Ice Skating on President's Day

Yesterday was Presidents Day so we had the day off. In the morning we went swimming at the rec with Benny and had a lot of fun on the Pirate Ship and you showing off how far you could swim under the water. You're an amazing swimmer and always have been. Benny is really starting to get brave too and loves to go under water.

When Benny was napping, you and I took off for the ice rink! You really got into ice skating this year and it is so fun to do in the winter. It's amazing how fast you got the hang of it and started skating by yourself.  Today there was a kid there from your school who was a year older. He was super fast and plays hockey so you made me take your hand and pull you as fast as I could to make it look like you could skate just as fast :) 

Always need to finish skating with the famous veggie tray!

As I sit at my desk at work today, I think back to what a great day it was and how much I love spending time with you - Especially when its just the two of us. I wonder how much longer it will be that you still hold my hand while we ice skate.

I love you buddy!

Winner of the Middleburg Heights Drawing Contest

So a couple weeks ago, you come home from school with this letter on Middleburg Heights FD letterhead that says you won a drawing contest! The funny thing is you never even mentioned this. 

As the kindergarten winner, you got taken to lunch in a fire truck! I took the day off work to meet you there because I knew you were a little nervous and because I wanted to see this.

You me and the chief:

The famous artwork :)

Outside with the rest of the winners and your principles

I'm so proud of you. You've always been really good at drawing and coloring and it is one of  your favorite things to do.

I love you buddy!

Your First Race!!!

I am so proud of you. Yesterday, you did your first running race at the Mustang Stampede at Strongsville High School. It was about 1/3 of a mile and you came in 3rd place! You were so excited and have always had an interest for exercise and running (maybe from me???) and just being healthy. I hope that stays with you forever. I really look forward to you continuing to take interest in things like this and maybe even doing some races together one day.

Side note: You peed the bed last night! Luckily I was able to sleep in a little because we just changed the clocks back. :) 

I love you so much and feel lucky every day how amazing you are and how much joy you bring mommy and me. You and Benny are best friends - Please don't let that ever change!

Start of Fall 2018

I don't know how often to post since I don't know what it will be like to read through all this one day. I've been thinking of starting an email address for you so that I can send you more messages and thoughts that aren't a full-blown blog post - Sometimes after you go to sleep or while you're at school, there are a few things I want to say to you.

It's been a rough week for you. You woke up Saturday night throwing up - Probably because it was Trick or Treat day at Coe Lake and we finished the night with fireworks and a lot of funnel cake. 2 nights ago, you came in my room in the middle of the night because you were scared of No-noggin from some Curious George Halloween movie. Then last night you wet your bed and needed to get your sheets changed.

I used to get upset or frustrated about these things, but I've started to appreciate you coming to me for this stuff since someday you won't need me for any of it.

As always, mom and I couldn't be prouder of how you're doing in kindergarten (should probably post some first-day pictures) and how great you are with Benny. He has been hitting, kicking, and biting you a LOT lately and you never do it back! You still love him and love spending time with him and we love it.

Our First Dance :)

Your preschool held a father/daughter dance. It was Candy Land themed and we both were so excited and had so much fun. I was surprised how much time you spent with your friends while I was left making small talk with the other dads. But it was fun to dress up and have our own night together.

Winter 2017

What a pretty girl dressed up for Christmas !

This may be the funniest video of the year right here. One of the only times we went sled riding and you took this kid OUT! But everything turned out ok which is why it is funny :)

Early evening NYE party that ended at 7pm 

Fall 2017

What a Fall this has been! In October, we went with you and your preschool to Red Wagon farm for a fall celebration.

Then, we went to DisneyWorld with Gigi, Auntie, Uncle Dan and Seamus! I wish I had more pictures, but we stayed at Animal Kingdom which has an awesome pool with a slide. It was so much fun to see you taking it all in and seeing the castle for the first time. 

Random day that we stayed home together and made slime!

Halloween was cold, but we went Trick or Treating and you and Seamus went crazy running from house to house to get as much candy as you could. You would have dressed as Moana if it wasn't so cold.

Some things that I never want to forget about you right now:

- The way you are with Benny: 

You guys absolutely love each other and I hope that never changes. When he is crying, you sing a song from Tarzan to him "Stop your crying it will be alright, just take my hand, hold it tight. I will protect you from all around you - I will be here, don't you cry. You'll be in my heart, you'll be in my heart always, (whisper) always...

When he wakes up from a nap and I go into his room, you play a song on his monitor and then press the intercom and say "I love you Benny and Daddy. You're my favorite boys."

At night when mommy and I tuck you in, you say "I love you as big as my closet and wall and 100 cars and t-shirts connected."

Raking the leaves in the backyard and taking some slo-mo video!