Propped Up

My friend Meghan came into town for a visit from Baltimore.  We had a blast going on last night and I was so glad she got to join us for music class today.  We've attended this class some what sporadically but I really want to make it one of our weekly activities.  The teacher uses different props through out the class.  I quietly whispered to Meghan that it gets a little crazy and Kolton doesn't quite grasp the concept of putting things away so I often have to help him.  I couldn't have been more wrong and more proud of little man today!  He took only one prop at a time and didn't try to take away another kid's.  Then he expertly put them away when told. I just love seeing him transform before my very eyes.

1st Day of Preschool!

Today was Kolton's first day of preschool!  He only goes on Mondays from 9-noon.  I think the curriculum includes a lot of playtime =)  At orientation some parents were very concerned about leaving their babies.  Me, not so much.  Well, maybe a little.  It wasn't that I was worried about leaving him.  I was worried he wouldn't stop crying.  Like when they page me at the gym after a half hour.  Because of this the teachers make sure drop off is quick.  At this age we have to walk them to the classroom but there is definitely no time for lingering goodbyes.  I was a little teary eyed but only because on the drive to school the radio station discussed the Taylor Swift song I mentioned yesterday.  This was the ROCK station and the DJs all admitted they bawled their eyes out and thought it was the saddest song ever.  Agreed.  But at drop off, little man didn't cry at all and happily took the teacher's hand.  When I picked him up they told me he had nothing but smiles all morning =)  So, what did I do with my free time?  I took Sophie for a walk, talked to my mom, and cleaned the kitchen.  Not too shabby I'd say!

On our walk tonight we noticed a woman who appeared to be chasing a cat with another one following her.  My feelings of guilt from not doing more to bring that other cat home are still fresh so I asked the lady if she needed any help.  Upon further review the escapee looked a lot like the missing cat from the poster.  When I asked about it she said no, but this was his brother.  The good news is the missing cat was rescued from another storm drain in the community!  But um, don't you think she should keep better tabs on them?  Then to top it off the other cat that was trailing the lady followed us to our doorstep.  Thankfully this one was wearing a collar & tag so I called the owner who came and got him. I just don't understand the whole indoor/outdoor cat thing.  Do they know their way home or not????

On a Serious Note...

1st "Official" Haircut

Did you hear about the song Taylor Swift performed at the StandUp2Cancer telethon?  It's called "Ronan".  She wrote it after reading a blog that the little boy's mother started when he was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma.  He died in May of 2011 shortly before he was to turn 4. You can download the song on iTunes with proceeds going to cancer related charities.  Mommies be warned, I didn't get through more than a few seconds without bursting into tears. Something about this story is really gripping me.  Ronan's mommy is my age and in addition to dealing with her profound grief she is finding the strength to dedicate her life to finding a cure.  All while continuing to be a rock for her husband and twin boys and growing her family with another baby on the way.  I can't fathom the strength of this woman. 

I'm instantly reminded that the reason this story feels like it hits so close to home is because I personally know 2 families that are fighting for the lives of their children and 1 that recently lost that fight.  It's just not fair at all...The number one message that comes from all of these stories is how precious life really is, to treat each other with kindness, and savor every moment. 

Nemesis

Kolton has been OBSESSED with the Jack In The Box lately.  I don't know what it is about that crazy clown?!?  He is coordinated enough to stuff it in and close the lid by himself.  But, the clown doesn't always cooperate.  Kolton gets really frustrated and it is so darn cute!

If The Shoe Fits

Recently Mike pointed out that Kolton's feet were hanging out the back of his sandals.  To be perfectly honest I had never noticed.  So yesterday I took him to Stride Rite to get his feet measured and pick up some new shoes if needed.  He measured for a size 6, both his sandals and his sneakers were size 4!  Oops!  Totally underestimated that one.

Bye, Bye, Summer

No white after Labor Day, right????  I know I've written about this before but it always throws me off when its September and still in the 80's and 90's.  How can you say Summer is over and get geared up for fall when its going to be another month of steamy days?  So I guess tomorrow is the non-official start of fall.    My goal is to be much more active with Kolton and get us on a schedule.  He is finally taking a later nap so I have us busy in the mornings and then going to the gym in the afternoons. This is what we'll be up to:

Mon:  Pre-School 9:00-12:00  Yes!  I'm already sending him!  More on that in another post.
Tue:   Playgroup
Wed:  Romp N Roll
Thur:  Music Class
Fri:     We'll go to the gym in the morning and have the afternoon free.

We also have another play group to meet up with so we'll be ditching the gym some afternoons.  I'm really hoping to make this schedule our way of life.  I think we'll both benefit from having more structure.

Cheap Eats

I love steak!  I really do.  It's not just the meat, it's the entire meal experience...soup, salad, potato, and a bottle of Cabernet of course!  Back in the day (before little K) some friends and I would hit up a high end steak house every few months or so.  We'd spend around 3 hours leisurely enjoying a savory meal.  But that isn't something we can maintain anymore.  So I've been doing my research at the abundance of chain restaurants that we now resort to.  It's no secret that I love going out to eat!

My favorite so far is Ruby Tuesdays.  For about $11 you can get a 6oz sirloin with a side and trip to the salad bar.  I think they've really elevated their menu and the overall atmosphere leans toward a little more elegance even though its still a family restaurants.  Believe it or not TGI Fridays is a close second; once you get past the tackiness. Again for about $11 you can get a petite sirloin with 2 sides. And the kids menu is pretty expansive.   I actually thought the steaks at those two places had better flavor than last nights place, Longhorn Steakhouse.

So if you are like me and enjoy a good cheap meal.  Give em a try!