A Day for Dad

We had a wonderful Father's Day - namely because Mike was home and not traveling! (It doesn't take much to make us happy.) This year, Cappy and Grandy were able to spend the weekend with us as well.

After a day of relaxing and playing with the boys, we had a cookout on the deck and invited another family over to feast and celebrate with us. Erin (my yoga buddy), her husband, Jonathan, and their two boys, Colby and Max, joined us and we had such a great time! The boys loved having friends to play with and I always enjoy hanging out with Erin and her husband.

Mike was the ultimate grill-meister. He had it all on the grill - burgers, brats, corn, tomatoes - you name it! And, it was all so delicious! The weather was perfect, too.

Here are several photos from our Father's Day cookout and celebration.

Hope your Father's Day was just as wonderful!

Charlie helped everyone open their Father's Day cards and gifts.

Aren't they sweet?

Cappy seems to like his card from Charlie and Chase

That didn't last long. Back to riding the bike on the deck!

Max and Chase are great friends. They are the same age, by the way.
Max better not get too close though. Chase might eat him!

Dada, doing his fatherly grilling duties.

Charlie's thinking: "Hmm. That's my bike.
Colby is older and bigger, but I think I can take him!"

The man of the hour... er, uh... day!

Aren't Erin and Jonathan so cute? They're high school sweethearts, ya know!

I love this picture of Max...

...but I love this picture more! Isn't he adorable?

Could he be more photogenic?

I like this picture of Mike in the foreground and Grandy in the background.

And the feast begins...

What a cute family! Some of my favorite people.

My family is pretty darn cute, too!

I think Cappy and Grandy really enjoyed their visit.

Following in Big Brother's Footsteps... er, uh... Flippers

On Friday, Chase had his very first swim lesson and frankly, I was a little nervous about it. Granted, Chase is a daredevil and loves to go swimming in the neighborhood pool, but he's also very attached to Mama and Dada. I really didn't think he would take to swimming with a complete stranger. I was well prepared for some serious screaming, ranting and raving.

Boy, was I wrong.

Chase loves swimming so much that he could have cared less who was taking him swimming. He jumped right in and went for it. I couldn't believe it! He didn't make a peep! I was so proud of him!

I heard him ask for Dada a couple of times, but all in all, he was a real trooper. (It probably helped that big brother Charlie was swimming close by.)

Here's pictures - and video! - of Chase's first swim lesson. Way to go, Chase!

Chase, before class, looking a bit nervous.

Charlie, showing Chase how it's done!

And Charlie, floating on his back.

And Charlie, picking out a toy to play with.

Now, it's Chase's turn. So far, so good!

Chase, looking for Dada.

I think he realizes Dada isn't going to jump in and save him...

...so, he decides to go with the flow and have a good time anyway!

Yeah, Chase! You did it!

And, this is Chase, in the car on the way home. Totally pooped.

And here's a quick video of our future Olympian:

Future Spelling Bee Champion!

My son is a genius. That's all there is to it!

Lately, Charlie has been really interested in learning how to spell words, so I, of course, was happy to oblige! I even turned it into a game. At night, I teach him how to spell a new word, and if he remembers it the next morning, then I give him a treat! (He's become a fan of mini-Oreos. Takes after his Mama, although I prefer the Double Stuft version.)

Anyway, here's a quick video of our Future Spelling Bee Champion. I shot this the other day and since then, he's learned several other words. To date, he knows how to spell:

STOP
CAR
ZOO
BOOK
BALL
WATER
CHARLIE
CHASE
ARNING
MAMA
DADA
BIKE (new)
TRUCK (new)

He's only 3-and-a-half. That's impressive, right?!

Scripps Howard Spelling Bee - LOOK OUT!

Charlie Superstar

I know I've been slacking on the blog a little bit, but summer is quite busy so far. Busy, in a good way. Lots of pool time, play dates and worn out kids. I do have new videos and photos to share in the coming days, but before I get to that, you must watch this video of the End of Year program at StoneBridge Preschool. It's quite hilarious. Truly.

At this show, we had a little bit of everything...

...a little staring at your neighbor like he's crazy
...a little pushing and shoving
...a little slapstick and over dramatization
...a little upstaging
...a little potty dancin'
...a little wondering off
...a little choreography - a very little
...and a BIG FINISH!

All in the span of a 2-minute song. Impressive, eh?

Check it out. I think you'll really enjoy it. All I can say is... GLEE, here we come!

Last Day of School

This time last week, I was taking Charlie to StoneBridge Preschool for his End of Year program. I still can't believe the school year has come and gone. It all went by so quickly!

Charlie was such a wonderful student all year and was well loved by his teachers. In fact, I think Mrs. Mundy had a soft spot for little Charlie. She ate lunch next to him every day and loved to sneak in a hug whenever she could. I can understand why. He is very huggable, don't you think?

Mrs. Yascur was an absolute gem and an amazing teacher. She truly loved all of the kids so much and showered them with affection constantly. We couldn't have asked for a better experience or better teachers. We were so lucky!

The last day of school was quite sad for everyone - Mrs. Yascur especially. She had tears in her eyes the entire time and you could tell her heart was breaking. It must be so hard for her to watch the kids grow and mature and then let them go at the end of the year. I can't imagine.

I was very sad the last day, too.  Not because school was over or because Charlie would be home every day. I'm actually very happy about that. I was sad because of how fast the year flew by, which means that every other year will do just the same. I can already see the day when Charlie is headed to kindergarten or his first day of middle school or - GULP - graduating high school. And, I can't bear the thought of it. In fact, I can't even write about it.

So, I'll just end this blog by saying a big thank you to StoneBridge Preschool, Mrs. Yascur and Mrs. Mundy. We love them all, dearly.

This is Charlie on his last day of school.

Isn't he sweet?

This is Charlie the very next day, before the End of Year program.
That's his "baby" that he's holding. Ever since the fire alarm
went off at school, he was scared to go back and this "baby"
helped him to cope, believe it or not.

Bless his heart...
(That's my Southern Belle coming out.)

I'm so glad I dressed him in blue! Yeah, me!

I was so proud of Charlie because he actually did
some of the "choreography" this time!

Not sure who he's waving at, but hey, who cares!

He sees me! He sees me!

Don't they all look thrilled?

And this is our superstar after the program... taking it all in.

This is Lexie. She has eyes for Charlie.
(And I have my eye on her!)
(Just kidding.)
(Sort of.)

And, this is Charlie saying goodbye to Mrs. Mundy.
I miss her already.