Hilton Head

Just returned from a week at Hilton Head.  It was a fun an exhausting adventure...just like beach vacations with kids are supposed to be.

That's my name.

I am super cute when I am sun-kissed.

 I hunt seagulls.

I climbed a big tree.

I got a haircut and went out searching for dolphins.

That wave surprised me!

My big brother spent a lot of time skim boarding. 

We look great together.  Ladies...beware.

That's my brother on the the right hull, middle, of the white sailboat. He took sailing lessons.  I watched.

Connor climbed the same tree as me.

My mommy held onto me when the boat went fast.

We saw lots of dolphins.  This was a mommy and her grown calf.

Give Our Regards To Broadway

Last Monday night I had the distinct and once-in-a-lifetime pleasure to take my son to see his first Broadway show.  It chokes me up just thinking about it.  I remember mine...it was "Showboat" and it sucked but I thought it was fantastic at the time.

We took the train into NYC from New Jersey and it was easy getting into the city despite the fact that due to a packed parking garage at Metropark we made it to the platform just as the train was pulling in.  That certainly made it exciting!  We took the train to Penn Station and then switched to the Subway for a quick hop to 42nd street and Times Square.  Once there we walked straight into a deluge.  Buckets of rain like you wouldn't believe.  We ducked into some stores to wait it out but eventually made our way to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner.

At the Hard Rock, we had a blast.  Connor was at his best...charming and funny and fearless.   Here's a shot of us at the entrance near the guitar wall:

 

Right off the bat, Connor started dancing.  They were playing "Party Rock Anthem" and all of the servers were dancing so he thought he would join right in.  At one point he said "Mom, I wish I could rip my shirt off!"   Future male stripper, apparently.   Then he was obsessed with them playing another LMFAO song, "I'm Sexy And I Know It", which, thankfully they never did.  He did convince them to play "Thriller" though and we had a long conversation about Michael Jackson, the most interesting part having to do with all of his plastic surgery and why he changed the way he looked.  During that I mentioned that he had totally changed his face and skin color.  Connor exclaimed "Are you telling me that Michael Jackson was an AFRICAN AMERICAN, Mom?"   He truly had no idea.  I don't know what he thought and I didn't ask, but he clearly didn't know the man was not white. He also told me that he never wanted to live in the country because it smells like a sewer and that when he's rich and famous he will never do drugs like all of the musicians do, but that he'll spend his money on his family, a house, and M rated video games.  A comment that he rapidly followed with excellent quality machine gun sound effects.  

When we left dinner, it had begun to rain again and we really had no choice but to purchase umbrellas from the guys on the street.  I had given Connor $20 earlier.  We picked out two of these beauties and he surprised me when I asked how much they were by offering to pay for them with his money.  Wow.  

From there we navigated our way to the theatre to make sure we knew where we were going.  It was nearby and we still had about an hour so we headed to Dave and Busters to kill some time in the arcade.   I have to admit, I love that place, too.  Especially the car racing games because I suck at them so badly.  Plus, I like picking the most ridiculous cars.   

Finally, it was time to head to the Nederlander Theatre for our show, Newsies.   It's a Disney production based on the New York City newsboys strike in 1899 that actually started out as a movie that came out in 1992 starring Christian Bale, Robert Duval and Ann-Margret.   I wanted to see something I hadn't seen before so that we could really share the experience of seeing something new. 

We had seats in the second row on the aisle.  That is to say....very close.   We could touch the orchestra pit and Connor did so many times while talking to the musicians.  The dancing feet were about 10 feet from our heads.  Some would say we were too close.  We thought it was awesome.  

The show was very entertaining.  Was is West Side Story?  No.  But the time passed quickly and the dancing was totally amazing.  The story was good.  The songs just didn't have any hooks.  I can't remember any of them.  At intermission Connor got a newsboy cap and a paper bag as souvenirs and he was totally jazzed when the dancers ripped up newspaper and threw it into the audience and he caught a piece.  

After the show we took a pedicab back to Penn Station.  This is advisable if you have a death wish.  They drive like crazy people in and out and between every other moving vehicle including tractor trailers.  I was glad when it was over.  I wasn't afraid for myself and kind of thought it was crazy fun, but I kept picturing my son's head getting crushed so that kind of tamped down the joy, if you know what I mean.  

The ride home was quick with only a few stops and the drive down the Parkway back to Nana's house flew by.  It was a great night.  One of my best dates EVER.

Born To Be Wild

That title might be, just might be, an understatement.

Hey Now, You're An All Star!

Well, the baseball season is officially over today. There's so much to say about how the season went. There was plenty of drama (touchy parents), plenty of running around the field (chasing Palmer), and plenty of really great baseball. Connor's skills have really taken a step up and his focus and patience have improved immensely.

Along with his personal growth and maturation, his advancement this year is also attributable to two very important things. One, his Dad was not his coach. He helped out a TON, but he wasn't the primary authority figure on the field and Connor really needs that separation. Two, his coach was fantastic. We live in a place where many people step up and give of themselves, but Rich Abdinoor does better than that. It was clear to every boy on that team and every parent that he loved the game and he wanted those players in it all the way and to be positive and thrive on the game. The chemistry of those two men---his Dad and his Coach Rich---really made the difference for Connor. I am grateful to them both for the love and patience they showed.

Although it was disappointing that the regular season Dodgers lost in the first round of the playoffs, we were appeased by the fact that Connor made the Dulles Little League Single A National League All Star Blue team. The All Stars played a few games over the past days and today, Connor's team won. And even better than that, Connor got the game ball. He went 2 for 3 with a double, had 3 RBIs and pitched a shut-out inning.   What a great way to end the season.  Congratulations my big man!

My Mamas

Over a fateful few weeks in 2003, I met some women that have made my life so very rich. We all came together in a new mother's support group after having our first babies and we've been together ever since. This year we snuck away for a weekend at a beach house in Fenwick Island, Delaware. It was lovely. The house. The women. The beach. I cherish all of it and all of them so very much.

Third Grade Graduation

This year really sped by. The fastest ever.  Like a superconductor train in Japan, it sped by. I can't believe the school year is over. Connor was recognized for his special achievement in public speaking. I love that. So many kids struggle with confidence in that area. It is truly a gift to just be born that way. Being able to express yourself and command a room is a life skill that is invaluable. If you have to learn it, it is much more difficult.  He is amazing, my boy.  He's socially fearless...which kind of makes everyone fear him.   I can totally identify with this challenge as I have the same affliction. 

  

We love you for how smart and special you are, Connor. But we also love you for being such a goof ball. Congrats!

Camping At Natural Bridge

TaterTown temporarily relocated to a campsite on the James River in Natural Bridge, Virginia for the long Memorial Day weekend. We went with five other families and enjoyed absolutely perfect weather. Hot and sunny days, cool and moist nights. It was everything camping should be...full of hard work, great fun, and lots of freedom for the kids to be kids. They were unplugged from their devices and ran wild.

We couldn't enjoy the river as much as I would have liked. Last weeks rain had it running high and fast. But I trudged out into it nevertheless. Next time, Connor and I are going to do a tubing run. To replace it, we spent time both days crawling on our knees up a creek bed hunting crawfish and salamanders. My friend Sharon has now been dubbed the "Crawdad Whisperer" for her tutelage and skill. I am pretty sure our sons will never appreciate their mothers.  They think its totally normal for moms to crawl on slimy rocks with buckets and tiny nets in ice cold mountain creeks.  I'm fine with that.

At one point, we took a ride to see Cave Mountain Lake. I'd seen the sign and it was four miles away. Four miles. Sure. Four miles and a whole 'nother planet. I've never seen the Garmin go blank like this.

Palmer spent most if the weekend pretty dressed up, as you can see. Totally redneck toddler, I know. He had a great time and did so much better than last year camping at Williamsburg. The heat did bother him a bit, so he took his naps in the car with the AC on just to maintain his sanity.

On Sunday we took a drive to the Safari Park with is a huge drive through wild animal preserve.  Its really kind of out of place and amazing and you feed the animals from your car.  Both of the boys loved it, and Connor got to drive the car (steer) for about 30 minutes, which totally rocked his world. Palmer liked the animals very much, be he liked the animal feed more.  It pretty much comprised his breakfast. 

It was a fun weekend with lots of great stories.