Playing Catch Up

I know it's been a long time since my last post but the last few weeks have been quite busy with Christian's birthday, my Mom (Grandma GoGo) visiting from Michigan for a week and then Easter. I've got a lot to blog about so as soon as I find a good block of time I'll get an update out.

Also, I've been pretty busy training to do the Avon 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer. I committed a few weeks ago to participating so on May 3-4 in Washington, D.C., I'll be walking almost 40 miles (26.2 the first day and 13.1 the second day) to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research.

So far my longest training walk has been 14 miles and I'm hoping to do a 16 mile walk this Saturday. If anyone is interested in supporting my efforts you can go to my Personal Page at avonwalk.org and click on "Make a Donation" and follow the easy instructions to make a contribution.

And, a drumroll please....I passed the 1000 mark for hits on my blog! Now if I could just get more of you to comment and let me know that you've been by that would be a "good thing"! Thanks for stopping by!

With Age Comes Responsibility

As part of Christian's martial arts training he now has to complete a daily chart of chores/responsibilities, checking off those tasks he does over the course of the day. He turns this chart in to his instructor at the end of each month and can earn things like uniform patches, medals, trophies...even new uniforms! One of the items listed on his chart is to make his own bed. I have to tell you that that one caused me a bit of alarm because while I am all for him doing more around the house, I am a bit anal-retentive about how a proper bed should be made! So, after taking a deep breath, we started the first day of the month with he and I making the bed together and that worked out quite well. Until this morning, when he announced to me after breakfast that he wanted to try to do it by himself. After another deep breath, I agreed it would be a good thing for him to try this on his own. I had to leave the room though since I knew that if I spotted a crease or wrinkle I wouldn't be able to control the urge to offer my help. In my mind I comforted myself with the thought that I could always make adjustments afterward when he wasn't looking. Well, imagine my surprise when he announced that he was finished and I went into his room to find a beautifully made bed and one very proud almost five year old boy! He was so proud of himself in fact that he asked me to take his picture with him next to the bed that he worked so hard to make. The following pictures speak for themselves.



A mother let go a little bit today and a little boy grew up just a little bit more too -- but, I'm afraid I'll have to draw the line when he asks if he can do his own laundry!!!

Christian Earns His First Belt in Tae Kwon Do

On Saturday Christian took his test for his White Belt in Tae Kwon Do and passed with flying colors. He did an awesome job and was very proud of his accomplishment. He had to do three different attention stances, the sparring stance, the front snap kick, the high block, tiger crawls, the Korean words for uniform, instructor, practice area/school, and count 1-5 in Korean. It was a very proud moment for Shane and me and we hope this is the first of many belts for him.

With his teacher Instructor Mike

Grandma and Granddad were on hand to watch him test and get his belt

At home and very proud!

Monkey

He can do the monkey bars all by himself now!!! He's so proud of himself!

Happy Valentine's Day!

The "Valentine's Fairy" visited our house last night and left some fun surprises for Christian. Some art supplies -- Color Wonder paper and markers, some paints and his very own stapler!!! He was very excited about that! And chocolate -- M&Ms, yummy!

He also got quite possibly the world's biggest Valentine's balloon! Happy Heart Day to everyone!

I Got Tagged

I got tagged me for a meme a while back so better late than never.
Here is how it works: Post two wish lists: 5 material wishes and 5 spiritual or more meaningful wishes. Invite five other bloggers to play along.

5 Material Wishes
1. Definitely professional landscaping that includes a new front sidewalk and driveway (is that considered two wishes?)
2. An addition on our house that includes a family room with lots of storage and a master bedroom suite with a full bath and walk-in closets.
3. A full week of vacation alone with my husband somewhere romantic!
4. To complete all the renovations needed at our beach place with an unlimited budget!
5.Buy/build my mother a new house of her choosing in Michigan.

5 Meaningful Wishes
1. Spend one more day with my Dad so I could talk to him about all the things I wish I had before we lost him and introduce him to Christian.
2. Visit my family in Michigan more often.
3. Find the time to get more exercise and be in better shape.
4. To be good mom to Christian so he grows up to be a happy, kind, compassionate and confident person.
5. To be a better wife/partner to Shane and cherish our relationship.

Since I don't know 5 other bloggers who haven't already been tagged I'll tag the only blogger I know who we haven't yet heard from -- Ruhiyyih!

Karate Kid!

Or rather Taekwondo Kid! He loves his classes and is having a great time. And, as you can see he has got the fighting stance down! Bullies beware!

On Monday we had the day off so Christian and I joined a few of his school mates at a local bowling alley. And while he enjoyed the bowling, he was much more interested in riding on the motorcycle in the arcade! I had a hard time getting him off of it when it was time to leave. Check out those cool bowling shoes!

Happy Friday!