Election 2008

Parker’s school held an election for grades K- 6. Each student was able to cast a vote. The Principle of the school counted the votes and John McCain was the winner.

When Parker returned home, he said “Mom, who are you going to vote for? John McCain or Barack Obama?” I was pretty impressed that he had so much knowledge of this election and I was surprised he understood the process.

So I told him who I thought I would vote for and asked, “Parker who did you vote for?” He said that he had voted for John McCain “because he had the better brain!”

In the wake of our new President Obama, I told Parker this morning who the new President was. He said, “So John McCain is the President in this country and Obama is the President in another country?!”

Maybe someday Parker will be a politician…after all, in America anything is possible!

On 3....(soccer continued)

Barry, being the soccer coach, has taught his team very well. They have learned how to come in for a huddle. The coach will call them in...they talk about strategy,...then they lay hands on top of eachother, and on 3 they raise their hands in the air and they yell "Orange!" Because they ARE the Orange team.

Well, some of the girls like the huddle so much that they will call their own huddle. Then you see little hands in the air as they yell "Orange!". The huddle never gets old. :)

Soccer Goalie

Parker started soccer tonight. He really wanted to play goalie and wasn't too interested in playing the other positions. Barry is the coach and he has 9 players to keep track of. Parker was in the goalie area and proceeded to sit down. Grandma and I saw him and said, "I don't think the goalie is supposed to sit down." It was still cute and I guess you have your own ideas about things!

Kindergarten Progress Report

Two days ago Parker began tying his own shoes! I was amazed at the effort. And he had come up with his very own way of tying. (You know there are at least 5 different ways to tie your shows.) Parker, you are advancing in so many ways!!

The best way - You got on the bus today all by yourself!! Wowsa!! Your dad and I are so proud of you! Great Job!

Boys will be boys...

There is a new family living acrossed the street from us and the little boy, Gibb is a 2nd grader. On Wednesday, we waited for the bus with Gibb and his sister. Gibb says "Well, Parker, are you going to get on the bus today like a man? Or are you going to cry?" Barry and I both kinda chuckled because it was maybe just the right amount of teasing and peer pressure that Parker needs to buck-up and get on the bus without clinging.

...I had to ask myself if I would have felt the same if my child was a girl?

But, Gibb said these words in front of Barry and I, instead of teasing Parker once they were on the bus, so I don't believe he meant any malice.

Someday, Parker, you'll be able to get on the bus without fussing!

First Day of School...

The night before your first day of school is filled with anticipation...
You went on a little dinner date with the "Regular" grandma, she even bought you a toy...as long as you promised to go to school!

At bedtime, we said our normal prayer...and Daddy interjected with "Lord, help us all to have a good day tomorrow!". And Parker added, "Lord, help me to be stronger than my parents so they can't put me on the bus tomorrow!"

When morning came, you were pretty alert and didn't put up too much fuss getting dressed. But as the bus got closer, you clung to your dad. He ended up carrying you onto the bus and setting you down in your assigned seat while you cried! And we could hear the cries as the bus left!

That's when we began to cry and I think it was more traumatic for us than for you. The bus driver called at 8:20a.m. to tell us that you were fine and had stopped crying by the time the bus got to the end of our road. Caleb came to sit with you and the two of you played Peek-A-Boo with the bus driver! :) Let's hope her third eye was on the road!!

I am very grateful that the driver called....
It really helped your dad and I to feel much better about the departure.
I know your having a wonderful time and we are so happy for your progression and looking forward to this new chapter beginning for you!
I love you, Peanut!

Special Treat

My sister just had her 30th Birthday Party. It was fun to mingle and joke with her friends. She had a special treat for all the ladies....a small package of "inappropriate" candies. We all laughed and I just threw mine in my purse. Ha! Ha!

The next morning, we were in church (of course, it had to be church of all places!) and Parker asked for his matchbox cars that I usually leave in my purse. Forgetting all about the candies, I told him they were in my purse. You can imagine my horror when he brought the candies out and said "Mom, what's this??"

My reflexes kicked into HIGH gear and I snatched those candies up, Hopefully before the 12 people in the pew behinds us got a good look. And I told Parker that Aunt Bobbie gave those to me for a laugh!

Playing Golf in Heaven

Parker was staying with Grandma last weekend and she told me a funny story about a conversation they had.

They had been talking about Grandpa up in heaven, and Parker told her that they play alot in heaven. It's all fun and games! Grandpa plays golf in heaven!

The Quiet Game

Parker says, "Hey, Dad, Lets play the 'quiet game'!

On your mark, get set, GO!

Then Parker proceeds to talk....Daddy says, "Parker - I thought we were playing the quiet game?"

Parker says, "Yes, we are, But I am the Judge, so I can talk and you can't! You lost Dad!"

T-Ball

You are a great player, Parker! The first day of T-ball...you were the pitcher!
You clung terribly to your dad, but you have a warm-up phase and you are making
lots of new friends very quickly!

I can't wait to see you progress....
Love,
Mom

"I Love You...."

Each night, when I put you into bed and we do our 'little routine'...
I can't help but think how special you are and how blessed I am...
I love you more than all the fishes in the sea,
and all the way to the moon and Back!

Jingles

You never really realize how much attention your child is paying to TV or radio ads until they belt out one of the catchy jingles ~

Parker was caught singing this song: "SUVE, that spells Free, Credit Report Dot Com Baby!"

Birthday Present

We asked Parker what he wanted for his Birthday....

He wants a Princess...

A real Princess...

And he really thinks that you can just pick one up at the shelves at Wal-Mart!

Happy Birthday, Peanut!!

There are so many thoughts in my head about you turning "5!" so I thought I would take this opportunity to write you a birthday letter....

Dear Parker,

Happy Birthday! You're 5 (At 11:03 a.m.)! I cannot believe where the time has gone. There are so many memories in the last 5 years. I thought I would take this time to share my hopes for you.

When I look into your beautifully-bright, blue, eyes....I feel connected to you and I hope you know that I will cherish and adore you forever!

Over the next year, my hope is that you will enjoy T-ball this summer and remain injury free. :) I can't wait to cheer you on! In the fall, you will begin kindergarten, and I hope that you love your new school and make tons of friends. (You are the "Social Butterfly in training"). This winter, we hope to teach you how to snow ski and have the most pleasant Christmas Season ever! And in the spring we'll celebrate another birthday! Life is always moving forward.

Over your lifetime, my hope is that you will follow God, be blessed with wonderful opportunities, find the love of your life, have some luxuries such as, traveling, or whatever is important to you! And I hope that you will fill your home with children just like yourself! The circle of life!

I will pray for you, encourage you, and always believe in you!

Love,

Mommy

Kindergarten Registration

I will take Parker for Kindergarten registration today....
And I'm really trying to get a handle on how I'm feeling about this.

On the one hand, I'm so happy for him that he is ready, that he will make new friends, and he will be old enough now to learn to play some sports ~ and mostly, it is proof as parents that we have done our job well and prepared him for this new chapter. We have built up the idea of kindergarten for him and he will adjust fine, I'm sure.

On the other hand, I'm sad that my baby is gaining yet another step of independence. Kindergarten will prepare him further for moments that he doesn't need mommy and daddy much and he will start to drift towards the "adulthood" process.

Its exactly what we prepare our children for and yet it feels so strange.
I wish time would slow down and he wouldn't grow up so fast!

The Great Gazoo

Parker receives a "Flintstones" vitamin everyday....and one morning he said the regular grandma looks like the Great Gazoo!

Not real sure where this ideal is coming from?? :-)

We were getting Parker ready for his bath and then we read a book and he goes to bed. That's our routine.

While we were getting him ready...out of the blue, he says "Will you tape Grey's Anatomy for me?"

(What? How do you know anything about Grey's Anatomy? You've never seen the show!)
My husband says " If you can tell me what the people do on the show, I'll tape it for you."

Parker looked up at him and said "Are they Transformers?"

Nope. Sorry Charlie!