Pilot In Training

My dad has his private pilot's license and enjoys flying on the weekends. Sawyer has been infatuated with planes forever! In fact, when he was just about a year- he saw a plane in the air and said "Papa." We had only told him once that Papa flies airplanes! Papa and Soy have really bonded over the airplanes, even reading the AOPA magazines. Papa bought an airplane book recently that has over 300 different airplanes in it. The same day they looked at it for the first time, Sawyer could flip through the book and find the plane that Papa flies. So Papa decided to take him down to the airport he flies out of and show him around the plane, let him sit in it, etc. We've already decided that Sawyer has to be 5 before going up with Papa- it's a maturity thing. 3's just too early. So Papa, Ama, and Soy went to the Aurora Airport. They began inside the building looking at the topography maps. One of the flight instructors was there and of course, Papa had to show Soy off:
Papa: Sawyer- where are the wings on the airplane Papa flies?
Sawyer: On the top!
Papa: Sawyer- how many engines does it have?
Sawyer: ONE! (proudly showing one finger)
Flight Instructor to Papa: Start saving your money now- he's going to be a fly boy!

So Papa and Sawyer went out to the plane. Papa showed Soy all around the plane and sat him inside. Sawyer got to play with the buttons and the steering.

He kept asking Papa to take him up. :) Then Papa needed to take off, so Sawyer and Ama watched Papa take off- and Sawyer kept wanting to watch Papa (even when he was out of sight).

So now we're going to have a fireman who will be flying on the weekend.... adrenaline junkie in training? Perhaps instead of saving money for flying lessons, we should save money for hospital bills..... :)

Oh The Thinks You Can Think!

Did you ever a feeling there's a nink in the sink?
Or a wocket in your pocket?
Perhaps we should Hop On Pop?
Yes, it was Dr. Seuss' birthday March 2nd.
Celebrations ensued all day long-
I made deviled Green Eggs for my teachers
and you got to wear your pajamas to playschool
and watched Horton Hears A Who.
For dinner I made you: green eggs and ham and
Cat In The Hat striped pancakes.

Did you like green eggs and ham?
Yes you did like green eggs and ham!
You ate them here and there.
Sawyer- you ate them everywhere! :)
I also made Cat In The Hat striped
graham crackers for dessert.
"Dr. Seuss" called you too!
It's just too bad daddy was in the bathroom at the time-
he missed the whole phone call!!!
But you and daddy read 2 Dr. Seuss books after dinner :)

Oh The Places You'll Go! :)

Author's Note: Yes, I know I did a lot tonight for dinner. But it's a cool thing to celebrate and we got to have fun with it. Yes, I know I'll have to do this every year. Yes, I'm okay with it. In fact... I think there's a "Green Eggs and Ham" cookbook......

Soy's Birthday Party

Today began with bagels.... followed my a stressed-out mom with 100 things to do before the party and less time to do them in! Three hours of cleaning and last minute grocery stop and daddy pitching in to do whatever I threw at him.... and we're ready to party! When we asked Sawyer what he wanted to do for his birthday, he said "go see the we-ooo, we-ooo" (fire truck). So I scheduled the tour (which they didn't know about even though they had plenty of notice... anyways...) and we began the party at the fire station. The kids loved climbing in the trucks and seeing the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms. They saw the computers, but really just wanted to see the trucks and the ambulance. So us adults (parents and firemen) hung out and let the kids run around the garage for a while. Then it was back to the house. We started with the fire truck pinata... too much fun.... although the broom handle that was twice as long as the child was tall and swinging it too close to the Jeep brought up thoughts of auto repair, but no accidents ensued. :) Then for the major surprise....... the most major of all surprises.... the thing he will remember ALL of his life.... (I hope!)
Oh YES we did! Thanks to a friend of a friend, we got a REAL fire truck to come to the house! Lights, sirens, the whole NINE yards! :) Doug was awesome! He gave Soy a little matchbox fire truck and Soy got to wear a hat and coat.Then we all got to ride on the fire truck. Thought we were going to go around the neighborhood, but since there is an elementary school right around the corner, we decided to go there and unleash the hose. :) So- me, Soy, Liam, Ben and Ivan climbed on up. (really, is there any other time in your life that you will ever get to ride on a fire truck!? How could we say no??!) So- not only did the kids get to do the hose, but the "big kids" did too- after Doug turned the pressure up a little more. :)
After saying a reluctant goodbye to Doug back at the house.... (although Soy got to flip the siren on when we turned onto our street!), we went inside for a couple of fire truck themed games, then a yummy dinner of pizza, lasagna, salad. Presents followed and no party would be complete without CAKE! My friend Christy made the cake for Soy and did an amazing job!
Everyone left around 8 and Soy went to bed shortly after. No nap today meant constant talks about "attitude adjustment" - so it was no surprise that he fell asleep in 5 mins :)

I'm glad we did this for his party. Was it over the top? Most definitely. Will he remember this forever? Most likely. Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! We won't do this every year, but it was a fun party and I'm sure I'll be planning more in my future :)

A Birthday Letter to Sawyer

Well my little man- you are 3 today. There were days when I wondered if we all were going to make it through unscathed and days that I wish could have gone on forever. The good days, the bad days, and the in between days are what makes you the wonderful, stubborn, amazing you. You have learned SO much this past year! You stopped using your booster seat shortly after turning 2, saying you were a big boy now and didn't need it. :) You potty trained in one day- looking at me like it was no big deal when I was loudly cheering you on. :) You started Noah's Preschool and a little bit of my heart crushed as I watched my baby walk in to school on his own with his backpack on. You started Play to Learn Preschool too and more mornings than not, I left in tears and called your teacher to make sure you were okay. I love the fact that you have grown even the last few months, especially with school. You happily go into school, sometimes forgetting to give me a goodbye hug and kiss! You spell your name and count to 20. You spell "S-T-O-P", know all your shapes, colors, and letters, and use scissors very well. You know the traffic light colors and their meanings (sometimes to my dismay!) You are working on spelling 'Mom', 'Dad' and reading small words like 'yes' and 'no.' I am amazed at how much you have learned this year. You love a challenge- be it intellectually or behaviorally! You've outgrown your trike in one year and have learned you can now bike faster than mom and dad can run. You are extremely polite when you hold the door open for us. You are extremely compassionate and kind to animals. You love doing your chores and are great at them- feeding the cats and dog, taking the recycling out, and letting the dog outside. You love to sing and do so.... often.... loudly :) I wouldn't change it for anything in the world! Your favorite song is "The Wheels On The Bus" and often put new words into the tune to make up your own song. You are an amazing person, inside and out and even though there are really bad days, I wouldn't change anything about you. I love you when you are happy and laughing; and when you are sad and crying. I love you when you are stubborn and pouting; and when you are asking "Why" all the time. I love you because you are you. Happy Birthday Sawyer. May this year be filled with even more wonder and amazement. - Love Mommy

Ah, the Children's Museum.... where you can:
1)splash random children in the water area
2) throw recycled rubber chips in the construction area because other children are doing it and not getting yelled at
3) forget to go to the bathroom (accident ensued.... daddy found a pair of pants in the car- but he ended up going commando and wearing his dry sock on the other foot because his other foot, sock, and shoe were... um... wet. But we didn't just spend $8 per person to leave after 20 mins....)
4) Paint your face with as much face paint as you want (mom controlled this one REAL quick!)
5) Have a fun afternoon (even though a nap was severely needed...by parents and said toddler) :)

Working Out

So Ivan and I have been working out pretty regularly this past year.... ok, Ivan much more than me. Anyways, it's almost always one of us staying home with Soy and one goes to work out. Last Thursday, Sawyer and I were on the way home from work/school and Sawyer asked if daddy was home now. I said "Yes he is. He didn't have to work today. But he was going to go out and go running." Reply from Soy: "Running where mommy?" Me: "Running to Albertsons I think." Response from toddler..... "SILLY DADDY! No RUN to store! Take CAR!" *sigh* All our healthy intentions just flew out the window......

Bad Doggy

After coercing Sawyer to eat one freaking bite of chicken and a piece of broccoli (lovingly called 'Dinosaur Trees') we decided to go have TCBY for dessert. I love TCBY- they always have a sugar-free option for me and 'blue' ice cream for Soy. Ivan usually gets his White Chocolate Macadamia Nut. So we left. We also left Bosco at home, which isn't unusual. I ran in to TCBY and got the ice creams and since we were going to eat them in the car on the way home- Sawyer got vanilla with sprinkles (images of blue, pink, and yellow ice cream on the car seat prompted this!), I got sugar-free chocolate, and Ivan, of course his usual. None of this is really important to the story, just thought you should have the background information (and possibly make you want ice cream....) We get home and walk in..... scraps of dog cookie and cat cookie packaging.... all over the floor.... everywhere.... Apparently Bosco, feeling left out about going to get ice cream, decided to help himself to the pantry and get out his cookies as well as the cat's and eat them. Soy walked him, took one look at the floor, looked at Bosco and said "BAD BAD BOSCO! NO MESS MY HOUSE!!!!" Ivan and I had to try so hard not to laugh out loud! Sawyer then proceeded to tell Bosco that again while picking up the cookie packaging remains. Ironic when the toddler (who makes most of the mess in the house) is telling the dog not to mess his house. :)