When I Grow Up

Here is the conversation in the car ride home from school yesterday:

Drew: "When I grow up I wanna be a teacher"
Me: "Do you want to be a Daddy too?"
Drew: "No Daddy's can't be teachers"
Me: "Do you want to drive a car?"
Drew: "Teachers don't drive."
Me: "Ms. Jonelle doesn't drive?"
Drew: "She's a Mommy and a teacher and she drives".

My son has learned at 3 what most men don't realize their entire lives - men can't multitask the way women can. :)

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Rainy Day Activities

Sunday was a dreary, rainy day and this house isn't feeling 100% yet, so we found a few things to do to pass the day - including some baking.

I've had some sugar cookie ingredients in the pantry for months, and finally I figured it was time to pull it out and let Drew help bake while Daddy was at church ushering (Mommy and Drew had a sick day).  Drew helped mix the ingredients in the bowl - although I made sure to beat the egg at the bottom before he saw it as it usually leads to gagging/puking.

Then I rolled out the dough and let him do the cutting.

We went with a winter theme - and made snowflakes and stars.  Later on Drew was a happy camper to help sample the finished product!  I have to say they do taste pretty darn good.

iPhones and 3 Year Olds

What happens when a 3 year old gets a hold of your phone?

For those who have a hard time making out that video, Drew is doing his "crazy legs" dance move. (I had to replay the video 3 times to figure it out).


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Tools of the Trade

As I've mentioned before I've taken on the sport of running.  Granted I'm not a record setter by any means, but I enjoy getting out there and improving both my own distance records and times.  My goal this year is to run a half-marathon.  I'm eying one in October right now.

But since I resumed running earlier this month after a month-long hiatus, I started getting a black toe.  On a toe I was normally getting blisters/callouses at the top, now spread to underneath my nail.  Gross right?

I finally decided it was time to get some new tools - running shoes.  I know and I've heard the best thing to do is get your foot properly measured, your running/walking style evaluated so the proper shoes can be fitted for you.  Last weekend I did just that!

I scored a pair of Nikes!  It was a big change for me since I've always like New Balance for running.  However when I was being fitted for my running/walking/foot - it didn't feel right.  These babies were awesome!  I was going between these and Saucony (another popular running shoe brand).

I decided on these because they're a bit wider, and for those of you who run - you realize your foot swells after a few minutes.  I liked the padding and the extra wiggle room.  My first run in them was pretty iffy - my right foot ended up going numb toward the end of the run.  I later learned from a group of runners - my laces were too tight, and they offered some tips on other ways to tie running shoes based on different ailments. 

Here's that Link for all you who are interested in running, currently running or thinking about taking the addicting plunge. :)

Beware of Spider

Some people post "Beware of Dog" signs.  Perhaps we should think about posting one that says "Beware of Spider".  Take a look at who moved into our backyard.

Eww is right.  I'm too afraid to knock the web down.  The damn thing comes out when it's freezing cold - greeting us every morning and night.  Oh and it moved it's web when either Dave or the gardeners did some cleaning (before you jump at the fact we have gardeners, it's from the HOA).

Fort-ified

Drew is back to school today which is a good thing for my sanity, since I was ready to list him in eBay starting at 4:30 this morning.

Despite a slight relapse Saturday night with his fever, Drew is back to himself.

Here is the awesome fort Daddy and Drew made on Saturday while I caught a much needed nap.







Drew had fun showing me around his new pad.

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Pick an Ailment

Pick an ailment, any ailment.  Could it be Chuck E. Cheese Disease?  Or perhaps Jungle Fever?  Because we took him to both Chuck E Cheese as a reward on Sunday and then Dave took Drew to the Jungle on Monday, the kid is home from school for the 2nd day. 

I guess that should say he's at work with me for the second day!  Drew was sent home from School with a 102-degree fever on Wednesday, which meant he for sure couldn't go in yesterday.

He did fantastic at the office yesterday , making it nearly 8 hours and managed a 30 minute snooze.  Today, not looking so good... already making demands and driving me crazy (and we've only been here 30 minutes so far).

He's got his own little area, so he's being relatively quiet, coming out to my desk when he needs a cuddle, a drink or to use the potty.

If Dave or my schedule wouldn't be so hectic this week I'd have worked from home, but you have to love a boss that's accommodating in these situations.

Say What?

Three year old have quite the imagination.  And they're quite the little parrots when it comes to repeating things you don't want them to say.

Take for instance over the weekend when he had to use the bathroom.  His stool wasn't in front of the toilet (he still wants us to watch him go potty occasionally), and here's the conversation went down:

Drew:
Me: "What was that?"
Drew: "I didn't say 'who moved the freakin' stool'"
Me: "Drew we don't say freakin'"

He know he gets in trouble, so apparently that's what he mumbled under his breath, only he didn't want to get busted for it.

The other day, he was drawing on his easel, and Dave told him to draw Spider-man.  So he draws a face (with eyebrows no less) and a single hand coming out of this face with five fingers.  That's it. 

When Dave asked him about Spider-man's hands Drew said: "Spider-man has five fingers see, 1, 2,3,4,5" 
Now who can argue with that logic?

On the Run

On Saturday we had to make a trek out to the Livermore Valley to pick up yet another wine shipment - I mean it was pick it up or pay to have them ship it to us, and we can't lose out on a chance to go wine tasting!!

So we set out on the gorgeous day after Drew bought his first McDonalds meal - you know to pacify him while we drink, being the winos we are.

Afterward it was necessary to let Drew get some wiggles out in front of the winery - we were after all hoping he'd crash on the drive home.

His favorite sport right now, playing "Tag Your It".  So Dave and Drew ran and wrestled.   I really love the open area at the Tamas/Wente Wineries.  Maybe one of these days we'll bring a lunch and eat/drink outside.

Unfortunately all the sunshine and running around didn't result in the much desired nap.  Bummer.

It's a Jungle Out There!

Yesterday being a holiday, it was a special Daddy and Drew day.  I'd asked throughout the weekend what they were going to do, and Dave said "I have to do research, I'm not sure."

So while I"m sitting at work I started getting a few emails with photos.  Turns out they went to The Jungle.  We went to a birthday party here when Drew was barely a year old - not exactly the best age.  Now it would be PERFECT!

So off the boys went.  Drew looked to have a blast (you can see him in this first picture in the "cage"

Funny thing is that when I was at Chuck E Cheese with Drew over the weekend (a reward for his trying new foods) I thought that the Jungle would be a fun place to hit up again.  I guess the guys beat me to it.

Paying His Way

On Saturday we decided Drew has been so good and adventuresome in the eating department that we would make an "Old McDonald's" stop on our way to pick up our wine shipment.

For Christmas my parents put some "Old McDonald's" gift certificates. Figuring it would be a good day to use it I gave Drew $1 from the pack and told him to put it into his pocket - along with a dollar bill I found in our closet.

So we get up to the counter and Drew proudly pays for his own meal. (We spotted him the additional $2.27).

He was quite proud of himself.






It's never to early to teach him the value of money. It buys chicken and French fries after all.

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Winter Wonder-land

Drew is learning about winter at school right now. And their project has me wondering what sorts of stories he's spreading...




We were instructed to bring in pictures of the family in the snow. It's been a year since we've been there.

So Drew proceeds to draw pictures of me mad at him and throwing snowballs at HIM. Clearly the photos show HIM throwing snowballs at ME.

So I wonder what other sob stories he's spreading. Maybe how we gave him that bruise over his eye last night? When in truth he decided to head butt the corner of the couch for no reason. (I confess I did laugh while he started screaming...)

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Future Rock Star?

Could Drew have a future as a rock star or singer in a band? Check out this video and you decide:



A few weeks ago we were at our friends house and took advantage of their Sister-in-Law's karaoke system. The kids had a blast with it! 

Back L-R: Troy, Brian, Mason, Charlise, Zionna,
Front L-R: Stephanie, Drew

Of course we kept shooing the kids out so we grown-ups could play too.

I'll spare you the actual singing (if that's what you call it) from the adults.  Lets just say there was some drinking and good times.  The guys get a kick out of seeing Steph and I sing Gloria Estefan's "1-2-3".  I guess we tend to "dance" and sing.

Persistence Pays Off

Finally, our persistence in forcing Drew to try new foods paid off.  Before I give you the details let me give you a glimpse into our torture sessions dinnertime rituals lately.

If you haven't noticed Drew is a picky eater.  And I mean PICKY.  Since he was around 14 months old he would make himself throw up versus eat anything he didn't like - we think this was mostly a texture thing.  So overnight the kid went from eating EVERYTHING to about 3 things.  I'm not exaggerating by much.  He still will only eat those "3" things - bacon, PB&J, chicken and french fries, hash browns, sausage, pizza

We let it slide and didn't force new foods until a few months ago - deciding cleaning up puke at every meal wasn't worth it.  Not we had a tendency to lose our appetite (come to think of it that would've been a nice weight loss plan). 

Fast forward to our current dinnertime torture sessions, we're forcing Drew to try new foods.  For weeks he has had the chance to earn "stickers" on his reward chart for trying something new - along with a number of other "chores" he can do.  The reward is anything from stickers to a meal at "Old McDonald's" - his favorite.  Well, recently he could care less about earning his rewards.  He'd rather starve than eat anything.

And to be fair I'd put only a bite of food on his plate, and the rest would be bread/PB, Crackers etc.  Not enough other stuff to fill him up, but enough that he wouldn't starve.  Often we'd have to pin him down to put the new food to his lips, send him to time outs, turn movies/TV off - whatever leverage we seemed to have.  Needless to say there was a lot of screaming and crying from the child - Dave and I felt like crying too out of frustration, but we refrained.

We haven't found anything new that he likes.  Luckily there's only been a lot of gagging, no puking.  That is until last night.  I made spaghetti.  We put some sauce and 1 noodle on his plate, then gave him a slice of french bread.  The meal started out like any other - screaming sessions filled with "I don't like it", "I'm not hungry" (which 2 minutes before dinner was served he was begging for goldfish snacks). 

Dave made a game out of dipping his bread into the sauce and eating it.  We told Drew all he had to do was dip his bread and he could earn the sticker.  He did it.  Then on his own went back for more, and more, and more.  Dave and I were making "eyes" across the table - you know the "Holy Crap he's eating it, but let's not make a big deal about it" eyes.  Then he asked for more sauce and more bread.  Three servings later he announced he loves spaghetti.  He asked to have it for dinner tonight too!

That my friends is progress.

Sunday School Presentation

Yesterday at church Drew's Sunday School class was asked to go up front and recite last month's verse. Drew went up so excited...




And then proceeded to make faces at the congregation (that's Drew just to the left of the bald head). Um yeah - we're proud.

He does know this verse. I swear it!

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First School Photos

I've had these for more than a month, but I needed to be sure we were past the holiday craziness and well that those that received them as gifts got them first.

In November, Drew took his first school pictures.  And after a few family photo shoots - first with my family for my Mom's birthday, then with the cousins in November - we were batting .000.  No solo shots for Drew, either he wasn't cooperating or the photographer "lost" the photos in the span of taking them and downloading them.

Needless to say when we had our "viewing day" it was all I could do NOT to buy everything they had:

Doesn't he look like a good boy?!  Well I didn't buy everything under the sun, because HOLY CRAP school pictures are expensive.  But I was willing to pay what I did, because without them we'd have no professional 3 Year pictures of Drew.

A little back story - to my dismay Drew had an accident at school that day - which I noticed when I picked him up and he was in different pants.  I was panicked that it happened before pictures.  I was relieved to see that it was after.

When "Growing Up" Backfires

Drew and I were talking on our way home from Preschool yesterday about how he needed to try more foods and that he should eat Mommy & Daddy's chicken (I tried to make it seem extra cool because it would have cheese on it).  I also mentioned that if he ate more foods he'd grow up big and strong.

Drew's response: "I don't want to grow up and get hair all over my body".

So much for enticing him with dreams of getting taller and stronger... he sees grown men as hairy beasts. 

Bittersweet Moments

For every parent there are those bittersweet moments.  The moments when you're actually sad to watch your child(ren) grow up - for that brief (and let me stress brief) moment when you wish your son or daughter could freeze in time.

Dave and I had one of those moments on Monday after swim lessons.  Drew was in the back seat talking about "wabbits" - and I said to Dave I'm going to miss the days when he starts pronouncing things correctly.  It'll be another sign that our "baby" is grown up.

Dave chuckled and said, "Why do you think I bring up and have him say 'baden' once in a while when we're in the bathroom getting ready or taking a bath." (For those that don't remember that was how Drew would say water around the ages of 1-2).

While it probably seems like nothing to you, it's just one of those little things I'll miss.  Those sweet little Drew-isms that are slowly fading away as he grows into a wonderful young boy.  Now I wonder if it's possible I'll ever miss the battles, the tantrums, or the "why's"?

Chicks Dig Us

On New Year's Eve, Drew and I got together with my high school friend Heather and her 3 year old son Nikos at the Oakland Zoo (you can read about Heather here - she's also a blogger).  Sadly this was the first play date we've had with the kids - her daughter stayed home to nap.

The boys seemed to hit it off right away.  So we hit up a few animals and then let the kids burn off some energy around the play areas... (yes so Heather and I could talk and catch up).

Here the boys are doing their impersonations of snakes.

It's impossible to get two 3-year olds to look at the camera at the same time.  Nickos was pretty excited about his palm leaf...

After the zoo we hit up a few rides. 

And then the two studs finished the day by cruising for chicks.

It must have been AHS class of '94 day at the zoo.  We were joined by a few former classmates there as well!  One intentionally and the other we ran into by coincidence.  Or maybe we all had the same idea.  Find something to do on New Year's Eve to wear your children out!

Ringing in the New Year

Happy New Year!  There are a lot of things we're looking forward to this year and we hope you all are too.

Here's a look at how we rang 2011 at Ms. Stephanie's house (Drew's former day care provider).

There was no hope for Drew making it until Midnight.  When he was asking to go to bed before we even left, we knew there wasn't a chance.  He did last until about 10:30 when he put himself to sleep on the couch.

Meanwhile everyone continued to party around him.  Here some of us are gathered in the front room for the countdown.... there were a lot more people behind me.

The happy couple happy to be awake (and mostly sober) for the New Year.  (By the way it was 8 years ago on this evening that Dave popped the question).

Me and Stephanie

I didn't really make any resolutions this year, however I did set a goal for myself.  To run at least 475 miles this year (averaging a little more than 9 miles/week).  Now if it would only stop raining....