I had to work late a we had another cut down in the selection process for work.
Of all days to work until 9:30 ... we're leaving in less than 12 hours for New York and I haven't even begun to pack yet.
Bless your mom's heart, not only was she wrangling you and your sister tonight, but she also was able to get the majority of the packing done.
I just needed a few clothes and we were all but good to go.
Mom and I spent the morning via text looking for a dual screen portable DVD player to take on our trip tomorrow.
Once we got it figured out, she was able to leave the office a tad early to go get it.
Let's hope it keeps you content tomorrow!
After she got off work, she sent me a text of you and your sister geting "dippy cheese" with Jenna from El Camp's.
Eaily one of your favorite "meals."
I came home to find everyone "passed out."
Or so I thought. As you can see in the pic above, you just began to raise your head and I heard "He's home!"
That made my day.
Eventually we got you settled back down and it was cute the way you fell asleep.
On my legs with your arm wrapped around your buddy McGee.
Rest up, kiddo, we've got a long drive ahead of us tomorrow!
Lunch in our house ...
Compared to dinner ...
There's a bit of a difference there.
Not sure if you were wound up from Dance class or what, but dinner was interesting tonight, to say the least.
Could have been a lack of nap that really drew the personality out of you tonight or a combination of the the two.
Either way, I'm sure the people around us enjoyed their quiet dinners when we departed!
We had fun, though!
The event itself may have been anticlimactic from an adult perspective, but to see the excitement on your face build as the train came into focus and stop in front of us Santya and Mrs. Claus disembarking ... priceless.
The video doesn't quite do it justice, you really lit up once the train arrived.
As you can see, it was cold. We originally were not going to stay that long in Shelby as mom had an open house so we packed lightly.
Karen, her business partner elected to do the open house on her own today so we could stick around.
It was a scramble to find coats and hats and such, but it all worked out in the end.
Maybe next year we'll properly plan so you and your sister can enjoy more of the downtown activities.
Earlier in the week our friend Ben texted to see what we were doing this weekend for the Ohio State football game. After some back and forth we made plans to drive out to Lexington and watch the game with them.
You and mom headed out to your hair appointments with Laura while Arlee and I went to the store to pick up the food that we planned to take with us.
I'm dissapointed that I failed to get a pic of your hair to show you.
Anyway, it took you a little bit to open up but once you did, you held your own with Brycen. We almost had to separate you two due to the roughhousing.
The two of you were wrestling around and you held your own with him! I'm quite proud.
By the end of the evening all of the kids were huddled around the iPad watching PAW Patrol and other cartoons.
Even though the Buckeyes lost ... we had a lot of fun hanging out with friends.
On behalf of your genetics, I apologize that you're reading this through your corrective lenses.
See, mom has had glasses since her 6th grade year and me since 6th.
Evolution is not in your favor. If you're reading this free and clear, I'm amazed!
I took the afternoon off so that mom and I could use up the remaining medical reimbursement I have through work and resupply our contact lenses and get new glasses.
Mom was first to get her eyes checked and while we waited, you tried on a few pairs.
Of course, they had to be pink. Afterall, "It's my favorite color!" you would tell all who would listen.
Stop looking so grown up!
While we waited for mom, a new customer stopped by and asked Justine, the optical lady, for "a fun pair of red framed glasses."
You heard "red" and quickly inserted yourself as her assistant, pulling every red framed pair of glasses you could find and reach from their display.
I tried to get your attention and Justine just laughed and said you were just fine.
Way to be a little helper!
Yeah, you read that subject line correctly ... proud parents we are. :)
Sitting on the couch as a family, Arlee tucked nicely in the crook of mom's arm and you sitting between mom and me, I looked over to see you smelling your fist. I wasn't sure what you were doing but I cast it off without another thought.
Seconds later you shove the thumb side of your fist under my nose and say "Smell my slobber."
Um, what?
"Smell my slobber, it's gross" and pressed your fist further into my nose.
Yeah, kiddo, it's gross!
As mom and I start laughing we both look to see you lick your fist, sniff it and proceed to do it again.
If you ever have a boyfriend I don't like, I'm pulling this story out of my bag of tricks!
I must share this though, I left work around 3:30 today so mom could get to the MAPS Air Museum for the CE course she had signed up for. After you and AJ waved from the dining room window, I asked if you wanted to go to the store.
"To the bread and cheese store (Panera)?" you asked.
Well, that wasn't my intention, but sure.
Once you had your fill it was off to our original destination ... the mall, more specifically Sears. Earlier in the week mom had pointed out a few items that she liked and I figured we had the opportunity now to go get them without her knowing.
All went well until mom got home.
She was barely in the door when ... "Mom! We went to bread and cheese store!"
"Oh, you did?" mom replied.
"Yeah, and we went to the other store and another store and got you a new purple dress and pants!"
I couldn't react fast enough to stop your blabber mouth. :)
When we were at Sears I was holding AJ and sorting through the pants mom wanted to find her size. You were doing your thing looking at costume jewelery and asking to ride the escalator.
At one point you walked around the table I was at and found a purple "dress" and said "Mom would really like this dress."
I looked up and thought, you're right. And I thought it would be extra special since you picked it out all by yourself.
After the cat was out of the bag about our trip, I decided to give mom her gift now.
By this time we were all in the basement playing so I ducked out to the car where the bag was stashed, ripped off the price tags and brought it inside.
I handed it to you to give to mom and she opened it up.
She tried on your shirt and I'll tell you what, I'm smiling as I type this because to see the pure joy on your face when she told you he loved it was nothing short of heart wearming.
Standing in front of her and looking up you said 'Awww, you love it? and when mom said yes, you hopped up and down uncontrollably and jumped into her arms.
Moments like this are why I love being a parent. Seeing that emotion from you made giving the gift early worth it all.
You're becoming quite the character (and in a good way) as you find your identity.
You'll mimic frogs, cats and dogs - of which your canine name is Milly you tell us - hopping, meowing, and barking throughout the house.
We play fetch, etc. At first, honestly, I tried to quell the animal impersonations but your mom is right, you're just expressing yourself and I've come to realize that. And now, I play along.
Today was a new one. Mom sent me the video below of you howling like a wolf from our front porch. Too much Alpha and Omega movie? Perhaps.
That's actually really good!
Mom also took you and AJ to the park before I finished up my 9-5 and we went to take a look at the golf course facility with Jenna for your sister's birthday party.
Glad you enjoyed the fresh air once more because I fear the warm November weather won't be around for much longer.
Mom and I converse a lot during work hours via text, so when my phone rings and I see that it's your mom, I can't help but think something is wrong.
Especially when the call isn't anticipated.
Today, when my phone rang and I heard "Hi dad" on the other side I just had to smile.
I have a standing 8:30 am meeting every Tuesday morning that forces me to leave a little earlier than the rest of the week.
Well, you were still asleep ... in our bed ... when I left this morning. You called to tell me you were "sad because I didn't get to see you leave."
Okay, my heart melted a little.
When you did actually wake up, mom told me later, that you screeched from the room a few times. To which she wasn't going to acknowledge until you spoke to her. I can't say as I blame her.
When she and AJ went back to our room, you greeted her with a nice comfy place to rest.
See, each morning I give you a hug and a kiss and then a "baber squeeze" as we like to call hugs from AJ.
Editors note: We might have some OCD issues as you grow up because if I do not handle our morning routine the same each and every time, I hear about it. "Dad, you didn't give Arlee a squeeze." or "Dad, Arlee is on my side [of the window]!"
You get it honest, mom and I are creatures of habit.
I say goodbye as you and AJ peer out the window and head to my car. I open the window, turn the radio off and angle the car down the driveway so I can see you two.
Quite frankly, I look forward to this. Twice a day. Once when I leave in the morning and again when I head back from lunch.
It always makes me think back to when you and mom would "surprise" me at the top of the steps when I came home.
Thank you for making my day!
