Not So Innocent

Last night Caleb was "all up in" Drayson's personal space (not unlike the past 4 weeks or so). But instead of just 'yelling' at brother, Drayson smacked Caleb across the face with a plastic hockey stick.

Oh, how Caleb cried.

And Chip calmly said: "I told you to leave him alone."

And for the rest of the night he did (with a bright read welt on his cheek). But the sting seems to have faded overnight and he's back at it again today...what does Drays have up his sleeve this time???

I'm pretty sure Caleb is missing the days when Drayson "just laid there." The days of peace & bliss & loving siblings is gone at our house.

--So when can I come over? (sans children of course)

Caleb's Exciting Travels: Seattle Sounders Game

On Saturday Aunt Kass took Caleb to a Sounders Soccer game for his birthday present!! They left early in the morning and still got back in time for the Ams opening night hockey game. Caleb doesn't wake up well, but as soon as Chip reminded him what day it was, he popped up and started looking for his jersey.

one excited boy on the trip to Seattle

outside Qwest Field (not exactly sure why he's playing the air guitar?..)
getting his sounders tattoo
sporting his crazy hair

look how serious he is...maybe someone should tell him its just a game :)
inside the stadium
Caleb & Kass

I'm sure the people in front of them enjoyed this purchase!
Nothing left in the tank...he slept the whole way home

What a great day. He is still talking about it. Thanks Aunt Kass...you may just have pulled into the lead for best present of 2009.

Caleb's Parties & the Loot he brought home

Every year we get to together with Chip's family to not only celebrate Caleb's birthday but also Chipper's (sept. 5) and Grandma Janes (which also is Caleb's bday--sept.15). Jane and Larry let Caleb pick the venue, and of course, we were off to Red Robin.

When the server came we were telling him who was celebrating birthdays and apparently we confused him by pointing to Chip, because Drays was sitting on Daddy's lap. They thought it was Drayson's birthday. And when the sundaes came out they plopped one right down in front of Drays and he was taking full advantage:

Here is the most anticipated present of the year: The 4-wheel scooter. that caleb has been asking for forever, because the "little boy across the street has one and its the coolest scooter ever"! Thanks for coming through Uncle John.

And the scooter didn't dissappoint. We all took turns riding it (even Gma Jane). It is actually really fun. Drays loves it too.

Havin' a great time out back at Gma & Gpa's.
Then on Sunday we went to Howard Amon Park to continue the celebration with the Parker/McCue Clan. Caleb loves this park because of the rock wall.Nonni Donna helping Caleb load up his nerf bow n' arrow.
Mommy and Caleb at the park.

Caleb testing out his new ramp.

Thanks to everyone who made Caleb's 5th Birthday extra special. We are so lucky to have so much great family close by.

Our Big Guy is 5

Caleb is 5 today and he couldn't be happier!! In the car on the way to birthday Spudnuts this morning he said:

"5 means I'm a big guy now, huh Mom?!"

And it does. He is our Big Guy. I'm not gonna lie...I'm having a hard time with this one. Here are just a few of the neat things about Caleb.

• He cannot wait to go to Kindergarten next year and ride the school bus.
• He loves that Drayson is getting big enough to play with him. He wants to teach his brother how to do everything.
• He loves to go to Sunday School and can't go to bed without saying his prayers every night.
• He can't wait to see Daddy get home from work.
• He sticks up for other people.
• His room is always horribly messy.
• He's competitive (and probably the youngest 'trash talker' you'll meet)
• He does his chores (most of the time)
• His favorite thing to do is play outside
• Everything in life is an adventure to him!

Can't wait to see what this year holds for you, Caleb!!

You are such a blessing and we love you so much.

Last First Day of Preschool.

Caleb had his last first day of preschool today! (meaning he will be in Kindergarten next year). He couldn't wait. And frankly neither could I. These past couple of weeks have been a hard time for Caleb. So many of his friends already went back to elementary school and he has been sitting around the house thinking up ways to torture his brother (thereby torturing his mother)! Drayson and I were able to spend the afternoon together. And when we picked Caleb up from school they were so happy to see each other (distance makes the heart grow fonder?--even if it's only 2 1/2 hours?.) And Caleb had definitely burned off some energy which made the rest of the night so much more peaceful. Fingers crossed that this cease fire continues through the school year (or at least next week!)

Bless you Teacher Nicole & Teacher Kim!

With much gratitude,

the rest of the inhabitants at Caleb's house

Happy Birthday, Husband!

Saturday the 5th, Chip turns 29! Some of you may remember last years post dedicated to Chipper on his special day. Since I haven't thought of anything to rival that, I will just say

Happy, Happy Birthday!!!

Maybe next year for your 30th (when you'll be really old) I'll throw you a huge surprise party (because I know how much you like it to be all about you) where you will have to open every single gift in front of everyone (because I know how much you love that) and I will serve you a gigantic piece of ice cream cake (because you're not lactose intolerant or anything)...see how well I know you after all this time?.

Seriously though, thanks for being a wonderful husband and the best dad ever!
We love you so much!

p.s. We won our first game 1-0! Good thoughts still appreciated for the rest of the season of course :)

Coach

Tonight we have our first pre-season game. If you know me, you know I am sick to my stomach with nervousness and stress. I read a book the other day that said according to my blood type I should stick to relaxing activities such as Yoga and Meditation. But, you know, those don't excite me (ie: give me stomach cramps) the way a good competitive soccer game does.

So I will wait until 5pm. It can't come soon enough, or wait, maybe it will be too soon. Either way, it will come, and we shall see what comes of it. I know we have a good team...maybe that is the issue, I have high hopes and expectations for them/us/me. Go Big or Go Home...right?.

It is so very important to me that these girls reach their full potential. Was it not just me a few short years ago (OK, maybe a couple more than that :), pulling on that uniform (with those same lovely cramps in my stomach)? And now I am the Coach, the Head Coach.

Whoa. I think I'm. going. to . be. sick.

Maybe I'll go meditate now.