Camping and The Palmer Effect

Palmer has been camping before.  But that was in the fall before he could walk.   This is a whole, new, filthy and disgusting world.  I hadn't really considered it.  All of us grown humans walk around campsites but have a reasonably good sense of how to keep from getting totally dirt encrusted--babies have no such sense.  It gives me new found admiration and respect for the millions of mothers who came before us who raised babies in caves and huts.   And that's not to mention the ones that are doing it this very day.  About 24 hours into the weekend I just had to surrender to him walking around in a diaper and rubber shoes.  Putting clothes on him was pretty much pointless. 

Beware if you are a baby and you camp and you poop in your diaper (vertically!).  Because for the 20 seconds between when your mom takes your diaper off to hose you down and when you actually get to the hose, this could happen to your butt:

I was pretty darn proud of my own little camp chair.   Check me out here kickin' it camp style in nothing but my drawers, some beater shoes, and box of cereal.  You know you want to be me.  Come on.  Admit it. 

I tried to suggest some alternate camp-wear to my mom but she didn't really go for it.  Something about suffocating?

Say It Like It Is

So, its the first Saturday of summer and we all slept in a bit.  I made a nice breakfast of maple sausage and poached eggs for the boys.  Connor never had a poached egg before and he liked it, but ambled off to the family room after eating his fill.

D:  Are you finished with your breakfast?
C: Yes
D: Well, do you just plan on leaving this mess on the table?
C: hrughlmf 
D: Connor, come clean up.  I'm not your slave.
C: No, but you're kind of like the maid around here. 

Second Grade Ceremony

On Monday we had the absolute pleasure of attending Connor's second grade completion ceremony.  Each child gets recognized for an area in which they excel.  Not surprisingly, Connor received an award for public speaking.  He is just great at it.  During the Thanksgiving classroom presentation, he insisted on writing additional speaking points for himself during the concluding statement, and of course, there was that whole "lead in the school play" thing.   I'm sure the fact that he talks all day during class had nothing to do with it.  :)

Over In A Second

It really seems like Second Grade was over in just that long.  Wow.  It flew by.  And just like last year, it was a tough day for Connor.  Those are tears you see.  You're not hallucinating.  He told me last night that he really didn't want to go because he was going to "spend half the day crying".   Why?  "Because I'll miss my friends and Ms.Reed--she's the one who gave me knowledge."   Poor thing.   I get it.  Its like that song...every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end...and the end of anything can be sad.

And just like last year, sad or not, we're very proud of him.  Congrats, my number one son!  

My True Friend

Thanks, Evan!  Its nice for a mom to know that there are friends like you out there. 

California

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Cool (ey) er!

Chris' jersey number!

Ready!

Backward drill

In traffic

Christy Cooley leading a cheer!

And finally, a great shot with Chris just as he was leaving for the day.  He loved Connor's hair and the whole thing was a blast.  We'll be back next year!

Oops!

Cool (ey)

As a gift for his hard work and performance in the second grade musical, we gave Connor a certificate for admission to Chris Cooley Football Camp. The camp is a two day extravaganza of everything football and everything Cooley.

It was pretty darn awesome. We stayed the whole time, as did most parents. Its about 45 minutes away at Fairfax High School so we just packed up the baby and made a morning of it. We get to do it again tomorrow.

It is a really great operation. Very professional, very organized, and very kid centric. Chris and his wife, Christy are there the whole time going from group to group seeing the kids. Christy is having a cheerleading camp with Jason Taylor's wife at the same time down at the end of the field.

Connor had a good time but didn't think he got to catch enough passes. Typical!

Coming your way!

Got it!

Some Simple Rules

This came home in Connor's work folder from school. I'll transcribe here:

Rules For My Mom and Dad-Connor

1. No yelling in the house
2. Let me go where I want
3. Let me play when I want to
4. $20 a week
5. Go on vacation every 2 days
6. I can watch whatever I want

Our response:

1. Okay. We could probably work on that if you'd listen the first 5 or 6 times we
say something.
2. Sure. Once we get the GPS implanted in your leg.
3. Okay, but when would you eat or bathe?
4. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!
5. We're totally with you on this one, though compliance will be a challenge.
6. We think that 6 hour "Pawn Stars" marathon this weekend has you feeling a
little cocky.