Summertimes Calling Me

This past week we traveled back to the place where we can frolic on the beach, play in the sand, get sun kissed, and lose track of all time…the Outer Banks of North Carolina. For our 2nd Annual visit we chose to stay in Salvo, North Carolina where we rented a beach house two dunes away from the waves rolling upon our toes. We started out at 3 AM on Saturday, making a pit stop when I woke up at the Sage Diner, somewhere between Jersey and North Carolina. It was discovered that I am not a fan of whole blueberries in pancakes as I prefer them to be chopped into tiny bits. After my refusal to eat anything but the plain section of the pancake, we were out the door and on the road again. Our next stop was Grave Diggers Dungeon. It was here that I learned all about the different types of monster trucks and was able to climb on them. Do you know how exciting it is to see the Grave Diggers of past and the current one! Actually what was exciting was my first monster truck ride; dirt and all! For $5 a person, me and daddy climbed into the back of a monster truck that rolled over mounds of wet dirt and a bus! With speed building and dirt flying I was in a very serious mood as I wasn’t so sure about this. On top of that, the bench seat I was riding on had one large seat belt that did nothing to secure me sitting next to all these adults. To say I held on tight would be an understatement.

After the monster truck ride we pulled into the Brewery with a playground just as I fell asleep. This provided for all of us to catch a quick catnap in the parking lot. We fueled up with food and spent some much needed time on the pirate ship acting like Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Finding ourselves back in the truck, we continued on our way to check into the house.

Once we got to the house, while the parents got unpacked I found myself a nice spot in the sandbox. Just as they finished putting the last of the items away and we climbed into the pool – Todd, Barb, Anna and Kianna arrived – just in time to help us enjoy the pool. Over the week we enjoyed hanging out on the beach and having a few adventures. Of course this week couldn’t go without injury. Barb wacked her foot on the refrigerator door the first night causing her foot to swell up. The next day Anna and Kianna were swept out to sea in a rip current causing Todd and Barb to rescue them. Todd forgot the boogey board so Barb went after him. While running out she stepped into a hole and injured her calf muscle. Unable to walk and in severe pain Barb drug herself back to shore. She spent the night taking it easy. They got up very early the next morning and went to the ER where they found out it would be early afternoon before an MRI could be taken. So with that said, they headed back to the house. The last injury occurred when mommy was trying to be sneaky and scare us but all she did was stub her toe really hard on the boardwalk leaving her limping, laughing and with a black toe nail.

We ventured to a new part of the Outer Banks – Ocracoke Island. The ferry is free and with just enough to do on the island for an afternoon it was a perfect get away. We rented golf carts to tote Aunt Barb and her crutches around, grabbed some lunch and cooled off with some ice cream as we ventured around the island. We also caught up with the professional kite boarders where they showed off their stellar skills while we sat amongst the action. This was my favorite part of the whole week as I was trying to imitate their jumps. We also surveyed the local tourist traps and purchased a monkey kite to fly on the beach. We blew bubbles off the top deck and tried to see how far they would go. Two light houses crossed our path – Ocracoke and Cape Hatteras - neither of which I was able to enter. Daddy attempted the four wheel beach while mommy freaked out insisting we turn around as she thought we were sinking fast; she won! The entire week was filled with relaxing on the beach in the morning and spending the afternoon pool side or taking a nap. Our nights were filled with ghost crab hunting, bonfires and smores. And who could forget the family style dinners including a North Carolina shrimp boil.

Yet another fantastic Outer Banks vacation is in the books with dreams of the next one on the mind.

Circus

Today was the day the world was to end precisely at 6 p.m. So what better place to spend the last day on earth than at the Circus for the first time. A few weeks ago Daddy came home from the shop with a receipt for $1300 in repairs and a free kids ticket to the Cole Bros. Circus. I think this was a way of making it up to mommy as she would love to live in an alternate universe of the Circus. Ever since I was born she has dreamed of the day when she could share the circus with me. When my mother told me were going to the circus I had no clue what that meant but I was excited because she was excited. The trip to the big top was only about 10 miles away but for some reason my mother got lost on the way; navigation is not her strong suit. A 10 minute drive turned into a half hour where I proceeded to tell her numerous times that we were almost there. She replied in response that we were driving to the Amazon.

We pull on to Route 1, and there it was across the way, yellow and red stripes so big and glamorous that I could barely contain myself. I still had no idea what that big tent held but was ready to find out. As the tent drew closer, pulling into the first spot in the parking lot, we jumped out and ran hoping there were still tickets available. Standing in line we were surrounded by lots of people and clowns. If you know my mother, she is not a fan of clowns, but she did okay. Finally, we approach the ticket window, hand up the cash and coupon and opt for the cheap seats, hoping they were good. With a tear in my momma's eye, we head towards the big tent. At this point, I'm not sure who is more excited, me or my momma that she finally gets to share this experience with me.

Inside the tent the first thing we come upon are horses and camel rides. Next is the big steel cage for the cats and up above is the high flying trapeze. And then we continue to walk and walk and walk to the cheap seats folks! It's truly amazing they still had the cheap seats available as most of the tent was filled with the better seats, the ones we should have gone with. So there we were, standing at the bottom, trying to figure out what's the best of the worst. We go for the 5th row about 4 seats in, sit down and learn that what appeared to be "okay" was only a partial view. Oh well, we had a great view of the steel cage.

As we sat waiting for the show to get underway, they began wheeling in the big cats. After about 2 minutes my attention was gone and eyes fixed upon every gadget every kid around me had, whether it be sparkly, lights up or blinks, I thought they were all cool. Finally the show begins and the cats jump out of their cages. I could drone on and on about what came next but I'll save you the boredom and sum up the first act, it was okay but I probably would have paid more attention if we got the better seats.

Intermission comes and my mommy thinks we should hold down the fort. Why? No one else is. In fact, I want to ride an elephant. Then she whips out the fruit snacks and I'm all about holding down the fort. Finally, intermission is over and what do you know, most of the people are gone, no more security blocking the good seat entry, and we're off! We run across the row and plop ourselves down in the first row of the good seats. And my oh my were they grand.

The view from the good seats is all it takes to perk me up. I'm literally sitting right next to the elephants, all three of them. I can see their wrinkles and shutter when they walk. I love the elephants. But what's next, something even better, the motorcycles. They are loud, and crazy and fun! Two enter the big steel ball and spin around and around. But what's better than two motorcycles, a third motorcycle. It crawls into the ball of steel and off they go, all three at the same time. My eyes were sparkling with amazement. As the motorcycles slow and muffle their engines, in rolls the cannon. Who knew there was a guy crazy enough to crawl into a cannon and blast himself away. My momma told me to cover my ears as she feared the worst, a big boom and freaked out Thad. I guess she didn't want this to ruin my experience and put a damper on what had become such an awesome time. I cover my ears and next thing you know, B-O-O-M! He flies out of the cannon and falls fast to the earth being caught by nets. There I sat, no fear, sheer amazement.

When asked what my favorite part of the day was, the motorcycles and cannon. If my eyes and face don't say it all, I loved the circus!

These are a Few of my Favorite Things...

In case you were wondering what I am absolutely in love with at the present moment, here's a hint:

Favorite Movie: Monsters, Inc.
Favorite Character: Curious George
Favorite Food: Pasta (red or white sauce) and Tacos
Favorite Vegetable: Peas, and Carrots with ranch
Favorite Fruit: Watermelon
Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream
Favorite Snacks: Fruit Snacks and Peanuts
Favorite Sandwich: Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jelly
Favorite School Activity: Counting (I can count to 30) and Puzzles
Favorite Breakfast: Egg Sandwich
Favorite Candy: Jelly Beans and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Favorite Toys: School Bus, Mickey Train and pliers
Favorite Outside Toy: Scooter and Sand Box
Favorite Book: anything Curious George
Favorite Cartoon: Curious George
Favorite Dip: Ranch
Favorite Drink: 2% Milk
Favorite Blanket: the "Blue One"
Favorite Song: You are My Sunshine
Favorite Animal/Pet: Kacie
Favorite Phrase: I want that and "Yup!"

Good Life

This song title is so appropriate for this blog entry because it completely wraps up my weekend and how I feel about my life right now. I truly do live the good life and feel so blessed to do so. I have awesome parents, attend an amazing school, and party with the best of friends. Although every weekend with my parentals is an adventure, this weekend being nothing out of the ordinary, but something special and to be remembered. I kicked off my weekend a little early with "good" Friday and Elmo Live. Unlike last year where I went screaming, kicking and yelling the "good" Lord's name to a far away place (the back of the theater), this year I enjoyed every drip drop of goodness that Elmo had to offer me from the bleacher seats. Sitting high atop in the balcony at the State Theater with my buddies, Emily, Josh and Sam, my eyes were fixed on the stage as the little red monster danced and sang with all the other Sesame Street characters. To the liking of my parent's bank account, I made it through another year without a $10 Elmo balloon or any other propaganda to fill my toy room with.

If you're wondering what this year's birthday party is going to be, don't worry, my mother's OCD tendencies have kicked into high gear and party planning mode is in full swing. We bounced our way over to Bounce U to test out the facilities and whether they would provide a good outfit for the big T-H-R-E-E!

Just when I thought the weekend couldn't be topped, I woke up on Saturday knowing full well that the day was going to be just as fun as Friday, if not better. This was the day I had been waiting for...we were going on a train ride with Emily. We had it planned for quite sometime that we would all meet at the train station to get on the Easter Bunny train. We agreed that we would leave around 12:30 to make it to the train station by 3:00 as the train departs promptly at 3:30. Once we got there, Emily was no where in sight. After a few phone conversations, and a conversation that went something like this: "What town are you in? We're in Stroudsberg, PA. What town are you in? We're in Phillipsburg, NJ." It was ultimately determined that Emily's mom doesn't follow instructions too well! Needless to say, we were two hours apart and boarding different trains. After all the laughs, we compared train rides; Emily wins by a long shot. Next year we will be heading to Phillipsburg for sure!

The weekend was wrapped up with an early morning egg hunt throughout my house. That Easter Bunny left me a big mess to clean up but no umbrella to be found. This was my first year for having a trail and I didn't quite get the concept of follow the path. Why follow the path when you can just skip to the good stuff, like big presents. My trail ended in a new playhouse that I can plant flowers in, grill and talk on the phone at the same time, all the while hammering my fence into place. The afternoon was spent spying on the Easter Bunny hiding eggs and gathering the goodies left behind at the Platko's.

Another Easter is in the books, and I have to say, it's gotta be the good life, good life!

These Are the Days

As I grow bigger, so do my traits, thoughts and intentions. My thoughts are ones of independence in that I am really trying to do lots of things on my own. Yet, I’m still willing to let someone feed me. For some reason I just don’t see the need to put food in my own mouth when I know that if I don’t eat someone will come along and help me out. Someday they’ll figure it all out, but for now, this works. Oh and you must be wondering how that potty training is going. Yeah…about that, it’s non-existent, my parents have resigned to the fact that I will 1) either be in a diaper for the rest of my life; or 2) will eventually succumb to society pressures and teach myself. Don’t get me wrong, my mother is filled with snide remarks, all the while I push back.

Something that I just find amusing as anything is when asked a question, I simply respond with HUH in a high pitched voice and smile. Thinking this was amusing my mother now responds back with HUH. We get into a HUH battles to see who can say it more. Oh and am I particular? Yeah, you could say that. I have to have things a certain way, or you have to do something a certain way, or I get upset. The type A personality is shining through more and more, so much so it makes my mother question where that B personality of my father’s ran off to. When I want something, I want it now. When I can’t have something, I’m going to tell you in a most definite voice that I don’t approve of your timing as you’re a slacker in my eyes. As I grow, my patience for nuances in life shrinks. But then I snap right back to the happy go lucky kid that I've come to be known as.

Toast!

Do sandwiches or bread for that matter taste better without the crust? If you ask me, it sure does! Somewhere between the womb and now I have discovered the neat trait of forgetting to eat my crust. Not sure where I learned this, but I have decided I like it. So much so that my dad has actually chimed in on my new craze and cuts the crust off for me. He claims, and is right, that I’ll eat the whole sandwich if the crust is removed. My mom hasn’t bought into. Just wait, she’ll board the train once she gets sick of listening to the whistle blow.

I’m Like Forget You

Lately I have been going through a phase of being defiant. I guess you could say its all part of growing up. My newest pose is crossing my arms across my chest, in that I’m hugging myself, and then saying NO! This pose began the other night when it was just mommy and me hanging out. I was playing with my phone that Aunt Lori gave me that rings and when you answer, it says hello. After answering, I would set the phone down, walk away, turn my back to the phone, and then give myself a big hug, all the while waiting for it to ring. When it would ring, I would turn around and walk briskly over to it and pick it up. This went on for a good 20 minutes all the while my mother watched, taped me, and laughed herself silly. Now you can too: