Planes, Games, & H2O

Bo and I took Landon down to Bachman Lake again to watch the planes come in for landing at Love Field Airport. We did this about a year ago, and although he liked the airplanes, he was a little scared of the noise that was associated with them. This time, the planes were a total hit! When we got home, I had the urge to utilize our game room, something we don't do often enough. Landon didn't even know we had a pool table because we normally keep the ping-pong table set up. He rolled balls into the pockets while Bo and I played a few games of 301. Bo took 2 out of 3.....dang it! Then we played a game of pool, which Bo won too. And, lastly, we let Landon take some swings at ping-pong. He had Bo and I in tears from laughter! There's a video that I'll post in a bit. Saturday, while Bo was working, I took Landon to the pool. Up until this weekend, Landon has been very cautious in the water. He didn't want to walk in the kiddie-pool by himself, nor did he want you to let go of him at all in water. He would, however, jump to you from the edge of the pool. I bought him some floaties, and I don't know if it was those or something that just clicked in his head, but he's a completely different kid in the water now! He wants nothing to do with the kiddie-pool and only wants to go swimming! He says "I'll do it by myself." He floats and swims like a little turtle.....so cute! I just love that he enjoys the water so much. As a water-lover myself, this makes momma so super-happy! And, just like most weekends, we went to the lake on Sunday. We bought a new tube and finally tried it out. Although you can't tell in the pictures, Landon absolutely loved the tube again. He giggled every time we hit "bumps." Normally he only rides with me, but this time he rode with his Uncle Boonie too! And, as you can see, the lake will take a 2-year old to complete exhaustion!

Pictures: The Professional Kind

Bo and I take so many pictures of Landon. His entire life and those all-important "firsts" have been well-documented on camera. That's why I never get professional photos done. Actually, the truth is I'm too cheap (frugal, I say). Professional photographers charge a whole lot of money to capture sweet faces on film. The truth is their cameras are far superior to my little digital one and their pictures are even better. So, this frugal shopper came across a really good coupon and I booked an appointment for my little man. Landon was SO good! I mean he was just gosh-darn perfect! It broke my heart to walk away with only a few of the poses and pictures. I wanted all of them! They even entered one of his pictures (one that I didn't even buy!) in a contest. I do think he's rather adorable. And for all those who haven't seen my baby pictures, let me just tell you.....he's a spittin' image of his momma!

It Never Gets Old

It's a must....Bo and I must retire on a lake some day. It just makes us so darn happy. There's nothing better than spending these hot Texas days on the lake with our friends and family. Steven brought his boat out, along with the Warrick's. Bryan and Misty have a 5-year old named Mekena. She's just the sweetest little girl and Landon is so fond of her. My friend, Kristi, brought her 7-year old son, Branson and I think he had a blast. Kristi and I double-tubed and were in hysterics from all the laughter and fun. Those tubes beat us up pretty good and we're a little sore today, but it was well worth it! Next time I think we'll hop on one tube together and see how long we can hang on! The water was surprisingly refreshing and there was a breeze, so the temperature of 103 didn't bother us one bit. Well, I think it bothered Bo when he was deflating the rafts, tying down the tube, taking down the canopy, and getting the boat ready to head back home. He works so hard so that all of us can have a good time! And, as you can see by the pictures, our little ones were tuckered out at the end of a fun day on the lake.

Independence Day

Landon Cole @ 2 1/2

Landon goes to bed with ease and sleeps in most of the time. On occasion we do find him at the entrance of our bedroom lying on the floor though. He has a sweet tooth, like his mom. He doesn’t like too many vegetables, like his mom. He loves most fruit, like his dad. He enjoys brushing his teeth like a big boy, but is pretty terrible at it. He says hi to anyone, unless he just woke up from a nap. He wakes up from naps in a grumpy mood about 40% of the time. He likes to get in the pool, but doesn’t want you to splash him or spray him with water. His eyes are still a beautiful grayish blue. He’s starting to get several freckles across his nose and upper cheeks. He secretly loves “the claw.” He loves to sing his ABCs. He can count to 20. He learned to pretend about 2 months ago. He still prefers to be around adults rather than kids. He’s cautious, quiet, and a little timid. He gets frustrated very easily, like his mom. When he’s corrected or knows people are watching & listening to him, he shuts down, like his mom did. He thinks “farting” is funny. He likes to wear daddy’s “smell-good.” He can name 4 country songs within the first few seconds of them playing. He has a tricycle that he loves, but can’t reach the peddles, so he uses the Fred Flintstone method. His favorite cereal is Lucky Charms. He loves our 2 dogs, Jax & Deuce, and my parents’ dog, Sadie. He yells “hush” when dogs bark. He doesn’t like for his hands to be dirty. Things have to be lined up just perfectly. If you lined up 10 cars parallel to one another and one was at a slight angle, he would find it and straighten it up. He hates spider webs and won’t touch anything that’s been in a spider web. He loves to be barefoot. “I want Momma do it” – he always wants me to do everything. He loves his big boy “Fire Truck” bed. He loves the Lake (and the Boat). He doesn’t like it when we go looking for his “spankin”. He loves to pee on mom’s plants. His favorite song is “Free As You’ll Ever Be” (Free – Zac Brown Band). He loves to “Flip”. He loves “Wightnin Queen” (Lightning McQueen). He loves watching “Handy Manny” and “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” while eating breakfast. He loves to help us mow the yard. He likes to ride on Papa’s tractors. He likes to play Danpa’s drums. His favorite saying seems to be “I don’t want to!” He doesn’t like when you “bite his ear off” or “get his nose”. He loves to watch the Trash Truck. He loves “Rowy Powies” (Rollie Pollies). He is a great traveler. He’s a little manipulative (ex. Landon don’t touch that. . .so he touches it with his head). He loves to be tickled and says “Uncle” to make you stop. Landon likes to go golfing with Daddy & his friends. Landon says please, thank you, & you’re welcome better than most adults. He always wants to wear his cowboy boots, but they’re too big for him right now. He calls me “Mom.” He yells at his toys when they don’t do as he instructs. He loves to water the flowers with the garden hose, like his mom. He runs funny, which drives mom and dad crazy. His favorite bedtime book is “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” His hugs are sweet and his kisses are the best. He is loved more than he’ll ever know.

A $15 Investment

We officially upgraded from the $10 plastic pool to the $15 blow-up pool. No, that's not impressive at all, but Landon sure thinks it is! He's pretty proud of his new swimming pool. My parents have the same one at their house (they gave me the idea). We will officially have a back-yard paradise once we finish the new fence, build the arbor, add 2 new flower beds, get new patio furniture, and add an outdoor sound system! Whew, now let's get to work!

Father's Day 2009

Father's Day weekend was wonderful! Bo's been a DAD for 2 1/2 years and I'd say he has the job totally mastered. He's such an all-around great dad. He's fun-fun-fun, sweet, loving, compassionate, playful, helpful, and of course, knows how to lay down the law too! Landon's testing that job a little more these days.
After lounging by the pool for a few hours on Saturday, we took my parents to dinner to celebrate my dad's day. Dad and I even shared a margarita....it was my first ever! Quite tasty, I must say. My brother was in town too, so we had the whole crew. Matt ordered a Lynchburg Lemonade. I immediately looked up and thought, "Oh my goodness, what are you doing?!! You're not even 21!!" It only took a few seconds to realize my brother is 21 and perfectly legal. My, my, how did 21 years come and go? Anyway, dinner, dessert, and drinks were delightful. My dad, too, is a great dad....and a great "Danpa". He put up with a daughter whose teenager years were treacherous and emotions were a roller coaster. We made it through to the other side though, and now it's my turn to raise a child and experience the joys and challenges of parenthood. Kudos to my father for raising a daughter and still maintaining his sanity.
Sunday was our lake day. We truly love having our boat and spending time on the lake. And we're overjoyed to see that Landon has the same love for the lake and outdoors. We took Bo's parents to Cracker Barrel for dinner. I adore any time spent with Bo and his 2 brothers. The 3 of them always have us rolling with laughter. Plus, Bo's mom and dad have endless stories of their boys' childhood. Dinner with them is entertaining to say the least. Before we left Cracker Barrel, we bought Landon a package of Nik 'L Nips. Remember those? It's the wax bottle filled with fruit-flavored juice. Oh the power of nostalgia....I know I loved those things as a kid. Bo, Steven, Boonie and I all bit the top off of our bottles and sucked down the pure liquid sugar disguised with food coloring. Boonie and I looked at each other with crinkled faces and were like, "You've got to be kidding! These things are beyond disgusting!" Landon loved them though. I guess it's something you enjoy as a child, and the memories somehow convince you that this stuff is going to be great when you're 31 too. WRONG! Next time I get the hankering for some Big League Chew, candy cigarettes, or Wak-O-Wax Wax Lips, I'll just settle for the fond childhood memories.