Summer Update: Week 4.

We did it -- we finally braved the fountains at the zoo!  I was so proud of Fawn not only for overcoming his fear, but for doing so even when the fountains were packed full of big kids (why do I always decide to go to the zoo on half-price Tuesday?).  The pictures aren't great because I was holding Fawn's hand much of the time (and if not was within arms reach -- he was insistent I be close by, which resulted in a soaking wet mommy), but he did it!  And, I know we'll be back for more.

Favorite activity: pushing the water down with his foot.

 Abs of steel.

He even got brave enough to get his face wet!

Good for the Soul.

On Thursday I had the wonderful pleasure of spending a long day with a wonderful friend from college.  Though she lives in North Carolina, she is with her husband for a couple weeks in Montgomery where he is doing some additional training for work.  She drove up to spend a day with Fawn and me.

It was blissful!  We played with Fawn, chatted for hours, baked some goodies (she's a fabulous cook!), and capped off the day with a girls dinner.  It was just the reminder that I sometimes need as a mom to not neglect my friendships.  Even though the pulls of being a mother and wife (plus household chores, errands, not to mention work) seem to pile up and push things like friendships to the back burner, they deserve priority.  Thursday was truly restorative -- and I didn't even know I needed it!  Spending time with such a dear friend, who provides such love, advice and fellowship that I could never repay, was good for my soul. 

I don't know when I will get the chance to see her again -- but I hope it's soon.

Daddy's Day.

Happy (belated) Father's Day to all of the wonderful dads out there who work hard every day for their families, love their families, and lead their families.  You are a blessing.  Special well wishes go out to Buck who is the best father I could ask for to love and raise children alongside.  If you need evidence that God places His children in the perfect families for them, you need to look no further than Buck and Fawn.  Fawn adores his dad -- and for good reason.  He is the most fun, loving, attentive dad around.  Thank you also to my sweet dad, who has been my constant confidant for thirty years.  He has always loved me, stood by me, and encouraged me.  He loves my husband and my kid with his whole heart too!

My sweet boys after church on Sunday.  Check out the Elmo card that Fawn picked out for Buck (I actually let him look through the cards at Target -- when he arrived at Elmo, he was sold).  It has a button to push and Elmo "talks" -- Fawn was SO PROUD.  It was too cute.  We also decorated a cookie cake for Buck at Publix.  Fawn denied the bakery lady's offer to help him write a Father's Day message on the cake, instead opting for an "abstract" design of frosting and sprinkles.  It was a great day to celebrate the wonderful men in our lives!

Summer Update: Week 3.

We did more of the same last week -- zoo, McWane, swimming, library.  But, to mix things up a bit we added a trip to Trussville Park.  So, we've crossed number twenty off our summer list.  It's always fun to venture outside of our bubble and Trussville Park definitely doesn't disappoint.  I think it is one of the most toddler-friendly parks around (even the "big kid" stuff doesn't make me too nervous).  Case in point, there are many animals to ride in:

 

There's this awesome whale, plus an alligator, hippo, and dinosaur.  

Plus great slides:

 

(including several tube slides that stay cool these hot summer days).

But, if all that (plus swings, a climbing wall, etc.) isn't enough to keep you entertained, there's always the dirt:

 

Because, if you're a two-year old boy and there's dirt to be found, fun is sure to follow.  (Check out the dirty face -- Fawn sure knows how to make a mess quick!)

The Dreaded M-O-M.

My sweet, precious Fawn first called me "Mama" on Christmas Eve of 2009 -- his first Christmas, and the best Christmas present I could ask for.  Flash forward 18 months and he now calls me "Mom" -- not "Mama" or "Mommy."  I'm just "Mom."  And Buck's just "Dad."  When he needs something, he knows how to turn on the charm and whip out the trump card (a "Mommy" or a "Daddy"), but over the past week or so he's been pretty consistent in referring to us as "Mom" and "Dad" when he's talking to us. 

I guess that I didn't expect the "Mommy" stage of childhood to end so soon.  It frankly makes me sad, and makes me hang onto the few "Mommy"s and "Mama"s that I do get to hear these days.  I am hoping it's a phase and he will soon revert back to sounding more like a toddler and less like a teenager.  As one of my favorite books says, time is a mother's enemy.  It certainly is....while each day brings something new and fun, there is the constant sense that the precious moments of childhood are slipping away before my very eyes.

Lake Bath.

Fawn used to love baths, and while he still loves bubbles and splashing he's not so much a fan of the actual washing part.  Many nights it can be quite a battle.  Not so this past weekend at the lake.  Buck convinced Fawn that a lake bath would be really fun and cool.  And, he bought it. 

He had fun and even helped with the washing.  And, though I'm still of the opinion that lake baths don't really get you all that clean, it's better than nothing.  And, a happy, smiling toddler is way better than a fussy one!  So, bring on the lake bath.

 

 

Bye Bye Bama Bangs.

If I had a scanner on my computer, I could share some pictures of Buck circa 1993-1994 that would be a great example of the infamous, heralded "Bama Bangs" -- basically long bangs on guys with otherwise speaking relatively short hair. 

It's been months since Fawn got a haircut, and he was definitely sporting some Bama Bangs.  (To keep the look authentic, Buck had taken matters into his own hands and cut the back of Fawn's hair short.)  I thought the long-ish hair on my bumpkin looked precious, but it was starting to bother him, especially when we were swimming.  So, off we went to Mr. Eddie at Cahaba Plaza Barber Shop.  Fawn sought reassurance that he would indeed receive (1) a lollypop ("wowwypop") and (2) a matchbox car from Mr. Eddie.  As always, I replied.  And for extra incentive to cooperate, Fawn wore swimming clothes with the promise that I would take him swimming after his haircut if we behaved.

 

In the able hands of the best barber ever -- Mr. Eddie at Cahaba Plaza Barber Shop in Cahaba Heights.

Serious Bama Bangs.

 My little soldier, all smiles.