Barbara came over to get me ready for my soccer game.  Mommy had a doctor's appointment and Daddy had been to the rodeo last night and was at Uncle Scott's home.

While waiting to leave for my game, I repaired the fence, hammering a nail in a little better.

There was a discussion on how to wear soccer shin guards.  Barbara, Grandma, Papa all said one way.  Daddy and Mommy said another way.  Daddy and Mommy appear to be right.  Most of the Internet sites say "shin guard, then socks",  not long socks, then shin guards, then fold down socks.

It was 40 degrees at the game, oh so cold.  We started the game with just four players, three girls and me, but finally another boy showed up and that was it.  So we all played the entire game.  And guess what??????  We won.  They don't really keep score, so I don't know the exact number of points, but we had the most.  I think I scored seven points.  We lost our first two games.

My fans were: Mommy, Barbara, Grandma, PaPa, Bridget and Chris B.  They were all very pleased with the way I played.  I ran fast, I kicked well, I just did a super job... for a little kid just learning.

We went over to Barbara's house so Bridget could visit with my great grandparents for a few minutes.  Then they had to go get ready for some rodeo event they were going to.  PaPa had a few chores to do at Barbara's house.  Grandma, Mommy, and I went to my house to work on getting our garage sale set up.

Ricardo, the man who does all of our painting, came over to re-discuss the repair job we have to do at Barbara's house.  I think he will be the man doing the sheet rock and painting job.  The floor will be done by another company.

Barbara, GGM, and GGF started boxing up stuff from my toy room, and the pool table room, because it looks like Ricardo may start on Monday.   Hope this part of the job only takes a week, but we will try to be patient and relax... it will get done,  so just chill.

Mimz is still in the Gulf of Mexico.  She gets back home tomorrow.  I have missed her bunches.

I woke up a super duper "pill."   I should have been a happy boy because today I would be wearing my cowboy boots to school for the first time ever.  Boots are not normally allowed since they are hard and could accidentally hurt someone.  But today we celebrate "Go Texans Day!"  We think it is partly to celebrate the Houston Rodeo.

Anyway, I didn't want to get up, I didn't want to eat breakfast, I didn't want to do anything my mom, and later, Barbara suggested I do.  But finally I decided I did want to eat.  After eating, I was a new boy, brushing my teeth, taking my eye drops,...

and getting dressed in my plaid western shirt and jeans.  I was ready to draw my guns...

 ...two pretend six shooters.

The lady who meets cars and leads the children into school, said I looked handsome in my western wear and boots.  We normally don't do stations on Friday but today we did.  I was assigned to the Special station.  We played with action figures and Army guys today.  Before going outside, I changed into my tennis shoes, so I could run fast.  When we came inside I put my boots back on.  I sure enjoyed wearing my boots.  I have loved boots since I was a little toddler wearing my first pair of boots.

Barbara let me buy my pizza lunch at school today.  That doesn't happen very often.  She thinks $4 is a bit steep for my school lunch.  But I so love to do it. 

We stopped at the grocery store on our drive home.  We needed apple juice, milk, "Juicies" for me, and celery.  We sampled some Beef-a-roni.  It was delicious, so we bought a can.  If I still really like it, we will buy more cans to give some to Mommy and Mimz.

A funny thing: Anna Kate was sitting on the sofa beside me.  She had blocks to play with.  I was playing with the iPad.  Anna Kate liked her blocks but after several minutes she started watching me and a few seconds later, just like yesterday, she leaned over and tried to get my toy.  Yesterday it was the iPad, today is was the Wii remote.  Funny baby!

We think she is teething because she had some fussy moments but at the same time she would be happy to have me by her side.

On this cold day, we wanted something warm, so I helped GGM make potato soup.  It was yummy.

I wanted to go for a bike ride with Barbara but it was still too cold.   She said next week is supposed to be warmer and then we could go.  We talked about riding to the park and taking a picnic in her bike's basket.    If Mr. Brad is home when we do that, we will invite him to join us.  We then talked about taking Anna Kate, GGM, and GGF, on a picnic in the park.... as soon as we have some warm Spring days we will do that.

There was no rough housing at Barbara's house today.  It was easy.  We just played other things.

Mimz' cruise ship in in the Gulf of Mexico sailing home.  She gets back home on Sunday.  I will be so glad to have her back with me.

 Daddy, Uncle Scott, Aunt Jill, and other friends went to the rodeo and Daddy had a super good time.

 They went in this limo...

 ...Daddy said it was the best limo ever.

I was off to school happy and ready to see my friends.  We talked about tomorrow being Go Texans Day at school tomorrow. We all get to wear western clothes, including cowboy boots.  I can't wait.

I played all the regular things: Tinker Toys, Wii, iPad games, inside soccer with a beach ball, and entertaining Anna Kate.  I gave her some of my old toys.

 She was sitting next to me on the sofa with six soft blocks that were mine.

   The funny thing is after several minutes,...

she dropped them and started reaching for my iPad.  I can see now that she is going to want to play with whatever I am playing with.  I hope I am willing to share with her and know that she will lose interest soon and then I can have my toy back.

We know now that Mimz was in Belize today and now her ship will spend two days at in the Gulf of Mexico heading back to Houston.

We have decided that there will be very little roughhousing at Barbara's house.  I can too easily hurt my older loved ones.  It will take some effort on my part because I love to play Power Rangers, karate moves, and that kinds of stuff.

I love GGM's potato soup.

 

Andy arrived with Barbara's trike.  He put it together in 2 1/2 hours last night by himself.  He said it would have been quicker if he had had another set of hands to help but it was pretty straight forward.

It was pretty cold outside, but Barbara and I went for a ride and it was fun, but she does ride pretty slow.

Then Andy and I rode around the block.  He could ride much faster than Barbara did, so maybe she will gain confidence and be able to speed up.

Mommy took me to Barbara's home, where I had oatmeal, bacon, and milk for breakfast.  I took my eye drops, and brushed my teeth before Barbara and GGF took me to school.  GGF came because after they dropped me off they were going to see his doctor.

This was another rainy dreary day, but I went into school with a sunshine smile on my face, glad to see all my friends.  We had two recesses and I played at the art station.

On the drive home from school, I sat the timer on Barbara's phone for 22 minutes to see if we would make it home in that amount of time.  Guess what?  We pulled into the garage with five seconds to spare!  I timed that just right.

 While we were looking at the globe to see where Mimz is today, we discovered something confusing.  Mimz' map shows the route the ship is taking but the words say a different order.

 

We wonder if she is in Honduras or if she is in Belize.  If the map is right she is in Belize.
Look at this itinerary and see what you think.

Actually, now that we have had a couple of texts from Mimz, we think the words are right and the map is wrong.  Mimx wrote that this picture was taken from her balcony at Roatan, Honduras and they wre on their way to Belize, then would be at sea for two days heading back to Houston.  Mimz said she saw crocodiles, monkeys, and iguanas on their river boat ride.  Oh, what fun.  I want to go.

I played with the Mario Wii race game, then Barbara and I built another castle, which I proceeded to bombard until it was demolished.

I played in a bubble bath with the shower on and said that is how I want to take a bath from now on.

I played Sprinkle Jr on the iPad.   Barbara went to get us a cut up apple and some toast with apple butter to snack on, both of which I like so very much.

I was roughhousing on Barbara's bed and Barbara said don't kick... well, just a few seconds later I kicked her and it hurt.  She again told me to quit that kicking... well, it was not twenty seconds later that I kicked her again.  She gave my leg two swats and I didn't like it much.  I asked her not to tell Mommy.  She said she tells my mom the good things I do and the bad.  If I don't want my mom to learn that I have done something I shouldn't have done, I better not do it.  I was quiet, laying down, and worried about Mommy and then Daddy finding out I kicked Barbara...

 I fell asleep.  And I didn't kick to hurt anyone, I was just having fun.

Soccer practice was canceled because the soccer fields are closed due to rain.

Yea!  Andy put Barbara's trike together in 2 1/2 hours this evening.  Kristan tried it out.  I hope we get it this weekend and we can ride next week.

It was a routine morning, except it is colder than we expected it to be.  I very willingly wore my heavy coat to school.  We still went outside for recess and I enjoyed the cold weather.

I was in the science station today and we made a book called Longer or Shorter?

Barbara wants me to leave my iPad and my iPhone (it is not hooked up to the world) at Mommy's home.  I want to have them in the car while we are driving.  I hope we compromise... I'm not too hopeful.  Barbara doesn't like the Army/war game I play and she is not used to driving with music playing and she prefers for us to talk about things while we drive.

We got out my globe and found the island of Cosamel, Mexico where Mimz is today.  I know she is enjoying herself and her friends on her cruise.  They had a great day swimming with the dolphins.  They didn't get a picture because they were not allowed to use their cameras.  You could buy a picture for $40.... pretty steep charge for a picture.

  Barbara, GGM, and I played upstairs all afternoon.  It was too cold to go outside. We spent a lot of time building.

 We played Car Town and Don't let the balloon hit the ground.  I also played Sprinkle Jr. on Barbara's iPad.  I like that game.  And I played Tanks and Fishing on my Wii.

I was super well behaved all day.  We don't have Anna Kate until Thursday.  She is at her home being cared for by Kristan's mother.

I was happy for Mommy to pick me up because I think we are going to go see Daddy and play a racing game.

I woke up happy, I went to school happy, and I was happy when I climbed into Barbara's car after shool.  In fact I stayed happy all day and was a very good boy.

We only had one recess at school because it was cold and rainy outside.  That is about all I had to say about school, except I did tell Barbara and GGF that Lily was back at school after being sick and the teacher read us a book about dinosaurs.

I tried a bite of Sausage Rice Pilaf and said I didn't like it.  Then I tried a second, third, and fourth bites and by then I had changed my tune.

We examined my globe to find where we live and where Mimz is in the Gulf of Mexico.  It looks like a very short distance and I wondered why her ship hadn't gone farther.  

I played my Tank game on the Wii.  I beat my old record of blowing up nine tanks.  I blew up ten tanks.  I keep hearing it take practice to get keep improving at anything.

Barbara and I needed to get eight items from the grocery store but we made a stop at Sonic.  I said I wanted a blueberry shake, that I had had one with Mimz and it was delicious.  Well, we didn't see it listed on the menu so we bought a small hot fudge sundae instead. 

At Walmart we studied all the toys for a long time.  The plan was we would not buy any toys but we did spy an unusual Hot Wheels car/helicopter, so we bought it because it was only 88 cents.  Barbara thinks I have plenty of toys (she is oh so right about that).  We quickly located the few groceries we needed and headed home.  I played with my new car/helicopter the entire trip home and didn't know we were home until we were pulling into the garage.

A long time ago, I played Sprinkle Jr on Barbara's iPad.  It scared me because a little house was on fire.  I told Barbara to delete that app because it was scary.  Well, as it turns out she didn't delete it, she just hid it in with her games.  She recently played it and decided that I would enjoy it now... and she was right.  I must have played it for an hour and I was not even close to being scared.  Really nothing burned down.  The game involves figuring out how to put out little fires.  I solved all of the levels.

I ate three Hersey's candy kisses out of my little Valentine's dog.  We played with my helicopters.  The only thing I didn't get to do was run over to Brad's when I saw him drive in.  Barbara said Brad would already be inside before I could get down there because it was too cold for him or me to be outside.  So I just waved from the window.

 

Today Daddy drove Mimz, Kay Ross, and the Finches to the Houston Bayport Terminal so they could board a Princess cruise ship and sail in the Western Caribbean Sea.   There was some concern that the ship would not make it up to Houston because of the heavy fog, but she made it with no problem.  The ship pulls out around 4pm.  They will have a great time, I know.  I would have gone with Daddy but there would not be room for everyone and my car seat.

My second soccer game of the season was at 8:30am.  I'm glad our game was early because it looked like it could start raining at any moment and it did rain later in the day.

 The other team scored a lot more points than we did, but we had great fun and I got to play all the time except for one short break.  All the team members need to get to play.

 I joined my family at half time to get a drink and hear how much they enjoy watching me have fun.

 Coach was showing me how to throw in the ball.

 I am the strongest player so I often get to kick the ball.

 I get a little off balance sometimes.

My fans were: Mimz, Daddy, Mommy, Grandma, PaPa, and Barbara. 
One time Coach Eric asked who needs a break.  A couple of kids raised up their hand, but I said, "Not me!"

We discussed what name we wanted for our team.  I suggested the Sharks and it was decided that that was a good name and so we are the Sharks.  Today was picture day so we all gathered after the game to have a team picture taken.

Daddy and I had a guy's day the rest of the day.

Anna Kate is six months old today.  I remember when she was a newborn baby and boy, has she grown!  She is not a tiny baby any more... she is still a baby, but not a tiny one.

I prefer Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal to Brown Sugar and Maple Syrup Oatmeal.
I don't like getting eye drops put in my eyes, but I am better at letting them be put in my eyes.  These drops may help my eye allergies and keep me from getting such sore eyes.

Every once in a while I ask Barbara why she doesn't turn on the radio in the car.  She says it is safer to not have that distraction and she wants to do her best to keep me safe.  She always is thinking about my safety.  I get tired of that reason for my not being able to do things.  

I played with the Wii.  I get better every time I play a game.  Practice is what it takes to get good at things.

Every day I am at Barbara's I find the little candy stuffed dog that Barbara gave me for Valentines Day and I take out three Hersey's Kisses to eat.  She is trying to teach me that I can enjoy them for a long time if I pace myself.  All my other Valentine's Day candy is long gone.

I went to a salon so Barbara and GGM could get their hair cut.

Most of the time I sat nicely, but once I just had to do a little climbing.

Barbara quickly took my picture then she told me to get down so I didn't get hurt.

I was happy to see Mimz at our meeting place.  We brought all of my soccer gear and the picture that I had colored for my dad.

I was happy to give my dad the picture I colored...(We forgot to take a picture of it.)  Mimz gave us a magnet so Daddy could put it on his refrigerator.

Mimz sent us the itinerary for her cruise.  Barbara and I plan to use the globe to see where she is each day she is sailing in the Caribbean Sea.

 Mimz has a neighbor who is a fireman.  Today he brought home a small fire hose and hooked it up to the fire hydrant in his front yard so six of us neighborhood kids could take turns manning the hose as the water shot out.

 It was great fun.

We got soaking wet.  Mr. Jake said he would bring it back this summer so we could really play in it.  Man that was fun!  I'm so glad Mimz has a fireman neighbor!

I woke up and crawled into Mimz bed to cuddle.  She always likes that.  I got dressed all by myself and went off to school happily.

I was surprised when Barbara and GGF picked me up since Mimz normally picks me up on Thursdays.  We stopped at Mimz home to get my soccer stuff off her porch.  We found a sack with a note for me from Mimz:

 

I played with my new Army guys and Tinker Toys.   I wanted to use the Tinker Toys like weapons but that idea was vetoed because they fly apart and somebody could get hit and hurt.

Barbara always brings me something to drink on the drive home.  I asked if she could bring milk next time.  She explained why milk was not a good idea since I sometimes spill some of my drink, if she happens to stop or speed up while I have the water bottle to my mouth.  She said I could have milk as soon as I get home, if I still am thirsty.

Today was the Chinese New Year, so we stopped at Panda Express to get free chicken egg rolls for GGF and me.  Of course, we purchased some Orange Chicken for us both also.  I had two small bowls of Orange Chicken, rice, and milk even though I had eaten all of my lunch at school.  I have been eating a lot lately.  I must be a growing boy.

 GGM and I made some sticky buns that I really like...

 ...then we did some coloring with the pages Mimz sent over with my toy soldiers.

My picture is for my dad. 

A funny thing:  While we colored we ate some chocolate pudding.  GGM dropped some on the table.  When we finished coloring, I said lets go play something.  GGM said she had to clean up the table first.  I ran to get a dish cloth and quickly cleaned off the table, so we could get started playing quicker than if I waited on GGM to do it.

I played a new Wii Tank game.  At first my tank was blown up every time.  But after some practice, I was able to blow up ten enemy tanks before they got me.  Anna Kate sat on GGM's lap and watched.  She is very observant, just like me.

Barbara helped me put together a big dinosaur puzzle.

 We played with another little set of building blocks. 

I built a car garage.  

I did pull Barbara into another room to ask her quietly if I could play with the helicopters.  I was reminded that I will not play with them until next week because of my destructive behavior yesterday.  We talked about the difference in accidentally breaking something and doing it on purpose.  I understood and accepted what she said.

Mrs. Thompson sent this note about the helicopters she gave me.

Mommy picked me up and we went home to fix dinner.  I was ready to eat AGAIN. 

It was a routine morning.  Mommy took me to Mimz.  Mimz took me to school.  I wore another new shirt Grandma bought me.  New clothes make me happy.

We have been studying about our Presidents this week.  I came home saying our current president's name is Barack Obama, George Washington's picture is on the one dollar bill, and Abraham Lincoln's picture is on the five dollar bill.  

Mimz and I went to the park after school, then we went to church because today was Ash Wednesday.  The palms from Palm Sunday had been burned and the ashes were used in today's service.  Everyone had ashes smeared on their forehead.

Went went over to Barbara's around 4pm to play.  Well, I developed a very bad attitude, which surprised both Mimz and Barbara.  I have been a super sweet boy for a long time and today I ended up in Time Out three times and still was rude and disrespectful.  They both wanted to play soccer or baseball with me and couldn't understand what got into me.  I, on purpose, broke two of my helicopters.  The consequence to that was I can't play with the helicopters the rest of this week.  And I didn't care, so there!

I finally straighten up and we had a fun fun time playing baseball.  We all were good hitters and enjoyed chasing them and putting them out.  GGM and Anna Kate watched us from the patio.  We had Anna Kate wrapped up in a nice warm blanket.

I had a small bowl of spaghetti, another small bowl of ice cream, and chocolate milk, while Mimz was helping me get dressed for soccer practice.

We had a good practice, practicing many skills.  I didn't pay attention like I should have, and we hope that next week, I goof off less, and am more interested in learning how to be a good soccer player.

Mommy, Mimz, Daddy, and I ate dinner at Mel's Dinner.  I ate everything in sight.  I had two big pieces of their delicious corn bread, cucumber from Mimz salad, a big grilled cheese sandwich with fries.  Everyone else ate fish because today was Ash Wednesday.

I was so tired I went straight to bed when Mimz and I got home. 

I woke up happy, ate a good breakfast, and got ready for school early, so I had time to fly my "helicopters" with Barbara. 

This is the sack of new helicopters Mrs Thompson gave me because she knows I like them so much and that I want to share them with my friends and family.  I took a thank you note to school to give her this morning.
On the drive to school, we saw men wearing orange and white striped jumpsuits.  Barbara said they were prisoners who were paying their debt to society by picking up trash.  We had a long discussion about why they were allowed out of jail and what bad guys look like, and things like that.

It was very cold outside, and I at one point I asked if it was raining.  Barbara said yes, then we decided it was not rain, it was tiny tiny hail that was bouncing when it hit the hood of the car or probably it was sleet.  We decided, after the fact, that we should have stopped the car, and let me get out and try to catch a piece of two.  I went into school happily, like I always do.

I played with Barbara's iPhone and GGF slept on the drive home from school.  That was the quietest drive home we have ever had.  We normally talk about all kinds of things.

Anna Kate was very happy to see me.

I played a Mario racing game on my Wii and Anna Kate watched me while sitting on GGM's lap.  She would watch the screen then she would turn her head to watch me.  One day I'm going to have to help teach her how to do everything.

The first couple of times I played the Mario racing game I was always one of the last finishers.  Now I am sometimes close to the top of the leader board.  This picture shows me in third place.

Grandma and PaPa came over for a couple of hours to talk to contractors, painters, and a flooring lady.  They had time to watch me play with the Wii.   PaPa played with Anna Kate.  She loves to stand up.

Barbara and I played with some old Tinker Toys for the first time while the other adults talked repair business. 

When Mommy arrived, PaPa, Mommy, and I played soccer in the backyard with a small soccer goal Grandma bought at a garage sale.  PaPa gave me some pointers.  I just need lots and lots of practice then I will be a great soccer player.