Catching up

I can't believe how long it has been since my last blog entry. After a crazy winter and spring, I've promised myself to 1) catch up on posts that should have been written and 2) keep up! This will be hard; work is crazy, school is crazy, but the memories are important! As I am writing, Connor is sitting at the table cutting out rectangles and making an "awesome dinosaur cage" out of the rectangles and cardboard. One year of preschool is over, and I can't believe how much he's learned - not just about cutting rectangles and identifying letters, but about sharing with friends, taking turns and waiting (sometimes) patiently. It's been a great year, and I am so thankful for his amazing teacher and her colleagues at preschool.

Here are some pictures from their preschool picnic a couple of weeks ago. He and his friend, Ryan, were arguing about whose songs they were going to sing...little did they know, they had been practicing the same songs:)

Ryan and Connor singing their song

We love Mrs. Graca!

Smiles from Jaden while they wait to sing

No, we're singing MY song...no, MY song...

Thankful for so much...

It's been a long time since I've updated the blog, and there is no excuse except our crazy, busy life! I hope to catch up during our winter break, but I thought I'd start with a quick (and hilarious) story about Thanksgiving. The pictures say it all. We were the "party parents" for Thanksgiving, and Matt and I made turkeys with the ten little "turkeys" in Connor's preschool class. Here's Connor's masterpiece.

The other picture needs no explanation. Yes, it says what you think it says. Yes, we all had s great laugh. No, he has no idea what a bikini actually is. Yes, this is one piece of schoolwork that we will be saving for future use!

In addition to a our health, a wonderful family and great friends, I am thankful for our child who already has a sense of humor!

Almost Three!

It's hard to believe that Connor will be three years old in a couple of days. What a fun and busy year he has had. He has had a busy summer - potty training, checking out museums, and playing in the river in Annapolis and Smithfield. In the past few weeks he has started to tell some amazing stories (about flying dinosaurs and mastodons, about Granddaddy flying a plane and picking up dinosaurs, about pretty much anything!). While his logic is often faulty, his reasoning skills are so good that we forget he isn't even three. He is sure to be a lawyer! He is definitely asserting himself and testing limits (see time-out picture below), but I guess it is all part of the stages of growing up. Fortunately for Mommy, he will sit still to read a book and always asks to rock in his chair at night! I'd like to keep it that way for a little while longer.

The four stages of a self-inflicted timeout.

Wait, is anyone really paying attention?

Let's just milk this for all it's worth!

All better!

Spring Break Adventure

Our adventure began when we were deciding how many cars we needed to take to arrive with all people, dogs, and belongings.  Commodore had his knee replaced five days before the day we were supposed to make the 10 hour trip. He insisted on going and, while we all (himself included, I'm sure) thought it was crazy at the time and the trip was quite long, we were all glad to be together. I think kisses on the knee from Connor sped up the healing process considerably.

When he wasn't being a good helper for Commodore, Connor was in constant motion for the entire week.  He had a blast swimming, blowing bubbles, going on bike rides, playing golf (which somehow digressed into "ice" hockey or some version thereof where you throw the plastic golf balls and go chasing after them with the plastic golf clubs), and riding on his scooter while Commodore took his morning walk. Our trips to the beach were even more fun because Connor could run and scream and not get in trouble for it!  I think he ran for 45 minutes without stopping on our first outing.  He saw alligators, several blue heron, and even went on a "lizard hunt" (tiptoe through the grass and whisper, "here, lizard, lizard, lizard!" in a squeaky voice). Fortunately for Aunt Bonnie, there are so many lizards in Hilton Head that this method proved to work like a charm.

As I've mentioned, it was difficult to keep the child still enough for pictures, but here are a few...can't wait 'til next April!

Running...

and running...

and running...

and a close-up of more running!

Daddy's favorite spot is the waterfall (this is where the heated water comes from!)

How does this kid have so much energy?

One, two, three...no wait, I don't want to go under...Jump!

Out of the mouths of babes...

I haven't been doing a stellar job of keeping up with the blog, but I've been jotting down some of the hilarious things Connor says to us. There are so many because he talks so constantly.  He often gets in trouble for eating Jake's food (gross). The other day he told me he wished he could be a dog.  When I asked him why, he said, "Well, I would like to eat some dog treats. They're supper yummy."

Tonight's advice from Connor was just too good to pass up!  We were celebrating Joshua's birthday and Antonia jokingly asked Connor to tell Joshua how to be a nice boy.  Connor's response?

"You just have to close your mouth and make a happy face!"

First of all, I promise I never tell him to stop talking (well, maybe on the 1,256th "Mommy!" of the drive home).  Tune him out sometimes? Well, maybe.  Discourage talking? Never :) 

Actually, I think that's some pretty good advice for us all to remember sometimes. Isn't it?

Cheeeeese!

We had a surprise visit from the Commodore...and he brought bubbles!

Holiday Recap 2010

We have had a busy several weeks since my Halloween post.  We've had a great time visiting with various family and friends and are so thankful to have them all in our lives.  We spent Thanksgiving in Hilton Head, SC, with Nonna and Commodore.  The weather was perfect - we got to swim in the pool, Matt ran 70 miles that week, Ashley even ran a few miles herself.  I think Hilton Head is probably our new Thanksgiving tradition!

Christmas was the usual whirlwind of activity, starting the week before with the Ellis family Christmas dinner.  Santa came to our house (even though Connor exclaimed several times before Christmas day that, "I just wanna be a bad boy.  I don't want Santa to bring me any presents. I just wanna be a bad boy!").  After breakfast with Grandma and Granddaddy, we headed up to Grammy and Grandpa Jim's house for another dinner.  The next day, we traveled to Nonna and Commodore's house.  Whew!  Connor is so very lucky to have so many people who love him so much.

Grammy and Grandpa spent a few days with us this week.  When they left this afternoon, Connor exclaimed with a sigh, "Christmas time is over?!"  Yes, dear, Christmas time is over - it's a good thing for little boys (and especially their parents!) that Christmas time is only once a year.

As we look forward to another year, Matt and Connor and I have so much to be thankful for - including our health, family and friends who love us, and each other.  Here's to 2011!

"May I have some presents, please?" - so polite!

On the merry-go-round at Christmas Town - Thanks, Aunt Jettie!

It didn't snow at Grammy's house, but we got home in time to play in it!

Running on the beach in Hilton Head.

Marathon Weekend

Matt completed his fourth half marathon this weekend.  He wasn't going to run at all and was feeling pretty sick, but he managed to get in in 4 hours and 12 minutes - crazy!  Valerie ran her first marathon as well - in UNDER her 5 hour goal.  Connor and Annie had a great time being cheerleaders.

Connor and Grammy look for hungry ducks to feed. 
We got to spend the weekend with Grammy and Grandpa Jim last week.

"Grammy, push me higher and higher!"

Connor and Annie wait for the runners.

"Run, Daddy, run!"

Waiting for Daddy to run by at mile 16.

At the finish line!

Matt and Valerie at the finish line.