Buddy

We've done Elf on a Shelf for the past few years and have loved it! For preschool Carson gets to bring a share item each day he goes to preschool and naturally he wanted to bring buddy. The only problem was that one of the "official rules" of buddy is that kids can't touch him so we asked Santa for special permission to take him to school.

The morning of school, Carson found Buddy in his back pack with a note...saying that he could go!

Carson was so excited! This time of year is just magical!

First Scripture and Prayer

Carson is becoming such a big boy, in stature and ability. A couple of weeks ago in Primary he sat up front and told them that he was giving a talk...only he wasn't. Because he had volunteered, the next week he got to say the 2nd article of faith and give the prayer. The microphone wasn't working so he did his best to use a louder voice and recited the article of faith {which he had memorized with a few prompts}. We are so proud of him!

Like Daddy

Carson looks up to Andrew and always wants to help him with whatever project he is doing. This particular day, it was mowing the lawn. I sure hope that he does grow up to be like Andrew!



Carson is a SUPER helper!

Guns

There is something to me about bubbles that is nostalgic about childhood. Like a typical boy, Carson loves guns. He usually gets a bubble gun each summer whose life is short lived because they end up breaking and I vow to never buy one again...this one was a birthday present and is holding up well. He's happy, Caitlin is entertained and I think it's always nice when I don't have to lose my breath blowing bubbles! Yeah for {bubble} GUNS!

Joy School

For a couple of months, Carson has been enjoying Joy School with some friends from church. I had been enjoying it too being as I hadn't had it at my house yet!

Last week the boys came over and we had so much fun!



We blew bubbles, finger painted with pudding and explored in between being crazy hyper we also had a lesson and read a couple of stories.







I loved the expression on their faces as we were being spontaneous!

T-ball

We signed Carson up to play t-ball and today was his first day! For the next four weeks on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons he has t-ball. His friend {the other Carson} is also on his "team" so that was fun for them. Due to the plentiful rain storms we have had lately, the field was too wet and muddy so they met on the black top instead.

I love the expression on Carson Lowe's face!



After meeting coach Celeste she had them warm up and then gave them a 10 second water break.



Today, she went through the basics; throwing (parent participation required which is kind of tricky when you have a little one too), running bases, hitting the ball, and outfield "biting like an alligator."




in "outfield" just waiting



When one of the boys would hit the ball all of the kids would congregate to the ball and forgetting who had actually hit it and then they all ran around; as expected...it was amusing to watch!


waiting for their turn to bat



When it was Carson's turn to bat he hit the ball and then paused forgetting to run. By the time he started running; despite his speed a boy had captured the ball and was chasing him as he was approaching 3rd base. Carson had this look of determination on his face and even after he was tagged kept running.



He told me, "that boy was chasing me!" I don't think he really understood what was going on! One practice down and Carson had fun! As we were leaving the school Carson told me "I like my coach, she was nice!"...he may or may not have been influenced by the dum-dum he was sucking at the time :)

Yahtzee

This morning Carson and I were playing Yatzee and he rolled not one but two yatzee's! Both times the dice were solid 5's...maybe 5 is his lucky number! Needless to say he won the game!

Outdoors please!

The weather has been nice, so nice in fact that Carson asked me if it was summer and even wore flip flops yesterday! As soon as he wakes up he wants to be outside and I don't blame him. His favorite things to do include: riding his plasma car, big jeep or big wheel, blowing bubbles, "working", and playing baseball. He hit 3 balls in a row and then 5 more consecutively, he was so proud! I was too because I know my pitch isn't great so he must have great aim!

Our Sunbeam

Today was Carson's first day as a sunbeam, for anyone who has no idea what that means=he gets to go to class like the big kids at church. He was super excited! He was a little unsure about being in a new place but once I bribed him to sit with his class by offering to let him bake with me this evening he was golden! His teacher had called to find out a little bit more about him; favorite food, interests, color...his favorite being pink, "like Rachael" {who happens to be the only girl in his class}. We love our little man and can't believe he is getting so big!

Friends

Earlier in the month, we had some unseasonably warm weather (blocking the sun from his eyes!) and we took full advantage by playing outside!

Carson has a couple little boys; William and Carson who where all born within a month of each other and so are their sisters! Luckily, they love to play together and us mom's are great friends too so it works out nicely-the kids get energy out and we get to catch up!


There is picturesque park close to where we live called Coyote Pond Park. So beautiful!

Mesmerized by the ducks and showing us their fannies while checking out the creek.

Love them!

Free time

With me in school, time is precious because I never seem to have enough of it! This weekend, amidst studying and such we managed to spend time doing what I like best just hanging out.

Saturday, while Andrew was watching football by Carson's request we made candied apples. They turned out great (I don't do candy after several failed attempts but these worked!). However, I now know that I prefer caramel apples.

Sunday we made a few Halloween crafts which as you can tell, Carson was really into.


The weather has been bizarrely hot for fall and Sunday was crisp and cool and it even rained so we went outside to play in the rain, I knew we wouldn't melt so why not?!



The weekend is always what I need to semi-recharge and I love spending it with my kids because they make me happy!

He's Back!

Reunited and it feels so good! The week that Carson was in Florida having the time of his life; swimming, seeing plays, eating at cool places, riding the rides he was tall enough (or brave enough too), meeting Mickey, Goofy, the Incredibles, and too many Princesses to name went by fast partly because we were crazy busy at home. We were excited to have him back because things just weren't the same without him!

He knew that neither Andrew nor I had been to Florida so he kept saying, "I'm the first one!"

He was surprised to discover that the airplane had a bathroom and made a point to loudly tell everyone on the plane as he made his way back to it...in-flight entertainment

A couple times he while gone he would get sad and say, "I want my mommy" then they would explain that I wanted to go but had school to which he replied, "then I want my daddy!"

He hasn't talked much about the rides but he did like the bumper cars

I think his favorite things was not what he did in Disney World but what he brought home; he got to choose whatever he wanted. Initially he chose a huge sword but had to put it back because it wouldn't travel well so instead he found a gun and a telescope...he's such a typical boy! He keeps going around saying, "thank you Uncle Rick."

See demo below...not sure why when you upload the quality deteriorates-oh, well.

I missed my boy and am so glad he's back!

Solo Adventure

Carson left Lincoln headed for the Sunshine State and Disney WORLD! We didn't want him to go without us but being as I started school a semester earlier than anticipated, I am tied down. Andrew debated going without me but then he reconsidered when he realized he would have both kids.

We didn't want Carson to miss out on what we're calling "the 2nd cousin retreat" so we bought him a plane ticket and decided to let him have his first solo adventure...take off!


He was super excited to be able to spend a whole week with Zoie and Ava. We even found a book about Florida and flying at the library yesterday before he left.

He's on a plane, the house is quiet. It's weird having just Caitlin. I miss him already and know that he is going to have the time of his life--without us.

P.S. I just love Lincoln! These pictures were taken on the ridge behind our house where I run on the trails...I think it's beautiful!