Moments

There are these moments in parents' lives that you either are lucky to see or they pass you by in a blink of an eye.  Luckily, I was able to catch one of the, to me, precious moments.

Carson was in the bathroom, I told him to wash his hands.  It was then that I walked into the bathroom and noticed he was standing at the sink washing his hands, without his steps.  The steps that he has used since he was 1 to reach everything that was just beyond grasp.  That was definately a moment for me to see, my big boy standing at the sink washing his hands without any assistance.  They can be passed so quickly and never noticed, but I am so glad I noticed.

2 year old feet ^

Let's slow it down

Geoff and I work, everyday.  1 day a week, I leave work early and spend the afternoon with Carson.  It's never enough.  Our weekends are always consumed with something to do.  Either running errands, going to a birthday party (which we put a big HALT on) or lately, house hunting. This weekend, we talked to Carson and said, we'll do whatever you want to do.  And he made sure we weren't house hunting this weekend. ha! We even cooked the foods that he wanted.  It was Carson's weekend and it was wonderful.  We started the weekend off by going outside Friday night and played catch with Daddy.  It was so comical.  Carson called Diesel the fetcher because everytime he missed the ball, Diesel was right there running after it.  That night we had chinese food for dinner and watched Transformers: Age of Extinction.  Carson's choice.

The next day, we woke up and had waffles for breakfast at the king's request.  Then we went to Publix, picked up sandwiches and went to the park to have a picnic and bike ride.  Seriously, if we didn't ever slow down, we would never do these things.

We rode our bikes on the levee in search for wildlife.  We had our eyes peeled for snakes, alligators, turtles.  At the end of our ride, we saw what was an alligator and it went back under.  The weather was perfect and again, unless we slowed down, we would never do this. 

Our last day of the weekend.  So sad that it went by so fast.  Carson asked to go to Toys R Us, we should have seen that coming, he's quick to catch on to Carson's weekend.  Well he had a gift card to use so we told him we would go and he could use his gift card that he got for his birthday.  Afterwards, we asked him what he wanted for dinner and he wanted a BBQ, hamburgers and corn on the cob.  That is exactly what we had.  Geoff cooked the most delicious turkey burgers and we had macaroni and cheese and of course, corn on the cob.  I went to set up the table inside and Carson said, "No, we can't eat inside.  It's a BBQ.  We have to eat outside".  And that is exactly what we did. 

I feel like we need to thank him for this weekend.  One day you will read this Carson, so thank you.  Thank you for the most wonderful weekend, just me, you and Daddy and our dogs.  You are simply the best.  Thank you for slowing us down.  There is nothing that can't wait and there is nothing more important than you and our time together.  I love you.

5 is a BIG DEAL

43.5 inches

35.5 lbs

1. Favorite color: Black
2. Favorite food: Pizza
3. Favorite show: Wild Kratts
4. Favorite movie: Rise of the Guardians
5. Whose the coolest: everybody
6. Favorite thing in school: Science
7. Best skill: Arts and Crafts
8. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Disney World and The Ocean
9. Favorite song? Club Can't Handle Me Right Now, by FloRida
10. Favorite book: If you give a moose a muffin
11. Favorite season: Winter
12. Favorite snack: Cheez its
13. Friends: Will, Tyson, Lincoln, Shane, Sophia and Kailyn
14. 1 Food I dislike: salad
15. My one wish: to have a king snake
16. Favorite store: Publix
17. Favorite thing to do with Mommy: Bake cookies and play Candy Land
18. Favorite thing to do with Daddy: help feed the fish tank and help do stuff
19. Favorite animal: shark and a tiger
20. When I grow up I want to be a: a doctor that helps animals feel better.

Is it so? Is he really 5? Not sure when it happened, sort of blinked and there it was.  To celebrate the BIG F-I-V-E, we started with dinner at his favorite restaurant, La Bamba's, followed by his preschool party and then the big trip to Disney World.  Traveling with us was my mom and Joey.  We went to Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween, Animal Kingdom and Epcot while we were there.  We also stayed at Fort Wilderness which was a huge hit with all of us.  We really really liked it there and can't wait to go back. 

So, Carson's last night as a 4 year old and I got all emotional and posted this on my FB.

Tonight, I put to bed my 4 year old son for the last time. Tomorrow he will wake up to a brand new year, a whole year of being 5.
We enjoy every single moment with him. Every ounce of love he has to give. All his laughters, his stories, even his whines and cries.
He asks for a brother AND a sister often, and I thought we'd be a family of 4 by the time he was 5. Everyone asks. Everything happen...s when it's supposed to and as I tell Carson, God will give us a baby when he thinks we are ready. He even asks in his prayers. 

 

But then there are times I think, maybe this is it, maybe 3 is what we are supposed to be. Everything that God could give us in 2, he wrapped up for us in 1. Our perfect dream come true. Our Carson
Sleep with the angels, sweet boy.

Can't wait to see what you offer us and the world at 5 years old.

 

 

So I pretty much think that sums it up.  He isn't a baby anymore and he isn't a toddler, he is a kid.  A full fledged kid. Holy moly. We talk, we have conversations. He loves going to school. He loves his family and he loves his dogs.

 

So 5, yes he is 5 and he is so much fun!

First day of PK4 and Last year of Preschool

When Carson grows up, he wants to be a: TOY FIXER

First day of PK4, otherwise known as VPK and last year of preschool.  I remember walking the halls with Geoff during our tour and walking by the big kid classroom.  I said, can you believe that Carson is going to be in there one day.  And now, here we are, within a blink of an eye. 

We are 2 ½ weeks in and not once has he cried.  Totally out of the norm for him, he usually gets teary eyed at least 1 day out of the week when I drop him off.  He loves going to school, loves his teacher and his classmates.  A great way to end his preschool years.

This year, the curriculum includes science, gardening and cooking.  Right up Carson’s alley, things he really truly enjoys.

He goes to school 5 days a week now which has taken some getting used to, for all of us.  We have our morning routine and nighttime routine and we are all trying to adhere to it to make things smoother.

Carson’s teacher and teacher assistant are very nice. We are really looking forward to a wonderful year. 

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who'll decide where to go.



Promotion: Yellow Stripe

We went to his stripe test, like any other day, expecting Carson to get his 4th stripe.  Little did we know, Carson was graduating from 3 stripes to a new belt, a yellow striped belt.  Which in the MMA world, more responsibility and more focus and determination is expected.

We had no idea Carson was graduating and Carson didn't know either.  When Sensei called his name, Geoff and I had to pick our jaws up off the floor. Carson walked up so proudly.

In Carson's world, graduating to a yellow stripe means standing with a new group of kids, closer to the front.

He worked hard, he push through the days he didn't want to go, he pushed through the tears when he wanted to sit with Mommy and watch the other kids.  Very proud, its not just a new belt, its the sign of accomplishment.  It shows what you can achieve with determination and drive.

Keep working kid, you've got this in the bag :)

Daddy said F*%#*+g

Geoff is home with Carson all week. Today, apparently ended up being a rough day. Tuna got out, onto Nob Hill. Carson wasn't listening, Geoff couldn't get Tuna back and that word was said. This is how I found out:

Today, Daddy said F-----G.
Daddy said buttkin?
No Mommy, Daddy said F-----G cause of Tuna.

Ha! Thank goodness it wasn't me this time. Lol.

Last day of preschool

Recently, we said goodbye to preschool. Technically, he will still be in preschool, but now he will be in the VPK program, going to school everyday, getting ready for kindergarten. 

We had wonderful teachers the past 2 years and absolutely love his school. 

I compiled photos from Carson's first day of 2year old, last day of 2year old, first day of 3year old and last day of 3year old.  He has changed so much and continues to grow everyday. 

Endlessly love him.

VPK, here we come!

Cruising

First Cruise, First Cruise!!

Another first checked off in Carson's book.  I won a cruise through the radio station which sent paid, Geoff and I.  We added Carson and then mom, dad and Joey decided to join us.  It was wonderful.  Carnival Ecstasy took us to Key West and Cozumel. 

Carson had a great time.  Played mini golf on the boat and ping pong. We spent alot of time on the slides on the back of the boat.

While in Key West, we had breakfast, went to the aquarium, walked around Mallory Square and just enjoyed the day.

In Cozumel, we didn't stay long.  We walked around for a bit and then left my mom, dad and Joey.  Just wasn't much for Carson and he was getting extremely ancy.  We went back to the boat and enjoyed the rest of the day on the slides. 

 

 

That night, part of my winner's package, I got to meet Martina McBride and sit in the front of her concert.  She was amazing.  Absolutely loved it, what a power house singer.

 

The cruise was great and we can't wait to do another one with the family.

The Easter Bunny arrived!!

The Easter fun started with a spring lunch at Carson's preschool. 

Friday, Easter weekend, Carson and I colored eggs for the Easter Bunny.

Saturday, we went to an egg hunt at my parent's neighborhood.  All of Carson's friends came with and the kids had a blast hunting eggs. Afterwards, they played an egg toss and then an egg relay.  The kids really had a good time. 

When Carson went to sleep, I made bunny tracks with baby powder. 

I heard him wake up about 830ish and I hear, wow, he was here, whoa, more tracks.  He comes running in our room and says, he was here, he was here.  I told him to find his basket and he got hot wheels and 2 transformers along with some hershey's candies. 

Afterwards, Geoff distracted him and I went outside to hide the eggs.  He found them all and had a really good time searching for them. 

That day, we had all of our family come over for dinner.  It was delicious and it was a wonderful evening.  Another succesful Easter :)

Where does the time go

4 years old: 33 lbs and 41.5 inches 

3 years old: 30lbs and 38 1/4 inches

2 years old: 26lbs and 36 inches 

Not sure when it happened, it seems as if I was writing his last blog post yesterday and here we are, 4 1/2 years old.  

This is going to be random, I'm sure, its been awhile. As I think of things, I want to make sure I note them so I don't forget.  Times that were fun and important in a 4 year olds perspective and memories that mommy wants to hold on to.  

Carson had his first birthday party with friends when he turned 4.  We split the party with his buddy, Sophia, who turned 3.  We had the party at Pump it Up an indoor jump house. The kids had a BLAST!!! So much fun. 

November, we went to the Nascar races at Homestead. Another activity that keeps his attention. AND because he is such a cutie, he made it up on the jumbo tron. 

In December, we went to Disney World for Disney's Very Merry Christmas.  Carson went on his first "Big Boy Roller Coaster" aka  Thunder Mountain.  It was fun, he didn't cry.  Wasn't sure of it at first, but handled it like a champ and then we went again and he laughed.  He actually liked Thunder Mountain better than Goofy's Barnstormer. 

We spent my 33rd birthday at the Monster Jam at Dolphin Stadium.  His eyes were glued to the trucks.  Now, at least once a week since, he sets up a monster jam in the living room. 

We are halfway through PK3, getting ready to start VPK in the fall.  Carson is excited and so are we.  In PK3, Carson started school 3 days a week. 

October 2013, Carson started MMA, twice a week.  We have our moments when he wants to go and when he doesn't. I think its alot to ask of 4 year old, but when he has fun, he has alot of fun.  He has acquired 2 stripes to date and has done a board break. 

Doesn't like to use "baby" silverware anymore. He has to use our silverware.

Favorite foods: Tacos, Quesadillas, chicken and FISH!!
Favorite vegetable: carrots and brocoli

Favorite games: Candyland 

Likes to do: dance, listen to music, go fishing, ride his scooter

Toys that he is into: Transformers, hot wheels, monster trucks, playmobile kits, legos, puzzles

Favorite movies: Rise of the Guardians, Transformers, Rio 

Favorite show: Octonauts, Wildman, Peppa Pig, Max and Ruby 

March 2014 - Geoff was gone for 2 weeks, which also happened to be over his 34th birthday. Carson and I flew to Atlanta to spend the weekend with Geoff for his birthday.  While we were there, we went to the Georgia Aquarium and Stone Mountain.  Absolutely fell in love with Georgia.  It was gorgeous, the aquarium was awesome and Stone Mountain was really nice.  Carson really enjoyed hiking in the woods and looking for "tracks". ha! 

March 2014 - first offshore fishing trip with Daddy, Jason and Monique  - caught 2 dolphin and ate dolphin for dinner and he said it was the best dinner ever! 

March 2014 - first camping trip.  We rented a site at Markham Park.  We had a great day during the day, went hiking, Geoff went shooting, ate lunch.  The sky opened up on us just before dinner and rained and stormed until about 10pm.  We went back home and when it stopped raining, Carson was already sleeping, we went back.  Geoff and I hung out by the campfire and Carson woke up the next morning in the tent :) We built another campfire, had breakfast, packed up and went home.  We'll have to do it again.  

March 2014 - first hockey game with Kevin and Gail -  Panthers. 

He is such a good boy.  Loves to snuggle, loves his dogs and really enjoys being with Mommy and Daddy. Everyday is a blessing that I cherish.