My boys and Me: November 2008

Monday, November 24, 2008

BOO to YOU!

Halloween came so quickly it seemed this year. Before I knew it, it was 2 weeks from Halloween and I hadn't gotten the kids costumes yet! We went to the store and the kids picked out their own costumes. I tried to get them to dress as a team (Batman and Robin or Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Dr. Seuss or the same thing.. Cowboys etc..) but Cole only wanted to be Batman, Gavin refused to be Robin and when he saw the Scooby Doo costume (one of his favorite cartoons next to Tom and Jerry) it was pretty much over!

On Halloween they headed to Todd's office for some indoor trick or treating and then back to the house to finish the night off with a lap around the subdivision. Gavin really really gets into it yelling "Hey... Hey look at me I'm Scooby Doo!"

A few nights before Halloween we helped the kids carve some pumpkins and instead of putting them outside we set them up inside on a table so the kids could enjoy them. I think they really liked that better than sticking them on the front porch.

Pumpkins!

HEY, it's Batman.

Hey, I'm Scooby Doo!

Trick or Treating at Todd's work.

Two happy trick or treaters!

GO HURRICANES!

This fall Cole wanted to try soccer. We enrolled him into the YMCA soccer league. They had practice one night a week and games every Saturday. The nice thing about the Y soccer teams was that they put kids on his team that also attend his school. As it turned out one of the girls on his team, Olivia, was also in his class at school. It didn't take long for the two of them to take a liking to each other.

Cole really loved playing (not as much as baseball, but...). This was his first time so it was all so new to him, as it was for many of the kids on the team. However, the improvement from day one to the last game was unbelievable! They really played like a team and all the parents were so proud. Go Hurricanes! At the end of the season we all met at McDonald's for dinner and a post season party. Coach Pat bought all the kids ice cream and presented them all with ribbons. Cole really did well this season and even scored a few goals!

Cole defending the goal!

Olivia playing center.

Cole kicking the ball back into bounds.

Cole and Olivia taking a break.

Playing together as a team.

GO HURRICANES!!!

Cole the Kindergartener

We were all so excited about Cole starting kindergarten. Todd and I had some apprehensions no doubt, but the first day went off without a hitch and he came home smiling ear to ear. His teacher Mrs. Donovan is just wonderful. We couldn't ask for a better teacher. She is so kind and patient with the kids. Cole has learned so much already and his reading skills are already above and beyond what we anticipated they would be at this point.

He is also learning to write. Last week we found a picture he had drawn for his friend Olivia. Across the bottom it said "Will you go on a date with me" We asked about it and he said, " I sounded it out, Mom!" Needless to say we did not let him take that particular picture to school. He had drawn several others for her and we picked a more appropriate one for him to give her. He has taken quite a liking to her, and she really is a sweet girl. Todd and I have gotten to know her a bit. She was also on his soccer team this fall. The two of them have really hit it off!

Todd helps Cole with his name badge on the first day of school!

Too cute NOT to share

Snapped this photo of Gavin the day Cole lost his first tooth... just thought it was too cut NOT to share with everyone!

Cole loses first tooth!

Well, it happened much sooner than either Todd or I anticipated. Right before we left for Disney Cole's bottom two front teeth began to loosen! Before we knew it he was asking us to just pull it out! We did and he had a huge smile! On our trip back from Disney we stopped in Atlanta overnight. It was around 11:30 pm and Cole sat straight up in bed and said "Mom, Dad!," Todd and I both jumped and said "What???" "My tooth's gonna fall out!" So... at the hotel Cole lost his 2nd tooth. He was surprised the next morning to find that the tooth fairy does indeed come to hotels!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

MAGIC KINGDOM- Days 4 & 5

As we entered the park on day 1 of our Magic Kingdom adventures Daisy Duck was there to greet us!We spent days 4 and 5 at Magic Kingdom. The kids had an absolute blast. By far Cole's favorite ride was Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, which due to the low volume of guests (thanks Tropical Storm Fay) Cole and Gavin got to ride it at least 4 times. They also took several turns on the Indyland Speedway. Gavin really liked the teacups, and when asked he said his favorite ride was "the bus." There was so much to do and see but somehow in two days we pretty much got it all in, along with 2 character dinners. One with Cinderella and her crew and what had to be the kids favorite, a dinner with Winnie the Pooh and his friends. Gavin is a HUGE fan of Tigger so this was perfect!

Here C&G are in a pose-down with Captain Hook!

Cole and Gavin meet Princess Jasmine and Aladin.

Gavin got lots of one on one time with Tigger . While we were eating they had two parades in the restaurant, both of which Gavin participated in! This was our last dinner at the park and by far the kids favorite!

One of the topiary arrangements at the Winnie the Pooh character dinner.

Piglet and the boys.

Gavin follows Pooh around for a parade during dinner!

The kids were both super excited to meet Tigger.

Hangin' with Pooh Bear.

A Tigger topiary, the two below are also part of this same huge centerpiece they have on display when you first enter the restaurant.

Eyore signing autographs for the boys.

Near the end of day 5 I found this great shop called Le Chapeau. What makes it so great is that you can custom design your own mouse ears. They have dozens of hats to choose from, and dozens of mouse ears and designs you can have embroidered onto the base of the hat. Cole picked a blue base, Gavin a classic black. They each chose 3 different Disney Pals to be adhered to the front of the hat and we had their names embroidered on the back. I even got one that says "mommy" on the back!

The boys had fun trying all sorts of hats on while they were waiting for theirs to be completed!

Part way through day 5 it actually warmed up enough to justify popsicles, but about 5 minutes after they finished these it started raining again and the outdoor show that the boys had just started to watch was suddenly cancelled!

On day 4, the sun came out long enough for a parade to actually happen! Here are C&G participating in some pre-parade activities!

Here's the guys climbing around the Swiss Family Robinson Tree house.

On the left Gavin enjoys the Magic Carpets of Aladdin ride, on the right a photo from atop the ride. The kids really liked this ride and again due to the rain were able to ride it I think 3 times!

One of the places the kids really enjoyed was Mickey's Toon Town Fair. It's set up with 2 houses, one Mickey's and one Minnie's that the kids can explore. At the end is a large tent where they have meet and greet with several Disney characters. They also have a ride called Goofy's Barnstormer, it's sort of a mini-roller coaster for kids. Gavin was not tall enough to go but Cole was. There is actually a couple big drops, so it was quite interesting for Cole! He did like it and went twice once with me and once with Todd.

Inside Minnie Mouse's kitchen. The kids could press different buttons on things and make things happen like the tea kettle whistle etc... it was pretty cute!