More bike riding

After his bike riding the other day, he woke up in the middle of the night requesting to  bike ride.  He is getting hooked!


Eddie's dad came in to town last night and Andy was adamant about showing him how he rides.  After going out to dinner, we came home and he hopped on to ride.  I had Eddie stand at one end of the driveway and I stood at the other-- MUCH MUCH MUCH easier to catch and release him with someone else helping!

I was able to get a few pictures between Eddie releasing him and me catching him...

We took the training wheels off of his little bike- and he hated it.  It is too light weight for him to ride.  It is super unstable and wobbly.  Cal got on that one and he wasn't able to ride it either-- just too light to ride without the training wheels! It was perfect with training wheels though. Looks like we might have to buy a new bike....immediately. 

Sorry for overly posting about this.  I am proud of my boy! And, hopefully, I will look back on this post when he is older to help me remember him learning to ride!

Happy weekend!


 

#carriedaway: week 19

Week 19:

Day 148: last day of school for Andy!

 Day 149: they did it! First (mocl) swim meet done! Sooo proud of our Sharks!

 Day 150: Typical

 Day 151: birthday party group shot. Cal was being "helpful..."

 Day 152: after a long day at the pool (10:30-7), he's ready for bed...and so am I!

 Day 153: Cal is really executing the "dive" off the block.

Day 154: he sleeps. He rode a two wheeler today (without training wheels), he deserves a rest.


 

2 wheel riding

I guess Andy has an advantage having an older brother...

He spent enough time watching Cal ride his new big boy bike.

We borrowed Jackson's old strider bike and Andy has been cruising on that-- flying really.  The last time we were at the beach, he rode from the top of the road all the way down the driveway-- without putting his feet down once.  He had the balance.

Yesterday, we were outside playing and Andy asked to sit on Cal's bike.  I held it for him and he climbed on.  I promised him over and over again I wouldn't let get.  He started peddling and pulling away from me-- faster than I could run and hold on to the bike.  So I let go.  And he rode.

He rode about 10 feet each time. He was laughing and thinking it was pretty great.  He was getting confident--cocky even.

Then he slammed on his brakes and tipped over to the side.  I grabbed him- and caught him- but the bike crashing down freaked him out, I guess.  He was done.  No more bike riding yesterday.

And then today we were back outside.  He immediately asked to ride Cal's bike.  Zero hesitation.  I held on to the bike up and down the driveway a few times and then let go again.  He was riding-- on his own.

I handed my phone to Cal to film it.  We had to do about 50 takes because Cal wanted to: run along next to the bike while filming, stop to film Hank, turn the camera and stare and the ground, etc etc...

This was the best we could get... I realize I look like a total dork.  Not too worried about it. 

 I am proud of my little THREE year old.  Guess turning three made him feel older!

After about 500 trips up and down the driveway, he is now taking off on his own-- meaning, I hold him up and then let go and he goes goes goes! I run to the end and then grab him when he stops right before he tips over. 

Let the fun begin! (and now, I need another shower...momma is sweaty!)

 

A long and busy weekend

This is not a complaining post.  Maybe it is.  I don't mean for it to be.  But maybe I will just complain a little.... ;)

Eddie played in a golf tournament at the club this weekend.  He LOVES this tournament.  It is his most favorite weekend of golf-- and I fully appreciate that.  I really honestly love that he has a hobby that makes him so happy (and frustrated, but we won't go there!).  I fully support him playing in this tournament...but it makes for a looooong weekend for momma!

Thursday night, he left the swim meet early to attend a dinner kickoff party thing: I took boys from swim meet for dinner/bath/bed.

Friday, I worked out (with kids) and had kids rest of day- Eddie played 18 holes on Friday.  We went to the club for dinner that night and I put the kids in the kids club.  I bathed them at the pool so when I brought them home, I just had to put them to bed.

Saturday was a loooong day.  Eddie left before the kids got up and played 36 holes of golf and came home after the kids were in bed.  LONG day!

Sunday, he had a later tee time, so he didn't have to leave until 10 and met us at the pool at 5. 

All in all, it was a long weekend! I am exhausted-- again, not complaining! Just making a statement! He had a business trip he had to leave for at 5:30 this morning too, so I am flying solo today and tomorrow too..... I am fighting a cold right now...I am pretty sure I am just run down a bit!

Here are some pictures from our weekend...

Friday, after workout, we went to the pool for a few hours.  After rest time at home, we came back to the club for dinner and kids club!

I enjoyed a few libations Friday night with my dinner so Saturday morning, I wasn't feeling 100% at swim practice at 9am.  The head was throbbing.

After swim practice, we ran by the house so I could take a quick shower and then we headed out to a birthday party at Pump It Up.

Both kids had a BALL there! Cal was running around like crazy, and I felt like I needed to keep a closer eye on Andy, so I only have pictures of Andy playing there...

After play time, the kids all got together for a group picture.  Cal and Andy sat like this in the middle of the group- so so sweet!

Then Cal tried to "help" Andy look at the camera...

After the group picture, we headed into the party room.  This little girl is Helen.  She was in Cal's class this year and they played SO well together at this birthday party! They were running all over the place together having a great time.

As we were leaving the party, Cal asked me to open his favor for him.  He was sitting in the car and I was standing there bent over opening his bag.  He reached out and slammed his door shut. On my head.

Did I mention the pain I already had in my head from the previous evening? It felt so so good.

Then, as we pulled out on to the main road, Andy dumped his favor (a bag of jelly beans) all over the car and was hysterical about it.  He was a screaming hot mess.  So I had to pull over and collect his dropped beans.

Needless to say, I was real ready for rest time on Saturday! Plus, Cal was up a ton Friday night-- a TON-- so I needed some rest time too!

After a good rest time, we headed to the pool for the afternoon.  It is super easy to feed them and bathe them at the pool and then we come home in jammies and ready for bed!

Enjoying some post dinner ice cream cones:

Sunday morning, Andy woke up and decided he was ready to paint the bad tasting finger nail polish on... we didn't argue! We quickly painted it on and then I decided we would go to the pool in the morning and stay the whole day if we could- power through nap time so he would be SO exhausted that night that he would have no choice but to sleep through the night since he wouldn't be sucking his fingers to soothe him to sleep...

We got to the pool at 10:30am and we left at 7pm.  I would say that was a full day! The kids did GREAT and had so so so much fun.  A ton of friends were there and everyone was happy and easy.  Andy wanted me to spend a lot of time in the big pool with him jumping to me-- which is fun for me for about 8 minutes, but then my arms get worn out from lifting him out of the water again and again.  And for him, it never gets old!

Since I was in the water for much of the day and socializing with friends the other part of the day, I didn't take any pictures. 

This was Cal after showers-- he could barely keep his eyes open! He was one worn out kiddo!

He got home and into his jammies and threw on some shandes for good measure.  Stud. 

 As for Andy, he crashed hard...

and woke up in the middle of the night to pee....when I tucked him back in, he rolled over, sucked his fingers and went right back to sleep.  Apparently, the polish can wear off if you spend a day in the water at the pool. 

It was a good weekend even if it was tiring.

I get so upset with myself for getting frustrated with the kids.  I hate when I yell at them or when I am sarcastic or when I am short tempered.  I am so disappointed in myself for not soaking up each minute with them. 

This morning they saw a bunny in our neighbor's yard.  Hank was sitting by the window watching and Andy was in the middle of getting dressed so he ran into the room naked from the waist down and Cal went running over in his pjs and it was just about the best thing ever.  My boys--all three of them-- lined up at the window in absolute awe over a little bunny.  It made me want to cry that I found such joy in that-- and makes me want to appreciate the gifts that I have right in front of me!

These boys are my life-- and they don't deserve my frustrations or my short temper.  I love them more than I can say...I need to start acting like it!

Sorry for the ranting post.... didn't intend for it to turn like that! ha!

Oh, and Eddie did have a great weekend golfing!!! He loved the tournament and had a blast playing!


 

First (mock) meet

Cal had his first mock swim meet last week, and boy was it exciting/emotional/chaotic all at once!

He did GREAT and I am so so so proud of him for doing this! Swimming is hard work and he is really trying his best, and that makes me beyond happy.

The mock meet was on Thursday afternoon.  The kids all met at the pool (Cal had tennis first) and got into their team shirts:

Then, all the kids go into the "holding area" where they have chaperones who call them when it is their turn to race.

Cal found his buddies, Brad and George and set up his towel with them-- they were goofballs together and Cal was having a blast with his friends.

They passed out the swim caps-- I told Cal he didn't have to wear his, but he saw everyone else putting them on and he was SET that he needed to wear his too!

The entire team headed up to have their picture taken- it was chaotic, but they managed to get everyone to look at the camera man...!

It is hard to see Cal in the above pic, so I had to zoom in for a close up:

After the team pictures, it was time for the 6 and unders to warm up.  I was holding Cal's swim cap and went to get his goggles-- the boy freaked out when he didn't have his cap on as they were walking to warm up.  I got the sense he was getting a little nervous.  He panicked thinking they weren't going to let him swim without a cap.  Bless his heart.  I gave him his cap and his goggles and he was ready to get warmed up:

Each kid gets their name written on their back with their age group written on it.  Apparently, all kids look alike with caps and goggles on-- this is a fact!

They worked on dives this week in practice-- Cal did a decent one on Wednesday-- he was ready to do another in warmups...

 ...but went in feet first! Either way...at least he was in!

 And my sweet boy.....he gave it his ALL during warm ups.  ALL FOUR FULL LAPS of warm ups.  I feel like 4 laps is a lot for an adult.  Sweet CalBoy was spent after playing tennis for an hour and then doing four laps.  Phew!

I also need to mention the younger siblings during the meet-- it isn't easy doing this with younger kids in tow.  Eddie was there for part of it, but then he had a dinner and had to run.  Andy and his buddies were kinda lame cheerleaders:

After all the age groups warmed up, it was time for 6 and under freestyle.  I was nervous. I was so so excited!

I checked in on Cal, sitting on the bench, holding his spot for the lanes.  He was still smiling!

Then it was time to move to their lanes.  They held hands to keep them all in place...

Then they were in the "waiting chairs"-- the chairs that are directly behind the block- they go from these chairs to standing on the block!

 Cal stood on the block totally ready to go.  And go he did as soon as he heard the whistle blow.  Too bad he was supposed to wait for the horn to sound.  The whistle is more of a "take your mark" warning.  He false started and swam almost halfway (as hard has he could!) until a coach stopped him.  He was grinning ear to ear as we all cheered for him.

So he climbed back up on the block and waited to go until a coach next to him said "GO!" and he swam his little heart out.  I took a video of him swimming and the screaming I am doing is borderline embarrassing.  I was just SO excited and SO proud and SO emotional! I grew up swimming on swim team in that very pool and now to be watching my son do it, it was just crazy! I had goosebumps and was going wild watching him.

He had a coach in his lane with him, in case he panicked- just there as a in-case-he-needs-it...and he didn't need her-- but it made me feel good to know she was there! That lap is loooong for a 4 year old!

He got out and went back to his holding area.  I took off running to go love on him and he was wrapping up in a towel when I got there.  As soon as he saw me, he came to me, put his head on my shoulder and burst into tears.....! He said he just wanted to go home and get warm.

I think the whole thing was just a lot to take in! His emotions were on a roller coaster and I think he just needed to have a little release! Bless his heart!

His sweet coach saw him upset and he came running over to talk to Cal about what a great job he did.  This coach is amazing with the kids-- they all love him and he is super encouraging with each kid:

After Jesse gave Cal a pep talk, he was happy as could be! He was proud of himself too-- he just needed to have a quick little emotion release! ha!

Once he pulled himself together, he and Brad were ALL smiles the rest of the meet!

Cal and Andy and Brad spent some time watching the rest of the meet-- they were so cute together!

We have our first REAL meet this week-- I hope Cal will be excited to give it his all again! I can not say enough how proud I am of Cal for working so hard.  He went to practice Saturday am and I can honestly see a difference in his swimming-- he is listening to the coaches and trying really hard.  It is great to see! For a four year old, he's crushing it!


 

Memorial Day Weekend

Last weekend, we headed to the beach for Memorial Day Weekend!

There were THREE boys in the back anxious to arrive....

Once we got there, we played a little and then went out to eat at a Mexican place.  We came home and it was late, but there was a beautiful sunset, so we played a little more outside.

 Dear Cal and Andy: please do NOT copy your father. Riding a skateboard while hanging on to a golf cart is crazy and dangerous.  At least wear a helmet if you do.....

 We woke up Friday morning and were on the beach by 9.  I can honestly say I don't remember a prettier Memorial Day weekend-- the weather was just perfect and the beach was too!

 The boys had the best time playing on the beach.  It made me so happy to watch them enjoying something that Eddie and I love so much.  They were so happy there!

Eddie brought over the paddle board to SUP in the ocean and he ended up taking Cal out to ride a few waves! He did great and loved it...and you know Eddie was beyond excited to get to share his love with Cal.

Hank, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck.  I was screaming for Hank to come, which he normally does immediately.  He refused to leave Cal's side out there. He was biting the board and getting as close to Cal as he could.  Bless his heart.  He was getting pounded by waves, but would not leave Cal. 

While Cal was surfing, Andy was running around like crazy...until he announced he was tired and then just kinda laid in the sand for a little rest! ha! He stayed like that for quite a while, just chilling!

After a trip to the pool, we stripped these boys down in the garage-- they got big ol' tan lines right away!

My brother's family came down Friday night so the rest of the weekend was much like the first day, but with cousins to play with too!

Andy and Catherine had a blast together-- they were two peas in a pod the entire time! Catherine is Cal's age, but she and Andy are buddies.

Cal spent 99% of the weekend like this: in a bathing suit, no shoes, no shirt, extremely happy:

My brother and Eddie, who grew up surfing together in high school, had so much fun teaching Cal and Jackson to surf:

To Andy, the world is his potty...

Cousin fun:

Cal and Eddie had some good fishing time too:

We had our other friends over too for added fun!

And we celebrated Anna Claire's birthday!

 Cal and Jackson spent hours one afternoon playing in the ocean.  They were body boarding, surfing, tackling each other and diving under waves.  They had THE best time together.  We could hear them laughing from up on the beach.  I love their love of the ocean!

And look at these smiles! You think they are having fun??

Andy and Grandpa had a heart to heart on the beach.  They were solving all the problems of the world together. 

 We took a family pic on Memorial Day! (please forgive the swimsuit pic... I hate to be *that* girl, but I loved this picture with my boys!)

We ended Memorial Day with a boat right...and it was darn right fabulous.  It was beautiful out and the boys were worn out and into snuggling.  I love boat rides.  Love them.  And now getting to take them with my little ones is just so great.  I am sentimental like that. 

So very very blessed:

 We got up super early on Tuesday morning to head home for Eddie to work.  The sun rising over the water was beautiful!

It was a wonderful weekend! Bring on, SUMMER!