I slept at Barbara's house last night, first time I have done that in a long time.  I started my morning by putting out the flag and driving home to let Maggie out.  Back at Barbara's home I ate pancakes, brushed my teeth...

 and played a game of Candy Land. 

I did a better job playing that game yesterday.  I guess you have to get me in the right mood to sit still for playing a game.

GGM was going to play a bridge game on the iPad when I realized there were some videos that I had to watch right then, so she shared and let me have the first turn.  I watched videos about dirt bikes and kids riding toy tractors, and big Lego projects.  I watched the building of the London Tower (Legos) two times. 

I weighed 37.5 pounds in big boys and shorts.  That is the 76 percentile.

I had not played outside all morning and I decided it would be fun to play in my kiddie pool.  It was empty so the fresh water filling the pool was a little bit cold.  I decided to take a shower...

 and found out it was more than just a little bit cold!

Right after lunch, I was tired so Barbara and I laid down.  She told me a story about a prince who lived in a castle and who was friends with all the animals in the forest and some of the adventures he had with the animals.  I fell asleep listening to that story around 1:30pm.

Austin Case, my first cousin once-removed, graduated from Baylor High School in Chattanoota TN this morning.  Here he is with his mom, dad, and sister.  Lisa, Elizabeth and Dan.

Austin's entire family... except for me.

This morning I was showing Mimz how fast I can run when wearing tennis shoes.  All of a sudden I stopped, looked up at her, and said I wished I could go jogging with Pops in Heaven.  I sometimes melt Mimz heart.

Mimz talked to Miss Amanda, the owner of my school.  She said she loves talking to me.

After school I got to play with Jolly, Morgan's four-year-dog.

I made Mimz laugh when I told her that Jolly wasn't very good at following directions. 

Mimz opened up the doggie door that leads into the backyard.  I sat down and pretending it was a drive-through window at McDonald's.  I ordered chicken nuggets.

I was playing on Mimz iPad when I fell asleep for about 30 minutes so I had a short nap.

After work Daddy came over so he could visit with cousin Judy before taking me to Barbara.  Judy was delayed so we did not get to see her.  Judy and Mimz are going to Breaux Bridge, LA for the weekend.

Mommy, Andy, Kristan, Bridget and Grandma all flew to Chattanooga, TN to attend cousin Austin Case's high school graduation.  PaPa is flying there directly from Nigeria.  He will fly back here on Sunday so I will get to spend some time with him this next month.

Daddy took me to my new home where we met Barbara.  She has to take care of Maggie while Mommy is out of town.  I sure wanted to go across the street to play with the kids, but we ended up just taking care of Maggie and driving back to Barbara's to see GGM and GGF.   I sat on Barbara's bed and watched the Little Red Tractor on her iPad.  Then I started watching videos with real children playing riding on toy tractors.  I wanted every one of those tractors.  Barbara said we don't have enough money to buy all of those tractors and I'll have to just play with the toys I have.  Bummer.

 

After putting out GGF American flag, eating pancakes, and brushing my teeth, I got GGM to sit in the garage and watch me drive my motorcycle (plasma car) around and crash it.

I remembered my new vocabulary word "unconscious" and used it. 

Barbara decided I was old enough to play the board game Candy Land so she showed me how to play.  We played three games.  The first game I was learning how to play. 

The second game I played perfectly.  The third game I was being silly and rough, so it was time to move onto another activity. 

 I was pretending to be some kind of super hero.

I was telling a motorcycle whopper when this picture was taken.

I had agreed to play with Play Dough when I heard a motor noise outside.  Mr. Brad and Luke were outside.  I rushed to put on my socks and boots so I could go outside.  That was the last time I was inside except for a couple of brief moments to rest.  When you ask me if I want to work or play, I almost always say work. 

Mr. Brad was removing old leaves and pine needles from his front flower bed, which is our "construction site" and I helped.  

Luke and I made up a fun game.  One of us was the ambulance/wagon driver and the other one would get hurt.  The driver would load the hurt child into the ambulance and pull him off to the hospital.  We did this over and over.  Most of the time I was the hurt one because Luke is bigger than me and better able to pull the wagon.

I got hot and dirty and kept getting drinks of "fresh" water and getting my face washed off.  I don't know where I heard about "fresh" water but that is what I keep asking for.  Barbara kept wanting me to play in my kiddie pool but I wanted to work and play with Mr. Brad and Luke.  She stayed outside with me most of the day, with GGM and GGF taking a few turns of watching me. 

One of them always stays outside with me if I am not contained in the backyard fence.  Barbara wants to make sure nothing happens to me on "her watch."  They sit on our driveway or yard while watching me play in Mr. Brad's yard.

Around 4pm Barbara and Grandma took me over to Mimz' home.  I fell asleep in the car and took a little nap at Mimz' home before I got ready for my swim lesson which was at 5:30pm today.  That meant Mommy and Daddy both got to come watch me swim. 

I liked having them there and they enjoyed watching.  

Miss Sherrie thinks I am doing great.

After dinner I helped Mimz water the plants and, of course, I had to get wet too.  That was fun. 

I was looking forward to Jolly, Morgan's dog, coming for a visit tomorrow.  I asked Mimz if Jolly could sleep with me.  She laughed and said she didn't think so.  I think that means no. 

Mimz and I watched the movie Cars on her iPad.  She had not seen it before.  Mimz told me there is a new movie coming out called Planes.     

I had a full day and fell asleep easily.

First thing I did when Mommy dropped me off at Barbara's was help put out the American flag.  And I helped put the trash can out at the curb but we don't think they will really come until next Monday, which is the regularly scheduled day.

I willingly changed from cowboy boots to sneakers so I could go to school.  I had a good day at school and ate all of my lunch.  On the trip home, I told Barbara a child got in trouble.  She asked me if I get in trouble.  I said, "No way.  I know the rules and I always do what Miss Melody wants me to do AND I am her best helper.

Mimz is enjoying volunteering at a hospital on Tuesday and Friday mornings.  She has a special hospital shirt and she has a tag that says, "Hospital Mimz."  When I first learned that she was going to be at the hospital I asked if she was sick because I know people go there when they are sick.  I was glad to know she was just there to work.

I spent the afternoon playing in the garage with GGM watching me crash my plasma car.  I made sure each time I crashed I would fall on the carpet.  Hey, I know better than to crash on concrete!

My favorite street is Dowdell because it is so curvy.  I like going around those curves.

I had my first dentist appointment today.  The first thing the dentist said to me when he walked into the room was, "Hey, I like those boots!"  I had on my good black boots with red flames on them.  The dentist had on cowboy boots also!  No wonder I liked him.  I watched the dentist check Mommy's teeth.  He explained that he would check mine just like he checked Mommy's.  Mommy had no cavities.  I made Mommy proud. 

I did everything the dentist and the hygienist asked me to do. 

I could not have been better behaved.   

They gave me a new toothbrush, children's toothpaste, some little flossers, and with the token they gave me I got a bright pink high-bouncing ball.  No cavities for me too.

I fell asleep on the trip home.

Today is Memorial Day.  American's have a lot to be thankful for and we need to reflect on how much we owe our service men and woman.

Mommy and I spent the day at home and playing with the neighbor kids.

Today was just a play day.  We spent most of the day at the lake with Grandma but we didn't do to much.  Just my usual....play....play....and more play with a nap thrown in to recharge my batteries to play some more.  I really liked playing with the bubbles that Grandma had.  She would blow the bubbles and I would run them down.  I worked up quite a sweat popping all those bubbles.  After my nap I watched some Disney on Grandma's ipad and then Mommy and I went home.  It was a great time at the lake.  I sure missed Papa though. 

I wished I could eat breakfast at McDonald's with Mommy and I got my wish.  Afterwards we met GGF, GGM, and Barbara at Lowe's and then we grocery shopped with them at Wal-mart.  Mommy got me some swim trucks to keep at the lake. 

After my nap, Mommy and I drove to the lake to spend some of Memorial Day weekend with Grandma, Andy, and Kristan.  Kristan and Andy had invited some of their friends to "hang out" with them.  Wes and Brandi, Cody and Jules, Katy (Aunt Krissie's cousin) and her boyfriend, Tony were all enjoying the afternoon we I got there.  Cody got in the pool so I could show off my swimming skills to everyone.  They were quite impressed.  Andy charcoaled hamburgers and sausage for dinner.  Daddy came just as we were starting to eat.  I skipped the hamburger and went right for the baked beans.  I had not one bowl, not two bowls but three bowls of baked beans.  I was told there is protein in beans. 

 After dinner Andy got in the pool so I could practice my swimming.

 My legs are my motor so I need to remember to kick.

  Again everyone was impressed.  Shortly after everyone left, I decided I was tired too and went to bed.

GGM and GGF moved here March 5th.  Yesterday, May 23th, was the first day that the weather has not been nice.  They have enjoyed the spring, now they are going to get a taste of Houston summer. 

I guess it is going to be one of my "jobs" helping put up the American flag every morning that I am here.  I've done it three days in a row.

I came inside to eat breakfast and then I was out the door to play with Luke until 10pm.  Then it was just to hot and humid.  It is only 80 degrees but if you do any running around, like Luke and I do, it gets uncomfortable with the humidity.  I sort of willingly came inside to play. 

I have been playing "Stop, Drop, and Roll"  which is what I am to do if my clothes ever catch on fire.

 I played for at least 15 minutes with little cooking racks. 

 I turned them in every direciton possible.

I enjoyed them as much as expensive toys.

GGM, Barbara, and I had more of Mimz' roast and vegetables for our lunch.  Barbara cooked more carrots because those are one of my favorites.

I asked Barbara if we could lay on her bed and tell stories.  I was asleep by 1:15pm.

**** Pictures and videos were just now added going back to May 8th..***

I made two new friends at school today.  Jackson and Miya.  Miya pushed me out of our castle.  I did not shove her back.  I am a gentleman.  When Mimz picked me up I was hot and sweaty from playing hard outside.  I wanted to cool off by watching a television show, while drinking a sippie and sitting on Mimz lap.

Mimz and I ran some errands and Mimz came up with a way to keep me from falling asleep while we were driving:  I watched Dora, the Explorer on her iPad.  We met Barbara and GGF at the Catholic school.   While we were still in the parking lot, we saw a strange looking bug.  I caught it with Mimz help using my new bug catcher.  I held it on my lap on the trip home.  It was a long trip home.  There is a train track near my home.  When Barbara was coming to pick me up, the arm was down and the lights were flashing but there was no train.  After waiting for a few minutes, Barbara and several other people made u-turns to take a detour to get to our meeting place.  Well on the trip back home, 20 minutes later, the arm was still down, but we later could see that there was a train moving very very very slowly. 

We closely examined my strange looking bug. 

I agreed to let it go so my catcher would be ready to catch another bug when we saw an interesting specimen.

Mimz sent some pot roast and vegetables home with Barbara.   I sure love baby carrots.  I am a strange kid.... I do like vegetables.

GGF car is finally inside the garage.  It has a Texas tag on it also. 

I really wanted to play outside, but Barbara made me stay inside.  She said it was too hot out there for both of us.  We rough-housed on the rug in my former toy room until Mommy came to get me. 

 Barbara was waiting for Mommy and me to get to her home so I could help put up the flag.

I always wave by to my mom when she drives off to work.

I asked Barbara if we could pick up Mimz and take her to my fourth swim lesson, so we did.  I like having my family watch me.

I need to remember to kick and to kick with straight legs.  I don't mind my head being under the water.

 I did a wonderful thing:  I floated for a couple of seconds all my myself.  Miss Sherrie had her hands out of the water so Mimz and Barbara could see that I was on my own.  And that is after only four lessons.

Mimz has bird feeders so we have birds to watch.

Mimz and I counted five tomatoes on our tomato plant.

Here Mimz and I were inspecting our flowers and tomato plant.

I played fireman while playing in my kiddie pool.

I fought falling asleep all afternoon.  After Mimz and I went on a scooter ride I finally had to sleep.  Mimz took this picture while we were still on the scooter.

Mimz only let me sleep for about an hour so I would not be up late.  Mimz fixed us a pot roast with a bunch of baby carrots in the slow cooker.  She knows how much I love cooked carrots.

Mommy pulled into Barbara's driveway just as she was getting ready to put out the flag, so I got to help.  They fly the American flag every day that the weather is nice.  Barbara has an alarm set on her phone to remind her to bring the flag in in the evening.

I was happy to go to school and Miss Melody told Barbara I had a great day at school.  I had a surprise when I went out to get into the car.  My car seat was in GGF's car.  We are going to start driving it and sell Barbara's car.  GGF and GGM have both decided they will not drive any more.  They are able to drive, but they are not used to fast driving done down here and don't know their way around.

GGM, Barbara, and I drove up to Grandma's house at the lake so I could practice what I have been learning during my swim lessons.  The water was too cold for Barbara but she got in anyway ( she will do a lot for me).  There was no shade over the pool, so Grandma put out an umbrella, but the wind was strong, so she and GGM took turns holding the umbrella to keep it from blowing away.  After I showed GGM blowing bubbles, and starfish floating and how I get out of the pool, we got in the hot tub where the water temperature was just right.  I enjoyed playing in there, especially when my crocks would float over the waterfall into the big pool.  When they would reach the side, Grandma would retrieve them and toss them back to the hot tub.    I slept on the trip home and for an hour after we got home. 

Mommy let me play with Luke for about an hour after she came to pick me up.  I sure did not want to leave him.  After Luke moves to his new home, it will be a lot easier for Mommy to get me in the car and to our home.

Daddy starts a new job in Conroe doing inside sales for a construction company.  Hope he loves it.

Mimz and I played all morning.  For lunch I had a new soup of chicken, rice, and vegetables.  I do like soup.  We talked about my swimming lesson and were ready when Barbara came to take us to my third lesson.  I had on my swim trucks and sun screen.

Miss Sherrie had me practice the same things over and over.  We work on my getting out of the pool by myself and blowing bubbles.  Did you know if you are blowing bubbles, water can't go up your nose?  And did you know the reason you curl your toes over the edge of the pool when you are going to jump in, is so your feet can't slip and cause you to fall. 

I have a hard time remembering to kick while I am trying to get to the pool edge.  I put my head under the water a lot and I drink some of Miss Sherrie's pool water, but I never cry and I do try to do what she asks me to do. 

Mimz enjoyed being at my lesson and was pleased with my progress.  After we dropped Mimz off at her house, I thanked Barbara for bringing Mimz to my swimming lesson.

When we got home, I played in my kiddie pool for almost an hour.  GGM and Barbara watched me. 

Here I am pretending to be a torpedo that goes fast through the water.  I did show GGM some of the things I am learning at my swim lessons, but mostly I just played at getting things muddy and then pouring pool water on them to get them clean. 

I finally agreed to come inside.  A funny thing: I normally insist on having on socks and shoes, at all times.  Well, I don't wear shoes to bed, but I do want to keep on my socks.  Well, yesterday at Mimz' home, I played outside all day barefooted.   That is a first for me.  And today I only wanted to wear my big boy underwear and nothing else.  Barbara kept trying to put a shirt on me, but I told her I was not cold.  I was full of energy and I guess I thought I was a superhero because I was flying all over the house.  I did not take a nap.   Mommy took me over to play with Luke after she got here.  I should sleep well tonight. 

reserved Sunday

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Daddy played golf today, so Mommy agreed to take care of me.  She was reminded that she had a class with Grandma, so Barbara kept me while they went to their class.  I played outside with Luke for two hours, until it got too hot. 

Luke and I played the entire time with his tractor.

 I'm going to miss him when he moves to his new home.

I ate lunch, and laid down to listen to stories.  I asked Barbara when my Mommy was coming to get me.  She said very soon.  And two seconds later I closed my eyes and slept for two hours.  Mommy came to get me as soon as I woke up.

I arrived at Barbara's home this morning wearing my new "summer" cowboy hat and a new western shirt.   I insisted on wearing the same clothes I had on yesterday.  I wanted GGf , GGM,and Barbara to see them.

I played outside with Luke from 8 to 11am.  Luke had a toy gun and I had on my cowboy hat, so GGF got out one of his books that had lots of pictures of guns.  Luke thought that book was super because he is into guns.  Luke and I play just "okay" together.  Barbara is just not used the the way boys can be fighting one minute and be best friends the next.  Mimz explained to her that boys are just like that and they don't carry grudges.  So most of the time Barbara just lets us work out our differences. 

Around 11am, I came inside to rest, east lunch, and watched a new Disney show on the iPad. 

Then I insisted on going back outside even though it was the hottest day so far this spring.  After just 30 minutes Barbara insisted we go inside and find something to play.  So we rough-housed a bunch, which wore her out.  Grandma came over for a few minutes and she rough-housed with me.

I weighed 37.5 pounds dressed in big boys and jeans.  Just a few more pounds and several of my special people will not be able to pick me up.

Barbara felt a rash on my tummy, which was very faint.  We decided just to watch it and see if it goes away or if it develops into something. 

I had to go outside to watch a neighbor's yard being mowed, so Barbara and I sat in the shade watching and waiting for Daddy to come get me.  Prolawn came to mow our yard at the same time Daddy drove up, so I missed watching them mow our yard, but I that was okay because I was happy to see Daddy and ready to go see all of Daddy's family.

Today would have been Pops' 65th birthday so we made it a special day:  Uncle Scott, Aunt Jill, and Morgan came to Mimz house and Daddy and I grilled.  I wore another new western shirt.  I said this blue shirt was my "grilling/cooking shirt."   Jolly, Morgan's little dog, did not get to come.  Jolly likes to play with my toys.

Later in the evening, Daddy and I went over to Mommy's home because Uncle Andy and Aunt Kristan, Bridget and Chris B. and Grandma were all there.   Bridget came to town to go to a wedding.

***New pictures added going back to May 9th

I woke up at 7am wanting milk.  After I drank it I rolled over and went back to sleep.  Mimz fell back to sleep too.  It was 8:30am when we both woke up so I was a little bit late for school but I did go happily.  While I was at school, Mimz bought me a little kiddie pool also, so now I can practice my beginning swimming skills in her backyard also.  Mimz slathered a bunch of sunscreen on me because my shoulders were a little red.  She thinks I will have a good tan this summer.  Barbara thinks my hair is getting lighter. 

Daddy starts a new job on Monday, so Mimz and I went shopping with him for a few things he needs.  He did get a new pair of brown cowboy boots.  I got two new western shirts with snaps.  I also got a new "summer" cowboy hat.  Oh, what a lucky boy I am!

Mommy picked me up after work and took me to our home.

Because we were up so late, Mommy took a half day off.  We stayed home to rest and visit with each other.

It was raining all morning so we were not sure that I would have a swimming lesson, but the rain stopped just long enough for me to have one.   I was not shy at all this time.

I knew all the answers to Miss Sherri's questions and knew what I was supposed to do. I still am not able to kick with straight legs or make by arm movements without help, but give me a month and I bet I will be well on my way to being a swimmer.

 

It may look like I am crying but I wasn't.

 

After my lesson, Barbara took me over to Mimz' home.  Kay Ross, Mimz' long time friend was there so she got to see me in action. 

We sat on Mimz' newly covered patio unjoying the rain.

I fell asleep on Mimz' sofa with my BBF Monk Monk.  Funny how I have my legs crossed.