Swimmy Wave Corner Asbell: Part 1

Evan has been begging us for a pet for about a year. John and I had dogs for 12 and 13 years. We were kind of enjoying the pet free home. Not that we don’t love animals, but we also love our pee-free carpet, no-vet bill budget, and dog hairless couch. Let’s just say I have had more success potty training two boys than house training animals.

Evan was in the right place at the right time this summer. There was one day…just one day, he had to come to work with me due to lack of childcare. He did great. Read books, played on the playground, enjoyed his time. Sometime mid afternoon, Mrs. Gano came to visit the lab to ask a question. She immediately grabs Evan to go get some toys. He comes back with legos and building items. He’s in heaven for a while. When he takes them back he looks around her room and notices her class pets, the frogs. Mrs. Gano realizes she hasn’t fed them (it had been a month, don’t call PETA just yet), and enlists Evan’s help. She sees how enamored Evan is with the frogs and asks him to take care of him the rest of the summer. All this takes place AWAY from me. All I know is when he comes back, he has a small frog tank with two frogs that we are taking home.

He names the frogs; Rocky and Crystal. Guess what two things were in the frogs’ tank besides the frogs themselves. Rocks and a crystal. It’s a black and white world, people. The frogs live on his nightstand. He prays for the frogs. He brings every single person that enters our house up to his room to ‘meet’ the frogs. The boy loved having a pet. We cried quite a bit when we had to give them back to the class.

Fast forward to Labor Day – We were discussing over dinner Sunday before Labor Day that we didn’t have to go to school because it was a holiday called Labor Day. Daddy and Mommy didn’t have to go to work and the boys got to stay home. Evan interrupted me and said, “And I get to go to the Delta Fair!!!” I did a double take to make sure I heard him right. I glance at John, who is looking at me just as confused as I am looking at him. I then say, “wait, what?” He proceeds to tell me he has a ticket and he is going to the fair on Labor Day. I am still looking at him like he has 4 heads.  I explain that we aren’t going to the fair because none of this was passed through me. He proceeds to melt down, say, “but I have a tiiiickeeeet!” and question why I am ‘in charge of the house’. (his words…not mine…but he’s not wrong).

The more time that passes, the more I think of what a horrible mom I am for not taking him AND Evan doesn’t let things go easily. So we decided if he could control his talking at school (something he comes by naturally...have you met his mom??) he could ‘earn’ the fair. I know, I know. He broke me. But really, have you seen those dimples. Jeez.

 On Thursday, the day we planned to go to the fair, a mom emailed me and invited him to go with their family. After talking it through we he made the decision to wait until the weekend and go with his friend. Despite a rain delay, the boys had a blast! And the mom sent me tons of pictures and videos. This was the last picture I received with the caption of “ummm….well….”

Part 2 coming....

Luke's First Days of School

We have entered brand new territory with these two munchkins. Two little boys in the same school! Luke started PK this year and it's been a huge blessing. I will be forever grateful for Little Georgie's preparing my little guy for PK.

There is an 'ease' into school for our youngest learners. First comes JumpStart, which is a 3 half day program two weeks before school starts. Then the kids have one half day at school, one day at home, and two more half days before the full class comes for the entire day. It's not designed to be easy on the parents (trust me....I've lived it twice) but it IS designed to be easier on the kids. Since I work at the school, Luke had to attend 'faculty/staff childcare' those days he didn't have camp or school. Poor guy was always confused about where he was going each day.

Even now, he'll ask me two or three times on the way to school, "Hey mom. Where we going??" I'll have to tell him two or three times we are going to school. That first week he said, "I don't wannnnna go to school!! I wanna go to Miss Wowa (Mrs. Lawo)and Miss Wuffin's (Mrs. Ruffin's) room!" It was just adorable how much he loved being in that room.

The transformation we have seen in Luke has been astronomical. Luke has gone from a child who trantrummed daily to a little guy who can express how he feels. I am not saying it was a light switch effect and the trantrums are gone (he is still three for heavens sake), but his first reaction isn't to scream or hit. He is also happy. He's happy at school. He's happy at home. He's the little guy I knew he was trying so hard to be.

This is my little man who doesn't give out hugs freely. Evan will literally hug a stranger in Kroger. Luke doesn't really have time for all that mess. When he does give you a hug without prompting, you better take it. Those don't come around often. Every day he runs to his teacher Mrs. Lawo (or Miss Wowa) or Mrs. Ruffin (Wuffin) and gives them a hug. The first time I witnessed that, I almost cried.

You see, it shows the bond that Luke has with them. Like I mentioned, this bond doesn't happen very often with Luke. So to know he trusts them, he loves them and he wants to be with them is huge. Mrs. Lawo and Mrs. Ruffin have truly help my little guy become the boy I knew he had in him.

PK is EXHAUSTING!

Evan's first days of school

As most of you know (unless you are really new to my life and my blog) I work at the school in which my children attend. I am blessed beyond belief to work there and even more blessed my kids attend this amazing school.

Evan started 1st grade this year. In PK-SK, they placed Evan with the teacher who had the classroom farthest away from my office (those who work there...think about it). Now, I know that was not on purpose because St. George's spends hours, days, months placing children in the perfect class with the teacher and class make up that is needed for each child to thrive. But still, I have to giggle. I hardly saw Evan during the day for three years.

This year Evan is placed in the classroom right next door to me. :) I see him multiple times a day. Every single time, he stops, says "hi momma!", waves, blows me a kiss or will come give me a kiss if he's allowed. I am going to take every single one of those greetings because in blink of an eye he's going to be in the elementary building, or in middle school, or off at college.

Evan's teacher, Mrs. Field, has been teaching over 30 years. She is one of the sweetest, most calm, gentlest teachers I've had the privilege with working. The way she knows each and every student and what they need is just...well...the St. George's way. If she's ever been stressed or upset, I've never seen it. I just can't say enough about this amazing lady. Again, I am blessed not only to be her colleague, but blessed to turn my child over to her for a year.

Evan has been with these friends since PK. He loves all the guys and girls in his class, probably a little too much. I've already had the "your teacher mentioned you are talking too much" talk with him. :) He can't help it....he comes by it naturally.

Sorry Lila and Evan...I'll probably be following you to middle school to take this yearly picture. :)

 

Evan - I am so proud of you. Your infection joy and amazing heart for others is going to help you make this year one to remember. Enjoy this time with your friends and your teacher in this amazing place. I promise you will look back with fond memories.

The Beach Series: Final Chapter - Everything else I want to remember

A big ole hodge podge of photos and other things we did while in Orange Beach.

More beachy pictures! Because it didn't really happen unless you take a picture of your feet in the sand or a selfie on the beach.

  

Naval Aviation Museum
One drizzly morning we took a quick jaunt over to Pensacola to visit the Naval Aviation museum. It was a hit for our family both kids and adults. Evan allowed John to walk him around and actually discuss the different planes and exhibits. I just ran with Luke. Luke kept saying, "Dis plas iz amazing!" and "It's so bootyful mommy!" His little words make my heart smile.

 

We spent a lot of time either on the beach or at the pool. We did venture on to the 'mainland' one day with the intent of mini golf. When Evan saw the large shark entrance of a gift store, we decided to stop there. The guys had a blast playing around in the store! Added bonus, they got snocones for being so good!

I am not sure why I took so many pictures of snocones. Maybe because it was the only time all week they were actually still and next to each other.

The Beach Series: Part 4 - Dining: The Good, The Bad and The Miserable

Dining out is very challenging for Luke. He doesn't have the patience to wait. He doesn't have the patience to sit through a meal. He doesn't really have time for the whole eating thing. He's a grazer and wanderer. Literally. Some nights he'll pick up his plate and go eat outside just to walk in the grass while eating. #whocanblamehim But we decided to try it anyway.

The first place we tried was the adorable restaurant on the marina that Terry found good reviews about. No wait...eating outside...seemed ideal for our motley crew.

Adults look happy enough...right?
 

At one point Gemma was behind the bar mixing drinks (just kidding, she was just wandering), Luke was sitting in the smack dab middle of a walkway and Evan, well...Evan did pretty good. Two out of three children spilled water across the table. Luke's entire dinner ended up on the floor at one point. By the end, I was sweating bullets and John was power eating just to able to take care of kids. That was the night I didn't even taste my food. 

For some reason we decided to try it again. Everyone who I mentioned Orange Beach to just raved over Lulu's. So out we go. We arrived at 5pm to an hour wait. To occupy the children, there are lot of activities. A ropes course, water walking, piles of sand, water play areas, live music. Yeah...so here is how the Asbells spent that hour. I took Evan to the water walking. It was the best 7 minutes we spent there. lol He was hysterical and had so much fun. I laughed so hard my abs hurt.

 

The next 53 minutes was pretty pitiful. At some point Luke sat down in the water play area making the back of his pants completely wet. He also threw sand in another child's eyes. Thankfully the mother of the other child was cool about it and said, "Don't worry too much. My child just did the same thing to someone else." Evan and browsed the gift shops which translated into - I bought him something so he'd be entertained for 20 more minutes. It was hot...we were hungry...our children were over the sand piles and Luke ate his entire meal while we waited. When we were finally seated, we all could take a breath....or so I thought. We were sitting on a deck over looking water (not the ocean). The table behind us threw a french fry out to a bird. Within seconds, there were about 20 seagulls cawing and flying within feet of our table. Birds are second least favorite animal. Second only to the dreaded fish. Evan told our waiter, "My mom is FREAKING out," and I was.

We put technology in the hands of our children (something I don't do unless on vacation) and ordered a pitcher of beer. Everyone was able to drink, eat and talk in peace. No wandering kids...no spilled water. And the food was actually very good! I thought this we might just might have this eating out thing down ...Then my dinner made a reappearance 6 hours later. Thank goodness I was the only one to get sick and it was only one time.

From then on we ordered take out and ate on our balcony. Cheers to vacation! 

The Beach Series Part 3: Luke vs. the Ocean

Did you notice the very subtle difference in the title. It's not Luke AND the ocean. It's Luke VS. the ocean. And it went down...just like that.

If I am being 100% honest, Luke shocked me the most. This kid hates when grass gets between his toes. Certain tags drive him nuts. I didn't think a sandy beach was going to be his cup of tea. But he took to it like...well...a little boy. :)

 He rolled in the sand, was buried in the sand, jumped in the waves, knocked down sand castles. But much to my dismay, the kid loved the ocean the most. #didimentionihatefish The first two days he took to the ocean with great confidence. He laid in the tide. He let the waves rush on his lap. He jumped in the big waves. He fell down, a lot, which means I was about 2 feet from him at all times. The second morning, my eyes were focused on Evan for about 2 seconds. Long enough for a wave to not only knock him down, but pull him completely under and drag him. It wasn't far and it wasn't along, but it was enough to teach him the ocean was dangerous. We coughed it out on the beach, and snuggled under the umbrella, but he was done. The next couple of trips to the beach, Luke didn't really want anything to do with the ocean or the sand to be honest. He constantly pressed us to go back to the pool.

Luke trying to tell me he was done...

Knowing it wasn't worth the battle (choose those battles, mommas!) one of us took him back to the pool. Come to find out, he had acquired two little girlfriends that he liked to meet at the pool. These two sweet teenagers thought Luke was so very cute (he is) and loved playing with him. Every time we even thought about passing the pool, he would look for them. If he actually found them, there was no way to tear him away. And I think those baby blues had the girls mesmerized anyway. John and I joked that we were going to have to pay them a babysitting rate by the end of the week.

 

By Thursday, Luke was ready to try the ocean again. The reconnection started off slowly. He wasn't fully ready to trust the big mighty sea. He wouldn't go in past his knees. Once John offered to carry him, he decided it mustn't be so bad. He spent at least half an hour with John. I traded off and held him for a while. #stillhatefish He had a ball! He also kept saying "I don't see any fishies" over and over. I think his daddy convinced him to say that the entire time I held him to keep me out there. Smooth move John. Anytime Luke wanted to go back in the ocean he would say "Take care!! Take care!!" while waving his arms up at us, which I translated into "You have to take care of me in here! Pick me up now woman!"

I am glad he got over his fear from the beginning of the week and went back to sea. He's my brave little boy!

The Beach Series Part 2: Evan and the Ocean

Evan took to the ocean like a fish. I can say I was pleasantly surprised. Evan is my cautious child. He likes to know where everyone is. He likes when his family is all close. He wants everyone to be safe. So when he took off into the ocean like it was a swimming pool, I can say I literally stood there with my mouth agape.

I guess ignorance is bliss for the little guy. #istillhatefish

Evan quickly made some new friends on the beach. He had one particular boy, Mason, who he sought out everyday. Mason was 11, but "small for his age" (his words not mine) and very adventurous in the ocean. Mason and Evan went boogie boarding, caught fish together, and learned the art of burying a body in the sand. If I ever lost sight of Evan, I always found myself looking for Mason to find Evan.

This is not uncommon for E. He is the kind of kid who would go into the white stranger danger van without candy or puppies as an incentive. He just doesn't know a stranger. (Disclaimer: if you are a white stranger danger van owner, I apologize for the stereotype. If you are the stranger in the white stranger danger van, please get off my blog.)

He loved everything about vacation. At one point we had this conversation:

Evan: I wish I could live at the beach.
Me: Yeah, that would be nice, but we have our house and our school and our friends and mommy and daddy's jobs all back in TN.
Evan: Well I could go to another school.
Me: What about your friends?
Evan: They can come visit me.
Me: Well honey, mommy and daddy's jobs are in TN. We gotta work.
Evan: You can get a new job!
Me: What would I do?
Evan: You could work in construction and change your name to Gill. Daddy can still be John.
Me: .....
John: sputter sputter laugh laugh laugh
Me: {evil eye to John}
John: cough cough
Me and John: Howling laughter

I mean...where does he even come up with these things??