Memorial Day Weekend

Grammy and Oom-Poppa visited this Memorial Day weekend. In an attempt to "be in charge" for once, Milo made our plans for Friday, deciding we would head to EdVenture for the day. On Saturday we made our first of many trips to the nearby Fort Jackson, Palmetto Falls water park. As usual, Milo was slow to warm up to idea of going into the water. By the end of the day though, he was hooked on the kiddie pool, fountains, splash park, and lazy river. Splashing Mommy seemed to be one of the best parts of playing in the pool. Calder enjoyed himself right from the start, even pausing for a short nap while snuggling Daddy on an innertube floating on the lazy river. Since the boys had so much fun, we purchased a season's pass and plan on swimming a couple of times a week. On Sunday, after a quick trip to the playground with his Grammy and Oom-Poppa, Milo was in a slight funk, suggesting that he really was disappointed his grandparents had to head home to Pennsylvania.

So Much Fun In One Day

Today was a whirlwind of fun in Lexington. First we met some of our friends at the Palmetto Athletic Center, where we saw a performance of the Puppet Playhouse. After a half an hour of songs about numbers, colors, and shapes--during which Calder sat on my lap the ENTIRE time without moving--we moved to the gym for some free play. The boys had a blast, walking across the balance beam, bouncing on the trampolines, swinging into the foam pit, and bouncing on the springboards. That is, they enjoyed all these things once I was able to get Milo to leave the child-size battery powered ride-on trucks so that others could have a turn. After the gym time, we headed to Virginia Hylton park for a picnic and more play. The park is lovely, with a path leading to streams, a small waterfall, and a koi pond. Milo especially had fun throwing rocks and other debris into the water, scampering over the rocks, chasing his friend Lennon, and giggling on the swings with Lennon. As always, Calder and Marlie were sharing snacks and, today, some kisses too.

I Talk Too

This week, Calder's been talking up a storm. But today in particular was a big day, as it was the first day Calder said "Blue," the name of his dog/blanket/lovey. As you can see, Calder really loves "Blue."

School's Out

Today was Milo's last day of school. Parents were invited to attend the last "Friday Shabbat Party" and so Calder and I stayed for the party with the 3s and 4s classes. Morah Sheindal chose Milo to be the "Shabbat Daddy" since I was watching. One girl gets to be the "Shabbat Mommy" -- today it was Milo's friend Hallie. And another girl gets to be the "Shabbat Sister" -- she lights the candles -- today it was his friend Laurel.



As the Shabbat Daddy, Milo was in charge of welcoming the sabbath and saying all the prayers. He had a little stage fright, remembering the first few words of every prayer and then petering out, but Morah Sheindal led him through the rest of the words.



Afterwards, the kids sang a lot of songs with Morah Chavi and Morah Sheindal. They were adorable, all singing along, following the corresponding hand movements, and jumping up and down yelling "Hooray!"



When I went to pick up Milo this afternoon, the kids were playing in the playground, after having had their picnic a little earlier. Ms. Becky, Milo's main teacher, had left after lunch and Milo said she gave him a big hug. It took a while (40 minutes) for me to get Milo to agree to leave the playground this afternoon. While he was playing, Milo's aftercare teacher, Ms. Sinkler, gave him a bottle of bubbles and a hug. Milo seemed very reluctant, however, to say goodbye to Ms. Stephanie, his other main teacher. I think that's why he didn't want to leave the playground, even when he seemed tired of playing. I asked Milo if he felt sad because he was going to miss everyone and he nodded yes. At 1:30 pm it was time for Ms. Stephanie to go and Milo just didn't want to say goodbye. I reminded Milo that he'd see her next year and after a big squeezy hug, he seemed a bit better and agreed to leave the playground. I think he likes school!

One last thought: where did the last year go? It seems like just yesterday that we took Milo to his first day of school. He's certainly grown since then. I'm sure I'll be saying this all once again when I drop him off at college.

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

While some of us are still pondering that question, Milo has a good idea. A couple of nights ago Milo and I read a book about dinosaurs in which the author leaves the reader with the idea that while we know a lot about dinosaurs, we still don't know everything, because they lived millions of years ago and our science is still developing. Further, the author suggests that perhaps the reader will become a scientist who studies dinosaurs and maybe uncover further information about what dinosaurs were like.

After reading the story I asked Milo what he would like to be when he grows up. His response was, "Maybe a scientist, or a doctor, or a daddy." I replied that he can be a daddy and something else, for example, his pediatrician, Dr. Willard, is both a doctor and a daddy. Milo replied, "Okay, I think I'll be a doctor and a daddy, like Dr. Willard."

On a related note, Milo seems to really like his pediatrician. The other day, while on the phone with his dear friend Hannah, Milo said, "I'm sick and I have to go see Dr. Willlard today. He's funny and goofy. My Mommy says I'm funny and goofy too. . . ." That's absolutely true.

Where Are The Subliminal Messages?

Milo and I watched Toy Story for the first time today. He loved it, laughing out loud and, at the end, telling me how much he enjoyed watching it. Many hours later, we were talking and Milo blurts out with, "Mommy, I really want a space man like Buzz Lightyear. Can I have one, please?" How does Disney do it? How do they program the subliminal messages such that they are only geared to the preschool set? I don't know, and I don't like it, but it's genius.

Class Trip

Today was Milo's class trip to Sesquicentennial State Park. Despite the blustery and unseasonably cool weather the boys and I had a lot of fun. Calder, Milo, and his classmates played around while we waited for everyone to arrive.

Then the park ranger spoke to the class about the animals that live in Sesqui and displayed a number of animal pelts for the children to touch. Calder refused to touch any of the pelts; "Uh uhhh, Mommy" was his constant refrain. Milo payed close attention to the park ranger and was only one of three children to speak when the ranger asked if any of the students had questions. Speaking first, Milo asked how fast the deer could run. The ranger's unscientific answer was "fast." Milo's friend Lucia told the ranger that she saw a raccoon in Buford, gesturing how small it was, and Milo's friend Hallie told the ranger she was hungry.

Afterwards Milo's teachers, Ms. Becky and Ms. Stephanie led the class on a short walk in the woods, past the lake and a little waterfall. Amazingly, no one fell in or got wet.

We topped off our day with milk shakes and a visit to the library. Two of Milo's favorites.

Party Shirts

Mommy couldn't get enough of these two cuties in their party shirts today. Here they are in a post-nap stupor right before we headed off to our friend Brittany's surprise birthday party. If only I took a picture of them after the party, when their lovely shirts were covered in dirt and dust from playing in Caitlin's backyard and their faces were covered in cake, cookies, and ice cream!

Busy Day

Today was a busy day. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera at home and, thus, we have no photos to document our fun. Daddy seems to think this was on purpose, so that no one could see that he actually spent time with us.

We started our day off at the Columbia Museum of Art, for "Family Fun Day." Calder continued his tradition of wailing and thrashing anytime inside a museum. Milo wasn't too keen on the art projects offered today, somewhat enjoyed looking at the paintings on exhibit, and was only marginally interested in the jazz education program. The musicians were okay (and not so jazzy)--no "Lunch Money" as far as Milo was concerned--and so we quickly grew bored of today's offerings at the museum.

Thankfully, our lovely library (just a block away) was hosting free performances of "Wild Things Whirligig", a musical show loosely based on the author Maurice Sendak's books. Amazingly, both Milo AND Calder sat through this hour long performance. Calder was frightened at one point by the Wild Things and Daddy had to usher him out of the theater with "Blue" for a short while. But otherwise, the boys seemed to enjoy the show and Milo seemed enchanted by meeting the actors afterwards. The best part (for Justin and me) was that we each got to hold a boy for over an hour when they weren't asleep!

Sparkleberry Fair

This past Saturday was the Sparkleberry County Fair in Northeast Columbia. (Anyone know what a "sparkleberry" is? I'd like to know.) Despite the heat and lack of shade, we had a nice family time. (I suppose anytime I get to have a chocolate filled crepe for lunch is a good time.)



Anyhoo, the boys enjoyed bouncing around on the inflatables, riding the ferris wheel and choo-choo train, and gorging themselves on funnel cake (Justin included).

Quick Visit

We just had a quick visit with Gramma and Auntie Alli. They drove down from North Carolina, bringing big bubbles and other goodies, picnicked with us at Heathwood Park, and were sure to share lots of extra hugs and kisses before they drove back up north.

Despite all the fun and giggles, Milo was disappointed that neither "the boy he always likes to wake up," i.e., Uncle Dave, nor Cousin Lola (a.k.a. the crazy Boston Terrier), arrived with Auntie Alli and Gramma. Maybe next time.