All Boy

Tony you are 100% certified BOY! Last weekend the Gard side of the family came in for the fourth of July and all your girl cousins were here to play and my oh my what a difference in play styles. I used to think it was in how you raised the child but there is definately a difference in how boys and girls are wired. You wanted to climb, jump, splash, roar,with everyone you came in contact with. I guess your Dad and are used to this kind of play but it was so funny watching you interact with a bunch of girls. As we have looked at the pictures this week it has been funny to listen to you recall memories you made with each person. It is hard to not have family close by all the time but that makes me so grateful for the time we do get to spend with them. I hope we have many more summers of fun to spend with family. At least in the future you will have a little brother to be wild with...

I know this picture is blurry but I so love how it captures the joy and fun of all the children. Plus is was sort of a theme of dancing in the backyard and I could watch it all day.

Critterfest

Since it has been 110 all week we opted for some morning fun and afternoon air conditioning. So last weekend I took T to critterfest. Basically they turn the science spectrum into a mini zoo, they had all sorts of animals from dogs to camels, ponies, and elephants. We started by "petting" the ducklings and Tony held one, although I think he was squeezing the poor thing rather than gently holding it. We moved through the whole exhibit stopping to touch boa constrictors, giant turtles, hedgehogs and our big finale was an elephant ride! Wrinkles the rescued elephant took Tony and his friends Luke and Maylee around  a small section of the grass. I could hear Tony squeeling and saying whoaaaa the entire way around. And everyday since he tells me about about his fun and bumpy elephant ride.

We finished the day by watching a tiger show, it was sort of part circus and part tiger education but at one point the tiger didn't like what the trainer wanted him to do and he turned around and roared in his face and I think the entire audience (and the trainer) jumped. It was sooooo loud and for a minute I was a little scared for the trainer. I started wondering what kind of mayhem would break out if things went south, but of course nothing happened and the show was very entertaining. We finished up our HOT saturday with a yummy snowcone and a long nap!!!

Karate Chop

So when Tony turned 3 I thought he might like some type of martial art but all the studios here don't start teaching until 4 years old. Makes sense, 3 is pretty young for them to undertand the idea, but then I saw a summer program through a community center for karate tots. Only 30 bucks and no uniforms. I thought "perfect" it will be a fun Saturday morning teaching basic karate moves in a kid friendly environment. Or maybe not. We had missed the first class so I arrived early and asked if we could watch. The class was only 4 other boys and again I thought "perfect" lots of one on one. Let me say I undertand marial arts are serious and teach disipline and respect -both attributes I would like Tony to undertand but this guy was a bit harsh. He started simply enough by talking about the colored belts and how karate can help you in everyday life and even had some funny names for a few of the moves, but then he proceeded to bark out positions like these kids were supposed to automatically remember from last week. At one point I asked T if he wanted to stand near the back of the class and practice with them but he shook his head no and gave me the "big eyes" None of the other parents had any reaction so I thought I was being overly sensitive but near the end he wanted to teach a kidnapping hold. He was "trying" to demonstrate on a boy but the poor child was not following instructions or understanding (or maybe he was terrified) and the teacher was getting so frustrated he finally gave up and let the kids play basketball for the last 10 minutes...Huh Although it was the only time the kids looked like they were enjoying themelves!
Afterwords while we were driving to the park Tony said "That guy was mean I don't like karate." And I had to wonder what those other 4 boys said on the way home.
Maybe this was his first attempt at teaching or maybe I have no idea what to look for in a good teacher but I felt like it was karate boot camp instead of karate tots. I believe we will wait until Tony turns 4 and try again at a reputable place.

Happy to be home

I recently took a haitus away from Lubbock to visit my sister in Denver. I was able to sleep in,  not do any chores, laugh, hang out with my nieces, shop, and just simply relax from everyday life. While all of that was fantastic my heart literally ached for Tony. I would look at pictures before I went to bed and send prayers for him as soon as I woke up. I felt like every 10 minutes I was thinking about him and couldn't help but blurt out random facts about you. I have been away from T before and I am a believer that time away from your kids makes for a better Mommy. Even though I knew you were safe and having fun with Daddy for some reason this time seemed harder, blame the prego hormones but I have never been so happy to pick you up. You squeezed my neck so hard and told me over and over how much you loved me and missed me. And it was everything I needed to hear!

Ima gonna toot on you...

So apparantly the joys of farting are found at an early age. We have always been pretty open about bodily functions -I mean come on how can you not with a 3 year old around but lately Tony is obsessed with farting. And he has no shortage of it in fact I am rethinking what I feed him because of the amazing amount of gas this kid has. I remember when he was a baby and I too would giggle when he would let such a cute little toot out but now Tony will walk up to you turn around, fart on you, and then laugh this crazy laugh. Uuuuuhhhhh gross is my first reaction and then I thought maybe no reaction would squash this behavior but nope he does it for his own pure pleasure. To me, the dogs, stuffed animals, the tree, I just pray he doesnt start doing it to total strangers in walmart. I can assure you this is not something Jon and I do to each other so I am sort of dumfounded at his love of putting his hiney on anything that will sit still.So if you decide to visit consider yourself warned...

Mommyhood

Mothers day just passed and it was nice to have a day where my family stopped to say thanks. It made me think what I am thankful for and how different my priorities are. Just a few ways Tony has changed my outlook on life...

 -Snuggles and giggles in the morning
 -New appreciation for worms and bugs
 -Laughing even when you are angry
 -Being silly
 -Dancing to any and every song no matter where you are!
 -Never ending kisses and bear hugs
 -Weeds picked for me
 -Proud in every sense of the word
 -Someone who loves me just as I am
 -The sweetest and most honest prayers
 -His love already for his unborn brother
 -The cutest most spankable buns
 -Buying things just because it makes you smile
 -Not being a picky eater even to the extreme of picking it up off the ground (hello smooshed jelly bean in the parking lot)
 -Understanding each day brings new experiences to embrace
 -Weekly monster truck derby in our living room
 -Our walks around the park
 -Answering "WHY"
 -Keeping up with your energy
 -Watching you sleep
 -Watching you play with your dad

Thank you God for filling my life so full!!

Roller skating!

That's right I took Tony roller skating. Ok not willingly, we have a friend with and older son who invited us. I did not intend to skate but Tony started asking and it was included with the "party" so I strapped a pair of skates on and said a prayer. We made it around twice (very slowly) without falling and Tony was done. I took pics but haven't downloaded them yet. I even started to keep my balance after awhile and enjoy it. I halfway expected Paula Abdul to start singing so I could be transported to 5th grade. Tony didnt seem to think it was anything special he was much more interested in knowing when we were gonna eat the giant cookie. And he kept telling me this was not his party and he was only going to watch as the presents were opened. Let me tell you that kid racked in $200 -he's saving up for a skateboard or something.

Unfortunately I have kept Tony hostage for the last few weeks. If I even step outside I go into a sneezing and itching fit so we have spent our weekends doing crafts, watching too many movies, and playing indoor baseball. We talk about the baby growing inside me and Tony isin't sure what to think of being a brother some days he looks at me like "yeah we've been over this why are we talking about the baby in your belly again" and other times he gets mad at the mention of the word brother, and then there are times he wants to put his fingers in my belly button so he can "touch" the baby. I guess its hard for a three year old mind to understand what I am talking about. But one thing he has always said from the beginning is "it's a boy".