Soccer Mom

This year, I officially became a "soccer mom." Not the mini-van driving, 4 boys in the car, ride smells like sweat soccer mom....just the mom of a little boy who played soccer.

 

At 3, it's not about winning. It's about learning how to be in a team environment and respecting other adults that are not your parents.

 

Connor had a ball! (pun intended)  Soccer was about the LAST thing on this little Superhero's mind. He would run up and down the field, pulling down the collar of his shirt like Superman. Or he would put both arms out in front of him as if he were flying. After yelling "kick the ball, Connor! Get the ball!!" I decided to embrace my son's love for Superhero's and just started yelling, "Go Superman Go!!" :)

 

Here are a few shots from the season this year:

 

 

This one is my favorite :) That's why it's first.

 

 

 

Daddy helping him get suited up!

 

 

Chatting with his buddies before the game

 

 

"Action" shot! :) (If you want to know the truth, I believe he was dancing!)

 

 

Team party at Cavanaugh Pizza!

 

 

Little man and his medal! He was so proud....for about 5 minutes.  By the time we got home, it was on the floor in the living room and he was suited in his Spiderman costume ;)

 

 

 

Medal? What medal? I just play for the Icee at the end of the game ;)

 

When I grow up.....

The first day of school was so hectic that I didn't get to ask Connor what he wants to be when he grows up. So here's a picture from the much smoother day two of Preschool :)

"When I grow up, I want to be Superman"

:)

We Love You, Tata!

For over 2 years, this woman pictured with Connor has been instrumental in helping to raise him while Justin and I both work. She has been a blessing to our family, loving Connor as if he were her own.

The day she called to tell me that we were off the waiting list, and that she had a spot waiting on him, we were trilled. We had just received a "supply list" from his other daycare that included several office supplies that a 16 month old would never use. He was bitten twice in the short time he was there, and once I walked in and he and another little girl were sharing a pacifier. It wasn't a bad place at all, just not where I wanted Connor to spend his pre-preschool days :)

We love you and will miss you, Tata (Stephanie). Thank you for the love and guidance you provided the littlest member of our family over the last two years.

First day of PRESCHOOL!

 

Before you even ask.....yes, I cried.....lol

 

Yesterday was Connor's very first day of Preschool! We have been so blessed with the care he has received thus far in his short little life. He has had a wonderful in-home daycare for the last couple of years, and of course Nana and Gramma as well.

 

Nana and Gramma are still graciously giving their time once a week to hang out with the little guy, but for the other 3 days, this handsome young man is off to preschool and daycare to play with all of his buddies.

 

So, the morning of his first day was a bit hectic.  In 3 1/2 years, I have never had to have him to any of his caretakers by a specific time (more specifically, 8:00AM). Getting him up was a challenge.  After carrying him from his bed to the couch, Mr. Grumpy fell asleep 3 more times!

 

Daddy has the magic touch, and was able to get him up and dressed to head out the door.  I am not big into the super preppy first day of school outfit (absolutely NO judgement from me if you are), I just want him to be comfortable and happy. There is nothing more comfortable than a t-shirt, and nothing makes him happier than his favorite Superheros! Thus, The Avenger's T-shirt won as his big First Day outfit :)

 

After getting him dressed and gathering up his things, we quickly headed out the front door for that infamous "First Day Picture" (side note: this picture reminds me that I need a new mat on my front door step....).  So I snap this shot:

 

 

 

And this one:

 

 

And head back inside to gather the last of my things so we can leave.  So far, we are doing GREAT on time! We are going to leave the house, giving us 20 minutes to get there and get settled in.  Connor heads toward the garage, I am about 10 steps behind him.  I hear a "THUD" followed immediately by a painful scream. I run to grab my sweet baby only to see his head swell up in a matter of mere SECONDS! I am just devastated for him....I love on him, console him, hand him to his daddy for some kisses, daddy loads him up in the car, I try to give him Advil (which he spit all over me until he realized it didn't taste too bad), finally get some medicine in him, give him a couple more kisses, and off to school we go. Here he is after the tears stopped....beeeeecause I gave him 2 dum-dum's on the way to school. Breakfast of Champions, I know ;) But it was his first day, I wanted him to be happy.

 

 

When we arrived at school, I immediately let the teacher know what happened....don't need anyone calling DHS on the Scarlet family, ya know?! It was complete chaos, as we arrived JUST in time for his class to start. A couple more hugs and kisses, and that was that.....he was officially in Preschool.  I called to check on him because I was worried about his head.  He was outside playing, and I was informed that it looked the same, but that he was doing just fine. Did I mention that he was battling some sort of cold or allergies over the previous weekend? I was thrilled that his cough was gone the morning of his first day, but my thrill was cut short when he had his little accident. But hey, all we can do is move forward from here, right? :) The good news: He had a GREAT day, ate all his lunch, sat by one of his friends from his old in-home daycare, made me a cute picture, and told me how they talked about God and Jesus...which is my favorite part.

 

Happy First Day of Preschool, Connor! It is one we won't soon forget. ;)  We love you so VERY much! Here's to a blessed and happy school year! Xo

Florida Fun!

A few weeks ago, we enjoyed some fun in the sun in sunny Santa Rosa Beach, Florida! This was our first family vacation in years, and Connor's first visit to the beach!

He just couldn't believe that the water moved! :)

To sum things up, we ate out a bit, cooked at the condo some, enjoyed lots of wine and "dad's famous iPod" music (lol!), visited the water park, parasailed at 800 ft (WOAH!), swam, and soaked up some of that good Florida sun!

Oh, and who could forget.....every night, Connor dressed up as "The Amazing Spiderman!" We couldn't go on vacation without taking a few of our favorite superhero costumes!

Connor LOVES his uncle Drew!

Dinner at the Back Porch was one of our favorite nights! We even saw a beach proposal from our seats on the patio. As luck would have it, there were 3 other tables of Arkansas people seated on the same patio! Guess they knew where to stick the rowdy ones ;) Oh, and I polished off a pound and a half of crab legs! Yep!



Love this picture of my boys.  We had a lot of seaweed, but that was no match for all of us!



Check out that face!

 And that one!

31 years and counting :)



My pride and ultimate joy :)

We watched some home movies at the Condo.  This is me and Drew on the beach in Destin 20 years ago!

LOVE these 2!



Look who showed up for Vacation!

 Big Kahuna Water Park!

Life of a 3 year old.....pick up some sand.....

Throw it in the ocean..... 

Take off running.....

Come back and shoot some webs!

Playing with Uncle Drew and Aunt Melissa!



 This is the night we ate at the Hurrican Oyster Bar....Connor rode with his Nana and Granddad. Connor said he was thirsty. Nana bought him this green slushy. Connor was a lot of "fun" at dinner.  The End.

Hanging out at the pool where he told this little guy about his age that his mommy's name was Mom and his daddy's name was Dad, and that his daddy has a scratchy face. lol!



Chillin on Uncle Drew's bunkbed!



This is how he slept the first 3 hours of the drive home!



Check out the awesome sign we encountered on the way home ;)



Dinner in Memphis before the last leg of the trip!



Thanks for stopping by! (If anyone is still out there lol!) Xo ;)



Oh son......

You have a girlfriend. I get that. Her name is Carley. But just remember this: I am your mom. I always will be. I love you.


So while Connor was in the shower the other night, I took his bubble foam and wrote "Connor & Mom" on the door. He asked where Carley's name was. I told him that it's not up there and that it says, "Connor & Mom.". Well this was NOT good enough for Mr. Demanding 3-year old. He says (and I quote), " Mom, Carley is my girlfriend. I want her name up there with hearts please!"

Ooooookay. I see where we are already headed here.....and he is only 3. So, I obliged with his request. I turned around to get him a towel and he says, "MOM! LOOK WHAT I DID!"

Yep, the other woman in his life is already replacing me......at 3.....we have a very long road ahead of us lol.

Connor, I am your mom. I always will be. I love you.

SUPERHERO DAY at Chick-fil-a!

For a child who loves every Superhero known to man, this was one of the best days EVER! CJ was a little reluctant to have his picture made with Hulk at first, but once he acquired his own Hulk mask, he was good to go! :) The excitement on his face when we pulled into the parking lot was priceless! Oh how I love him ;)