I did my morning routine.  I always wonder what my "chore" will be.  Today it was help fold a load of very warm clothes that came straight out of the dryer.

At 10am I had a swim lesson.  We are working on straight legs, floating, and strong arms.

Barbara and I arrived home around 11am and I kept asking what time will Anna Kate get here.  Barbara said we had just enough time to read some of the book Fing.  As it turns out, we finished the book before AK arrived.  The story was good, but it had an odd ending.

AK got here at 12:30p.  I so enjoyed playing with her... until Mr Brad came outside.  Then I had to go help him.  When I came in I was so hot and dirty.  AK was napping so I agreed to take a long bath.

Before I got out of the tub, here came AK.  She crawled to the tub and pulled herself up.  Oh, she wanted to get in the tub but that was not going to happen.

Anna Kate has a strong will and when she wants something, she struggles to get her way.  She is also very strong, so both GGM and Barbara have decided the safest place for her in on the floor.  They don't have to worry about dropping her when she make a sudden leap for freedom.  They just have to watch her constantly to make sure there is not something on the floor that she might find, of course, then put in her mouth.

At 3:30p Kristan came to get her baby.  AK is always so happy to see her mommy.

I played with a remote control truck.  I moved GGF's houseshoe all over the living room.

 Prolawn came and cleaned up the flower beds.

They took out our cucumber plants.  They found a dozen good size cucumbers and to giant ones that we had missed.

For dinner I had sweet potatoes, tuna salad and crackers, cucumbers, and peaches.

 My green ball ended up in the mud, so I washed it in the kitchen sink....

... and dried it before heading back outside for more fun.

Brad found adult yard grabbers for himself and GGF.  They want them so they don't have to borrow my kid grabber when doing yard work

June 28, 2015

Barbara and Grandma came over to help decide what things we could get rid of in our garage sale.  Barbara went through my toys and Grandma went through my bedroom.  Mommy helped both of them.

Jon Jon, his dad, and I went to look at monster trucks and...

we got a snow conez from a truck parked near by.

Andy helped my mom purchase a new car today.  Not a new car, but a new one for us.

 I am giving Anna Kate my play kitchen.  I still play with it and I know she will enjoying cooking for her family just like I did.

It even has a grill.  I'll have to go visit Anna Kate and show her all the fun features this kitchen has.

I arrived at Barbara's with my skates on.  Mimz made a good purchase when she bought those skates for me.

I was in a touche mood.  I said I was not ready to get out of bed.  I didn't want to help fix my breakfast so there went the sticker for day's morning routine.  When I finally agreed to help it was too late, GGM already had it ready.

 I always enjoy building with my several construction sets.

We played Dodge Ball.  GGM throws most of the balls at me.  I dodge most of the balls and Barbara gets worn out chasing down the balls.

I helped GGM by putting in five pieces of her jigsaw puzzle.

We played baseball in the backyard using a tennis ball.  I hit several home-runs.   GGM never had a chance to get me out.  Once she hit a fly ball right to me and I hung on to it.  GGF spent a lot of time looking for my bases.  We know they are in their red and white box and he probably put it away somewhere and it will show up... soon I hope.  When we were quitting and I hit one last home-run, I refused to go the ball which was out by the back fence.  That cost me a pretty yellow rubber ball that we saw at Kroger yesterday.  We had said we would go home and think about buying it.  Barbara, using a cane, went out to get it and I quickly ran and grabbed it before she could get to it.  I still don't get the yellow ball.

GGF gave me a large digital calculator.  I know how to turn it on and off.  How to clear numbers.  I know how to add numbers using it.

Barbara is trying to go through my toy room and decide what to keep,  garage sale, and give away.  We want Kristan to come look for anything that she might want for Anna Kate.   I think Kristan wants my great kitchen.  Anna Kate will love it.,  I have played with it for years and still play with it now.  We need to make room for the things in my room at my home.  I don't want to let go of some of my old toys.  Some I am willing to part with but some I really love and want to keep. 

I had a small accident on my scooter and scraped my elbow.  We cleaned it and put on a little medicine and I was off and running again.

I told Barbara if I were at summer school I would be having pizza for lunch because today is Friday.  So guess what?  We are having Papa Murphy's pizza for lunch.  GGM had one in the freezer just waiting to be cooked.

Barbara's favorite thing to say to me is she loves me to the moon and back.  lol  I said how about to the sun and back, since the sun is soooo much farther away than the moon.

GGM and GGF were napping and Barbara said she needed a nap also so we laid down and watched one episode of Emergency.  I did not fall asleep, neither did Barbara.  We did read more in the book Fing.  I am liking it now and look forward to reading the next chapter.

GGM does not want us to rebuild Car Town, so right now we are just driving cars around the pool table and we shall see if one day wen there is not so much activity going on we may rebuild.

I ran a mile a minute all day.  I have energy that does not end.  We played more Dodge Ball.  We laugh more playing that than we do any other activity.   I can't explain what is so funny but things happen that amuse us and then I want us to re-enact them several times so we can laugh some more.

The only thing I get in trouble for is using my outside voice inside.  I can't help it, I just get so excited my big voice takes over and I have to let it all out.   GGM, GGF, and Barbara really get bothered by my loudness.  Now Anna Kate is loud sometimes, but it doesn't last very long, whereas I could be loud all day.  I do try to talk quiet but I can't make any promises.

I ate leftover pizza and peaches for dinner.  I said my prayer before dinner and I got mad at GGM because she didn't make the sign of the cross.  Barbara tried to explain to me that they are not catholic and don't know what it means. 

I helped GGF clean up the backyard.  I used my toy grabber.

We filled half a bucket with twigs, sweet gum balls, pine cones, and leaves.  GGF works in the yard every day.

Daddy came to pick me up around 8pm after he finished his workout.

My morning chore was to help strip the sheets off Barbara's bed.  We picked two cucumbers from our garden.

I measured the water to make my oatmeal for breakfast.

I said, "Barbara I loved her to the moon and back" and that made her day.  I explained that Mimz told me that.

I take my skates with me, wherever I go.  I skate every day.  This picture shows the safe way to get upstairs while wearing skates.

Barbara and I went through my books and are getting rid of half of them.  We only keep the ones we love.  All of them Anna Kate will enjoy reading when she comes back here when school starts.

We went through my bathtub toys and got rid of some of them.  We cleaned out the bathroom cabinets and closets to make room for Mommy's toiletries.  I played with empty bottle in the sink, which kept me occupied for a long time and I only made a tiny mess.

Every day we play Hide and Seek and Dodge Ball.  Barbara had plans for us to do more Arts and Crafts this summer but for now she has to concentrate on making room for Mommy and me to move in.

Barbara's knee is better and the illness she had is almost over.  She thinks by Monday she will be all better. 

Mimz and Aunt Kathy are enjoying their vacation to visit Uncle Don and friend BR.

I didn't want Mommy to go to work this morning but in the end it had to be.  I arrived at Barbara's home wearing my roller skates.  I showed everyone how much I have improved in the short time I have had the skates.

Barbara's thinks she has picked up the same illness that Kristan and Andy had on the cruise, and that Brenda developed on the flight home.  She doesn't feel good but she felt well enough to take me to my 10am swimming lesson. 

There are four children in my class.  I did a better job of extending my arms.  I need to work on straight leg kicks.  GGM and GGF came to my lesson.  They wanted to see me at my lesson.
I was a super good boy for GGM today while Barbara slept for a good part of the day.  We played with my rubber balls and with some Car Town things.  When Brad came outside, I was out the door like a shot.

When I came in from being outside, I smelled something familiar.  It was Jiffy cornbread.  This was my reaction.  GGM enjoyed getting that hug from me.

I asked Brad if he wanted a piece of chocolate cake.  He said of course.  He said he would fix himself a sandwich to eat, then come over for cake.  I said bring your sandwich over to my house to eat, so he did.  GGF and Brad talked about wanting to go to the Dollar Store.  We went, but did not find what they wanted.  GGF saw something I needed: a garden hoe.  So he bought if for me.  

I had a make-up swim lesson today at 4:30.  Grandma was at Barbara's house, so she and GGM took me to that lesson.  I did about the same as I did at my morning lesson.

We arrived back at Barbara's about the same time as Mommy.  Mommy and Grandma had a discussion with GGF and GGM about the possibility of Mommy and me moving into their house.  It takes all of Mommy's income to pay her bills and she can't get ahead.  They both said okay.  Mommy had discussed this with Barbara earlier and she said okay also with a few rules.  So maybe we will be selling my house and moving.

Today was another big event day for Mimz and me.

The Finch's and three of their grandchildren from Austin went to the zoo with us.

The children are Tyler 9, Luke 7, and Elyse 5.  I'm sitting on the frogs head.

 Seeing the animals was very interesting.  Some of my favorites: the gorilla...

 ...the bearded dragon, which we all got to touch, and...

... an elephant getting a shower.  We all had a great time.  I want to go again and I really enjoyed the Finch kids.

We would have gone to the aquarium but it was closed for repairs.  It's just as well, we were all hot and tired.  

I like to eat tuna salad now.  I didn't like it when I was younger.  I have always liked Mimz' sweet potatoes baked with a little butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar.

My dad talks to me about healthy eating.  Sometimes I talk about foods being a good protein or bad fat or sugary. 

 Mimz told Barbara that I have been so very good and have enjoyed all the activities so much.  She hopes Barbara's knee get well soon so she can join our fun.

Mimz took me to my swim lesson at 10am.  I am a little behind the other children in my class.  Mimz hopes to work with me so I can catch up.

 In the afternoon Mimz and I met Elijah, Jacob, and their mom at Wet and Wild Splash Town.

Elijah is a pre-school friend of mine.

Jacob is Elijah's little brother.  We all played nicely together.

It used to be Splash Town, but it was bought by Wet and Wild so for the time being it is both names.  It is so much fun here.  Mimz bought a season pass for her and me.  I hope my parents get summer passes so they can bring me.

Mimz was in the water with us.  That is the only way to watch us children close enough.  Mimz says we need someone younger than her to take me on the larger slides.  There are two areas that are just perfect for children my age.  There are slide that are just right for us to do alone.  I loved everything about Wet and Wild Splash Town.

Video of me on fun slide, just the right size for me.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy and all Dad's everywhere!
And today is the first day of summer. Let the fun begin... well, my summer fun began a couple of weeks ago, as soon as Pre-School was over.

I spent last night at Daddy's house and we went over to Mimz house for breakfast and to get ready for church.  Mommy met us at the church.

The VBS kids got to sing three songs today after the 9:30am mass. 

Some of the songs had us making motions.

 A short video of our singing.

Last day of VBS.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope to attend next summer too.



We all went to Outback for lunch then to the mall so Daddy could pick out a new shirt for Father's Day. Later I went home with Mommy for a little while, then Daddy picked me up. Now I am at Mimz's house and we just went on a long bike ride. I love to ride my bike.

I took a nap today so I am not sleepy at all and it is 9pm. I need to go to sleep because we have a another big day planned for tomorrow, after my swim lesson we are meeting my friend Elijah at Splash Town. I am so glad everyone had a great time in Alaska and are home safe... but not too sound.  Kristan and Andy got sick on the ship and Grandma started getting "it" yesterday.  And Barbara had to use a wheelchair to get from ship to taxi to airplane and is using a cane to get around now. Her knee is getting better and she found out she can drive.  It will be awhile before she can ride her bike.

GGM and GGF have been busy harvesting cucumbers.  Sometimes they hide and get rather large.
They have not had TV or Internet since Monday and they couldn't figure out how to get it back.  So they spent a log of time reading and working jigsaw puzzles.  In fact they had two puzzles going, one upstairs and one down stairs.  Barbara got all four TVs and both computers working soon after she got home. 

***Barbara may write some about their cruise so Grammie and Bubba can read all about it.  It depends on how far behind she is on other things.***

June 13th to June 20th, 2015

Below is my blog Mimz helped me with during the Laplante family vacation to Alaska from June 12 to June 20.  Start at the top and read down.

6/12/15 Friday
Mimz picked me up at Barbara's house around 1 today. I was working with Mr Brad but ran to hug and greet her. Mr B and I took a short bike ride before Mimz and I headed to Barbara's Walmart, we had a list of items to donate for VBS next week, we also wanted to get three birthday gifts for the girls next door. Peyton was 7 on June 11, Jenna will be 2 on June 29, and Brooke will be 5 on July 1. We found everything on our list and something unexpected for me, roller skates. Mimz had planned to get me a pair this summer and saw the perfect ones today. I was so excited and wanted to go straight to Mimz's house but we had to go by the church to drop off the items we bought for VBS. 

At home I put on my skates and found out rather quickly that skating wasn't as easy as it looks. I am very motivated because Landry got a pair for Christmas and is a very good skater now. I was very cautious and fell a few times but since I have a very good sense of balance, I started to get the hang of it and didn't take the skates off until Peyton came over to show me the American Girl Doll she got for her birthday. Grace, the doll, was cute but I do prefer skating and other physical activities to just looking at, changing clothes, and holding a doll. I was very happy for Peyton and gave her the gift I helped pick out for her. She really liked the word game Bobble and Lego set I gave her. 

When Daddy got home from work we went to Outback to celebrate the end of his first week back at the Conroe office. 

It was a great day for me but Mommy, Bridget, Andy, Kristan, Grandma, Papa, and Barbara had to deal with the frustration of a mechanical issue with their Alaska bound airplane. They were four hours late leaving Houston but they did make it safely to Alaska and will start their cruise tomorrow.  They arrived in Anchorage at midnight and the sun was just going down! It was still daylight.  They said the sun would come up around 4:30am!  

I stayed with Mimz because Daddy has to work half a day on Saturday. I know it is an important part of learning his new job responsibilities and he won't have to work on Saturday's once he is settled in a bit more. Nite nite everyone.

June 13 Saturday

Mimz thought I might sleep a little later today since I was up later last night. NOT!! I wanted pancakes for breakfast but before I could even think about eating I had to put on my new skates. I practiced skating while Mimz made breakfast.

I had so much more confidence today and skated well between the den and kitchen.

I didn't want to take off my skates.

I kept the skates on all morning and my skills got better every time I went from room to room. 

Mid morning I did take them off to go over to Peyton's house to play with them for a while. It was really the first time I have played in their house because we usually like to play outside. When I came home Mimz made me lunch and Daddy came home from work. Mimz is going to a retirement party for her good friends Martine and Don Vogler. We went to Walgreens to get a retirement card and also a HS Graduation card for my cousin Jensen. I politely asked to look at the toy isle and Mimz politely reminded me that looking would be fine but not to expect to get anything. I am very good about looking and maybe dreaming a little but I do know and abide by the rules. I was still so excited about my new skates I just took a quick look around before heading to check out. 

Oh, I did pick out a Father's Day card for daddy, next Sunday is FD and also the day the VBS kids will sing during Sunday Mass. I am really looking forward to that. Mimz had to shower and get ready to go to the party so Daddy and I hung out together. When Mimz was finished she thought Daddy and I had left because the house was so quiet, she even went outside looking for us. Daddy's truck was still in the drive and Mimz found us both sound asleep in the guest bedroom. She let Dad know she was leaving, she drove to Finch's house so she could ride with them. The party was great and she got to visit with a lot of people she hadn't seen in a long time. When she got home she was so happy to see Daddy and I had decided to spend the night here. I was still awake since I took a nap earlier today.

Jun 14 Sunday

Daddy and I spent the night at Mimz' house and I was the first one to wake up. When I couldn't stand it any longer I went to Mimz room to tell her good morning. What I didn't know was that Mimz was late going to bed and then the rain woke her up around 3am and she had a hard time going back to sleep. 

When she got up Daddy went to work out and do some laundry. Mimz and I played a word tile game. I really enjoyed changing the first letter to make new words out of at. I can now read: cat, bat, sat, rat, pat, mat, tat, fat and my made up favorite yat. Mimz said nonsense words are ok as long as I get the 

sounds right. 

Daddy came to get me around noon. Mimz still doesn't have her voice back so she will rest it while I am gone. There is a tropical depression out in the Gulf and we have had bands of rain on and off all day long. Too bad because we had thought about going to the zoo. Daddy is going to grill fish and some pork chops for dinner. Right now I just love to skate, skate, skate.
 

Daddy and I went to HEB because Mimz wants grilled pork chop to cook with the fish. I wanted a baked sweet potato and broccoli so Dad bought that too. I helped with the grill and ate a very good dinner. I wear my skates all the time in the house and I do enjoy them. Dad went home at 9pm and I started my bedtime routine. Tomorrow is first day of VBS so we are going to 8:30am morning mass before going to the meeting area for the first day. Nite nite. I am all ready for a good night’s sleep.

Jun 15 Monday

Today was one busy and happy day for me. First Mimz and I went to Mass before she dropped me off at Base Camp Everest for VBS. 

The entire church hall was decorated and ready for all the kids to have a great week. 

I had a great time and when Mimz came to pick me up two of my leaders told her how great I had been and that I was the very first kid to spot God on the mountain. Mimz was so proud and happy. 

We went home for lunch and Mrs Finch called to invite us over to swim. I was thrilled to find out Mrs Ross and Rylee we're going to be there too. It was a great afternoon even though we had to get out of the pool once because of rain. That storm out in the Gulf is really a nuance. 

Rylee loves the water as much as I do. I could swim all over the pool and really enjoyed the water fall slide. After we got home from swimming the girls came over to play and Knox too. It was a great day and I can't wait to go back to VBS tomorrow.

Jun 16  Tuesday

Go away Bill!!  (Tropical Storm Bill).  All the area school districts were closed today and so was my VBS. The rain didn't really get bad until the early afternoon but these things are are hard predict so Mimz tried to explain to me. The rain would start then stop, then start and stop again, you get so confused. Just when we all decided to go to Children's Museum in The Woodlands the really bad rain started. We were going with Peyton, Brooke, and their mom, and Mrs Ross and Rylee too. 

Mimz and I did go to Rylee's house for play time and I did enjoy that. After Daddy got home and we ate dinner we went back to his house to visit with James and pick up clean clothes for Daddy. I asked him to stay here with us this week and he has. I love having more time with him. He goes to bed a 8:30 or 9 every night because he goes to the gym almost every morning at 4:30am.  He really likes his new job and likes being back in Conroe. 

I saw a picture Grandma Brenda sent and I got a little sad when I saw everyone but I really got upset because I didn't see Barbara. (She took the picture.)  I wanted to see Barbara too and know she is having a good vacation. Maybe next time. Mimz says time for bed so nite nite.

June 17  Wednesday

 VBS today rain and all. When I woke up and it was still raining I was afraid they would cancel again but they didn't.

 I am wearing the cross that Amber gave me as a gift for being one of her ring bearers in her wedding.

 It was a very busy day because they were trying to cover all the stuff from yesterday and today. We were singing when Mimz came to pick me up so she got to watch us practice for our Sunday performance. I know most of the words now because Mimz bought the CD with all 15 songs on it and we listen to them every time we are in the car. 

 We decided to go to the mall because it was still raining on and off. We met the girls from next door there.   Here I am holding Brooke's hand.

This is baby Jenna and her mom.  She doesn't generally get to play with us because she is only 2-years-old.

Picture of Peyton, Brooke, and me.  We ate lunch, rode the merry go round, ate ice cream, played at the play area and went to the pet store to see all the animals. 

We had a great day. Mimz cooked dinner and after that Daddy and I watched a little Longhorn Network before bath time and bed. Daddy laid down in my bed with me and we just talked for a long time before I went to sleep. It was another rainy but great day. I heard Barbara hurt her knee on the zip line excursion, I hope it gets better fast.

June 18  Thursday

Mimz has had to wake me up every morning this week. Usually I am grumpy in the morning if someone tries to wake me up but all Mimz had to do is say Bible School Day and I was ready to go. Mimz left me with my clothes and went to her room to get dressed too. It has become sort of a game to see who gets dressed first. I almost always win because Mimz  has to put make-up on too. Mimz says all the things we are doing will help next year when I go to kindergarten. For some reason everyone thinks I should be more independent. 

Mimz and I like to practice some reading during the day. I really am getting the hang of reading those rhyming words. 

After Bible school Mimz and I went to HEB and made it back to the car just when the rain started again.  At home I helped unload groceries and put them away. Mimz said she has really enjoyed having me and daddy here every night and having someone to cook for and eat dinner with. I always get to start the prayer before we eat. We say the same prayer at BS before our snacks, I am so proud because I already know it. 

I was so glad when the girls came over after their gymnastics class. Good timing too, we just finished dinner. Mimz went outside with me a Daddy cleaned the kitchen. We all got to ride our scooters in the street and Knox came to play with us too. Mimz and Mr Jake always watch us very closely when we ride in the street. We all had to be sprayed with mosquito repellent because those little pest are always buzzing around. At 7:30 it was time for everyone to go home and I was ready for my nice warm bath. Mimz went to her bedroom and the rest of the evening was just for Daddy and me to enjoy.

June 19 Friday

I heard Daddy getting ready for work and woke up toooo early.  It was a little after 6 when I crawled in bed with her. I never went back to sleep and by 7 I was ready for breakfast. We had to go early this morning for Mass before my last day of VBS. Mimz found out there were about 300 people each day for VBS, that includes all the volunteers and of course the kids. It was a great final day and every kid got a coupon for a free meal at Chick Fil A, so guess what we had for lunch. After I ate, Mimz let me play in the play area.  After we got home Mimz insisted we rest in her bed for a while and just like Mimz thought, I was asleep in no time.  

Mimz is going to dinner with friends tonight so it will just Daddy and me tonight. Mommy, Barbara, and the rest of the Alaska group will be home tomorrow. I have missed everyone and can't wait to hear the stories and see the pictures.

June 20  Saturday

Well, I did it again, I woke up at 6:15. I crawled in bed with Mimz but couldn't go back to sleep. Daddy had to go into work until noon today. Mimz decided this morning would be perfect time to see that new Disney movie Inside Out so we went to the 9am showing. It wasn't my favorite movie but it was okay. 

When we got home it was all business for Mimz, she gets behind on things around the house when I am around. I tried to help out by staying out of her way so I rode my scooter and practiced roller skating. 

Look at how well I skate now!

It wasn't long before Daddy was home and we are lunch together while Mimz set up my new booster car seat. It has a back and reclines so I am happy about that. When we go to the Zoo on Tuesday I will sit in the back row of the Suburban with Luke, the new seat is very easy to move from one car to the other.  

Daddy and I mowed the grass at his house.  I think Mimz is going to rest this afternoon.  Uh no, thunder again!   Rain, rain, go away!!

Oh wow!  Shortly before 4pm Prolawn came to Barbara's house to mow and clean up the yard.   Soon after they left a big big wind and big big rain came over her neighborhood.  It lasted about 15 minutes.  GGM said she had never seen such a storm.  Some reports say it was a small twister.  Other say it was a wind shear.  It knocked down several large trees, some wood fence sections are down, a trampoline is in neighbors swimming pool, trees fell of roofs and cars, and made a terrible mess all over.  I didn't hear of any injuries.

Because Kristan and Andy are sick, they asked her parents to keep Anna Kate a bit longer.  That meant Kristan and Andy did not have a way home from the airport.  So a quick call to Daddy asking him to come pick up Mommy, Bridget, and Mommy solved that problem.

Their flight arrived on time (6pm) and Daddy and I were there to meet them.  They were so happy to see me and I was so happy to see them.  When we turned into Barbara's neighborhood, we noticed debris everywhere and saw big trees down. 

This tree fell on a friend's home.  Oh, what a mess.  GGM and GGF were outside cleaning up their yard.  They didn't finish, but I bet GGF will work on it again tomorrow.  They were surprised to see Barbara using a cane.  She didn't tell them about she had injured her knee since they would just worry about her.  She explained that she was acting like she was 26 instead of 66 and jammed her bad knee (first injured 55 years ago) while zip-lining!  

She also says that the excursion was the highlight of the cruise for her.  She didn't realize that it really would be more strenuous than she could do.   But everyone finished the obstacles and the five zips.