CRMS Playdate

I met a few of my teacher friends at the Coon Rapids Lions Park for a playdate in July. The other kids were a bit younger than James, and I think it's rude to take pictures of children other than your own so I didn't capture any moments :) It was a HOT day and James worked up a good sweat playing and playing some more. Like I said, the kids were younger than James so he didn't really play with them but there was a daycare group there too and James did follow another young boy around and they played in the sand. Fun!

Full Day

July 2nd. Now, I don't have pictures and blog posts for each day!

On this full, summer day we went to the playground. James pretended the playground equipment was his "space ship".

Looking up at him through the equipment floor.

I believe it was on this day that I created a Monster. A Wii Monster. I showed James how to use the Wii game controllers and off we went playing the Star Wars Lego game. I think we've played the game darn near every day since.

A nice cold beer for Mom and Dad at the end of the day! No photo editing, it was just a perfect beer :)

T-Ball Game

SIGH OF RELIEF. T-ball was a success :) Jim and I both gave separate pep talks to James about participating in t-ball. On the way to his practice today James told me, "Daddy said I should be brave at baseball."

And he was brave! I was able to sit with the other Moms on the sidelines and just watch my beautiful son play t-ball! He waved at me constantly, gave me the thumbs up once (haha), and blew me a kiss several times. Awwww!

First, a little warm up with one of the Coaches.

Group huddle explaining that they will play in the field.

This Coach drew a circle in the sand for each kid and told them that it was their position to stand in for the game. James is standing in his circle.

And he never left his circle! I think he took it very literally that he should stand there. I almost intervened and tried to tell a coach that he should be encouraged to move around and catch balls, but I didn't want to ruin his new found independence. I stayed put.

Waiting to bat.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

On first base!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Did you see in the videos that he never let go of the bat? They had to take it out of his hands at first base. Haha. And then I'm not sure if he ever made it to 2nd base. I think he wandered around a bit before the coaches noticed him but at least he made it to Home Plate!

Shaking hands with the Yellow Team (aka Macaroni & Cheese, as they called themselves). The Orange Team doesn't have a nickname, but that's okay, James said.

Group huddle.

"Mom! Did you see me?!"

Yes I did! I was so proud :)

Snacks after the Big Game, from the Coaches.

We hit the playground right next to the baseball field.

Jazz Hands!

Hi Mom.

Jam Packed Day

On a Saturday (6/4) Jim was out of town so James and I hopped in the car and had many adventures.

First we went to a "donut restaurant". This was very exciting. We took donuts to go and went to visit my (former) student Catherine and her newborn Juliano. James was great using his quiet voice around the baby and even looked at the baby briefly. He wasn't very interested. Ha.

We headed to the Mall of America's Sealife Park. I have a free season pass since I'm a school employee so I added James to my account for another $10. We can now go to the aquarium anytime we want!

Stingrays.

James sat in the glass cubby.

Cute.

We spied a simulation ride and James really surprised me by wanting to ride it. We prepared for a bumpy ride!

Self-portrait.

I was a little worried when I saw him panicking.

But it quickly became a fun thrill ride

The nice employee took our picture outside the ride.

Ooooh jellyfish.

James wasn't scared of the aquarium tunnel, but he started to pout and refused to move forward. It was hard not to laugh.

After the aquarium we got in the car and just drove. We ended up in Uptown and ate at a Vietnamese restaurant because James wanted "cream cheese chips" (wontons).

Looking at the city.

And then since we were so close, I drove us to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (AKA one of my favorite places in the world). I was so excited to share this place with James.

He really could care less. Ha! He took SOME interest in the art but was disappointed that there were no finger paintings. Silly kid.

James was unimpressed by Frank. He chose to pick his nose instead.

The best part of the museum? Finding a stick in the parking lot grass!

Uptown again. Sonny's Ice Cream.

Our last stop was the Lions Park playground in Coon Rapids.

Tongue out, really concentrating.

He was trying to kick me, playfully.

What a great day!

Happy Place

The playground has been James' happy place lately.