Barbara arrived at my house at 8am so Mommy could head to work. 

We drove to Wal-Mart where we had McDonald's breakfast, shopped for a few groceries, and bought some Elmer's glue and glue stick and a bottle of 500 water balloons two swimming pool noodles.  Barbara is ready for me to do more crafts and play that doesn't involves guns, Car Town, policeman, fireman, and vehicles of any kind.

 First activity was a trip to our neighborhood pool.  We got a card key yesterday.  There are two pools.  We will stay in the wading pool until I am a much better swimmer.  The wading pool is from zero to 18 inches deep. 

It is perfect for us to play and practice floating and "tickle, starfish, solider, and glide."
I did both of those but I would not practice kicking or using big arms.  We stayed about 30 minutes.  GGM had a nice shady place to sit.  It was perfect.  The big pool is 3 1/2 feet deep at the shallowest and 4 1/2 feet at the deepest, so it is totally over my head.

 This is what my foot looks like after getting over a dozen ant bites yesterday.  We were afraid it would really swell but it there was just a little swelling.  I am being very good at leaving the little blister alone.

At home we filled a dozen water balloons and I enjoyed busting them.  Barbara said she will fill 30 to 50 in the morning so I will have them to toss and bust after school.

 Barbara always collects small bits of anything that might be used in crafty things, so we spread out a bunch of "stuff" and made a project. 

She did most of the cutting and I did most of the pasting using a glue stick.  We use glue sticks at school.

 I played at making soapy bubbles in this gallon container.

I picked a couple of small tomatoes.  Our tomato plant did not produce like we hoped it would.

I enjoyed watching a Gunsmoke show, but was very disappointed when I found out it is a two part-er and the second part will be on tomorrow.    In this show Matt Dillon was shot in the back, and had to be taken on a train to surgeon.  There was a shipment of gold on the train and also a bank robbery.  I can't wait to see what happens.

GGF found a balloon.  He blew it up and I had a blast trying to keep it in the air by only kicking it.  Later I changed to kicking and punching.

Barbara thinks she has mastered tying my Taekwondo belt.  While we waited for time to leave for class, GGM, Barbara, and I played with the balloon and we were pretty good at keeping the balloon from touching the ground.

My class started out being with the regular stretching and kicks.  About half way through I had to sit down so the other bigger kids could practice their forms.  About that time Mommy and Daddy showed up.  This was the first time Daddy had been to my Taekwondo class.  It was too bad that I spent most of the time he was watching, sitting down.  I bet next time he comes it will be better.

There was a three year old girl, whom we had not seen before, who decided she was GGM and Barbara's best friend.  She squeezed into between them on the bench and proceeded to inspect their old hands and the soft saggy skin on their arms.  I guess she does not spend time around old people.

GGM and Barbara got a lot more rest today because they were not playing our normal police, fire, and guns activities.  They hope they can keep me interested in the new activities.

Bridget left this morning to go back to San Antonio.  PaPa and Grandma came over so PaPa could do a couple of handy man chores.

I was out in the yard with Papa when I happened upon an ant hill.  I ended up with several bites on my one of my feet.  Mommy put After Bite on me and that helped.

I slept well in Barbara's bed.  I didn't want to sleep in my own bed and I am too heavy for her to carry me to my bed after I am asleep.  So at least twice during the night she got out of bed and lifted/pulled me back on to my side of the bed.  I do like to cuddle when I sleep.

I woke up happy and ate breakfast right away so we could start playing something fun.   I had already had breakfast when we found out Mommy and Bridget were going to come get me and take me to Old McDonald's and Walmart.  They spent last night working on decorations for the baby shower for Kristan and Baby Girl.  I bet I can eat again.

While we waited for them to get here, we played catch on the driveway with a ping pong ball.  I am super good at catching those little bitty balls.  I remember just a few months ago when I might or might not catch a big rubber ball.

I came back over to Barbara's for a couple of hours before we had to leave for the party.   I love parties, but I know baby showers are just for ladies.  But I had fun anyway, I got to play with Mimz for three hours.   

This will be one of the last pictures of me playing with guns at Barbara's house.  Barbara and GGM have never liked the idea of me playing with guns, but they went along with it thinking it was a stage boys go through, but they think it has gone on long enough so they are going to try to direct my attention to other not violent activities... they hope.

When we got in Barbara's car, I asked why we didn't take Grandma's car.  They wouldn't tell me.  I had to figure it out for myself.  It only took me a few seconds, to say my car seat is in Barbara's car.
I told Mimz this was a very special day for me:  I got to spend time playing with Mimz AND with GGM and Barbara.

I did count to four in Korean for Mimz.  She asked me why I was learning to count to four in Korean.  I said because Barbara said I had to.    The real reason is that that is one of the requirement to earn a yellow belt in Taekwondo.

Counting to ten in Korean
1.  Ha Na
2.  Duel
3.  Set
4.  Net
5.  Daw soot
6.  Yaw soot
7.   E gulp
8.   Yud dull
9.   Ah hope
10.  Yul

One of the things I did at Mimz was ride my bike.  I was riding it when Grandma drove up.  I was not very cooperative when we were leaving, but I got over it soon.  It is sometimes hard for me to leave one place to go to another.

Soon after we got to Barbara's Mommy arrived to take me over to Andy's home for a couple of hours.  There were several girls there and only one man.  He played fireman and policeman with me.  When Andy got home he played with me too.  I saw Baby Girls nursery.  It sure is different from a boy's room.

 Aunt Kristan enjoyed her baby shower and she received lots of gifts for her Baby Girl.  I keep wondering how much longer I will have to wait for this baby to get here.  Mommy did a good job decorating. 

I was crying hard when I got to Barbara's.  I wanted to go to the doughnut shop and Mommy had told me Barbara would not take me.... for lots of reasons, one being if she did it once, I would nag her to go again often.

I would not be consoled so Barbara just went inside and left me standing in the garage crying.  One minute later I went inside and all was well.  We played Car Town until I decided I was hungry.
I happily ate pancakes with no mention of doughnuts.

I was told we were going to Sam' Club.  I said I didn't want to go.  I was told we often have to do things we don't want to do.  I could have been a pill, but I decided to accept that I was going to Sam's and it was an easy and happy trip.

I so enjoy cutting up a watermelon.  I make a big mess, but Barbara and GGM think it is worth the clean up for me to have so much fun.

 I like helping with chores...

and I hope I like to help when I am a bigger kid.

How many kids have a great grandmother that plays all day with them?  I am one lucky boy!  Thank you, Great Grandma!

I watched Gunsmoke and almost fell asleep, but it didn't happen, so that means Barbara didn't get to nap either.  GGM did take a nap.

I wanted to play Policeman and Bad Guy or Hide and Seek with guns most of the day.  Barbara and GGM don't like playing this at all and I think they are going to put a stop to it soon.  They were hoping this stage would pass but I seem to just want more gun play than they are comfortable with.

I need to learn to count to ten in Korean.   We worked on counting to four:  Hannah, Duel, Set, Net.  We practiced several times during the day.  Barbara wants me to practice the techniques for different kicks but I won't let her show me.  I don't think she knows what she is doing.  She thinks she could help me a great deal if I would let her.

I was so ready to go to Taekwondo class.  I hurried inside, bowed at Master Parks doorway, then bowed at the classroom doorway, took off my flip flops, and hit the mats.  We got there around 5pm, and have free time to do what we please.  I worked with Ong, a small Indian yellow belt boy.  We used the bar on the wall and a punch bag and he tried to break a yellow board while I held it but we were not successful.

I just keep getting better and better.  I still do most things with very poor technique, but I really try.  My jumping jacks have improved. This was one thing I did let Barbara work with me on fixing my technique.  I don't have an understanding about keeping space between me and the other students.  I move wherever I end up and  occasionally the instructor moves me back to an empty space.  They do this for all the real little kids. 

This was the most fun class so far.  Master Parks led the class.  We used the punching bags.  And we got to kick boards.  I must have tried to break my first board ten times before I was successful.   As soon as I broke the board, I looked over to see if Barbara and GGM saw what I had done.  Of course, they had.  The second board I broke in only two kicks.  I was in seventh heaven.  These boards are yellow and are break-away boards.  They can be put back together and reused.

I wanted to stay for the second class.  I'm glad I did.  It was a self defense class.  Master Steve led the class and he showed us two methods for getting away from someone who grabs our wrist.  I never did really get it but it was lots of fun.  Barbara came home and tried the techniques out on GGF and they did work!  Barbara tried to show me, but I was not very willing.  She hopes Mommy, Daddy, or Mimz learn and I will let them work with me... but maybe I would be the same way with them.

When class was over, I wanted to know, "Is class over?"  I would have stayed longer.  I said next time I want to stay for two classes.  Barbara thinks it is too much, but I don't seem tired and I do enjoy it.

Back home, we ate again and played Dream Snatchers until an alarm went off at 8pm.  This let me know that I had to get into the bath tub.  I bathed, ate a snack of a sugar-free Popsicle and cashews, brushed my teeth, worked a puzzle, read four pages of Charlotte's Web, called Mommy to tell her goodnight, and watched a few minuets of Leave It To Beaver before I fell asleep at 9:10pm.   I spend the night at Barbara's because Mommy and Bridget had to work on party decorations and also they were making a watermelon baby buggy filled with fruit for the party. 

Barbara has been having computer problems for the past month, but today the last problem was fixed.  She was without email for a couple weeks, so she had a pile of emails to sort through.

Another problem we have, is Barbara's iPhone is full, mostly with videos of me.  She has put them all on her computer, but she has keep her favorite ones on the iPhone.  Well, she now MUST delete some of her favorites and she is having a real hard time doing that.  But she will do it... she must because she didn't have room to record any video of my Taekwondo class this evening, so she didn't get a video of me breaking boards.  Bummer!
  
Daddy is spending the weekend in Galveston at the beach with friends.

I very willingly went to school and said I was looking forward to playing this afternoon with GGM and Barbara and also to going to Taekwondo class.

Ah Man, my vacation with Mimz at Crystal Beach is over!  I am so ready to do this again in a month when we are going to the beach in Alabama!

I did help feed Rylee one last time before Mimz and I left Crystal Beach at 11am to drive the two hours home.  I was sleeping in the car, so Mimz drove me straight over to Barbara's home.
We had picked up a few sea shells and I gave them to GGF because I know he likes that kind of thing.  He was very pleased.

Barbara and GGM were glad to see me.  They had really missed having me around the house.  We quickly got back into our play routine.  I did rest for just a few minutes, long enough for Barbara to read a few pages out of my Charlotte's Web book.

I was looking forward to this evening Taekwondo class because I knew Wednesday is sparring night.  Well, the first hour was our normal class of stretching, kicking, and punching.

 I noticed Master Steve was putting on lots of protective gear and other people were coming in and were putting on protective chest pads.  This was all in preparation for the sparring during the second hour.   Well, normally I only do one class a day and we didn't know if I was allowed to do the sparring so we sat and watching.  The first half of the class was stretching.  Then the fun began.  I said I wanted to fight.  Barbara said we would have to find out when I could start doing that.  Well, in a bit, Master Parks came in and noticed me sitting on the sidelines.  She said Mason, you need to get out there.  Well, I was a little hesitant and said, "Not today." (all of a sudden I was shy.) 

In a bit, Master Steve, said Mason come out here and spar, so I did as he told me to.  Three other little boys and I all found Master Steve at the same time.  He had taken off his helmet because he knew we could not reach his head.  In a bit, Master Parks laced a chest pad on me and I joined the fun.  I did a good job punching and threw a few kicks.  I loved it when four of us little kids sparred Master Steve all at one time.  And I enjoyed when Jackson, who is five years old,  and I teamed up to spar with Gregory, a boy about ten years old.   He was on his knees when he sparred with us. 

Another fun fun day in the surf and sand and sun for the group of friends Mimz and I are with in Galveston.

 This is the beautiful house we stayed in.  Thank you to the owners for allowing us to enjoy it.

Being in this water makes me think about how big this world is.

I loved the waves hitting me. 

 View from the deck.

 Me enjoying the hammock.

Ryle and I became fast friends.  I knew how to be very gentle with her.

I shared my toys and she liked them even if they were old trucks, not cute little soft baby toys.

Yippy!  Going on vacation with Mimz!

 Mommy drove me over to Mimz home on her way to work.  Then Mimz and I loaded up her car and around 9:15am we took off on our vacation to Crystal Beach, near Galveston, Texas.

Here I am walking on the walkway over the sand dunes that get us from the house to the beach.

 Ah, I think I remember seeing this water before.  Daddy brought me to the Gulf once when I was a baby. 

Yep, it was April 30, 2011.  Here are a couple of pictures from that day.


I loved playing in the waves.  After I was good and wet, I rolled in the sand until I was covered from head to toe.  I had a blast.

 I am totally in love with Rylee (Kay Ross' granddaughter.)  I sat on the sofa with Rylee and Kay singing the ABC song on the iPad.  I put my arm around her and patted her shoulder.

I also helped Kay change her diaper.  Barbara and I have had several discussions about caring for babies.  I told Barbara, "When we babysit Baby Girl (Uncle Andy and Aunt Kristan's baby-to-be) you could change all the diapers!"  She told me changing a baby's diaper was one way to show a baby you love her, so I said, "Okay, I would change diapers."

We have also talked about how everything goes into a baby's mouth.  And when a baby is very tiny a baby might chew on my finger and it would not hurt, BUT when that baby gets a tooth, then I need to protect my fingers from a baby's mouth. She does not understand that biting really hurts and she won't let go just because I might holler for her to quit biting. 

The house is beautiful.  There are five bedrooms and Mimz and I have a room with a king size bed all to ourselves with a private bath.   Mimz says I have been so very good.  She is not surprise by this and she is proud of me.

I did a lot of running in the surf today, so I will probably fall asleep early. 

 

I played with Big Mason all day and all evening.   We were at my house for a couple of hours and at his house the rest of the time.  We watched USA play in the World Cup tournament.

reserved Saturday

First thing we did after I arrived at Barbara's home was go for a 15 minute walk.  GGM and Barbara walked.  I rode my scooter wearing my helmet.   We must go walking early, before it gets too hot for them to enjoy themselves.  The heat doesn't bother me... at least I won't admit it... I'm tough.

 I had a frozen pancake and then cooked pancakes and bacon for breakfast.  We agreed GGM and I would play Car Town while Barbara cleaned up the kitchen.  The next part of the agreement was we would all brush our teeth when Barbara came upstairs.  I balked at stopping play and threw a toy.  Well, that got me in trouble.   I had to pick up the toy, then Barbara and GGM left to brush their teeth and they were not coming back to play until everyone had brushed their teeth.  It didn't take me but a minute before I was pulling my stool in front of the sink and putting toothpaste on my toothbrush.  I hope one day soon, I learn to do what I need to do, so life can be easy instead of hard.

GGM used a big vibration machine to help loosen up her stiff neck.  I wanted to try it out, but was a bit scared of it.  I bet next time I have an opportunity to try it I will, because I regretted not trying this time.

I am 44inches tall, Monk Monk is 19 inch long, and Baby Monk Monk is 17 inches long.

We searched every room upstairs, looking high and low, for a motorcycle rider of mine.  I said, "He can't have just walked off because he is made of plastic and is not a real live person."   I would not give up and kept looking long after GGM and Barbara wanted to quit and just let him show up on his own.

I had a make-up swim lesson at 11:30am.  I watched the last few minutes of the lesson of the little girl before me. I had more energy today that I have when I come right after school, even though I have been playing all morning with GGM and Barbara.   I use my legs pretty well to kick, and once in awhile I will use one arm, but I need to do lots of work at using big arms.  I also sometimes don't put my eyes down underwater when I am swimming and that really slows me down.  Just give me time and I will get better.

We told Miss Sherrie that Mimz took me swimming twice this week.   I did everything the big kids did, swimming the width of the pool several times.  And we told her Mimz got me a good pair of goggles.  That might help me put my head underwater because I will be able to keep my eyes open.

Back home, Barbara hoped I would take a nap... no such luck.  I did lay down and watch construction videos on YouTube.

GGM and Barbara took me to my Taekwondo class and Mommy arrived during the class.  It was a really fun class.  I pick up a few things each class.  A boy named Gregory helped me tie my belt.  Barbara has decided that there are several ways to tie the belt since everyone seems to tie it differently.

GGM's neck has been stiff for a couple days.   She has decided it may have been caused from sitting on the hard narrow benches at Taekwondo class.  I hope that is not the cause, because I like having an audience.   I left with Mommy.  GGM and Barbara were wondering what they would do for the next several days because they won't see me until next Thursday.  I'm going to Crystal Beach near Galveston with Mimz on Monday.

Mommy and I stopped at Old McDonald's (I  call McDonald's "Old McDonald's) before we went home.  I spent the evening playing with swords with Carson and the neighborhood kids until 9:30pm.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

 Right after school Mimz and I drove over to the Finch's home, so I could meet and play with two of the York's grandsons, Silias age 7 and Justus age 5.

 I really like it when Mimz takes me over to the Finch's home so I can swim and play with the grand-kids.

  At first we were shy around each other, then we started fighting with pool noodles and then the fun began.   My daddy and their daddy were school friends. They have four more brothers and a sister, seven kids total.

Barbara has been watching Taekwondo YouTube videos.  There are many of them.  She found one that does a very professional presentation and she liked the way they tied the belt.  It is a little different than the way my club ties them so we will have to see how we end up doing it.

Barbara, Daddy, Mimz, and I all showed up at my house at 4:30.  My Taekwondo uniform called a "dough bock" and my belt called a "dee" were there.  Mimz bought me a What-a-burger meal which I ate while we talked about my day and got me dressed.  Barbara showed Mimz and Daddy how to tie my belt.  Daddy was going to work out, but one day soon he will make it to my class.

At the Taekwondo club we talked with Master Park (the head lady's name).  Mimz bought me a black club t-shirt because I get hot wearing the "dough bock" jacket.  I think Master Park is impressed that I have so many people interested in my lessons.  Not many parents come... I don't know why...

Today's lesson was different.  Three people did not pass their test to get their next belt, so they had to retest.  That took about 30 minutes of our lesson.   I only had 15 minutes of activity in this class, but it was probably a good thing that I got to see what the tests are all about.  We wonder how I am going to learn all of that.  I guess my family will have to pay close attention so they can help me practice.  Barbara has been looking on YouTube and has found several videos that will help me.  There was one to teach me to count to ten in Korean.  


Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Mommy dropped me off at Mimz home and I had two pancakes and half a banana before school.  At school we had water play, which is always fun on these hot Texas days.  Miss Sherrie was ill so my swim class has been postponed until Friday.

We went to Target to get a bicycle pump for my bike tires. I pulled one of my stubborn spells in Target because Mimz would not buy me a toy.  She kept on walking and of course I finally followed her. Between raining spells I rode my bike a lot. 

I was tired but was fighting taking a nap.  I can get cranky when I am tired.  I got mad at Mimz and she left the room.  That lead to me falling asleep on the sofa.    


I learned a new word today.  I wanted to go to the doughnut shop and wear my cowboy boots to school and change shoes when we got there.  Mimz explained that it took too much time to change at school with other parents needing to pull into the school driveway.  She suggested a "compromise."  She explained that that meant I would get part of what I wanted and Mimz would get part of what she wanted.   I said okay so I wore my boots to the doughnut shop and after eating I changed into my sneakers in the doughnut shop parking lot.

On Sunday, Daddy explained how he and Scott would said thank you for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and then ask to be excused.  I haven't been doing that, but tonight at dinner I said thank you and asked if I could be excused.  Mimz was so surprised and pleased.  It had only been mentioned to me that one time and I remembered all on my own.

 Mimz and I went to the park around 6pm and didn't get back home until 8pm.  I was so hot and sweaty after riding my bike in the afternoon, and then running with boys at the park.  I had a good bath and then I was hungry so I ate again.  I am a growing boy.


GGM, GGF, and Barbara think I am so very loud and rambunctious, but Mimz tells them they should hear Hudson, Harper, and Beckett.  She says they are so loud at times they drive her crazy.  At first I didn't know what to think of those boys, but now I just join in. 

Water play was the most fun thing I did at school today, but then I have always loved anything outdoors.
When Barbara picked me up I was ready to start my play at her home.  I sure was hoping GGM had already had a nap, because I want both Barbara and GGM to play with me. GGF will join us a little, but not for long periods of time.  You can guess what we played.... plus we worked a few of my early puzzles.   Whenever they say one of them needs to cook (or do some other chore) I say, "Barbara can do it, GGM, you stay and play with me."  I just won't give her a break.  Well, I do let her take a nap, but I sure am apposed to it.

 GGF and I did some roughhousing while we watched Gunsmoke.

 Mrs. Annette sent home a thank you note for the Starbucks gift card my family gave her for helping me learn and enjoy school.

We also had to take a little time away from playing to shorten my "gi" pants.  They are about four inches too long.  We hemmed them up 2 inches and when I roll up the waistband, they are just about right.  My jacket is a little big, and we have a plan for making it work better, but we didn't get that done today.  Oh, I did complain that I was hot when there was about ten minutes left in the class.  I noticed about half of this class had on a Taekwondo t-shirt.  I think we need to look into getting me one of those.

 There are two classes each day. I can go to either class or I can go to both.  For now, one class is plenty.  The classes are from 5:15pm to 6pm and from 6pm to 7pm.  The plan, at least for now is:  if Daddy can come to my class, I will go to the 6pm class.  If he can't make it, Barbara will take me to the 5:15pm class and Mommy will get there around 5:30.  Then she can take me home at 6.  That way we can get home an hour earlier than if I go to the second class.

 Today the master lady, (I don't know her name) showed me how to tie my belt.  It is rather complicated and Barbara might need another lesson in tying it.  Any student there can help us tie it.  GGM came to this class and she LOVED it too.  I am to bow anytime I come upon an instructor and also when I enter the workout room or leave the workout room.  Bowing is a sign of respect.

 I wore my flip flops so I didn't have to deal with socks and sneakers.  The big boys that were there early asked me several times to play tag with them, but I was too shy.  We did talk with a family that takes lessons.  And with another family that has a little girl my age named Jane who takes lessons.  She and I were the only really little kids at this lesson.

We had a third teacher.  Three lessons, three teachers.  All have different methods.  We brought my water bottle, but they do have a water cooler if we don't bring my own water.  

 From these pictures you can see why GGM, Mimz, Mommy, and Barbara love watching me.

 Jane is three years old.  Often she and I get behind the actions of the other students.

Mommy and Barbara could see that I have improved each class.  Today I was saying "Hike" (or whatever it is we are saying).  Before I didn't say a word.  Even GGM said she could see an improvement from the first of the lesson to the last.

Mommy took me home after class.  There is so much I could practice if I would only allow my family to help me.  Sometimes I will let them show me how to do something, other times I think I know it all.

Another routine day at Barbara's.

 Car Town play with GGM.

 It was snack time for us all.  I goggled up the apple slices before anyone else got a bite.  I had an ice cream cone too.

 Barbara drove me to my second Taekwondo class.  Mommy was there signing me up.  Size 0 was too big for me, so I got the 00 size.  GGM and Barbara will take it up some for me so it will fit me better.  I chose a black "gi."  There were three other little kids and approximately 12 teens or adults.  There were many white belts, a few yellow and orange, and several green belts.  The man instructor is a 6th degree black belt.  We bow often, which is a sign of respect.  We practiced on three different kinds of kicks and I heard many tips about technique. 

 This picture shows the four little kids sitting to the side while the big guys did big kicks.

It will take lots of practice, but I paid attention and tried to copy everything I saw. Barbara and Mommy loved watching me.  There were two benches for spectators, which would be eight or maybe ten people, so Barbara won't come as often as she would like to.  All of the adults in my family will have to take turns coming to my classes.

Barbara only took three pictures and two short videos, because she didn't know if she was allowed to or not.
These were the notes Barbara took:
keep hands up and in soft fists
one foot in front, but not too wide a stance, and chest facing forward
twist hip when kicking
don't look down, be confident and loud with sound coming from below belly button
kick with a flat foot, not on tip toes
be fast, not necessarily strong.  The power comes from the speed of punch or kick
for some kicks point toes
practice will allow for higher kicks and more balance