SPEED . . .

I got a speeding ticket recently. I am "experienced" at this so its not a big deal anymore. I really dislike parting with the funds but, what can I change now?

Parker was in the back seat....paying attention to everything. He noticed the nice State Trooper had a gun and badge. He was wearing a hat. He listened to all he had to say.

While the nice State Trooper went back to his cruiser, Parker had several (couple hundred) questions. "Are you going to jail?"; "Mom, why does he have a gun?"; "Is he going to use the gun?"

I autographed the ticket and the n-i-c-e State Trooper offered my copy and told me to be careful pulling out. (SMILE)

Parker was fixated on the ticket...."Mom, is that the ticket?" (with a really confused look). I replied "yes". And he expected the ticket to be smaller, like the kind you get at the movies!

Touch The Soft

Parker cannot control himself when he sees something soft. He must touch it. I think its a comfort thing and I have to say that he probably gets it from me.

I have a few quirks....who doesn't???

When I get laundry out of the dryer....as I fold it...I just cannot resist smelling the laundry. So What! It smells good and its nice and toasty warm. Such comfort!

Back to Parker...
When we are in church and they pass the offering plate, the bottom of the plate is lined with velvet or some soft material. Parker has to touch it! He cannot resist. And he'll tell you: "Touch the Soft!"

People in church probably wonder why our son is pilfering through the offerings.....is he making change??? No, he just wants to feel the plate. Touch The Soft!

Dancing With The Stars

On several occasions, Parker and I have stayed up to watch the TV Show, "Dancing With The Stars".

Parker loves to comment on the ladies and their clothing. He thinks that the open-back dresses are the prettiest. We watch them twirl around and move gracefully. He liked to watch Laila Ali in particular.

We went to dinner as a family one night, and a group of students (probably attending Prom), came in the restaurant about the same time. Parker was so delighted that they were seated close to our table. They were dressed in long gowns and tuxedos.

He leaned over to me and said "Mom, I think they are from Dancing With The Stars!".

First Airplane Ride

We decided to take a trip to Orlando! This would be Parker's very first airplane ride.

He was very excited, to say the least!

We brought "the regular" grandma along to experience Parker's first trip to Disney, and we were all looking forward to a vacation. When our airplane taxied up, we were watching out the window and the excitement was building! Parker was just beside himself with joy!

I've seen him excited before, but not like this. He was wide eyed, and smiles and clapping. He just couldn't wait to board this plane.

Parker was sitting between grandma and myself, and we were waiting for our seat category to be called in order to line up and board the plane. And that's when he said it...

Parker: "We're going to fly up into the clouds and we'll be able to see grandpa!"

(Grandpa had passed away just 6 months prior to this date and Parker was excited to fly up into the clouds to see this man that meant so much to him. We love you grandpa and we miss you!)

The 'Vertible!

This spring, we decided to purchase a convertible. It is some-what my "dream" car. I have not driven it yet but, that is another story in itself. Its a 1976 MG Midget Convertible and it needs lots of love, and after the love, it is going to need lots of care. And after the care, it is going to need lots of attention and ....

you get the picture!

Well, we bought this car on ebay...and we had to trailer it home. Tried to do some of the repairs ourself and it turned out....hmmm...."disasterous" is too strong of a word. We are not mechanics. So, we were left to turn to the professionals. In order to get a professional to look at it, we had to push it back onto a trailer and haul it there.

Parker was disturbed that the "vertible", as he calls it, was not going to be staying at our home. And we felt we had no other choice in order to get the car running. So we proceeded to push it onto a trailer one day. It is a ity-bity car but, it still weighs 900 lbs. But, my husband thought we could do this ourselves. What a sight!!

I'm in the car to steer/guide it onto the trailer and Barry is pushing it....with Parker's "help" and we cannot push this teeny-weeny car up the ramp. So, our neighbor, Uncle Denny, comes over to help. (he was in the yard and saw these 2 fools trying to give themselves a hernia). So he comes over and says "do you want me to pick it up and place it on the trailer". (Another crack at how small this car is.) Well, he found out it weighs more than it looks. So attempt #2 involves him, and all of his girth, pushing with all his might, and the car starts to roll backwards at him once it reached a certain point on this ramp. He exclaimes, "this matchbox almost ran over my fat ass!" Not only for our ears to hear, but also for Parker to hear!

Now, whenever anyone mentions the "'vertible", Parker is quick to say:
"One time, Our 'vertible almost ran over Uncle Denny's Fat Ass!"

Becoming A Man

Parker came home from preschool one day, and we were all eatting dinner. And he asked Barry and I for a "Gameboy"! No doubt, he had seen someone at school playing with one. Anyways, we said "put it on your Christmas list."

During dinner, Parker then asked us if he liked beer? It came so out of the blue, that my first response was to I say "open one and see!". Knowing how much he dislikes carbination and the obvious gross taste of beer, I had my doubts he would like it. So he continued to grab a can from the fridge and we helped him open it. He took one swallow and his face said it ALL! He did NOT like beer!

Well, after Parker had finished eatting, he wanted to watch TV so he went into the living room and asked his dad where the remote was. (big smile on his dad's face)

Today his son became a man!
Parker had asked for the latest electronic, he asked for a beer, and he asked for the TV remote! Barry could not wait to call his brother and gloat about his son becoming a man at age "4."

Asian Beef

Last night, I made a new dish for dinner....at first, Parker didn't want to try it (of course). We want him to at least try a couple bites before determining that he doesn't like some foods.

And we withheld brownies until he at least tried it.

....he liked it so much he said "Mom, will you make this for all my meals!".

Must have been good if he wants it morning, noon and night!!

Earliest Memory

Okay, I'm trying to remember the earliest, "funny" thing that Parker has done. And the story that comes to mind is: The Wet Kitchen...

My husband, Barry, was working an hour from home, at the time, and he often called home during his commute to catch up on the day. Parker was 2 yrs old and always wanting to "help" in the kitchen.

Well, on this particular day, he wanted to help with the dishes. So, I gladly put him on a chair at the sink. He splashed a little and fiddled around. And that's when my husband called.

Parker was being a little loud, so I decided to step into the next room to hear Barry better. We talked for maybe 15 minutes, and all the while I could hear that Parker was happy, talking to himself, singing, etc. What I didn't know was that he found the sprayer on the sink and decided to spray down the toaster, windows, curtains, dishes inside the cupboards, and anything else in the distance-range that caught his eye.

I used every single towel in the house to clean up the watery-mess! And once Barry was home he thought a pipe had burst in the kitchen....."No, honey, this was just Parker's idea of "helping" in the kitchen."

In The Beginning...

I know that its the biggest cliche, but my son means the world to me! I am a tell-it-like-it-is mommy with stories to tell about my son, Parker. You'll laugh, and you'll cry!

I'll never forget the first day I saw him, during the birth. I'm sure I wanted to cry out with joy but, I also wanted to remember this moment and "keep it real". Clearing my throat..."I just had a baby!", I exclaimed. It's a Boy!