
I didn’t get the walls painted yet, but we love the outcome of Harrison’s room.
Harrison loves the outcome of his room.

In the picture above, you can see the clear bins that hold all of Harrison’s Legos. I love these; most of the time he only dumps one small bin at a time as opposed to dumping a giant tub all over the floor.

We swapped out the smaller unit in the closet with the vintage chest of drawers. It works much better next to the bed and still fits the pails that hold miscellaneous toys.
As he cleaned his room the other day to prepare for a play date, he stood back to take it all in. Suddenly he jumped up on the bed and announced, “There’s room here for another person! Hey, Can I have a sleepover! I’m ready for a sleep over now!”

The question is: Am I ready for a sleep over.

Oh, and notice how good he looks in those jeans… just sayin’.

Snapshot Sunday | His Happy Face

2012-01-23T10:57:00.001-08:00

My dear friend over at Barely Controlled Chaos made a list of goals for the year that included taking a “favorite photo of the week” in an attempt to pick up her camera more this year. In my own life blogging fell by the wayside for so many reasons in the last two years.

The other night as I read through some old blog posts and released a couple more drafts that got left behind here at PBP , I realized how important this platform is in recording the precious moments the G.I.D. and I share with our sons.

Moments that I would have otherwise have forgotten.

Moments that make me happy.

So as I took pictures of Harrison late Saturday night for my 366 Project (picture a day), I captured a moment that I kept coming back to for the rest of the weekend. He was in the middle of a laugh while putting together a new Lego set.

I caught that happy face and I LOVE this picture.

I LOVE his HAPPY FACE.

One of the categories my friend has added to her blog is “Snapshot Sunday” a resurrection of sorts of Best Shot Monday … and I loved Best Shot Monday. (Apparently, I’m feeling a lot of love this Monday morning…)

I know it’s Monday, but I was computer-free yesterday and I just had to share MY favorite snapshot this week, Harrison in his “Happy Place”.

Happy Monday!

What!?! {photo story friday}

2012-01-20T10:20:00.001-08:00

He told me he he doesn’t like jeans.

A BOY who doesn’t like jeans!

I mean, REALLY? Boys and jeans go together like a horse and carriage, peanut butter and jelly, salt and pepper, Rosemary and Thyme, Laurel and Hardy, George Burns and Gracie Allen… well you get the idea.

Heck, when I was a kid, I longed for jeans. Where I grew up jeans were cool – especially Levi’s. And I WANTED Levi’s, no other jeans were good enough – not Calvin Klein, Wrangler, Lee or Sassoon. No. I needed traditional, button-fly Levi’s. But don’t cry for me, I had jeans - I just didn’t own a pair of Levi’s until I was in college.

Harrison, however, has already owned several pairs of Levi's (Thanks to Big Brother, re-sale stores and friends). Although it’s not about Levi’s; he doesn’t like ANY jeans. He admonished me again this morning when I made him wear jeans to school (instead of exercise pants),
“Mom, remember, I don’t like jeans.”

I remember, but you’re wearing them anyway.

I mean after all, who DOESN’T own at least ONE pair of jeans to wear occasionally?

Then again, there was my mom.
She owned 77 pairs of polyester, elastic-band pants - in a rainbow of colors.

Not one pair of jeans.

Apparently the no-jeans gene skips a generation.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Wordless Wednesday | Zombie!!

2012-01-18T00:58:00.000-08:00

This year it's been all about zombies.
Not that we have ever watched zombies...

Then again, they're everywhere during the month of October.

...and there was that one time when he bonded with "Headless Harry".

Wordless Wednesday | He’s Going to be a Street Performer…

2012-01-12T09:05:00.001-08:00

Happy Wednesday!

Don’t Get Between Me and My Tooth Fairy!

2011-11-17T00:08:00.001-08:00

Harrison has lost his SECOND tooth! Being the Bad Blogger I am now days, that has come and gone just like his first tooth.

But not forgotten.

At our house the Tooth Fairy MAKES an appearance.
(And leaves four shiny sliver coins – because gold coins are harder to come by now days.)

Harrison received a sweet little book from Grandma last school year. It was perfect timing, honestly I hadn’t really put a lot of thought into the Tooth Fairy yet. Well there was that moment some time ago when I realized I didn’t have a tooth fairy action plan and panicked – and then conveniently forgot about her. By the time he lost his first tooth in August Harrison was ready with his expectations!

Oh, the book came with a little pillow!

And a pocket in it large enough to hold four quarters.

Harrison read his book and made the plan. Coins. Only coins.
GOLD Coins. (but I talked him out of gold) That’s all he wanted. (actually one coin was sufficient for him – just like in the book. He was set to go! But he’ll accept four.)

As for the tooth fairy…

Well, she is a bit flaky. She forgot to stop by for the second tooth. (yeah, that didn’t go over so well) I can safely say she fell asleep on the job! oops.
BUT… technically, Harrison lost his tooth as he was going to bed that night…late. The tooth fairy was already out for the night’s work and picked up the tooth the second night. That’s how they work, you know.

Lucky for [the Tooth Fairy], Harrison doesn’t put the little pillow under his pillow. He leaves it on the shelf next to his bed. Boy, is it easier for the Tooth Fairy to reach it there! (I’m just sayin’)

I just wonder where she leaves those teeth after her late night of tooth pick-ups?
No. Really. Where are the teeth?

I understand everyone has their opinion on the tooth fairy and Santa Claus and the Easter bunny, etc., etc., etc. Harrison’s school friends have already told him she doesn’t exist. I think a part of him believes she doesn’t exist. (and it doesn’t help when she’s a no-show!) But conversations with him and his long, thoughtful contemplations over the matter leave him pondering it all; and I will tell you one thing…

DON’T GET BETWEEN HIM AND THE TOOTH FAIRY.

Hands On Art

2011-11-09T17:07:00.001-08:00

When I was a little girl, I loved art projects at school. I still remember making an “African mask” out of aluminum foil molded to my face and then painted them with bright paint. I drew, painted, colored, glued and even molded with clay – art was a routine part of the curriculum.

A lot has changed since then.

Fortunately, now days, Harrison experiences unique art projects through a volunteer-run program called “Hands on Art”. Hands on Art provides children an opportunity to experience different mediums of art as well as learn about famous artists as they create.

I volunteered in Harrison’s classroom during their Hands On Art project, Tumbling Tiles. Harrison loved the project; his tiles took a life of their own, each one connecting to a different “world”.

But he couldn’t take his artwork home. The children’s artwork is kept and displayed in local restaurants and at the schools events throughout the year.

As we walked home Harrison asked if he could make another set of tumbling tiles.

Easy-peasy! I have already have cardstock squares and oil pastels. He immediately got to work on his own personal set of tiles.

Then he had me record videos for some special people.

If you can't see the video in your email click here.

Hey, maybe he’s going to be a teacher!…

Wordless Wednesday | A Creative Force

2011-11-09T00:11:00.001-08:00

Finally.

Yes Finally, we fully enforced the practice of no TV or video games during the weekdays.
Not that it was ever a babysitter or we were lazy. Nooo – not us!

I can say that our house is more peaceful and the boy is always busy with something.
One day was three hours of picture drawing and narrating that truly were story boards.

With him, a picture really is worth a thousand words.
He just can’t spell all of them yet.

Then there are the days when he becomes a creative force to be reckoned with!

Or a creative force to be thrown into the tub for a good scrub down…

Wordless Wednesday Here.

Wordless Wednesday | Mom! I LOVE Reading!

2011-10-19T00:22:00.000-07:00

I think those are three of the most important words any mom wants to hear.

After 'I love you', of course.

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

First Grade

2011-09-14T20:25:00.000-07:00

It could have been a rough start, really. He'd spent the last month being overly emotional about everything from the flavor of his toothpaste, to too much chlorine in the pool at camp. The constant high emotions were starting to get the best of me.

We asked him a couple times if he was excited about first grade starting soon,
"No, I'm scared my teacher will be serious and mean."
That summed it up. And nothing we could say would ease his mind. He's stubburn that way.

I have NO IDEA where he gets it.

Even his eating habits leading up to that fateful day had begun to deteriorate. He was quickly becoming the pickiest eater on the planet. Kindergarten had gone extremely well. We all loved his teacher and she had told me she was placing his with the perfect teacher for him. She totally "got" his personality and embraced it. I trust her and I believe last year really set a positive tone for success in elementary school for Harrison.

His first day of school was August 30; which happened to be the same day the GID was going in for an outpatient surgery. What timing.
We walked Harrison to school that morning and I didn't even bring a camera for that "first day" shot. (I think I was feeling as overwhelmed as Harrison.)

Yeah for camera phones in the 21st Century! ...we have one picture to treasure from that morning.

One quick shot as he made his way to his classroom. The first day of First grade.

The two of us left and went directly to the hospital for mapping and Pre-Op. The day flew by and before I knew it, it was time to leave to pick Harrison up from school (the same time the GID would be going into the actual surgery).

I arrived at the school gate and only waited for a moment before Harrison came running and jumping into my arms with joy gushing from his being.

"I LOVE First Grade! It's awesome! I love my new teacher! She is so NICE! She's even nicer than my Kindergarten teacher!"

And there it was.

I dug my face into his little neck to hide the stream of tears as my body heaved with an emotion I couldn't control. I was so happy. So relieved. A weight lifted off my shoulders. Soon after, I made my way back to the hospital to pick up my husband, all was well with him, too.

Two days later, Harrison rushed around before school in an excited frenzy, "Today is my FIRST day of exercises!!"

Every morning the first through fifth graders have morning exercises before they start the daily classroom routines. Harrison was ecstatic to finally be a part of it.

Peeking around his teacher, he throws me one last wave goodbye.

I think it's going to be a good school year.

Photostory Friday | Did You Know #4- T-Ball Season

2011-08-04T21:43:00.000-07:00

Harrison played T-Ball this Spring!

Yeah, I'm a bit behind...

Anyway, Harrison enjoyed the experience and I thought I'd share just a few revelations of the game. Like how that ever-popular baseball pose seems to just come so natural- regardless of age... or experience... just saying.

There is always time for a dance {while-you-wait-for-some-action} routine!

Let me tell you, it only takes one simple distraction to unhinge this age group's attention span...like the Goodyear blimp, or more importantly (and I quote) "THE MOON! LOOK, THE MOON!"

Or dirt.

Boys and dirt - need I say more.

But really, at this age, it's all about the snacks...

And the playground after a game.

Because, remember - There's no crying in baseball!

Plus we absolutely loved our coach; he really worked well with the boys at each of their levels of ability ...and attention spans. He rotated them around the bases throughout the three innings of the games to give them an opportunity to learn each of the different positions. Thanks Coach!
In the end, it was a fantastic first year of T-Ball

To see more of Harrison's Season, feel free to click on the slideshow.

If you can't see the slide show in your email click here.

Then go visit Cecily for more Photo Story Friday posts.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Goodbye Kindergarten!

2011-07-01T20:24:00.000-07:00

We couldn't have asked for a better Kindergarten year. Harrison's was funny yet firm with her kids, never showing favoritism in the classroom and every morning we walked Harrison to school and then watched his dart down the walkway to his playground. Homework folder and lunch in hand.

We would walk over and stand outside the playground each morning and watch him interact and grow. Often before we could leave for home, Harrison would run over to give us that one last hug before he started his day.

We knew how quickly these days would fly by; and they did.

Suddenly there was that final day of darting across the walkway and around the corner. Lunch in hand.

So much bigger, even from the distance it's not hard to tell he had completely abandoned toddler-hood once and for all. He had grown four inches in one year.
Crazy.

First Grade Here We Come!

Wordless Wednesday | Just Because

2011-06-21T23:42:00.001-07:00

Before you know it, you go from this…

to this.

Where does that time go?

Happy Wednesday.
More Wordless Wednesday here.

Carl

2011-06-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

It was an instant connection. Harrison spotted him from across the tent area and was immediately drawn to him. He had stopped to talk to a couple others, spending a few minutes with them and listening intently to their needs; but when he saw Carl, he stopped in his tracks.

Carl was different. He was patient, quiet, kind and gentle. The perfect blend of a personality to draw someone in immediately. And he was handsome too, with jet black hair and deep brown eyes - even I took a liking to him.

The two of them sat together, Harrison would gently talk to him and rest his hand on him. They just sat there together for a good 45 minutes just looking at each other, sometimes talking, often not as they also watched the crowd swirl around them.

Harrison didn't want to leave but we had to, we still had a full day ahead of us. he said good bye and turned away. We were stopped momentarily and Harrison turned to look at Carl again.

"Mom! Carl's gone!"

"He's probably on a bathroom break," I responded.

Harrison ran over to where he had been sitting. sure enough he had gone a bathroom break.

Even handsome little dogs need potty breaks once in a while.

Just a few faces of the other new friends he made.

How can you NOT love those teeth!

My grandma, what BIG ears you have!

Unfortunately, {as much as I quickly} wanted to, we couldn't take Carl home with us that day. And underneath him his was his father, an Australian Sheppard - sadly, their owner lost her home and she and her children are living with friends who wouldn't accept the dogs so she had to give them up and now they will be split up probably. Carl is only 2 years old, I wish were in a place to take him.

There were so many dogs needing a good home. If you do think of getting a dog, I implore you to consider adopting - especially from your local pound, as they have a much shorter life span as opposed to the private non-profit agencies. Mr. Teeth and Big Ears above are both from Los Angeles Animal Service, adorable little Carl (who yanked at our heartstrings) is from Doggies 911/ Paws With Needs. Just a {very} few adoption agencies in our county include Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue, Chihuahua Rescue, Downtown Dog Rescue, Large Foundation, Life for Paws, Los Angeles Animal Care and Control, Paws L.A., SPCA L.A. And here is an extensive list for L.A. County. Just Google "dog adoption" for your local area and you will find a lot of agencies, even those who specialize in certain breeds. And if you are looking for purebred, check out your local animal shelter because about 25% of dogs in the shelters are purebreds. Another reason to check out the city shelters/pounds first; approximately 4 million dogs and cats are put to sleep yearly due to overcrowding so you truly are saving a life!

Duke-the-Dog was a rescue dog and he was one of the best dogs I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.

For us, I know the day will come when we can and will introduce another dog into our family.

It will be well worth that wait, I'm sure.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

WW | So Many Pencils, So Little Time

2011-06-14T23:52:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I don't recall Big Brother getting so many pencils in school and I think I collected maybe this many pencils during my entire school experience including high school!

Yet, just over half way through the year he already had a Fist Full of Pencils.

I think when all is said and done tomorrow, he will have averaged about three pencils a month for the last 10 months. (This is why I added a pencil sharpener to Harrison's party goodie bags.)

And that was only Kindergarten.

More Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Did You Know | Visiting the Tide Pools

2011-06-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

In February we were blessed with a visit by old friends from South Dakota. I absolutely adore this couple and their family, I’ve known Him since high school and He started dating Her about the time I started dating the G.I.D. and they were married only months before we were. Anytime we have opportunity to travel back to SD we try to see them; so what a treat to have them with us for a change!

Seriously, it had been WAY too long since Harrison and I had ventured down to the tide pools and they are so close. I forget all the hidden beauty in the big city we live in. After three days at Disneyland, I know our friends {nature-loving} were delighted to spend the afternoon in and near the ocean.

As were we.

It really was a perfect day.

Did You Know Week | Turning Six

2011-06-13T18:20:00.000-07:00

It's crazy to think that the boy is six already. And amazing how fast his kindergarten year went. As it is, we only have seven days of school left this year. (insert spinning head here).
{Hopefully} Over the next week as we are swirled about in our end-of-school-year, kindergarten graduation activities, I will have a few “did you know” posts catching up on the first half of 2011. (yikes)

Before my previous desktop computer died, I had started a post about Harrison turning six.
I’m sure it was filled with my usual sappiness that accompanies each of the birthdays in his short life thus far. Alas, that post got lost in the chaotic shuffle of life these last few months. So I will forego the sap and get right to the story… in pictures.

Backing up, I wanted to give Harrison his first real birthday party on his fifth birthday; but that became impossible with the upheaval in our lives last year. This year I was set to make it happen and Harrison was SET on having it at…

CHUCK E. CHEESE

Fortunately for us adults, Chuck E. Cheese wasn’t so bad on a Friday night.

Of course, fitting 20+ kids into the frame of a 50mm lens,while trying to crop out other camera-wielding adults was next to impossible. I threw in the towel. (hey you parents, send me some of your good group shots!)

Then I found out that six years old is NOT too old to go to Build-a-Bear with a gift certificate for a free animal. Meet, Hootie – born March 12 and joins Bucky and Fuzzy Bear (a white bear with a golden cross on her foot, born March 4, 2010 – apparently, Bucky needed a girlfriend. Although her gender changes occasionally…).

Finally, to finish off Harrison’s birthday festivities, Aunt C sent him a Star Wars Captain Rex Helmet – oh yeah – that rocks!

Thank you once again to EVERYONE who helped make Harrison’s sixth birthday extra special! We are so thankful for all of you.

Who Knew

2011-06-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

...that saying goodbye to a silly blue rocking chair could pull so many emotions from our entire family.

We all have sat in that chair, read to Harrison, held him when sick, cuddled with him, slept in it or just, plain, hung out on it.

I suppose we're a little sentimental around here; but even Big Brother, back from college, let out a little sad, "aww" and voiced his own memory when I told him it was being picked up.

Maybe we just weren't ready move on from it yet; but sometimes life dictates those things.

And it was a sacrifice we needed to make for a growing boy {who happened to inherent just a few legos...} to get from the baby room above to here:

The silver lining is that we know it's going to a wonderful couple who are about to become a happy family-to-be through adoption. I hope it will be as much a blessing for them as it was for us.

We'll miss sitting in that rocking chair.

...That{well loved} silly blue rocking chair...

After all, for us, it was home.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Wordless Wednesday | Finding Nemo

2011-03-23T00:37:00.000-07:00

“Let’s Name the Zone, the Zones, the Zones!
Let’s Name the Zones of the Open Sea!!”

More Wordless Wednesday here and here.

Must Love Legos

2011-03-22T00:35:00.000-07:00

There must have been a note accompanying him when he was born inscribed with “must love Legos” but I missed it.

Maybe the love of Legos is just embedded in the male DNA like leaving the toilet seat up, hogging the TV remote or watching Star Wars over and over again.

All I know is that he discovered them at age three and it has been an unceasing love affair ever since.

BUT…as much as he loves them [and I get lost for hours building the sets - only to have them torn back down, brick by brick], they are also the bane of my existence.

Organizing them in the old house was bad enough, but the new smaller space? UGH!

I swear they multiply at night and strategically place themselves about the house so that we step on them in the morning, cursing the people who created them. Every. Single. Person.

Everything I tried to organize them so far has failed, deep bins mean a dump onto the floor is eminent on any given day. [even I had to dump Legos out to find small pieces for sets I was reconstructing] I knew I needed clear, shallow boxes that were easy to manage and would fit in Harrison’s existing closet shelves. So after AH-LOT of internet searching in vain; I finally stumbled upon the perfect container – ON SALE for 40% off! Joanne’s Fabrics carries Protect N Store boxes, normally used by scrapbookers and crafters but they are perfect. Oh the beauty of organization!

They even have inserts that fit inside the box for further organization, perfect for the 60+ mini-figs floating around the house.

We have since filled up three (Ikea Expedit) cubbies below,

five containers deep.
That’s a lot of Legos.

I’m thinking I LOVE Legos.

Dear Aunt Chris,

2011-03-21T00:48:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we went to a party for our friend, the #1 Lucy Fan and thought of you so we saved you a special candy bar!
Only…
I forgot it was being saved for you.
You see…

I ate it! [even though I wasn’t supposed to and didn’t ask if I could]

I’m so sorry! I couldn’t help myself, it sat there for days, beckoning me to feast on it. Finally, after mommy told me no more snacks - I had to wait for dinner, I spotted it. I tried to run; but my feet were caught in the quicksand of temptation! AND it called to me.
And I was SO hungry! So when no one was looking at me, I grabbed it, and sat under the table, and savored every bite; or should I say BOTH bites since I only had two bites before I felt really guilty and told mommy what I did right away.

{this is my sad look}

I can tell you for sure, that mom and dad were NOT happy with me for eating your “I Love Lucy” candy bar. (but as I marched to my room in defeat for not listening and waiting for dinner or asking first before eating candy, they were secretly giggling that I sneaked under the table to eat it in the first place.)

If it’s any consolation… It tasted really good.

The good news is that we have another one! Although Mom and Dad have hidden that one from me quite well; I don't know why, I learned my lesson. I always ask first…
well almost always.

Sincerely,
Your God-Son, Harrison

There be Leprechauns Out There!

2011-03-17T20:36:00.000-07:00

Harrison’s kindergarten class had to make leprechaun traps; I don’t remember making leprechaun traps as a kid. Ever.

Apparently, being of Irish descent…
I was deprived.

A Lego Mini-fig got a jump on the trap before it went to school, “Ooh, Gold!” he exclaimed.
[No seriously, He did]

Uh-Oh! Trouble!

“It’s a Trap!”

Did you really think he could keep Star Wars out if it?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

SOOC | a lazy Sunday afternoon

2011-02-13T16:41:00.001-08:00

It’s hard being five-years-old. You have to be right about everything. Every. Thing.
You have to practice reading, you can’t watch TV all day, you have to write your name on 20+ valentine cards, you have to stop at the store with you parents, you can’t go to the McDonalds playground that you spied while in the car, you neck hurts, your head hurts, you’re thirsty – right now!

…and that’s just Sunday morning.

Then after some cuddling and all the whining and pouting and gnashing-of-teeth, it all went quiet.

and that’s where I found him - fast asleep.

Don’t you love those days where you can just dig in and take a nap?

I know I do.

Wordless Wednesday | The Eddie Café

2011-02-08T11:50:00.000-08:00

After making breakfast with me, he became inspired - once again - and soon concocted several dishes at his latest eatery, the Eddie Café.

This special dish had a great name; but it has since escaped me. Good thing it's WORDLESS Wednesday.

My personal favorite {Harrison created} restaurant was "Hot Naked" because "it's spicy hot and you tear off the skins of the fruits and veggies to eat them".

Happy Wednesday!

More Wordless Wednesday here.

Famous Last Words

2011-02-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

"but let's hope he doesn't stick his tongue to a frozen metal flag pole when we visit the Midwest this winter."

What was I thinking to even utter the idea anywhere?

We visited the St. Louis Arch over Christmas; the first time for Harrison and me. It is pretty freakin' cool!
[Oh yeah, you see where we're going with this]

Now the boy doesn't read his blog, and I don't THINK we talked about it in front of him... AND I know for a fact we didn't Triple-Dog-Dare him; but non the less, a light-bulb went off in his little five-year-old head immediately after I took a picture of him standing up against that gigantic, cold, metal wall.

I can only imagine the wheels in his brain turning as he examined it, "Hmm, this is interesting, I wonder what it tastes like; what will really happen if I touch it with my tongue..."

...and before I could stop him, out came the tongue and made contact with the cold surface of the arch.

Yup, I took the picture first - then I did the mom-thing,

"Harrison, Eeww! Don't lick the Arch"!

Luckily, it was only 30 degrees out and his tongue didn't stick.

Never. A dull moment.

The Daddy Files | “This is not the castle you are looking for…”

2011-02-01T20:35:00.000-08:00

One of our dear friends had a very important birthday this year, one of those ending-in-a-zero birthdays – always an occasion for a BIG birthday bash. So that’s what he did. It was hosted at his friend’s home in the Hollywood Hills. Sadly, I wasn’t able to attend the event since I was already in Huntington Beach attending a photography workshop.

But the G.I.D. took Harrison and Big Brother to the party. On the way there he told Harrison they were going to a party in a REAL castle. Harrison wasn’t buying it… until they pulled up to the house.

Shortly after arriving Harrison was ready for something to drink, being out of practice in the art of “just-in-case” snack preparedness for children, Dad had left the canteen behind. He couldn’t find a single beverage that was mom-worthy (not even bottled waters). So as he handed a plastic cup, filled with what he deemed the least unhealthy drink, to Harrison he muttered “Your mom is going to kill me.”

Harrison took one sip of the clear liquid in the cup and an expression of utter shock, bewilderment and excitement washed over his face all at once.

“ WHOA!! WHAT?… IS?… THIS!??”

Just like that, he guzzled down his first-ever 7-Up and immediately held out his cup for more. It’s hard to say just how many more he had that evening; but he seemed to handle the sugar rush fairly well.

Later in the evening, Harrison was apparently being followed about by a smaller boy who became quite taken with him; unfortunately he quickly became annoyed by the younger, much louder boy. Being five years old, Harrison’s way of dealing with the boy was, well… uniquely, creatively… Harrison.

He finally stopped, looked seriously at the boy and waved his hand from left to right saying, “This is not the castle you are looking for… Move along…”

The little boy just stared blankly at Harrison. Speechless.
(Apparently, his dad hasn’t versed him in the finer points of Star Wars yet.)

Three Up - Twelve Times

2011-01-10T21:17:00.001-08:00

Blogging often taken a back seat to our busy lives in 2010 but the intention was always there. As I browsed through my personal photos from 2010, I remembered events and adventures we went on, all the moments we lived that didn’t quite get blogged and I realized the incredible growth that took place in this wonderful little boy - in just. one. year.
So here it goes…
Three Up – 12 Times.

Hard to believe that in less than two months he’s going to be six years old.
He amazes me every day with his energy, his wit, his spirit.
He is a BOY… ready to take on the world.

WW | "You'll shoot Your Eye Out!"

2010-12-08T00:12:00.000-08:00

I LOVE a Christmas Story. Classic.

And when Harrison dressed up for "Red Ribbon Week" as a scientist (the best we could come up with) and {very} reluctantly posed for a quick pictures... Well, one word came to mind. Ralphie.

He warms up...

Luckily, no Red Ryder BB gun here; but let's hope he doesn't stick his tongue to a frozen metal flag pole when we visit the Midwest this winter.

More Wordless Wednesday here.

The Daddy Files and a Dead Fish (OR When Mommy Takes a Pass)

2010-12-06T04:11:00.000-08:00

Daddy had just sat down in Harrison's room to read a bedtime story when I walked in to fix the bed covers.

I had barely crossed the threshold when, with alarm in his voice, Harrison said, "Mommy, Speed Racer is dead!"

Sure enough, in the bottom corner of the tank, Speed Racer lay motionless. Daddy looked at me and asked, "When was the last time you fed him?"

"Oh, you're funny..." I respond. Then I looked at the fish food container hidden behind a small pile of Legos and wondered...only for a moment. "I fed him yesterday!" I added. [I think]

So I tell Harrison that "we'll take care of him tomorrow" and before I can skip a beat Harrison asks, "Can we cut him open and look at his insides like a scientist?!"

Eh...er...

Then like any [good] parent, I brushed off the request and said goodnight. I'll flush the dead fish, end of story.

Not.

Upon returning home from work the next afternoon, I open the door to immediately be greeted with, "ARE YOU READY TO CUT OPEN MY FISH NOW, MOMMY!"

Great.

After wrangling, negotiating, posting on Facebook, getting advice, watching fish dissections on YouTube, old-fashioned bribing [with a pet burial], and finally convincing Daddy to take on the task - we had a dissection of said dead fish.

Poor fish, poor dead fish.

Poor dead, stinky fish...

Oh, but look at that cool eyeball!

Five minutes later, he was off to do something else, "Thank you, I'm done."

With that, Ken flushed the remains as planned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day Harrison asked, "Daddy, what did you do with Speed Racer?" Er...eh... "I flushed him".

"Oh," Harrison said, "I wanted to give him a Decent Burial."

Pause.
"Well, Navy officers and Pirates have burials at sea, that's decent."

And that was all he needed to know.

Now and Then #2

2010-12-03T22:09:00.000-08:00

I bought the sunglasses for Harrison during his first visit to Disneyland when he was only 3 months old. It was too bright for him and I had forgotten his little baby pair at home plus he absolutely insisted on facing forward in the sling (and NOT sit in the stroller).

He rediscovered how cool they were at two-years-old. And we thought that with the Mickey sun-glass part of the frames open he was reminiscent of, maybe, a blond Harry Potter.

See what I'm sayin'...

He's a keeper.

So are the glasses.

Let the Holidays Begin!!

2010-11-25T09:48:00.000-08:00

We hope your Turkey day is filled with many blessings, joy and not TOO MUCH stuffing!

Wordless Wednesday | Yum

2010-11-10T09:03:00.000-08:00

Hello Candy Season!

It's only the beginning...

More Wordless Wednesday here.

Photo Story Friday | He's going to be a Method Actor!

2010-11-04T23:52:00.000-07:00

Harrison started out his Halloween festivities at his Awana Club this year. He was told to dress up as his favorite Bible Hero. I asked him who he wanted to be; thinking Moses, King David, Noah... even, maybe, Job.

"Jesus" he answered.

"Oh-K."
And like that, I had my first costume-making challenge. Not one of my strong suits...

Fast forward one week, Harrison tests out his costume; lovingly, sloppily sewn by Mom.

That serious look on his face? It's his "Jesus" look.

Did you know he walks on water, too?
Or in this case, the Big Blue Blanket.

The day of the event we hopped into the car and headed down the street as the sun is setting.

"Look at how beautiful the sunset is tonight!" I say.

He proudly responds, ""I made that."

I look at him. "Remember mommy... I AM Jesus."

How could I forget.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Now and Then

2010-10-08T13:46:00.000-07:00

I don't get as much time to blog lately, which is sad because days fly by with lighting speed and the camera is out more, capturing the moments, than not. But somehow in the transfer to the blog there seems to be a clogged connection on my part.

Then I see images like these below and I know they are only the beginning of MANY "now and then" moments to come. If there is any area in our lives that time is {truly} "fleeting", it is childhood and parenting our "babies".

I will probably continue to habit of posting less on Harrison's blog; but I thank God that I started a blog to begin with! It serves as a living scrapbook book of Harrison's baby and Toddler years - and into his school years that I never would have sat down to maintain in any other way. I would have missed documenting so much of this great adventure I'm blessed to experience had it not been for this little corner of the internet - originally set up to easily share Harrison's growth with friends and family.

It became so much more for all of us...

Have a wonderful weekend.

Just Smashing!

2010-09-09T22:02:00.000-07:00

There are times when you just need to SMASH something and that is exactly what we [Harrison] did one evening.

After finding that a 30-year-old remote control car no longer worked (like that's a surprise) we were about to toss it in the trash when Harrison spotted a rubber mallet nearby and asked if he could crunch the car.

Why not?

"I'll get the safety goggles!" I happily replied (...and the camera).

My safety goggles were too big. (what? doesn't every mom have safety goggles?)
Therefore out came the Handy Manny goggles!

...oh and the "I'm tough" look. Yes, he's acting. Once again.

Oh. And don't forget the box.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

No Boundaries

2010-09-03T00:17:00.000-07:00

We live in the city...or at least on the edge of the city, pressed happily against the vast ocean. Yet, when we face the ocean the concrete jungle still lay behind us, waiting to swallow us up once again and in the city we are always on our guard because, really, that's just the way it is.

But in South Dakota, there was no endless sea of concrete, no fences, no boundaries. For days Harrison went outside and played in the yard, or out in the hills in a sea of nature. And he was content.

This day was spent planting wheat...

First you have to pick it.

Then you dig a hole for the "seeds".

Then comes the water...

And mark the spot because, really, the hard ground looks the same everywhere!

Then come out the next morning to see if anything has sprung forth!

Better yet, chase grasshoppers, just like mommy used to do as a child...until they spit on her.

And what ever you do, don't think about traffic and smog, crowds, TV and video games, chain-link fences and BOUNDARIES.

Because sometimes a child just needs to be... a child.

Hosted by Lisa and Cecily

Wordless Wednesday | Snap. Crackle. Pop.

2010-08-31T22:47:00.000-07:00

Always still "firsts" to have; like Rice Krispies!

And Oh, did that boy laugh when he heard them in the bowl the first time!

More Wordless Wednesday here.

Success!

2010-08-31T15:45:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that today was the first day of kindergarten? (Heck, I haven't even caught up with the summer)

What does Harrison do on his first day?
Wakes up at 5:30 this morning.

5:30!

A.M.!.

When I went into his room expecting the usual - him warmly snuggled in his Big Blue Blanket, asking me to lay down and cuddle with him - I found him draped across his rocking chair, half dressed with the bedside lamp on; he looked up and said, "I'm going to school today!" {not until we all get a little more sleep...}
Within minutes, he was snuggled between us in our bed for another couple hours of needed sleep.

At 8:15, we all walked to school together, holding hands and greeting other families also walking to school.

Suddenly I was having a Mayberry moment.
And it felt so right.

He was slightly pensive at first.

But Daddy reassured him of the fun he will have in Kindergarten.

Then off he went to meet new friends
(I stayed with him for the first day)

And just for good measure, he finished the day with his first school injury. A elbow scrape from the "high top"... "I didn't cry." he announced. In case you (or we) were wondering.

That's my boy!

Wordless Wednesday | Remember?

2010-08-18T00:50:00.000-07:00

Remember the days when merry-go-rounds were common in every park? We spent hours playing on it, balancing in the middle with no hands; running around pushing and chasing it, getting it spinning faster to the perfect speed and then - just at the right time - jumping on!

(and hoping we never fly off ... again...'cause most of us who ever rode on one flew off at least once.)

Lucky for me - he didn't fly off once.

Happy {Wordless} Wednesday!

SOOC | Encouraging Creative Play

2010-08-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

When I grew out of my toys my mom put many of them into storage for the day when I would have my own children. Let me tell you, 30 years takes a toll on things when they get packed, unpacked, moved from here to there and ultimately, left in the elements. Not everything made it and the most damage/loss took place after my mom passed away some 16 years ago.

Finally, those toys {albeit only a handful now} are in our hands, being played with - just as my mom envisioned so many years earlier.

Unfortunately, I tossed a Little People house, schoolhouse and, sadly, a castle because of the damage from not being stored properly(the later I probably could/should have saved; but the pressure of limited time pushed me to toss it); but what he doesn't know doesn't bother him, right? (The castle still bothers me...)

But what is so wonderful about having these toys here in our home is that he has spent hours playing with them, making up little lives and conversations that are NOT birthed from any movie, TV, Lego or video game characters.

He is playing with these timeless toys the way toys were meant to be played with...

By using his imagination.

It's quite an imagination.

Straight out of the Camera

Wordless Wednesday | Happiness

2010-08-11T00:27:00.000-07:00

Sometimes...you just have to let them have one.

When Five-Year-Olds Pack

2010-07-27T02:07:00.000-07:00

Also visible - one flashlight, one "snake" swimsuit and one ball cap ready for vacation action.

We loved watching Harrison pack his suitcase. He was quite passionate and determined about what had to be in it all the way down to his tooth brush; which when reminded that he still had to brush his teeth he exuberantly responded, "I have a spare!"

Once he was all finished packing and wheeling his suitcase around the house he announced to the GID, "Okay while we're gone you're in change."

See you in a couple weeks!

Wordless Wednesday | The Chair

2010-07-14T17:46:00.000-07:00

There is sits - in the only open space we have now days - the inspiration chair.
And he sits in it every chance he gets.

He's made it very clear that this chair isn't going anywhere.

Check out more Wordless Wednesday here.

A Little Magic

2010-07-08T23:56:00.000-07:00

Now with a volunteer from the audience I will show you, the audience, how a magic trick is done.
It's a secret from Harrison so don't tell him...

I have two decks of cards, which color to you like, Harrison? Red?

Okay, we'll use blue.

I'll shuffle the cards you pull a card - but don't look at it...

I'm going to show our audience - shhh, no hints to Harrison.

Hold it on your chest, no peeking and don't let me see it!

Now from this deck of cards, I will choose your card.

As you can see it's a normal deck of cards just like the blue deck of cards, no tricks...

In my hand I am holding the card that matches your card...

What do you mean this doesn't match Harrison's card?

He has the eight of hearts?

Harrison, hand my your card...

They match! They're both the ten of hearts!

And that, my friends, is magic.

Now for the big finish, I will break free from the straight jacket behind me while singing opera...
[true story]

Hosted by Cecily and Serious Krystyn

Mom! Take a Picture of Me!

2010-07-06T23:54:00.000-07:00

And like this!

Okay, like this...let me see...

and this...

How 'bout this!

"how about one nice smile, honey?"

sigh.

More Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Best Size for New Adventures

2010-07-05T13:32:00.000-07:00

I admit, sometiimes I miss this size (but not necessarily that sleep deprecation that accompanied it).

But, oh, look at what this size can do!

***************************************************************

he went from this (into the wading area)...

To this...

To finally this!

Each time he tired something new down the water slide, he squealed with delight. He got a couple bumps and adjusted, he came out of his tube one time and landed in the water only holding on to it - but again, he didn't panic. And after of five hours of swimming in the deep end, he went off to swimming lessons this morning with a new found confidence in the water.

So why wasn't I nervous about Harrison's new adventure in the water.

Because I was happily standing near this guy most of the time!

This summer is about BIG {boy} steps. About trying out new things, going places with new people and making what was once impossible (due to mere size) - possible! So I was delighted when Tracey quoted one of my favorite stories, "Alice in Wonderland", today. It is perfect right now.

Visit Tracey's beautiful post today and see more Best Shots.

Happy Monday!

Already?

2010-07-01T20:33:00.000-07:00

He started [big kid] day camp!

You know, the kind where he gets on a big yellow school bus and rides off to fun parks and places...

{without me along-side him}

He was giddy at seeing the bus ready for him to board.

And he didn't even blink an eye.

His first big field trip - to the Long Beach for a guided boat tour around the harbor!
Next week - a trip to the California Science Center for a scavenger hunt.

{I blinked several times realizing just how fast the last five years have gone.}

---------------------------------------------------------------

He also started swim lessons in the morning before camp, five days a week. Phew, what a schedule! I'm even tired at the end of each day. We're busier now then we were during in the school year!

(at least the karate lessons are over with for a while, we were doing those 3x a week through the month of June...)

Summer.

Has.

Begun.

Only...
the living ain't so easy.

Take it away Ella!

Well, I can always fantasize about lazy summer days, drinking iced tea and cool lemonade; but heck, even the weather hasn't been agreeable - we've had 65 degree days for the last couple weeks. That's not Summer.

Harrison asked his dad the other day, "Why is it so cold in the Summer?"

That's what we want to know.

Hosted by Cecily

Wordless Wednesday | Toy Wars

2010-06-23T22:03:00.000-07:00

When Wooden People and Lego People disagree...

"me and my three ninja friends can take all of you wooden heads... including the little bald baby in the back!!"

More Wordless Wednesday here.

Wordless Wednesdays | First Times.

2010-06-16T00:06:00.000-07:00

Harrison is five years old now so he's had a lot of firsts; thankfully there are many more yet to experience...

His first pair of flip-flops and...

His first solo ride down a Fun Slide on Memorial Day weekend.

(well, sitting next to me anyway)

More Wordless Wednesdays here.

A Bittersweet Ending

2010-06-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

Today (Friday) is Harrison's last day of Preschool.

The. Last. Day. Of. Preschool.

I can't believe it.

I started this blog when Harrison was just pushing two and half and just starting to go to preschool while I worked. Now he is finishing up his Pre-K year and he really is very excited about Kindergarten.

But as fast as the Toddler years were left behind, now the Preschooler years have all but vanished as well and it is [once again] - bittersweet.

What makes it even more melancholic is the loss of a very dear teacher last month. Miss Maureen or Teacher Maureen, as Harrison referred to her.

photo courtesy of Teacher Chris Anne

Very unexpectedly Miss Maureen, who had been a part of Harrison's school years since he first started, passed away. We loved Maureen and she loved - well - EVERYONE. I have never met someone with so much love and such a powerfully positive outlook on life. Even in the frustration of her most current, on-going health problems she kept smiling. This year had been extremely challenging and, sadly, she was out more than in the classroom the last few months. Only weeks before I received an email from her saying hello to Harrison and I and saying how much she missed everyone and hoped to be back soon. I can't delete that email now. It's my last communication with her; how sweet she was.

She often shared the funny stories with me of how Harrison would bring up Jesus into the classroom or a school event {at his Jewish preschool} - especially around Christmas time. She loved him.

As I sat at my computer yesterday sorting through pictures after Harrison's End of the Year Program and pot luck lunch at school, he got up on my lap and said, "I love Teacher Maureen".

The program had been dedicated in her memory so she was fresh in his mind again. I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I responded, "Me too Honey, me too."

Then we talked about how she is up in heaven keeping an eye on us and, in Harrison's words, playing with Dukie-Dog and keeping him company.

photo by Harrison

We'll miss you Maureen and thank you Chris Anne for teaching and loving our kids!

This year during the special programs Harrison quite often decided not to sing instead he would run to me and cling - I don't know why; but Wednesday he gave it his all - one. last. time.

Preschool Days

If you get this by email and can't see the slideshow click here.

It has been a good run, preschool. I'm going to miss seeing his little face in the hallway on the way to movement or music or Shabbat; but for him, the adventure is still only just beginning.

There is so much more to come.

Wordless Wednesday | Have I Mentioned We ♥ Books

2010-06-08T23:36:00.000-07:00

And I mean LOVE.
The weak-in-you-knees type of love when we walk into Barnes and Noble and spend two hours easily.

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating.
but only a little.

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday | Teacher Appreciation

2010-05-05T23:28:00.000-07:00

This week is Teacher Appreciation at Harrison's school. We are so thankful for them and all their hard work!

First day of school '09

Feel the Rhythm

2010-04-30T01:03:00.000-07:00

Harrison and I were invited to a VIP Kid's Club Kick Off Party at Waterside Marina Del Rey by our friends at Fresh Brothers Pizza. The day included My Gym activities, food from Mendocino Farms and Fresh Brothers, face painting as well as entertainment by a group called Rhythm Child.

I LOVE drums {as well as music from around the world} and Harrison shares in that love; only with much better rhythm - thanks to his dad's genes. So when I looked up Rhythm Child before we left for the party, I was excited about their vision. In their words, "Imagine if bob Marley, John Lennon and Otis Redding held a family music festival on Sesame Street..."

You had me at Bob Marley.

Even with all the fun and distractions, Harrison honed in on the music, picked up drum sticks and the rest is...

Well recorded.

He quickly picked up pace with the music.

And once again, his Rock-n-Roll heart was set free.

Seriously, check out Rhythm Child, you can find them on Facebook and Twitter - you'll get hooked on the rhythm!!

Hosted by Cecily and Caitlin

SOOC - Beautiful Days

2010-04-25T00:10:00.000-07:00

He's five years old. Five years going on 14. I know, I said that when he was four.

But it's true.

And it's exhausting work - molding a boy who will some day become a man.

So today was just another fun day out. Off to the Museum of Natural History to see the butterflies. And there's nothing more like music to a mom's ears then when the words muttered from a child's mouth are, "I love the Museum!"

He also dug for fossils...

Pet a tortoise.

And ran into (or from) a baby T-Rex that got loose in one of the exhibit halls!

Best of all, we got into the car to head home, and I got to hear three more unprovoked words that swelled my heart with joy, "I had fun."

I did too sweet boy, I did too.

SOOC Saturday

Wordless Wednesday - I ♥ {heart} Family Game Night

2010-04-21T01:23:00.000-07:00

More Wordless Wednesday here.

Have You Tried Speed Watching?

2010-04-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

We've heard of speed reading, and even speed talking but Harrison took it to a whole new level yesterday after school when he asked to watch a movie.

He chose a VHS movie and put it in then asked me to speed past the beginning. I handed the remote back to him and turned back to my work. It soon became silent again so I turned around.

"I'm fast forwarding past this part, mommy!" he informed me.

And then, as many of us moms do on occasion (don't hate, we've all been there at least once!), I tuned him and the TV out.

Minutes later Harrison asked, "Can I watch another show now?"

WHAT!?
I swung around in my chair and began to say, "But this just started..." only to stop mid-sentence as I saw him standing in front of the TV, remote still in hand watching the credits roll by.

He had watched the ENTIRE movie in fast forward.

All I could do was laugh.

Although I think he could be on to something.

Wordless Wednesday - He Often Ponders

2010-04-14T00:02:00.000-07:00

This was taken the day before I packed his room to move.

Two nights into our new home he asked, "Mommy, is my blue flower walls still out ours old house? Can we go back there after the new people leave it?" After a short exchange and some tears it took all I had to get out of his room without bursting into tears, too.

But don't be sad we are all happy and well in our new home!
More Wordless Wednesday here.

The Daddy Files - "You the Man!"

2010-04-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while I was away from the house Harrison walked into his dad's office and sheepishly asked, "Can I play a video game?"

"What did your Mom say?" Daddy asked.

"She's thinking about it." he responded.

"Well I don't want to go against Mommy..."

Harrison froze in thought for a moment and then his face lit up...

"You The Man!!" he exclaimed, pointing at Daddy with both hands.

He got to play a video game.

Best Shot Monday - Play Date

2010-04-12T00:14:00.000-07:00

It seems like a normal play date, playing with the mailbox delivery again, rolling around the floor in tickle fights; but it's different... he's older and he gets to play Big Brother's old video games.

So now when we play, he's BomberMan, or Mario, or Glover and I get to be a "Boss" (a.k.a. the bad guy). Today he was Bomberman and I was a tickle boss (as well as the mailman) but I got to deliver mail the Bomberman's planet. At least I got to ride in a rocket ship up to the stars to help save the planet.

A nice change from always being the "bad guy".

The camera came out because:

Harrison would like to share with you -- his shoe.
The bottom of his shoe to be exact,
On his foot upside down.
I'm not sure why anymore.
I'm pretty sure he told me the reason.
Something about BomberMan.

My best shot today... my worst shot. Totally blown out, but it leaves me with his eyes and a hint of his profile...I love this shot (another one of those happy accidents).

Happy Monday!

Visit Tracey Clark for more Monday Best.

Wordless Wednesday - Out of Steam

2010-04-07T00:25:00.000-07:00

We got home from the Farmers Market and he walked in, collapsed on the floor and said, "I'm going to lay down a minute mommy."

I ran back to the car and returned to find him like this.

He woke up long enough to shift

Check out Wordless Wednesday here.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Easter... {SOOC Saturday}

2010-04-03T14:41:00.000-07:00

Today was the annual Easter Egg Hunt that our church hosts at a local park.

I'd say Easter's off to a good start.

Happy Easter everyone!

Photo Story Friday - We have a Poltergeist!

2010-04-02T00:07:00.000-07:00

That's what the G.I.D. said when he came out to the living room to tell me I needed to come see something.

"Oh no", I thought, wondering what I would find. After all Harrison is going through a second phase of turning on the light to play after bedtime. Only now days he's not upstairs in the back of the house, he's just down the hall.

When I glanced in his room, he lay crashed in his bed with Legos all around him, on the floor, dresser, bed and in his sleeping hands. When he went to bed, his room was clean, his Legos were tucked away in the closet waiting for a new day.

Frankly, I breathed a sigh of relief in that it wasn't another "No David" incident. (By the way, we haven't read that book since that incident. And I didn't send him off for counseling either...)

Two things struck us about this scenerio (not to mention he was JUST DOWN THE HALL):

a) Once again we didn't hear him. (and have I mentioned we're only down the hall...) Apparently we were too engrossed in the final season of Lost. Either that, or he is the stealth bomber of five-year-olds. Not. A. Sound. - but deadly serious in his after bedtime play.

and
...
b) Is the vintage dog, strategically placed to watch the door, really that good of a look-out? Does Harrison know something about that dog that we don't know?

The dog put there. Random.

We have our hands full with this one, oh yes, it's just beginning... He's a sneaky one.

I love how he just plays until he falls asleep, toys in hand and words on lips (but I'm really going to have to move that lamp).

No child was awakened in the making of this moment.

Hosted by Cecily and Life With Kaishon

FOUND!

2010-03-03T00:05:00.000-08:00

Baby Jesus disappeared right before Christmas - protective fire hose and all.

I knew it was only a matter of time before he would show up...albeit long after the Christmas decorations were packed away; and I was right.

One morning right after we started the process of packing to move, the G.I.D. let me sleep in, as I lay in bed in blissful rest for the first time in weeks (Holiday illnesses were relentless) Harrison came and jumped on me with excitement,

"Mommy!! We found Baby Jesus!" There he was, over a month later, back in Harrison's hand. As he had pushed his fingers down the side of the arm chair, Harrison's fingers made contact with the little Jesus.

That chair was the ONLY place in the house we didn't look.

All is well in the little manger again.

I guess that's a highlight of moving - we've found many things that have been {temporarily} lost for some time.

Now we just need to get Baby Jesus back safely in his Christmas box.

The Sweet Taste of Purim

2010-02-26T23:33:00.000-08:00

For the last few days Harrison has literally been nipping at the bit, so to say, for hamentaschen; a cookie made during the Jewish holiday of Purim.

I love Purim, I do believe it is one of my favorite Jewish holidays, albeit a minor holiday. Okay, it could be that I get a kick out of the fact that Judaism has a holiday that actually promotes drinking. But before you go all postal on me, let me just share this quote from Judaism 101 Dot Com
We are also commanded to eat, drink and be merry. According to the Talmud, a person is required to drink until he cannot tell the difference between "cursed be Haman" and "blessed be Mordecai," though opinions differ as to exactly how drunk that is. A person certainly should not become so drunk that he might violate other commandments or get seriously ill. In addition, recovering alcoholics or others who might suffer serious harm from alcohol are exempt from this obligation.

I remember how surprised I was when I first learned about Purim during a class about Judaism at the first synagogue I worked at. I was the only born-again Christian sitting in the room and I about fell off my chair, to think - they want you to drink on that day! Now if you wonder why I was so shocked, I as a Mid-Western Christian had a preconceived idea of Judaism based on three movies that lean toward Orthodox [based] Jewish traditions.

Are you ready?
Yentl - Barbra Streisand
The Jazz Singer - Neil Diamond
Fiddler on the Roof - Topol

Yup. Everything I once knew about Judaism, I learned from musicals.

Now for me, Purim is like a Jewish Halloween - in terms of celebration and dressing up in costumes (sans spooky, scary characters), only it IS a religious holiday based on the Biblical book of Esther.

As much as Halloween may have some {loose} roots in Christianity (I'm not going into the history of All Saints Day, etc), it is considered by most religions, including many Christian denominations, as a pagan holiday not a religious holiday.

So today, as we move into Purim, Harrison got to celebrate Queen Esther all day, eat hamentaschen, wear his favorite pajamas to school (it was a pajama theme this year) and run around and around the Temple Patio in the form of a "parade" with all his friends.

Wow, I think he got the best of both worlds in Preschool these last couple of years.

As for that long hair, he's been getting tangles in the back lately. I told his that's what happens when hair is a little longer...

He wants short hair again.

Searching for Baby Jesus...

2010-01-06T00:26:00.000-08:00

All the Christmas Decorations are packed and ready to go back to the cellar - with the exception of one small but important piece.

Baby Jesus is MISSING!

We have searched the house high and low, Harrison just can't remember where he last air-lifted him to.

Yes, I said air-lifted.

Um, well he probably watched ONE too many Christmas videos this year with me being sick and all -

Be warned of the dangers of viewing Mr. Bean...

After watching this the next morning baby Jesus was airlifted by a toy fire-hose to the firehouse and shortly thereafter Mary, Joseph and Jesus' bed were transferred over ending with a fireman saying "Ahem".

Unfortunately, a few days later baby Jesus was carried off once again and on Christmas morning there was no baby lying in the manger.

Thus the search began.

We're still searching.

I blame it on that pesky Mr. Bean.

A Gift for God and Jesus from Harrison

2009-12-27T23:51:00.000-08:00

Harrison ran over to me the day after Christmas and asked, "Mommy, will you take a picture of me to send to Jesus in heaven as a gift, I will tell him I love him and I love God and Merry Christmas."

We decided on a moving picture...

Unfortunately, the battery DIED the middle of what he had to say... so he did a second take.

Happy New Year!

If you get this by email and can't see the videos, please click on the link to the blog and watch it online.

Five Words He Didn't Use Today...

2009-12-26T00:18:00.000-08:00

"May I watch a show?"

Harrison went to bed last night without a clue that there would be presents under the tree to open. It's the GID's tradition to put all the gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve after children have gone to bed. So as much as Harrison has talked about what he wants for Christmas, and talked about the Christmas Story and baby Jesus, watched Christmas shows and spotted Santa; he went to bed content with the small toy he brought home from his God Parents house.

With that, he didn't wake up at the crack of dawn, nipping at the bit to get down stairs, rather at 9AM (still too early for us older people) he yelled out "Mommy! I'm Hungry!"

Out of bed we fell, and began the tradition of Christmas morning; albeit, slowly.

[I wonder if next year will be different?]

First box he grabbed was what he wanted...

BAKUGANS!

Then he opened his remote control Tarantula. Yep. This is as close as he's going to get to having a pet tarantula.
Heck, I even squirmed opening the package to insert batteries [I know, it's pathetic].

And just when he was all finished and taking it in, he spotted one last box under the tree.

A castle...

And then he played and played and played and played...

He took a lunch break...once it became a picnic in the living room.

One happy kid!

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

"I want an OfficialRedRyderCarbine-ActionTwo-Hundred-ShotRangeModelAirRifle!"

2009-12-14T00:47:00.000-08:00

That's what I imagined him saying as he went flying up the street to meet Santa Claus.

It's also the one time of year when it is OK to run in the middle of the street - hands free.

He wasted no time getting up there to have a quick chat with Old St. Nick; after all, he had his agenda and luckily it didn't end with Santa saying, "You'll shoot your eye out kid." followed by a Santa-boot to his head giving him a boost off the sleigh.

Instead Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas and he bashfully whispered Bakugans. Santa flashed me the puzzled, what-did-he-say, look and said, "Well, okay then."

Shortly thereafter, Harrison was quickly presented with a lollipop and plucked off the sleigh. I think he is still a bit disappointed that Santa didn't have a Bakugan ready for him right then.

But disappoint doesn't stay too long in a four-year-old's head when a lollipop is stuck in his mouth...

Just like that our Santa-sighting for 2009 is over. All is well in the world - Santa knows what Harrison wants for Christmas.

and he wont' be disappointed...

Sometimes Words Aren't Necessary

2009-12-08T23:48:00.000-08:00

More Wordless Wednesday Here.

Crafting Some Christmas Spirit

2009-12-07T22:33:00.000-08:00

After quiet and careful examination of the delicate objects spilling out of the Christmas boxes, he took a lick of the over-sized lollipop and exuberantly announced, "we need to make a Christmas Star for the top of our Christmas tree!"

Armed with a little bit of cardboard, aluminum foil and tape, we went to work creating a star.

Six bottles of glitter glue later...

we're still waiting for it to dry.

That was Sunday.

Wordless Wednesday - You Lookin' at ME?!

2009-11-17T20:59:00.000-08:00

check out Wordless Wednesday here and here.

BSM: What Winter Looks Like in Southern California...

2009-11-16T11:22:00.000-08:00

And when he's finished being a Gap model for the day....

and I quote:
"COME ON! LET"S GO ON A NATURE WALK!"

OH, I'm feeling the peaceful nature here.

Yes, I truly am grateful for this little boy in my life.

I Love Firsts

2009-11-09T00:34:00.000-08:00

"Let's make pudding!" I said one afternoon a couple weeks ago.

What's pudding?" He responded.

Then I realized - we had not made any pudding at home yet. He's almost five years old and had not eaten pudding.

Poor, deprived child.

Then again, he ate half a bowl and left rest stating that he didn't like chocolate pudding.

Not like chocolate pudding, who's kid are you anyway??

Two nights later I finished off the yummy pudding
...the next day he asked for more.

Apparently he had a lapse in judgment that first time around.

When I Sleep In...

2009-11-06T16:51:00.000-08:00

I came downstairs one morning this past week after sleeping in for an extra hour. Harrison and Daddy were moving through their usual morning routines by the time I joined the party; as I poured my morning coffee and attempted to get a baring on the day Harrison called out from the living room,

"Mommy can you get my kitchen knife and pirate spear!"

I stopped in my tracks - Kitchen Knife?

What could they have possibly been doing before I got out of bed?

"Kitchen Knife?" I repeated. Still pondering the "spear" part of the sentence.

"Oh, nevermind! I got it!" Harrison said as I honed in on what he was talking about.

Much to my tired relief the "kitchen knife" is the only play knife from his wooden food cutting set and the "spear" is his Pirate eye-patch. Phew!

[Yeah, I don't get where "spear" came from either]

Hey, at least he's not darting around wielding REAL kitchen knives...

Hosted by Cecily and Emily

Is It Christmas Today?

2009-11-02T08:39:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning Harrison awoke and called out to us, "Is it Christmas Today?"

No, I answered.

"You said Christmas was after Halloween."

He's right, I did say Christmas came after Halloween. Obviously I wasn't clear on how soon after...

A couple quick (and blurry) poses as we rushed out of the house & shortly before the battery died (the spare at home, oops).

He wanted to be a Knight Jedi.
No, not a Jedi Knight.
Trust me, there is a difference.

We went up the street to the local "Trunk or Treat" in a church parking lot - car trucks opened to trick-or-treat and a Jumper (i.e. Bouncer, Jump House, Inflatable). Harrison trick-or-treated at three cars and headed straight for the jumper (that he remembered from his two hour jump fest last year).
"I have enough candy!" he declared as he darted.

Since Daddy came along this year, we talked him into coming out long enough for some traditional trick-or-treating up and down one block.
He boldly went up to each door, knocked loudly and yelled, "Trick or Treat!" in that adorable little-boy voice of his. A couple houses [with lights on] didn't answer and finally at the last house he gave his last ditch effort and yelled "Trick Or TREE-EEET!" and then proceeded to have a short in-depth conversation about one of his toys with the woman who answered the door.

Back down the street, we returned to the Trunk or Treat and closed it down - in the Jumper. Yup, two MORE hours of standing around meeting other nice parents waiting for their kids to work off sugar-highs in the Jumper. Guess what... the Jumper doesn't work.

PEACE OUT!

All I have to say is next year He is carving the pumpkins!

(Copied over from Just Add Color where I accidentally posted it in my delirium.)

No Harrison!

2009-10-28T23:50:00.000-07:00

The other night I opened the door from our living room to head upstairs for bed; but the door wouldn't open, there was something heavy blocking it. My heart skipped a beat as multiple scenarios raced through my mind in the split second it took to focus in on the dark floor. I saw something white that at first looked like a paw of our dog who has been gone for over a month. Then I realized, lying in a heap against the door was Harrison - wrapped in his big blue blanket, fast asleep.

I have no idea how long he lay there because we didn't hear a peep.

I picked him up and took upstairs to his room. As I stepped into his room and I stopped in my tracks; I couldn't walk any further. In the darkness I could see that something was amiss. Or... a lot of things were a mess.

I carefully stepped over blocks and books and animals and toys to lay him down. I called the G.I.D. up and turned on Harrison's light, he was shocked. Honestly, we were disturbed. This was so unlike Harrison; and for all of the - destruction - we didn't hear a thing! I mean, seriously, he emptied shelving units, storage buckets (and then stacked them) and baskets of books. This took TIME. It looked like a child through a fit with arms flailing, clearing flat surfaces and throwing things. BUT - we. did. not. hear. a. thing.

The next morning Harrison woke and called for me, as I came in and he asked, "you turned out my light?"

"Um, no. I put you back in bed after you fell asleep downstairs..."

"Oh yeah..." he smiled with a remembering chuckle, "I turned out my light."

"I see you were busy last night."

"I was gentle with my toys, Mommy..." he proudly announced, "and very quiet!"

As I glanced once more at the toys

and books strewn throughout the room

I had to know...

...do I need to take him to a child psychologist or call a specialist in paranormal activity for a possible poltergeist?

So I asked...

"Harrison, why did you do all this?"

"I wanted to be like David."

David?

Then it dawned on me, the one reason I didn't like a particular book; because not only will kids try things they see on the TV, they will try things they see in books.

Case in point:

It ended up in a pile of quarter books from a book sale. And we had read it the night before. I paged through the book and found Harrison's inspiration.

And Harrison said, "See mommy, David gets to watch a show!"

Then he was painfully reminded that his name is NOT David and that HE would be picking up some toys before watching any show.

At least it's not a poltergeist!

Two Wheels!

2009-10-28T00:41:00.000-07:00

I know! So much going on so little time to talk about it!

In this case the pictures say it all.

Happy Wednesday!
Wordless Wednesday here and here.

WW - Rain, Rain

2009-10-13T23:17:00.000-07:00

Stay today...
Little Harrison wants to play.

loving the autumn weather

More here.

A Long Time Waiting...

2009-09-24T23:00:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I occasionally grieve the reality that the baby years are finished {no more babies here}; I look at Harrison and find my head spinning at how quickly the time passes from infant to toddler; from toddler to boy.

It didn't take long to realize that I wanted to put him in martial arts program as soon as he was old enough. All of four days old, the lactation nurse at my breastfeeding support group suggested the book, "Raising Your Spirited Child" the title continues: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, Energetic (i.e. Harrison).
That is when I knew that my one week old, I'm-not-going to-sleep-like-a-baby, son was Spirited and our adventure was only about to begin; and I knew that martial arts would help to instill in him, patience, respect, self control and confidence (the last being the least of this natural leader's concerns).

The day finally came.

The Energizer Bunny, himself, couldn't keep up with the excitement Harrison emitted in the hours leading up to the class. And then to WAIT for the instructor? Absolute. Torture.

At last, they bowed in respect...

and the teaching began.

But as it is sometimes goes with a four-year-old, tiredness kicks in and a yawn takes over.

[I just yawn looking at him]

not for long though - quickly back to business...

I'm thinking he likes it.

As for Master Don, he may be rethinking his decision to teach martial arts to rambunctious four-year-olds...

Hosted by Cecily and Izzy 'N Emmy

WW - See my Knots!

2009-09-22T22:49:00.000-07:00

He started Tae Kwon Do this week.

He tied his belt...and tied...and tied

"Did your mom tie this for you? Remember, mom is always right. Always."
...i didn't tie it...

A little "Lord of the Dance" here, Harrison.

More about Tae Kwon Do later.
More Wordless Wednesday here.

Legos Have Taken Over My Brain!

2009-09-20T20:26:00.000-07:00

Harrison inherited a box load of legos - literally - from Big Brother a few months ago. I finally bought a container and organized them, sort of.

Suddenly he was busy for hours! Who knew it only took a box of random Legos to occupy that constantly ticking mind of his (well this and the unceasingly building with blocks). Heck, I would have pulled them out earlier!

After playing with the endless stream of Legos, I took a look at all the bits and pieces daily scattered acreoss the floor and decided it was time to put some of the sets together. I waded through the pile of Lego booklets only to discover the only actually instruction books still left were for the sets that were obviously missing the most pieces, everything else was advertising. Bummer.

So I did the next best thing...

I went online! [I ♥ the internet!]

After looking at pictures of completed sets in the little "envy" booklets enclosed with every Lego set, Harrison and I were able to determine the set number. (I determined the number, he happily yelled, "That's the one!!" with each discovery.)

Minimal surfing produced instructions and part lists for several sets, so we I built this:

And this...

...and even this.

I can honestly say that I now have a personal relationship with Legos; I never dreamt that I would get to know Lego pieces so well.

Apparently, this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship...

Check out Slurping Life for more pictures - Straight Out Of the Camera.

Wordless Wednesday - It just takes a second..

2009-09-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

To go from this....

to this...

One second. That's all it takes for a four-year-old.

...and back again.

Never a dull moment.

Wordless Wednesday here and here.

Do You Poop?

2009-09-12T22:11:00.000-07:00

It was the only question he had for the T-Rex at the museum today.

So that's what he asked - in the microphone. To a puppet.

Do you poop?

Love it.

Sabbat Shalom

2009-09-11T23:36:00.000-07:00

Harrison jumped into bed with us this morning and started singing a song.

"That's a Shabbat song I learned" he announced.

"Today is Shabbat!" I responded.

"I know that", he answered.

He has always enjoyed Shabbat service at preschool; and takes it quite seriously. In fact, he's become well versed on Moses, Noah, Joshua and Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego - just to name a few.
(heck, I didn't learn about that last threesome until college!)

Maybe it's the singing and dancing with the Cantor that he likes best...

Or maybe it's the Torah stories that the Rabbi tells...not to mention his affection for the Rabbi; he whispers to me as I'm leaving, "Can I go hang out with the Rabbi for awhile?"

Nah, I think what he likes best is really the grape juice, Hallah and snacks he gets to eat after his Shabbat service!

Just kidding! (although that cheese is good stuff!)

Shabbat Shalom!

It's Only Just Begun..

2009-09-09T22:08:00.000-07:00

This is the time that, as a mom, sometimes you just have to walk away. Harrison has gotten more and more comfortable on his scooter in the last couple weeks. He has some pretty incredible balance; enough to make me cringe on those tight turns.

Which eventually only leads to one thing....

Yup. That would be it. Caught in action!

"I'm okay!" he happily announces.

Then gets up and tells us, "Let me walk a moment, give me a moment."

But that doesn't take long and off he goes again.

That's when I walk away.

Daddy has it all under control.
...and if he doesn't - our insurance premiums are up to date.

Just Itching...

2009-09-09T14:23:00.000-07:00

to get back to school.

(he really is itching his back - apparently he thinks he's a bear - could be worse.)

He put his backpack away and got down to business!

I'll miss you too...
Ah well, at least he loves school.

More [really] Wordless Wednesday here.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-26T00:45:00.000-07:00

WANTED: one young female to act as damsel in distress/Princess Geunevere - 24/7. Short rest breaks and food provided. Must be willing to marry Prince Caspian/Sir Lancelot/black knight when saved from evil dragon and/or participate in impromptu jousts. Serious inquires only to PrinceCaspian@I'llSaveYou.com

Happy {wordless} Wednesday!

This is Where I Say "Doh"

2009-08-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

A week ago Saturday Harrison's Klean Kanteen went missing at a church dinner - right off the table. Ugh! Two and half years we've schlepped that canteen around - countless trips to Disneyland, museums, parks, the zoo, the beach, play dates at school - only to lose it at a church function, inside the building. Bummer.

After friends searched for it for me (I'm 30 miles away from that church) I broke down and ordered a new one online. I told Harrison we getting a new canteen. The new canteen arrived on Friday and I opened it after Harrison was in bed.

If felt different and it seemed smaller. It wasn't smaller...

but it still felt different.

Saturday morning I pointed out the new canteen to Harrison, he picked it up. a look came across his face and he packed it back in the box it had arrived in and said, "I don't like it, it's not the same. I'm sending it back."

(I didnt' say a word to him about the night before.)

Anger ensued on his part for a good portion of the morning over the canteen issue.

And then it dawned on me. We have had that canteen in hand EVERY day for two and half years!
Every day. We both knew the exact feel and weight of that container, it had become an old friend...

Why had I not seen it before?

The Klean Kanteen had transformed into a kind of Security Blanket for Harrison. He depends on that water bottle being always near by, and yes, it has even gone up to bed at night with him on occasion. (It has a non-leaking sippy attachment that doesn't leak - something else I had to replace.)

Harrison's Kateen on a play date with my friend's triplet Kaneens.

So my child is overly attached to his canteen. Who knew! Apparently not me.

Then again, I think I really did know - I just didn't put two and two together fully.

The good news is, Harrison and his new Kanteen getting aclimated with each other; I think this is the beginning of a {long and} beautiful friendship.

If you want to know why we use a stainless steel canteen rather then any other type of sippy cup/ water bottle, I'll give you the quick list.

Easy to keep and clean
Lightweight and DURABLE
No leaching of plastics
No concern of BPA
Reusable, reusable, reusable.

All I can say is that we LOVE our stainless steel canteens.

Out of the Nest

2009-08-19T22:56:00.000-07:00

We took Big Brother up to college and moved him into his dorm; he's rooming with a friend from high school. The dorm is brand spanking new and is still has last minute touches being completed; there's even a pool right outside their second floor window!

Seriously, I didn't have a pool at my college campus dorm!

They also have high speed internet access in all the rooms, card-key access to the dorm building, their rooms and even their bathrooms (one bathroom per every two rooms), and a really nice common area with pool tables, flat screen televisions and more. Pretty nice set up. Not like when I went to college.

Harrison started making "notes" for his "dorm" in his little notebook for when "he moves to the dorm". He talked dorm talk all day. Luckily, he is taking Big Brother going off to college in stride; although today he asked when big Brother woud be coming home, "is he coming in a while?"

This is Big Brother's RA, he seems hip enough (isn't that such a nerdy parent comment?) Actually for a short time Harrison stole the show. Big Brother's RA was sitting in the lobby for Freshman check-in with two female RAs - and we walked up - two freshman, three sets of parents and one four-year-old. The girls? "Oh LOOK, your little brother! He's so cute!!" then Harrison went to work pouring out his charm. No joke. At the end of the day as we walked back up to the dorm to drop off a couple more things one of the girls was standing near by and called, "Harrison's back!"

Big Brother receives some last minute advice at the school-sponsored family picnic.

The boys together.

It's kind of weird here; knowing that he's not going to be walking in at any moment.

But we have no doubt he's going to have great fun.

He hasn't called yet...

SOOC Saturday - "It won't let go!"

2009-08-16T00:27:00.000-07:00

As I sat at my desk this morning I hear disgruntled moaning and grunting from beyond the sofa. "Harrison, what is it?"

"AAUGH! I've got something stuck on my bottom!!"

"Well come over here let me help you get it off."

"I can't! It' won't let go of me!"

What??

I go over to help him get something off his bottom that wasn't the sticker I had envisioned.

Oh, no...

I scooped him up and requested assistance from daddy - it even made a suction cup sound coming off! Am I living in a live-action cartoon?

Then he went and did it again.

"Mommy, take a picture of me!"

Sigh.

Check out more images Straight Out Of the Camera.

The Daddy Files - Happy Birthday Daddy!

2009-08-15T00:14:00.000-07:00

Today is the GID's birthday. Harrison was set on getting him a birthday gift, "I want to get daddy a DJ present... I know!! How about a DJ cord!?" With some easy coaxing, we went to the Dollar Tree store and Harrison picked out a "DJ flashlight" AND a toy because "Daddy needs a toy!"

Of course, Harrison had to get a matching "toy".

GI Joe helmets.

This would be Harrison's "Prince Caspian" look. (complete with remnants of face painting from camp)

Speaking of Prince Caspian, we borrowed the BBC version of the Chronicles of Narnia from the library. Harrison has been talking non-stop about Prince Caspian and the "Barnicles of Yarnyia" all week.

We also went to see the movie "Up" as a family at the $3 theater yesterday. The GID and I loved it; oh my gosh it was so well done and entertaining. [And as one friend put it, the movie provides so many object lessons to talk to Harrison about from how to treat others and be a friend to how anger can hurt people.] Harrison really enjoyed it too; but Prince Caspian wound not be so easily dethroned by a flying house and talking dog.

At one point in the movie old Carl says to young Russell "Let's play a game, it's called who can stay quiet the longest." at that moment Harrison turns to the GID and happily {albeit not so quietly} announces, "Hey! We play that game at home!"

If only that game really worked...

The Daddy Files - Hannah Montana

2009-08-07T00:07:00.000-07:00

You know, I had a friend during my first year of college named Hannah - she WAS from Montana. We used to call her Hannah from Montana. Then it would blend into Hannah Montana. I wonder if she ever gets that from people now days.

I doubt it too.

On with the Daddy Files; Harrison and Daddy were hanging out in the "Good Morning Room" [Harrison's name for it] a.k.a. The Guest room, The Music room, The Game room. This day it was The Music Room as they were playing guitar, piano and the bongo drums. The G.I.D. suddenly felt compelled to turn on the TV. Hannah Montana was on at that moment. [yes, the Disney Channel - don't judge me]

Harrison said, "Hey, that's Hannah Montana!"

GID responded "Is she Pretty?"

Harrison, "LOOK at her!"

Am I in trouble or what?

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-04T23:43:00.000-07:00

More Wordless Wednesday here.

The Daddy Files - Taking a walk

2009-08-04T00:05:00.000-07:00

Between flying a kite and looking at the moon through the telescope, Harrison and his Daddy took a walk this evening. At one point Harrison started running ahead - as he eften does - tripped and fell, splat, on the sidewalk.

He scrapped his knees [he promptly showed me said scrapes when I popped my head in to kiss him good night after being at church for the evening] and started crying for...who else? Me; but I wasn't readily on hand for boo-boo duty. Daddy picked him up to comfort him but he cried more, wanting mommy. He was still crying for me while Daddy was trying to console him when...

He exclaimed, "Look! A Squirrel!"

A short discussion about the squirrel ensued, [which the G.I.D. says was really just a leaf shaped like a squirrel but Harrison wouldn't believe it.] then...

"Let's run more!"

And that was the end of that.

I don't know about you, but it made us think of Doug, the dog from the movie "Up".

Best Shot Monday - Snorkling

2009-07-26T23:44:00.000-07:00

...in the bathtub.

Like I said, never a dull moment.