One cool dude!

Here's looking at you, babe...

This is the same boy that once HATED his sunglasses!  We decided to get them out again a couple of days ago, and to our surprise...he loved them!  He said they could make him run faster...as if we need that!  :)

He was so taken with them, he even had to wear them during dinner.  

He ended up wearing them "like Mommy does" on his head.  Too cute!

Our BIG "sign-up" day!

Well, tomorrow Bear Cub will officially be registered in our church preschool program!  I got the phone call today, telling me that they did indeed have a spot for our little man in their 3-year-old Fall program.  I wasn't able to get our "first" choice of class time, but we are still really happy with what we got.  He'll be going on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30-1:45.  This longer day includes eating lunch at school and "nap" time.  I am a bit concerned about this because BC has a very definite way he has to fall asleep for his nap time.  AND...I just can't imagine our wiggler being able to lie quietly on a cot for 30 minutes in a classroom that has fun things to play with and explore!  Oy.  Time will tell how that goes!  My friend who teaches at the school assured me that each class has at least one that just can't sit still for the resting time.  But, hey, you never know...he might just be so exhausted from the learning and playing that maybe he'll konk out with no problems!  :)  I am so excited for him to go to school.  He loves to learn and is such a smart little boy.  I really think he'll like the structure (he needs it, at least!) and I can only imagine how much he'll grow socially once he gets going.  I can't wait!  But again...we gotta get the poopin' on the potty down pat first!  We've got 6 months to go...

Today I also signed him for a new Mommy & Me gymnastics class.  You might remember that we did about 8 weeks of a similar class last Spring.  The previous class was at a competitive gymnastics GYM and it was HUGE (the gym, that is).  So I spent most of the hour chasing him around, trying to keep him away from the serious (and dangerous) gymnastics equipment.  This new place is totally kid-friendly and ALL about the kids exploring their individual talents and most of all, just about having FUN.  It's in a smaller area and everything is safe and toddler-friendly.   So if he does scoot away from me, I don't have to worry that he'll drop into an 8-foot-deep pit or get his ankle and foot caught in the springy trampolines.  This is how it used to be for me ... so I'm excited for him to have some fun and be safe at the same time!  :)  His new class starts in 2 weeks and will be on Monday afternoons.  We get to go for "Open Play" time next week, which will be great so he can get acquainted with his new teacher and just explore before we head in for a real class.

So, there you go!  That was our busy "sign-up" day!  Tomorrow it's off to the park with some friends.  Enjoy your day!  :)

Lovin' our Florida weather!

My little mischief-maker...climbing on the sand table and oh, so happy about it!  :)

Doesn't he look like such a big boy here?  Saying "Cheese!" of course!

My handsome boy...

Best buds...when they're not after one another!  :)

I decided to make art time a little more purposeful for Bear Cub.  Before, when I would just set down paper and his markers or crayons, he'd do a little scribbling, and then start creating one of his famous "trains" with the coloring tools.  It was driving me crazy!  So yesterday I decided to cut shapes out of construction paper and let him glue them together to make a picture, then add color with one marker at a time.  Yesterday, he created some pretty neat pictures of a sailboat and a train.  Today's creation (inspired by our outside art time) was a tree with a squirrel in it.  He was SO proud because he cut out what he considered the "tail" of the squirrel.  He's very careful with his gluing and seems to know where to place the pieces to make the picture.  He's been more focused and wants to do more, so I think he likes it!  Of course, he can still do his scribble-scrabbling at times (I'm not trying to control his artistic endeavours totally) but I was so happy to see him intent on his work and then to be so PROUD of it.  :)  We'll see how long this little activity keeps his interest!  

Happy weekend to you all!

Hello there!  Just a quick note to let you know that we're still here and kicking!  We had a very good week - although Bear Cub and I both are recovering from another cold.  Oh my.  Is it the season, or what?!?!?  I'm ready for us all to be goop-free for a while!

We made a trip to the library today and got some new books and tomorrow it's back to church.  I'm pretty sure he's well enough to go into his playroom there.  We've missed the last several weeks, so I'm ready to get back and have him get into his routine again, too.  We should be hearing from the church preschool next week about Fall registration.  Keep your fingers crossed that he has a spot!  And also...that we can get that boy to go poop on the potty before school starts in August!  Any tricks or tips, anyone??   

I'll post pics soon -- it was a "hang around" kind of week, so I didn't get the camera out very much.  I'll get back to my old ways again soon!  :)  Have a wonderful weekend!

Photo review

Hello!  (Not sure why this is underlining...hmmmmm...)  Sorry for the lack of posts!  I finally uploaded the past few days worth of pictures.  We've been doing great here!  Bear Cub had a happy Valentine's Day and you'll see below some pictures of our big cookie baking that we did.  He loves to help in the kitchen!  Let's see...we've been up to our usual business around here - reading, pretending, and lots of outside play time!  BC is still fighting that pesky cold, but continues to be in good (and active!) spirits!  Not much slows him down.  Enjoy the photos and have a great rest of the week!  

YUM!

The big boy helper...

All smiles while helping make our yummy strawberry frosting!  Notice that Thomas was right along there with him!  :)

Coloring the cute Valentine card from Grandma & Grandpa

Opening his Valentine gifts -- a new Thomas DVD and Thomas ABC cards

As always, Miss Zoe likes to be right in on the opening action...

Daddy and BC playing "Surviving in Cold Winter" in the tent.  They played for close to an hour, I bet.  Bear Cub really got into it!  Here's their "Help" sign that they made for rescue helicopters to see.  No wonder BC has such a great imagination!

In the words of BC...

Happy Walentine's Day!!! 

(No, that's not a typo -- his V comes out as a W sometimes!)

Hope your day was filled with love and happiness!  Bear Cub enjoyed his two little gifts he got... Thomas the Train ABC flash cards and a new Thomas DVD.  He has been telling us lately (and it's so cute!)... "I really into Thomas stuff."  And boy, is he ever!  New pictures coming soon - I promise!  :)

An anniversary...

Eleven years ago, February 13, 1998, my dear hubbie and I became engaged!  We were still just a couple of youngins', especially when I think back on us now!  I was 19 and he was 20.  We were both sophomores at the University of Florida when he got down on one knee in my dorm room and popped the BIG question.  As you may know, I did say yes!!  ;)  

We had to rush out the door shortly after the proposal as we had already pre-purchased (yes, we were so organized and on top of things!) tickets to see the "new" Adam Sandler movie, "The Wedding Singer."  How fitting!! 

What a sweet day, so many years ago.  And here we are, continuing to grow and build memories as each day passes.  We've come a long way since that day in the dorm!  :)

Leave it to Bear Cub to think of it this way...

We had our appointment today to get our taxes done.  I had been telling BC that we'd be going to do that this afternoon, just so he'd be prepared.  You know, gathering his paperwork and all....  ;)    

Here's a peek at our conversation on our way into H & R Block:

BC: We going to doctor.

Me: No, no we're not.  This is where we're going to get our taxes done.

BC:  There might be A LOT of taxi-tabs in there! (smiling happily and pointing)

Me:  Well...probably just computers and a lot of papers.

BC:  (stubborn as he is) Taxi-tabs in there!

I'm sure he was very disappointed to realize that indeed there were NO taxi cabs there -- just boring 'ol tax papers.  :)  

Reading time

Yesterday morning, Bear Cub collected some of his favorite trucks and vehicles and headed into his tent.  He then came out and gathered a few books.  He proceeded to sit down and say, "Now read books to your (he means "my") babies."  So he sat there, turning the pages so carefully, and read to his babies.  And the greatest thing is this...he actually has most of his books memorized, so he can really "read" the story, almost word for word, page by page!  It is amazing!!  

He has been into calling his trucks and toys his "babies."  I SWEAR, I don't play babies with him at home!  This is something he has come up with all by himself.  He will get them all set up in his tent, say they are going "night-night" and then try to keep them in the tent.  Sometimes he'll put one out of his tent and then say, "Get back in tent, baby!"  It's pretty funny.  :)

He also LOVES for Daddy or me to get into the tent with him.  It is a tight squeeze in that small tent!  He gets really frustrated if any part of us is hanging out.  For instance, I was in there with him one day playing and my foot kept sliding out onto the rug.  Ooohhh...he'd get so upset that "Mommy not in tent!"  So we basically have to become contortionists to make Bear Cub happy when we play in that tent!  Hey, for $10 at IKEA...I'd say we're getting good use out of it!  

Bear Cub update: He still has his goopy nose and a cough.  :(   I just found out that his friends that came to play last week have ear infections, so I'm going to have to really watch him close.  I hope he doesn't get one!  We've been so lucky...and healthy...so far!  

Tuesday...already!

Hello!!  Yikes...sorry for the lack of posts!  We are doing well here.  Bear Cub has a pesky cold (again!) so we are enjoying a restful day at home.  The weather is beautiful and it is so refreshing to have the house opened up.  Not only does it feel great, but I'm hoping it will just blow all these germs away!

We had a great weekend with a last-minute kind of visit from Aunt S, Uncle T, and Grandma & Grandpa.  We had a fun lunch together at Chick-fil-A (BC's most favorite restaurant!) and touring around of the area some.  Bear Cub did not take a real nap that day, so after all the excitement and play time, he was zonked at bedtime!!  

I'll try to post some pictures soon -- it was one of those weekends that I didn't take any photos (gasp!) but I'm sure I'll get some this week.  Have a good one and hopefully everyone else out there is staying healthy!  I'm tired of goopy noses in this house!  ;)

Brrrrr! It's cold here in Florida!

I love these action shots...that's about all I can get these days!  He zooms all over the place!

More zooming...this time outside.

Ahhhh...those dreamy blue eyes of his...

During this play time outside, he wanted to create a tow truck.  So we found some straps to loop through his 2 vehicles and voila!  A tow truck was made!

Hello everyone!  We've had a nice week so far!  Despite the cold temps here, we've made it outside a few afternoons and Bear Cub has had a blast pretending and playing with his outside trucks.  He has a great imagination!  And it really has been COLD here... again, 20s in the night and only high 40s and low 50s for the highs.  Pretty unusual for us, really, but we are enjoying the change and just trying to keep warm when do go outside!

On Wednesday, we went to the library for preschool story time.  It was definitely more structured and even featured a "letter of the week."  We have a new children's librarian, that isn't quite as warm and fuzzy as my fave, but she'll do.  BC was able to sit still during the stories, and even learned how to raise his hand to get the "teacher's" attention.  Too cute!  I think we'll continue to go on Wednesdays.  It was good "rug time" practice for real preschool and he still seemed to enjoy it.  

Enjoy the rest of the week!  Tomorrow is Friday...already!  Geez...where do the weeks go?!?!? 

Another Bear Cub "funny"

I think I've mentioned in previous posts how BC likes to point out "dirl" (girl) stuff and "boys" stuff.  Anything pink is for "dirls" and most any other color is for boys.  He is too funny about this.  

Adding on to this fascination of his, he now will put something up on his head - a truck, a Teddy Graham, a cracker, you name it -- and say, "Put something on head - you be dirl!"  

Ok, so now we're teaching him that just because you have something (a Goldfish cracker, for cryin' out loud!) on your head, that does NOT make you a girl.  Oh my.

Where does he get this stuff from??  We just can't help but laugh...  ;)  

2 Cutie-pies...

We had a great weekend!  Saturday we went to our friends' house and Bear Cub was able to play with adorable Little Miss.  Aren't they so cute together??  We always get them to hold hands and hug... it's too precious!  We had a nice visit with them and the kids did really well together.

Sunday we headed to Epcot and spent close to 5 hours there!  BC was doing great, so we kept on checking things out.  It was so nice because the park was not crowded and we were able to do everything we wanted without any long waits.  Normally, you do not have to ride the monorail when you go to Epcot, but since BC was SO disappointed on our last trip there, we took a round trip ride on it, just to please him.  Again...he loved it!!  :)  I'm telling ya...trains are the latest obsession around here!

I'll post again later in the week.  No big plans for us, except hopefully to play with some local friends and do our usual story time at the library.  This week we're going to try the preschool story time, which includes a craft, so we'll see how that goes!  

Have a wonderful week ahead!