Girls

Saturday night, we ate dinner with my parents and grandmother at On The Border. The waitress was really taken with Thomas (and if you keep up with the blog, you might remember another OTB waitress flirting with him, but this was a different one). He was being such a little man ordering our queso, his dinner, talking to her about his brother, politely asking for more water, stuff like that. She told him she thought he was so cute and said, "I just have to ask you something, do you like girls?" He paused. Thought for a minute and then said, "Wellllll, I'm not used to them yet." We all cracked up.

Boo!

This morning, I went to wake Thomas up to get ready for camp. He was sleeping hard and it was taking a few minutes to get him up. I gently said, "Thomas" a couple times and rubbed his back. He still didn't stir. Jonathan was entertaining himself with all of Thomas' forbidden toys and I went over to try to stop him from putting a small pirate cannon in his mouth. All of a sudden, Thomas yelled, "Boo!" I jumped and Thomas died laughing. I said, "I thought you were still asleep!" He kept laughing and said, "No, I'm still awake!"

Yes, Sir!!

The other night we went out to eat at Chili's. We ordered their Skillet Queso appetizer and Thomas actually liked it this time. Usually he says it's too spicy. So the three of us were sharing the chips and cheese and Jonathan was munching on chips. Then Thomas started yelling at David and me for eating too much cheese. He told us twice to slow down and then said, "Alright now, that's it. I'm going to have to cut you off." Bossy little thing.

Camp Stories

Thomas had his first day of camp today. He's going with his friend James and is his first all day summer camp. It goes from 9-4 every day this week. This camp is so popular, I signed him up for it in November. November. For camp in June. That should tell you everything you need to know. We went to Open House at the camp a couple weekends ago and David and I thought it looked awesome. Zip lines, rock climbing walls, three swimming pools, to name a few.

Thomas was a little nervous this morning which is understandable when doing something new. He and James are in the same little group and I know that helped. David and I couldn't wait to hear all about his first day. When I picked him up, I asked how his first day at camp was. He said, "Mommy, I think I'm just going to wait to talk about it tonight that way I only have to say it once." I said, "No! You tell me now because you might forget by tonight!!!" in as whiny a voice as I could. :-) He sighed and then started talking. Then later I called David on the cell phone because I knew he was waiting to hear. Thomas saw me and yelled, "Don't tell Daddy anything!" So all I could say was that he had fun and would tell David all about it tonight. But I will tell you a little something. Thomas did the zip line today which he hadn't planned on but said it was "awesome!" Oh yeah, and if being absolutely filthy is a sign of how much fun you had, he had a blast.

It is very hot here today and since I didn't know exactly how camp worked, I packed two waters, a juice box, his lunch and his towel in his backpack. I asked if that was enough drinks for him. He said, "Yep. Two waters." I said, "Well, what about the juice box? Isn't it nice to have that as a choice too?" He said, "Mommmyyy, I think the word you're looking for is POWERade." So tomorrow, POWERade it is.

Lemonade Stand

We had a garage sale today and Thomas HAD to have a lemonade stand. He decided to serve pink lemonade and made the sign for his table last night. I told him last night that we'd already be outside with the garage sale when he woke up this morning and that he should get dressed and meet us outside whenever he did. So he came running out, fully dressed, about 20 seconds after his eyes opened this morning. Hmmm. Why is it that it takes 20 minutes of cajoling to get him moving when it's something I need him to do, but when he wants to, he can do it lickety split?
Here's my cutie serving lemonade. He made $7.50. We didn't expect him to earn so much money, but almost everyone who stopped by bought lemonade from him even if they didn't buy anything from us. One older woman walked up to his table and asked him how much it was. He said, "A quarter." She said, "A quarter huh?" And since he's still learning his salesmanship skills, he didn't ask if she wanted one, he said, a little sheepishly, but matter-of-factly, "Well. That's what the sign says." She laughed and bought one.

Bridge Sequence

Monday at Six Flags, Thomas, James, and Amy found a ride they LOVED: Aquaman Splashdown. None of them had ridden it before and they tried to make up for that lost time by riding it repeatedly. (For how many times exactly, see below.) When they finally got off, they decided they weren't quite wet enough and decided to wait on the bridge while another boat came down. Here's the series. Thomas is wearing the orange shirt in the middle. Amy and James are on either side of him.

Waiting for the water. See Thomas trying to put one hand up? He just saw Amy do it before she decided maybe she'd better hold on. Thomas compromised. Safety and adventure.
Here it comes!
Whoosh!
Aftermath.
HOW many times did you three ride that?

Bedtime Books

Thomas has been staying up late recently "reading" books. One night last week, he was still awake at 10 when David went in to check on him reading his bible. He told me the next morning, "Mommy, I stayed up till 10 o'clock reading my bible!! I read all the way to the story about the fish." I said, "Jonah?" "No, Mommy, the one about Jesus and the fish." That's a lot of reading when you start at the beginning.

Last night, he wanted me to come check on him after David put him down and I put Jonathan down. I went into his room and he asked me to get him a book but not one of the ones on his nightstand because he'd already read all of those. I got him one and then asked him not to stay up too late because he needed his rest since we were going to Six Flags today. He said, "Ok, Mommy. I'll stay up early."

Handsome

After getting ready to go see Kung Fu Panda with Dayton on Friday, Thomas said, "Mommy, don't you think I look handsome today?" I had to agree. He put the outfit together himself, including his necklace from Turks and Caicos.

And how was Kung Fu Panda you ask? Several times during the movie Thomas said, "This is the best movie ever!" And then when it was over he said, "Mommy, that was the best movie I ever saw!!!" I had to agree. It was a very good movie...very funny. One of the best kid movies I've seen in a long time. And sitting beside my 5 year old, enjoying his multiple squeals of laughter, made it a perfect experience. Even better since Mom and Dad watched Jonathan so I could actually SEE the movie. :-)

Eavesdropping

Natalie was with us yesterday afternoon for several hours while her big sister was at an end of school party. We went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch and on our way home, I overheard this conversation.

Natalie: Hey, Thomas, wanna hear a joke?
Thomas: Sure!
Natalie: Told some nonsensical joke about a bull that I don't exactly remember.
Thomas: Natalie, that's ridiculous!
Followed by peals of laughter.
Thomas: Ok, Natalie, now it's my turn. Why did the skeleton cross the road?
Natalie: A pause and then. Oh no, not THAT one again!
Together: Because he didn't have the guts!
More peals of laughter.

New Glasses

Thomas went to the eye doctor yesterday. Not just any eye doctor but a pediatric opthamologist. La di da! :-) Anyway, his pediatrician recommended that we take him to one at his 5 year check-up. With everything that was going on then, we didn't get around to it till now. David went with us to help corral Jonathan. The technician did an initial eye exam before the doctor came in. Just asking Thomas what letters popped up on the screen. I was standing by Thomas and David was over with Jonathan by the door. I knew immediately that he was going to be getting glasses when he couldn't see what I could so very clearly see. They dilated his eyes so the doctor could examine him and he said, "You know, I actually don't like drops in my eyes." It was so polite and I hated that we had to make him do it anyway. Thirty minutes later, he had the official examination. The doctor said his right eye is basically normal for his age, but that his left eye showed some astigmatism. So he's going to wear these glasses for now and then depending on how things have changed by the end of August, he might have to wear an eye patch on his good eye a few hours a day to strengthen the left eye.

So this morning we went to pick out his new glasses. David and I both wanted him to have some cute ones. Not just silver metal frames, and no offense if that's what you prefer. I took him to Walmart first because I figured why spend a lot of money on kid glasses that will likely be broken. Well, 95% of their frames were plain metal. No character at all. So then we went to Eyemasters in the mall. They had 3 times as many frames and we actually had a hard time deciding.

Thomas picked out this first pair because he said you could see flames out of the corner of your eye (with the light reflecting off the tortoiseshell part) and that he could practice his karate with them on. When viewed from above there's a lime green color visible too which he loved since green is one of his two favorite colors.
Then, since they had a deal going on to buy two pairs for a good price, we picked out this pair too. From the front, they kind of look like mine which he liked. Viewed from above, they look yellowish-goldish. Thomas says it's gold and I'm sure it'll come into play sometime when we're pretending to be pirates.
He'd been eating Fun Dip before taking these pics and wanted to do a silly one to show off his tongue.

Burpaholic

Thomas has just figured out how to make himself burp whenever he wants. And he does. For hours on end. All day long. Until I say, "NO MORE BURPING FOR THE REST OF THE DAY!" See how nice and calm and patient I am about it? :-)

It actually is kind of funny when he catches me off guard. He'll come up when I'm busy with something else and say, "Hey, Mommy! Guess what I'm really good at?" And since I'm distracted, I'll answer, "What sweetie?" "Buuuurrrrrpppppp!" (That was my attempt at typing the sound of him burping really loudly in my face and not him actually saying the word burp.) And then he runs off giggling before I can tickle him.

The other night, David was washing Thomas' hair in the bathtub. Thomas yelled, "Daddy stop! I've got soap in my eyes." David in his typical ohnothingshouldbotheryoubecauseyou'reatoughguy way said, "Oh Thomas, that doesn't hurt because this is baby shampoo and it says here, 'No Tears!'" Then Thomas said, "Well, I'm a big kid and it DOES hurt my eyes!!"

Both boys spent the night with my parents on Friday night. It was Jonathan's first sleepover and from what I heard, it went really well. Thomas was so cute planning for the night. He said he was going to be in charge of Jonathan and that Grandma and Grandpa were in charge of him. He also said if his brother got sad at any time and started crying, that he'd stop whatever he was doing and come running. I don't think his services were needed but it was a typical sweet Thomas offer. Thomas did tell on Grandma though. The boys were coloring at the kitchen table and according to Thomas, "Grandma wasn't paying attention and Jonathan wrote on himself with pink marker." I'm sure Thomas had nothing to do with distracting Grandma. :-)

Preschool Questionnaire

Tonight was Open House at Thomas' preschool. Included in his packet of letter books, number books and various other cute arts and crafts was this questionnaire titled "A Peek Into Your Child's Mind." Click on it to view it larger.Ok, so now my question is, of all the things he could have said about me, why did he choose to comment on the 2-5 times a year I actually get to take a nap...when I'm SICK!?!?!?!?

Like Father, Like Son

Want proof that Thomas is David's son? How's this? On Sunday evening, Mom was asking Thomas all about Mayfest. He told her it was fun. She asked what he liked best. He said, "All of it." David and I said, "The Scorpion?" "Oh YEAH! That was the funnest, scariest ride out there!" And then Mom asked him what else he did at Mayfest. His reply? "I can't remember that cause it was yesterday." Sounds just like his daddy who can't remember what he had for breakfast. :-)

Spoilin' Time

My grandmother is visiting. She's staying with my folks but we're trying to spend as much time with her as we can. Today, we went to pick her up and bring her to our house so she could spend the day with us while Mom and Dad were working. On the way home, I asked if Chick Fil A sounded good for lunch. Thomas said, "Or maybe Old McDonald's?" Have I mentioned that that's what he calls McDonald's? Has since he could talk. I said, "Well, let's ask Gma what she'd like." Grandma turned around in the seat and whispered to Thomas, "What do I want for lunch?" He whispered back, "Old Mick." She said, "What?" "Old McDonald's!" Then she turned back around and said, "I believe I'd like to have McDonald's today." See what I mean? :)

Mayfest and More

We went to Mayfest yesterday. It was our first time to go and we had a blast. We tried to get there in time to see Natalie dance, but found that leaving your house at 2:30, driving, parking, walking 25 minutes to get to the gate, waiting in line for 30 minutes to buy tickets, and then running across the park to get to her stage gets you there just after she's finished a little before 4. But we rode rides and watched shows with them afterwards so it was still fun.

Thomas had hurt his neck the previous morning. Bad enough that he spent the morning crying and laying on the couch. He started feeling better by Friday night and was actually sitting upright and playing with some toys (yeah!) but was still hurting a little yesterday morning. He even wanted to skip his t-ball game. Since he was acting better, just favoring one side a little, we encouraged him to go and try and he did fine. By yesterday afternoon, he was completely better. So he rode one of the wildest, scariest rides out there. The Scorpion.
See David and Thomas in the car on the top left? By the pole on the left? Crazy! I'll ride roller coasters all day long but you will NOT get me on one of these rides. By the way, the blur on this shot is intentional. :-) Look for a slightly better intentionally blurred shot on my Pics By Kim blog tomorrow.
And then after he got off, Bethany's friend Kendra wanted to ride and no one would ride with her so Thomas volunteered. Your 13 year old friend won't ride with you? Ask a 5 year old! :)
At dinner last night, Thomas heard a song on the radio, "You Raise Me Up," and asked who was singing that song. I said I didn't know. He said, "Well, is it Ben?" A You Tube search later proved that it was Josh Groban. Josh Groban or my cousin Ben. Easy to get the two confused. :-)

On the way home, David and I giggled after listening to me say something that we never thought I'd have to say, "Don't spit in the car and don't spit on your brother." Boy the things we have to deal with as parents. :-)

Eat at Billadelphia!

Please!! We've been in there for the last four Saturdays after Thomas' t-ball games and each Saturday he gives us something. Two baseballs, a ball stand, free food, and this Saturday, he gave Thomas 2 free Rangers tickets (up to a 45 dollar value). We need more of you to eat there because he's sure not making any money off of us. So if you're in our area, or when you visit...eat at Billadelphia! :-)

Phone Prank

Thomas wanted to call David with my cell phone today. He giggled and said, "I'm going to answer like Twopa did, you know how he'd answer 'Pool hall, eight ball speaking' well I'm going to do that to my father!" Never mind the fact that you only say Grandpa's joke when you're on the receiving end of the call and not the initiator. So he pushed the speed dial button, and as David answered, Thomas, through his laughter, said, "Pool hall, eight ball speaking!" David asked him a few questions and then Thomas answered, "I'm with your wife." What fancy ways this boy is talking these days. Is he five or 50?

Sick

I had it yesterday. Blamed it on bad food from Genghis Grill the day before. Then Thomas woke up with it today. He wasn't at Genghis Grill. So it must be a bug. And you KNOW Thomas is sick when he asks to take a nap, on the couch, in the middle of the day, for an hour and a half. Then the boy wakes up, says he's feeling a little better and might like to try some orange juice. I concede, but water down the juice just in case. 20 minutes later, I'm cleaning the couch. My first response was that it's a good thing we have old furniture. But after cleaning the mess for 30 minutes, I'm thinking it's time for leather sofas.

Whistling, Funerals, and Food

If you read the last post, you know that we've been listening to Grandpa's funeral a lot in the car. We keep pausing it to discuss. "Who's Thomas F. and Emma?" "How did he get a purple heart?" "Why was there a bomb in the road?" "Why are you sniffing when you were talking?" "Why do you keep saying the same thing every time we hear this?" "Why didn't you call him Tom?" "Am I one of the 7 grandkids or 8 great grandkids?" And on and on. He definitely knows the order of the CD and tells me exactly who he wants to hear and when.

We were listening to it yesterday and Thomas again talked about Twopa's train whistle. He was practicing his version as we were driving to the store. When I got out and opened the door, both boys were trying it. So glad I had my camera with me!

One story from the funeral I haven't shared yet is when Thomas was asking me what he should say to Grandma when he saw her in Lubbock. I told him the best thing to say is, "I'm sorry Twopa died" or "I'm sorry for your loss." 4 or 5 words everyone should know. Little words that mean a lot. Thomas thought about it a minute and said, "How 'bout if I say 'Too bad Twopa died?'" I said thought my suggestions were probably a better way to go. I'm not sure he actually said anything to her when we go to their house, but since he's 5 he can get away with that. If he'd been older, or I'd been less distracted, I'd have made sure he said something one way or another.

I know I wrote about eating lunch after his t-ball game and him signing his autograph. Last Saturday, he wanted to go back there to eat to see if his autograph was still posted. It was. And as the owner noticed Thomas, he yelled out to him "Hey, it's THOMAS!" Thomas had a huge grin on his face. Then he suggested that another customer might want Thomas' autograph so he got one too. And Thomas got another ball, a Phillies hall of famer. Two nights ago, Thomas said, "Mommy, can we go eat at the same place again after my game on Saturday?" I said, "Maybe so." He said, "Mommy, the answer isn't 'maybe so' it's 'yes!'"

Grandpa's Funeral

Hi everyone. Grandma sent me a copy of Grandpa's funeral on CD and I thought it was so beautiful, I spent an hour and a half, actually now we're up to 2 hours, figuring out how to get it here so you could hear it. I'm not posting the pastor's sermon although that was beautiful too. I'm just posting the family members' contributions. I hope you enjoy them. Just click on the play button for each selection. You'll see it in the oblong oval with the word "box" in it. That's the site that's hosting the audio for me. Don't click on the mp3 link unless you want to download it to your own computer.

During the actual funeral, my cousin, Jeremy, went first and gave a beautiful eulogy. My brother, Mike, went second and read several of Grandpa's poems. I went third. My uncle, Bobby, and cousin, Ben, went last playing and singing the two songs. How Great Thou Art was first and Beulah Land was the last thing before the pastor spoke.