Mini Vacay: Bear Lake, Lake Powell and Yellowstone in 4 Days

Yes it was exhausting and lots of driving, but we had fun nevertheless. My friend came to visit who is originally from Morocco but lives in Dallas. He is into hiking and nature-ish stuff, and wanted to see everything he didn't see the first time he was here. So we did our best to cover the list. Bear Lake and Minnetonka Cave on Saturday, Lake Powell on Sunday and Monday and Yellowstone on Tuesday and Wednesday. I know! It was a whirlwind!

We tried to put Andrew's three summers of swimming lessons to use in Lake Powell to no avail. He sinks like a rock and has absolutely no interest in changing that. Glad my money was well invested. Sigh...lol.

My sister and cute niece joined us for our Yellowstone adventure and we saw Old Faithful, paint pots and then some parts of the park Hillary and I had never been in all our times there so that was nice. Andrew had a great time and is such a good traveler-he really seems to enjoy just looking out the window (and sucking his thumb of course-grrrr!). It is nice to be home but I am glad we went. Now I need to rest and recover from my vacation.

MY BABY GRADUATED FROM KINDERGARTEN!!!

And I didn't even cry. Okay so maybe he was the kid who didn't stand up when he was supposed to when they sang songs, and maybe he shouted out across the room at me a couple of times, but he was the darn cutest kid in the room and there couldn't have been a prouder mom! School is a struggle for my boy yet he tries so hard. This year has been a huge learning experience for both of us. For him to hang in there and always do his best and for me to learn to let go a little and watch him fall and get back up. Mrs. Moffett has been a blessing for Andrew-always so sweet and understanding and never putting on too much pressure like mom tends to do sometimes....I am working on it! Here we come first grade! WHOO HOO!

Rub a Dub Dub-There's A NUT in the Tub!

I responded to Andrew's shrieks and stifled giggles to find him posing like this in the tub:

And I do mean posing. He goes out of his way to think of ways to entertain me and anyone else who will give him a minute of their time. He is such a funny boy! I can't imagine what my life would be like without him. He always makes me smile and brings me unmeasureable joy. I need to focus on the positive-the miracle that my child is and enjoy every second! Little seconds like this one that add up much too quickly!

ps-Let's just ignore the fact that I have not posted since November. Busy Year? EPIC BLOGGING FAIL!

Could He BE Any Cuter?

I think not. Here are the results of Andrew's latest fashion shoot...aka...Christmas photopalooza. Feel free to leave a plethora of comments regarding his spectacular cuteness, etc. Pardon the shot with me in it, it couldn't be avoided! There were lots more shots but the place where we took the pictures (which shall remain un-named but the initials are KK), are kinda stingy with photo rights and I haven't scanned in the VERY EXPENSIVE prints I bought yet.
Andrew is excited about the upcoming holiday, although threatening that Santa is watching is not getting me as much bang for the buck as it did last year...maybe I overused it? He wants a firetruck set he saw at the planetarium MONTHS ago-I swear this kid's memory is like a steel trap...what I wouldn't give to remember the things he does...

I am entering the holidays with mixed emotions as a single mom. I can't shop with wild abandon like I could a year ago, which isn't the end of the world but definitely something to get used to. Also, I am apprehensive about the visitation schedule for Christmas since we have mediation on the 17th and that is where such things are to be decided. Nervous! I will keep you posted but am looking at the definite possibility that I might be spending this Christmas...ALONE! Let's hope for the best, shall we?

Special Delivery!

Fall Makes Me Happy!

I have been meaning for awhile to post about the wonders of fall. It has always been my favorite season and not because of Halloween or Thanksgiving or any other specific date on the calendar. My favorite holiday is Christmas and I am not a fan of winter in general. Fall is beautiful! Beyond beautiful. Makes me feel serene and happy. Which as of late is saying something! Love watching the colors on the mountainside behind my house change, love watching bushes that were green last week turn red, not rust, not pink, RED! In the past I have loved taking lots of pictures in the fall, and just generally try to spend as much time outside as possible, enjoying the scenery. This year, with all the personal "turmoil" in my life, which for those of you who don't know includes my separation and impending divorce, I have not had the inclination to do much of it (or much of anything for that matter), and feel I have really missed out on something special. I took Andrew to the zoo this weekend, which is where I took the above picture, and I was much more taken with the falling leaves and amazing color changes than I was with the animals! It was nice to get out and do something that felt like the "old" me for awhile. So, although the season is drawing to a close, I hereby pledge to make the most of the last few days of the most picturesque time of the year. Heading outside to go roll in the leaves...maybe start a leaf fight!

NO TEARS!

My son got to have lunch with me today at school. We had chicken nuggets, fries, carrot sticks and chocolate milk. It was fantastic! One of the best lunches I have ever had-not because it was prepared by a gourmet chef. Not because I got to eat with my son, although that was very nice. The reason I loved my lunch so much today was because it marked the first day since kindergarten started that Andrew has made it through the entire school day without crying. Lunch with mom was the reward. Don't even think about telling me bribery is wrong. Bribery is the bomb. Wish me luck on tear-free day #2!