Holy Canoli my baby's getting older

Teddy turns 11 tomorrow!!!!


I can't stand it. It's too much. How in God's name did this happen. He's heart stoppingly beautiful (at this moment especially when his mouth is shut) and just keeps getting more grown up every day. There are still things he's working on - like remembering to use utensils, and being able to find the shoes on his feet - but I figure he'll get them some day, or maybe he won't but he won't be living with me any more so I just won't care as much.

This is one of my favorite pictures, taken a year ago in the Outer Banks.

The Carolla lighthouse is in the background if you look closely.

He's lovely and sweeet and very empathetic to everyone except his brother. He's very responsible with things outside of the home, extremely assertive, yet also shy and unsure (this he get's from his mother). He's wildly analytical and extremely curious; asking thoughtful and thought provoking questions of just about everyone on just about any topic (he gets this from his father). He spends a great deal of time trying to figure out how to make or build the next cool and intricate thing or on trying to figure out how things work. He is a consumate debater. He will debate with anyone on anything at anytime; happy to take whichever side you didn't. His teachers think he's amazing, his parents are not as certain this is a good quality - though certainly think he'll follow in his grandpa's and aunt's and uncle's footsteps and be a lawyer - really anything else would be wasting some serious innate talent.

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He is a wonderful son and brother though this pre-teen time has not been my favorite. I'm guessing I've got a few more years of this less than wonderful time with him, but am confident it'll all be worth it in the end. We are very lucky to have him in our lives; they are richer every day for his existance.

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Camela

The mystery date

Brad asked if he could take me on a mystery date the day before we went to pick up the kids - the catch was I had to leave work early on Thursday afternoon.... uh... Oh the hardship - yeah I think I can arrange that.

He wouldn't tell me where we were going only that I had to wear a dress and he had to approve it. I truly like just following his lead, it's such a calm and oddly close place to be, so I left work at the appointed time and found out what he was going to wear... a suit (his big boy clothes as he calls them). I went through a few choices before settling on a nice summer dress and before long we were off. He drove south and at some point I guessed we were headed to DC (I'm not mentioning the many other guesses that I had along the way - we didn't stop in Columbia, nor did we head to the Olney Ale House).

I expected to be sort of antsy not knowing where we were going, but instead I felt completely relaxed - I knew just hanging out with him would be fun so it just didn't matter where we were headed. But then after a while I saw a sign for The Kennedy Center. I got a little chill of excitement. I've lived here all my life, within an hour of DC and all it has to offer and I've never been to The Kennedy Center - so this was going to be extra fun. We were going to dinner first and on the way there I got him to tell me what we were going to see.... The Color Purple.

I almost teared up right there. The Color Purple is my all time favorite movie not to mention one of the best books I've ever read. A few years ago when it first came to Broadway he got me tickets for Christmas. We were going to to to NYC for the weekend, watch the show and play a bit. Unfortunately that's when Brad hurt his neck and started the long odyssey that ended with his successful neck surgery. Of course it was not an issue that we were unable to go back then, I was disappointed but never gave it a second thought and really had put it totally out of my mind. I had no idea the show was traveling, much less that it was close by. What a truly wonderful surprise.

We started with dinner at Sequoia a restaurant with an amazing view a short walk from The Kennedy Center. Brad asked the waitress what dish they were known for... this question totally stumped her. Um... we're not known for anything in particular - I guess we're known for the view. It was a great view, right on a bend in the Potomac River. But being known for the view and not for any particular dish spoke volumes about the food and we both adjusted our choices to things it's harder to screw up and even with that the food wasn't anything to write home about - but... the view really was wonderful and the company wasn't bad either.

On the way there I updated my FB status that I was on a mystery date asking for guesses to where we were headed and once we got to the restaurant I posted a few pictures; first of the view, then of the Hall of Nations in the Kennedy Center (and someone totally recognized all the flags - I was impressed) and then of a souvenir stand selling stuff from The Color Purple. I got a few guesses ranging from Taco Bell (thanks Sue) to the UN. It was a little side note that totally amused me and reminded me again that I LOVE MY IPHONE!

The show was absolutely fabulous! I wasn't sure how it would translate to musical, but it was done exceptionally well. The lead was played by the former American Idol winner Fantasia and I was skeptical at how well she'd do, but she was absolutely wonderful. I can no longer watch the movie because ever single scene is leading to one of the two climactic points in the movie that just either rip my heart out or put it back together and so I end up sobbing for the whole movie and well... I sobbed (though silently) for the whole play too - it was just so good. When it was over, I went into the bathroom to get myself together and I don't think I've ever seen my eyes to completely red. I put on my sunglasses at eleven o'clock at night so as not to scare anyone.

It was the best surprise I've ever had. I love my husband!

Camela

Kidless for nearly a week!

Well... we sent Jackson off to camp for the first time yesterday. We'll pick him up along with Teddy on Friday afternoon. I'm not sure which one of us was more nervous as the time got closer for him to leave, but he handled it well enough and I'm here waiting anxiously for them to post some pictures of his activities on their website so I can see how he looks.

Brad and I had a lovely dinner out last night - we went to Bonefish which we love if anyone gets the chance - with no thoughts of ... quick we've got to get home to relieve the babysitter. Tomorrow morning at the butt crack of dawn Brad is heading down to NC, his second home, for a short trip. At first I was not too amused by this trip, but upon further reflection, the idea of some time at home totally alone doesn't sound too bad!

The pictures we've been able to see of Teddy at camp have been wonderful, particularly their morning meeting times at "the flagpole". Each morning it's a differnt theme, Geek Monday was one, Topless Tuesday was another. It's the first thing the campers do each morning and I'm sure it's designed to get them up and out and energized; ready for the day ahead. My two favorite pictures have been flagpole pictures. From Topless Tuesday was a picture of his entire cabin of boys and counselors sans shirts flexing their muscles (what there are of them at age 10/11). But the funny part was they all had abs drawn in and it was hilarious. But by far the best picture was from another morning where again his whole cabin is featured and they are all wearing dresses - 10ish 10 year old boys and a counselor all in dresses. No idea what the theme was, and it seems as though only their cabin was in dresses, but OMG it is hysterical... seriously funny. Teddy is front and center (as he somehow manages to be for everything) in a blue, knee length, sleeveless dress, posing with hands on hips, looking right at the camera with a serious "I dare you" face. His best friend Matthew is right next to him in a more prarie style white dress with both hands framing his face and his mouth open as if he's making a girly scream. We'll be ordering some of these pictures when all is said and done and I am so completely looking forward to showing that picture to his future girlfriends (especially the ones I don't like).

Once we get the pictures, I'll post some here, but that won't be for a couple of weeks. Wish me luck not fretting too much about Jackson this week!

Camela

What's going on with us

We've already had a busy July and it's only the 5th. On the 2nd we had a lovely evening at our friend Doug and Angel's house with their brand new adorable baby Charlotte and their 4 Yorkshire terriers (also very adorable). Doug cooked which always means fantastic food, though really it's Angel's guacamole that's to die for. I don't like guacamole or avocados at all and yet, I can't seem to stay away from her guac - go figure.

On the 3rd we went to an annual event at our friends Sherry and Gregory's house. They live on the water and right across the river from their house is an annual July 3rd fireworks display - it's our yearly fireworks without the crowds. We got to hang out with Doug, Angel, and Charlotte there as well and this year there were something like 25 kids so our kids had an absolute blast. Of course I didn't think to take pictures at any of these things, but oh well.

Then on the 4th we went to our neighbor's house (his name is Ted Jackson - isn't that funny) for their annual event and he's an amazing cook as well - so the moral to the weekend was WAY WAY WAY too much food. Also tons of kids at this event and they all had a wild crazy fun time playing some sort of football game led by Jackson and an old neighbor Cameron (both flag football players) - though this game had 2 balls and I just couldn't figure it out - but they all had fun and that's all that matters.

We were supposed to have a swim meet on July 4th as well for Teddy, where we were to leave the house at 6am. Unfortunately for Teddy the events of the 2nd and 3rd kept him out way too late and he was fighting exhaustion on some level. He was shaking when we put him to bed at 11 on the 3rd and so so so upset about the prospect of another night of not enough sleep and he was about to head off to camp so Brad and I decided to not go to the swim meet (well it was only going to me and Teddy that went, but Brad was in on the decision not to go)... our worst fear was that Teddy would get sick and not be able to go to camp.

So that brings us to today (the 5th) - and Teddy heading off to camp for two weeks. Last year he went for one week and had a great time, this year it's for two and during the middle weekend they go roller skating and bowling and to an amusement park - he's so excited!

Brad took Ted up to camp and from there continued north up to visit his mom to buy her a new bed and clean out her room to make room and ... boy oh boy do I not envy him that job. Luckily his sister Dawn has agreed to help with that. It's lovely of him to help her like that and she'll really appreciate it but I'm going to miss him until he gets back on Wednesday night. But Jack and I will have a nice mommy son time.

Next Sunday Jackson will join him Teddy the same camp for one week. I'm totally worried that he's too young so I'm not going to say much about it until he comes home - hopefully it'll go just fine. I will say that the day before we go and get both boys, which is a week from Friday, Brad has planned something for us to do, but I'm not allowed to know what it is - only that I have to leave work about an hour early - how fun.

And of course the day after they get back Teddy has his final swim meet - maybe forever. I required him to do swim team for 3 years so he could become a strong swimmer and well this is his third year and he is a strong swimmer. I need to work to convince him how much he likes it so he'll do it again next year, but I won't make him and I think he'll be thrilled he survived all three years and be totally done. I need to make it his idea to continue - we'll see how that goes.

Okay so that's our July - I can't think about August yet, it's just too far away.

Common sense - some people have it and well....

So we're eating breakfast today. Teddy got to pick what he wanted as he heads off to camp for two weeks today.... so of course he wants a meat fest so we have sausage and bacon and then he added pancakes and I made eggs for Brad, Jack, and I as well - all was very yummy and a nice breakfast was had by all.

Then Teddy decides he wants another piece of sausage, so he grabs one off the plate and puts it in the microwave for 10 seconds (now just the fact that he was self sufficient enough to think that whole thing through is impressive, I kid you not but that's not the story here). The timer beeps and he reaches in and grabs the piece that he'd just laid down right inside the microwave, no plate, no paper towel, no nothing, and he starts to jump a bit and say ... "Ouch, Oooh, Ow, hot, hot, hot" He walks the long way around to the sink (no idea why) and still with the "ouch, ow, this hurts" he's bouncing the sausage in his hand so it's not sitting there at any one time for too long. Then he walks to the table "Ow, IT'S HOT!, ouch", then back to the island "ow, ouch, oooh, hot". Finally back to the table, still bouncing the sausage in his hand, still complaining that it hurts and finally he plops it down on the table.

Brad and I just burst out laughing, we'd been trying to contain during his whole trip around the kitchen, but finally it just came bubbling out until we were both laughing uncontrolably. On the up side, Teddy has no idea what we were laughing at. It's a clear case of the absent minded professor.....

My own little Calvin

Tonight, Jackson was reading Calvin and Hobbs to me at bedtime and it occurred to me that Jackson is Calvin. He's such a goof ball, so full of life and fun and mischief. I asked him if I could call him Calvin and without skipping a beat he said "No!" and kept reading. A minute later he said "but Calvy is ok." Calvy? (I have no idea how one might spell that)

You're okay with Calvy, but not Calvin? I ask skeptically. Of course, he tells me as if that was a stupid question and keeps reading.

Later after way, way, way too much frivolity with both boys before finally getting him into bed, Jackson pulls the covers up and rolls over on his side and totally deadpans the words... snore blow... snore blow... snore blow... snore blow. It takes me a minute, cuz well you know, usually if someone is going to fake snoring they make the noise and ha ha, it's funny, but no, not good ol' Calvy... snore blow... snore blow. I fell on the floor laughing. I was totally done. I swear if I ever get a new pet I'm going to name him snoreblow... I dont' know what we'll call him for short, but that's definitely his name.

Camela

My son the book smuggler

Teddy is a very avid reader. Since he learned to read actual books we've had to fight with him every single night at bedtime to put the book down and go to bed. Every night one of us puts him to bed only to go and check on him several minutes later to find him reading. We totally get that this is a good problem to have, it's sort of nonsensical to be mad at your child for reading too much, but still, the boy needs his sleep.

Of course we take his current book of choice out of his room each night, but his room is full of books and comic books and there is always something of interest he'll want to read somewhere within reach. If he thinks we'll notice him turning on his light (or the flashlight under the covers) he'll just quietly go into the bathroom and read away until we notice he's no longer in his room. When I say this goes on every night, I'm not remotely exaggerating... every single night for... I don't know.. I guess four and a half years we've had this little battle. The only times it doesn't happen is due to pure exhaustion or illness.

Recently what's been working if I'm the one who puts him down is I just station myself in the hallway where I can see his feet in the bed. He'll wait a minute or two to be sure the coast is clear and then he'll sit up, on his way to find a book and a light source, only to see me standing there. He'll get a cute and goofy grin on his face and lay back down. I'll make some noises suggesting I've gone into my bedroom and he'll get up again, see me, grin, lay down. Each time he'll wait a bit longer and so far my patience has outlasted his will.

Then we come to last night. Brad's putting him to bed. Teddy says he's got to go to the bathroom so of course Brad suspects it is so that he can read and tells him so. Teddy stands in front of Brad with his arms extended and says "Look. Check me out. I've got no books, I've really got to go to the bathroom." After first checking the bathroom for hidden books Brad reluctantly lets him pass. But something was nagging at him... he just didn't trust Teddy... Wait, I know, he thinks, he was walking sort of stiffly. Brad barges back into the bathroom less than 10 seconds later and says "You have a book under your shirt, don't you?"

Brazenly Teddy looks his father in the eye and lifts his shirt... no book. But, he moves his feet just enough for Brad to see the book he'd already taken from under the shirt and placed on the floor next to the toilet. Pointedly Brad looks at it and then at him... The sheepish grin returned and Ted handed the book to Bradford.

Camela