Ice? Who needs Ice?!?

No snow, no ice, green-"ish" grass, warmer weather, etc... You'd think that means it's time to move onto the next season's sport. Well Little Guy had a better idea.

 

Little Guy: Let's kick the ball.

Big Poppy: Alright, let's put your shoes and coat on and go outside.

 

We kick the ball back and forth, 10-15 minutes, before the ball gets stuck underneath the car. Little Guy goes to the corner of the garage and grabs the hockey stick.

 

Little Guy: Here you go Daddy! Get the ball.

Big Poppy: Thanks Little Guy!

Little Guy: You're wel-come Daddy!

Big Poppy: :-)

Another 5 minutes or so goes by before the ball is stuck again. I grab the stick and pull the ball out.

Little Guy: Let me see (referring to the stick).

Big Poppy: Oh, okay, here you go.

 

See below for what happened next........

Little Guy says I'm tired of kicking, let's play hockey! I don't care if the stick is too big and the blade is curved the wrong way!

  

Okay, well maybe not those exact words, but that's how I interpreted it! :-)

  

Yes, he will be getting his own left handed hockey stick (Little Guy size) next season.

Big Poppy

There is no doubt how much Big Poppy loves Little Guy nor that Little Guy thinks Big Poppy is the greatest.

The love between these two boys is indescribable. At the baseball game yesterday, the guest service attendant commented over and over again about the two of the them (and this lady takes her job very (VERY!) seriously, do not try to do anything without her permission).

Whether Little Guy wants to borrow Big Poppy's sunglasses, even though the sun was not shining (yet again)

or if he just needs someone to catch him humpty dumpty-ing into the pool

or making sure foul balls do not land on his head

Big Poppy is always going to be there.

In a few years, when you are unhappy with Big Poppy telling you no to car keys or weekend trips, don't forget how much you love him Little Guy and know, without a doubt, he thinks the world of you.

***NOTE: Did you hear a scream of "Noooooo. F----------." this morning? Not to worry, it was just me finishing up an original posting and then watching my computer shut down, without warning unless you count the pop-up that told me it would be happening in 15 minutes which was like 2 minutes before the shut down occurred. Or at least it seemed like 2 minutes and I thought I was finishing up instead of halfway through. Things seem to take me longer than I think they should.***

The Boys of Summer

Downside: Our hometown boys of summer have yet to live up to expectations this year.

Upside: Fans are still showing up for the home games.

Downside: The weather has been less than ideal for outdoor baseball due to cold and the rain.

Upside: We have had a few decent days with the sun and even some heat (I really like that).

Upside: We have been able to make it to a few games this year.

Downside: Big Poppy does not read my mind and take charge to ask those around us to take a quick family picture of the three of us (or grab the camera to take one of Little Guy and me - I improvise while Big Poppy is engrossed in the game).

Upside: We have plenty of family and friends with season tickets that allow us to enjoy home games without breaking the bank.

Upside: We recently sat the "Legends" club for a completely different view from where we normally sit.

Upside: As season ticket holders (by proxy) we were able to purchase additional tickets prior to them going on sale to the general public.

Downside: The way the hometown boys are playing I am wondering if Big Poppy and a few of his college teammates should walk-on to the team. Despite their years I cannot think they would hurt the team currently (or perhaps this is really an upside because of league minimum wage rules for the summer play).

Upside: Foul ball landed in Big Poppy's hand. Thank you Justin Morneau.

OK - despite the win-loss record, the boys of summer are treating our family pretty darn good. Not a bad way to enjoy a Sunday (Memorial Day weekend).

New Year, New Changes

If it seems I have been more remiss than normal on stopping by, here is why:

1. It's broomball season. Big Poppy and I like to play. Sometimes the ice is hard. Like really hard. When a body hits the ice just right it can through your back out of whack. That's me, right now. My back is aching and the muscle relaxants and pain meds drug me down this weekend. On the upside, I am on the mend. I love my chiropractor!

2. It's a new year and the beginning of the new year is a great time to start something new. That is exactly what we have done. Big Poppy and I have either added to Little Guy's inheritance or we have squandered away his college savings (let's hope we are adding to his future!) and have purchased the family business (family business in that it was previously owned by GrandC and GrandB - Big Poppy's brothers have not worked for the company for many years now).

3. Now that the deal is finalized (yes, you do create debt when purchasing a family business, we did not get it for free) and I am on the mend I have no excuse for not catching up and posting more.

4. So, this new year brings in a resolve. I will post more often, if for no other reason, this is a great way for me to remember what we have done throughout the years.

5. I got nothing else right now. :)

It Worked

Pictures recovered. It took some time. But it was worth the wait.

This is audit week. I'll catch up this weekend.

But I am so happy, Big Poppy came through big time.

Watching Him Grow Is Getting Harder

Watching Little Guy grow is getting harder to do. This is mainly do to his speed. The boy does not like walk. He prefers to run.

Big Poppy and I have tried to take his picture with Jeter on the 19th of every month. Sometimes we are a day or two later so hopefully Little Guy hasn't had a growth spurt in those two days.

This month was no different.

Sometimes Little Guy and Jeter can't stop to look at the calendar because they need a little kiss.

Sometimes one needs a quick sniff of the other.

Sometimes one needs to run quick to see what the picture looks like before the picture is taken.

Sometimes we need a little help from Big Poppy to get them both to sit still (or stand) and look at the camera.

Just Like Daddy

With a puppy (he will always be my puppy) named Jeter, it seems fairly obvious baseball is an important part of our life. Sports in general are a good outlet for us while playing and going to games together is a way we enjoy spending time together.

Little Guy already has quite an arm on him - or at least that is what others are saying. With a little help, he is also getting a pretty good baseball swing. Little Guy is becoming just like Daddy - a love of playing sports.

Don't take my word, look for yourself.

Or, it appears I am unable to load the video of Little Guy swinging the bat. I've tried three times now all with the same message. Take my word for it, with every swing, Little Guy would laugh and laugh and laugh. The neighbors were really enjoying the BP in the front yard.

Tapping Home Plate

This Bat Might Be A Little Big

I Caught the Ball

Chores

Happy Mom and I decided it's never to early for Little Guy to start helping out around the house. Therefore, we divided up the chores. Happy Mom did the dusting, I cleaned the wood floors, and Little Guy ... well he really took a liking vacuuming on Saturday morning.

Of course I'll vacuum, it looks like a fun toy to play with!

When Little Guy is really old enough to start helping out, Happy Mom and I will be sure to remind him just how much fun he thought vacuuming was. Oh is he gonna regret this pose. Happy Mom says she'll use it everytime he objects. Good Luck Little Guy!

Newest Four Legged Family Member

I'm sorry to disappoint, as we did not get a new puppy. We have enough fun with the one we have. Little Guy has now taken a liking to crawling on all fours over the army crawl. Although, as you will see in the video below, he reverts to the army crawl when he gets tired.

Speaking of tired, now that Little Guy moves much quicker, he sure has us worn out by the end of the night.

Swimming

We have a vacation coming up after April 15th. Happy Mom and I thought it would be best to introduce Little Guy to a pool before we left. We do not want the pool to be a culture shock or a scary place to be - he loves baths but you never know what all that wide open water would do to Little Guy. So, we took Little Guy to an indoor pool, complete with a large water slide and another small one for little tikes.

When we got into the water, Little Guy wasn't scared, however he was a little nervous at all the noise and comotion from kids playing in the water. It probably took about five minutes or so, then he figured out that slapping both hands onto the water was really fun!! REALLY fun.

Little Guy was a natural in the water, especially when I helped him down the little slide. Happy Mom got the best view, as when he went down, with me holding him of course, his mouth would open wide with exitement!! :)

I think Little Guy is going to enjoy his first family vacation.

Now it would only be great if we were going here on April 16th. I guess that will have to wait until this winter. Maybe Aunt Stephey and her family will come along.

Big Poppy's Barbershop

In case anyone was wondering, yes we planned on giving Little Guy a haircut, but not until hockey season is over. Although the NHL season is going on, we consider the hockey season over since our favorite college hockey team is officially done playing. :(

Thus, Little Guy can get his haircut. Unfortunately, I used poor judgement in when this should be done and how much should be cut. Let's just say there was no "Happy" in Happy Mom, when she got home from work to find Little Guy's ears were lowered.

I take full responsibility for butchering Little Guy's hair. I learned a valuable lesson in giving haircuts and that is, do not attempt without consulting your better half, and after seeing the results, I'm not so sure I should be the one doing the cutting in the future. Little Guy did manage a partial smile for me, but probably because he wasn't looking into a mirror.

Crafty Poppy

I like the wood letters to spell out names or use as initials. I do not like the price tag normally associated with each letter. (I prefer to spend my money on other things. I do not normally find the same value in home decor items as the price tag associated with these items. However, I am not always good. I have spent waaaaay too much money on framing or pictures before. Too bad it was years ago and I am now tired the way they look and am trying to revamp our home decor.)

While at the trusty Michael's store looking at frames for my "nesting project", I stumbled upon wood letters. Even better, the price I was willing to spend (truth be told, I would have been willing to spend more than the asking price). Big Poppy, Little Guy and I found some paint - no plain white letters for this little guy - and brushes. All in all, the time at Michael's was well utilized.

Since this is my heaviest time of the year for work and Big Poppy's lightest time of the year (isn't it nice how that works out.) (Is it just me or do I seem to be a little over board with the () today?) (I'm going with it.), Big Poppy took charge off painting. And painting. And painting. Then I did some painting, and a little more painting.

At this point I am beginning to think the 59 cent paint was not worth the 59 cents. I even went so far as to pick up some spray paint over this past weekend, only to return it the next day (I decided since it is cold and snowy outside, spray paint in the house might not be the best idea). I painted again and yesterday, my hubby, Mr. Crafty himself (really he is not crafty but when given a task, he is excellent at completing the project at had) put the final coat on the wood letters for Little Guy's room.

For the price of less than seven dollars but more coats of paint than Big Poppy can count (I can count my layers of contribution, it was 5 coats...I wonder if this is why I am the accountant, I can count.) I have wood letters in my home.

Crafty Poppy project in process.

The current resting place on the ledge in Little Guy's room....but I think it may be moved.

This may be a good spot for the wood letters to be hung vertically.

Future Mechanic?

Here's proof that Little Guy will be introduced to more than just sports, sports, and more sports. Although I would be classified as mechanically challenged when it comes to autos, I did manage to put together Little Guy's first set of wheels, with his help of course. Here he is finishing his first tire change.

After careful inspection of the engine..........

Little Guy is ready for his first solo ride.

Outta my way!!!!

In case you're wondering, it is a dirty job and requires three change of clothes. :)

8 Month Update

Since we won't know the official vitals for Little Guy for another month, I am going to give you a quick update. In a few weeks Little Guy will be graduating to the Infant 2 room at daycare....I mean school. :) There are three Infant rooms. The third being for those nearing 15 months. Little Guy has gotten to spend a day hear and there in Infant 2, to get him acclimated. He has enjoyed each visit as the pace is more his style.

Just the other day Little Guy and I shared a laugh, but it was at the expense of an innocent boy in the Infant 3 room. I was carrying Little Guy and on our way out I caught a glance of a little boy standing against the glass in Infant 3. I couldn't resist laughing because the thought popped in my head to stand Little Guy on the ground. I am certain Little Guy would have towered over him and he's nearly twice his age. I felt bad about laughing and didn't want to scare the little boy, so Little Guy and I kept on our way.

Although we don't have an official height and weight, all we need to know is that Little Guy is still on pace to be a Little Giant! He is healthy, strong, and full of laughter and smiles. I am predicting at his current growth pace, Little Guy's hands and feet will be the same size as Happy Mom's once he turns 3. Happy Mom is very excited at the prospect of sharing someone's shoes. (Sometimes she is such a girl. :))

New Workout

Ever get tired of the same old workout routine? Well I have a new workout for you. Really it comes from Little Guy, but he has yet to start writing so I'll help him out. To Little Guy it is called "Outta my way, I'm on a mission," but you can call it the Army Crawl.

To start, lie on the ground face down. Extend your left or right arm out as far as you can reach, then pull the rest of your body ahead without lifting off the ground or using your other hand to push. Think it's easy? Whether he's on smooth flooring or carpet, Little Guy moves ahead with ease. As for me, I manage to move on the wood floor, but the carpet...forget about it. Let's just say a snail would win the race and I'd still be at the start line.

Little Guy has just reminded me of how out of shape I am, how about you? Who says you can't learn anything from a baby? Happy Exercising!!

Pinch Hitting

Please bear with me as this is officially my (Big Poppy) first attempt at blogging. In order to keep our friends and family up to date with Little Guy, occasionally I need to pinch hit for Happy Mom. Little Guy is now 8 months old and becoming more and more active by the day. Here he is posing for his 8 month b-day with Jeter.

 Hmmm.....what should my first blog be about? How about responsibilities and babysitting? On two separate occasions I was posed with a similar question and my answer for one was responsibilities and the other was babysitting. Both were followed by laugther. Here's how the first conversation went; my cousin, from now on referred to as Half Pint, asked me if I would be making it to basketball? My response was "I can't make it because I have responsibilities." Half Pint laughed hysterically. I was somewhat dumbfounded. Since when is taking care of your son not a responsibility?

The second conversation took place weeks later with a friend, from now on referred to as Postal. Postal asks, "So you gonna make it to basketball this week?" I responded, "No I can't make it, I'm babysitting." Postal laughed and said, since when is watching your own kid, babysitting? I kinda get his point, but then again, why isn't it an appropriate response. Little Guy technically is a baby isn't he?

My response to Half Pint and Postal was to laugh and say, whatever!! I like both of my answers and it won't be the last time either are used. The bottom line is these two should be thankful I have responsibilities or need to babysit, as opposed to years past, so they don't get embarrassed on the court! :)

In all seriousness, call it responsibilities, babysitting, or what have you, I wouldn't trade spending time alone with Little Guy for anything. Little Guy is already starting to be less dependent on Happy Mom and I. Well, I guess it just means he'll be helping out with chores sooner.