Swimming!

I know, I know, I haven't had a new post in about a week. Bad Mama!. We did have had a few fun days here and there this past week, but alas, for most of it I have either forgotten my camera or been a situations where it wasn't appropriate to start snapping pictures. One such occasion was...swimming lessons!!

Little Chief had his very first swimming lesson this past Tuesday night at the Maplewood Community Center where we are new members. It went great! I really wanted to take a picture, but there were five other kids in the group as well as two other swimming group lessons going on. I was not going to go around and figure out who belonged to whom just to get a shot of Chief.

Anyway, it was so adorable to watch. It was another of those almost tear jerkers when I realized how much he is growing up. He followed directions from his instructor, Amy, and appreared to be really brave (from what I could see). It was a nice introduction to swimming. Amy had them all jumping around in a circle, she took them each on a guided loop, first on their backs and then on their bellies. They sang a song and played a game. After his lesson, Papa Bear and I donned our suits and continued to splash and play for another hour.

Sure, dinner was really late, and Chief didn't get to bed until 9:30 p.m., but we had so much fun it was totally worth it. Good Times.

My Heroes

So Papa Bear and little Chief are sitting on the sofa reading books while I am busy in the kitchen. They are chatting about this and that and I overhear...

Chief: Were you a superhero today, daddy?
Papa Bear: yep, sure was
Chief: Did you wear a cape?

I love my family!

Teddy Bear Park

Yesterday was a beautiful day! The sun was shining, the weather warm, and moods were high. We decided to meet our friends, the Wencl's, at Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater. We had a great time and the Chief got to play with his buddy, Leo. They had a blast! Afterward, we went to lunch with our friends followed up by another hour of play. The Chief only napped for a 20 minute car ride, but we had such a great day I was willing to sacrifice the nap. Thanks to Julia, Leo, and Landon for a fun day :)

Here O is telling Leo "This sign says no climbing on the rock." To which Leo replied "well, then I'll erase it." Too funny. Too smart.

They have the coolest play structures at this park.

Action shot of my guy jumping off some rocks.

Eyes wide open

My child does not like to go to sleep. Today he didn't even nap. This makes Mama J a little nutsy, but, generally speaking, so do most things.

An exert from one of the many dialogues last night:

Mama J: Son, it's 10:30 at night. You have to put your head on the pillow and go to sleep
Chief: But, MaMa..I just can't sleep with my eyes open
Mama J:...(sigh), well then let's try it with your eyes closed.
Chief: Oh. OK.

Really, son? After almost two hours of trying not to go to sleep this is what you end the sleep struggle with?

Rained out

So I forgot to take my camera to the Otsego Festival. (but Dandelion just sent me this picture her mom took before The Rain.) We had a prime spot and Dandelion's mom had a tent all set up for us. The problem was the rain. Lots and lots of rain. We finally gave up at one point and took down the tent in the pouring rain. It was comical. I don't remember the last time I was that drenched outside of a shower. 3 hours later my jeans were still damp. I have a great drowned rat photo of Dande, but I have to figure out how to get it off of my phone. It was a good time, though. I am totally up for trying it again : )

It's Friday!

Happy Friday to everyone! We love the start of the weekend here in the Yeagerhood. Big breakfasts, farmers market, cookouts, and yard work. The weekend never lasts long enough. I always think of Sunday as the last day of the week(end), but really it's the first day of the week. hmmm...Anyhoo...











We went to Trader Joe's after school today (he loves TJ's- so weird), picked up some good yummies, came home and had lunch with Papa Bear. Afterward we played a rousing game of open-handed Go Fish. I have to tell ya'll that the kid is getting pretty good. I mean, check out the picture where he is using telepathy to figure out what card he has...Vegas beware!

I am participating in a craft fair this weekend with my friend, Dandelion, a friend of hers, and her mom. I made headbands and earrings. They turned out pretty cute and my display looks great. It's always a bit nerve wracking to put yourself out there, but I think it will be a lot of fun, too. Hope it doesn't rain! I'll post pictures tomorrow or Sunday.

Well, dear friends, enjoys your Fridays. Now that I think about it, you should go ahead and enjoy Saturday and Sunday, too. If you can carry the joy throughout the week that would be fantastic, but I don't want to ask too much from you, so we'll just settle for the weekend. Cheers!

Preschool for Everyone!

The Little Chief about 2 years ago at a group play date

About 6 months after I began staying at home with The Chief, I began feeling a little isolated and lonely, so I decided to reach out and join a stay at home mom's group (SAHM- for all you acronym lovers). This was 3 years ago. Next to my marriage I think this is the longest commitment I have ever made (ha ha ha) unless of course you count the commitment of raising a child, but I digress...

Not-So-Little Chief this summer

Anyway, recently I have been perusing the blogs of many of our friends whom (or is it who?) we have met through the group and I am feeling an overwhelming sense of awe. All of our little babies are growing up! Everyone's posts talk about the first day of preschool, the first day of kindergarten, the first day of first grade! They're so real, these moments of life. Ya, know? I just feel so honored, so blessed, to witness these milestones. Thank you to all of my dear friends for sharing these moments.

Stepping Stones- The first day of Preschool

Well, today was the big day. The first day of preschool! I suppose I might be making a bigger deal out of this than need be, but hey- he's my baby, my first born, my only child venturing out into a world where I am not in control. (Although how much do we actually control? lol- probably not as much as we would like.) It's not like he has never been away from home. He has. Nights spent with Grandma and Grandpa, babysitters at home or away, and he's even been in child care at the gym. But school...this is the first step of many in his formal education. This is the reason he potty trained. Preschool IS a big deal.
I admit I was at a little bit of a loss as to what to do with my two hours and fifteen minutes of free time. I ended up doing a little shopping, grabbed a cup o' joe from Dunn Bros. and then headed over to school to sit and read for a bit. I was way too early. Probably a good 20-25 minutes. I was the early of the early parents. I thought it would be fine, though, since I had a book, but a few minutes after I pulled in I saw the class following the teacher outside to the play area. I sat and watched them trotting along behind her waiting to catch a glimpse of my guy. He was the last one out, holding the hand of the other teacher, galloping toward the play ground. I felt like I had been busted by the "overprotective parent patrol!" Here I was hunkered down in the front seat, a book in my face, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. He didn't see me and I hope the teacher didn't either. I don't want the reputation as being that parent. It's bad enough I almost busted into tears (again). (It was seriously adorable watching them play!) I think I will have it timed better on Friday. I'm learning here, too, right?
All in all it was a good day. He played with firetrucks, did a painting, played outside, read books, and had his mom and dad gushing over his milestone. While we were driving to school this morning he told me:
"I'm going to have a great day at school today, Mom." And I think he did.

This is a test

So I am finally doing it. Posting a blog about the ups and downs in the life of my Little Chief. This first post is a test. This is only test.