Like Father Like Son

I think it is understood that little boys watch their dads and try to do what they do and be like them. It is a good practice for development and helps them grow into men. I don't know if it ever stops though. This weekend we saw Christopher's parents and he and his dad were living up to this idea. Whatever one did, the other one tried just the same. It was pretty amusing. Christopher did a pull up on the playground monkey bars and then his dad had to do one. Christopher's dad climbed into the giant tree trunk and then Christopher had to join him. It mad me smile to see them together and to know that Christopher and Ristow will be the same way.

We all spent the night at General Butler State Resort Park in Kentucky. It was beautiful. In the summer they have mini golf, paddle boats, fishing, swimming, a cool train for the kids, tennis courts and a golf course. We were able to manage a ride on the train which Ristow loved. It was a wonderful little get away with Christopher's family and we all had a great time together.

Ristow's Favorite Book

Every night, I kiss Ristow goodnight and when I leave his room he is in bed. Then before I go to bed I go up and check on him and most nights find him asleep on the floor next to his favorite book still open to his favorite page. The book is called When I was a boy I dreamed... .

It is a most remarkable book with magnificent illustrations. My Aunt Lynne gave Ristow this book and she had it signed by the illustrator Mark Ludy. Ristow loves hearing the inscription just as much as he loves hearing the book.

I peek at him reading it alone sometimes and watch him study each picture so intently. The book is about an old man telling the things he dreamed of being as a boy. From a pirate on the high seas to a rock star to owning an ice cream shop. Ristow loves all the different possibilities. He asks for me to read it every night and with joy I oblige. I think I might enjoy reading it almost as much as Ristow.

Hot Pink Chicken

Christopher works late on Mondays, so I thought I would whip up some chicken for a salad for him for when he got home. I am not a very adventurous cook, but I try. Tonight I thought I would use a Raspberry Pecan salad dressing and make a type of glaze to cook the chicken in. I put it in the skillet and cooked the chicken and all that ended up happening is that the chicken turned hot pink! Not just kind of pink, bright hot pink! So, my wonderful husband ended up with a hot pink chicken salad. Not that salad is a very masculine meal in itself but I managed to make it as frilly as possible for him. Poor guy. Maybe I'll grill him a steak tomorrow night ;)

Rocket blasters and Art

We like to keep some variety here on the McClintock homestead. Which isn't hard with a 3yr old. Today we have done everything from playing with rocket launchers in the front yard to painting pictures. The rocket launchers turn out to be a fabulous activity for a tired mom.

Here is how it works; I man the launcher and sit and put foam rockets on it. Ristow stomps on the blaster and launches the rockets around the yard. Then He (not mom) runs around and collects all the rockets only to do it again and again and again. It is great, except for the occasional rocket getting stuck in the tree. I managed to send up lots of sticks to keep the rocket company up in the tree. Finally my flip flop found super powers and flew up to rescue the rocket. That was how Ristow saw it anyway. It provided hours of fun.

We also have been creating masterpieces with the watercolors. Here are a few examples of our ART. Can you guess which one is mine and which one is Ristow's? Our artistic expressions also mixed into snack time. Our edible houses were a hit with Ristow. Yum Yum.

Whatever you do today, whether it be counting down to outerspace exploring or expressing yourself with color. Enjoy the beauty around you and know that there are so many ways to enjoy your day!

I Love My New Tennis Skirt!

Many of you know that I have started taking tennis lessons. I am five weeks into it and am thoroughly enjoying myself. It is fun, challenging and great exercise. This week I decided to try my luck and buy a tennis skirt, I was very skeptical. I found one on clearance, yippee, and as soon as I tried it on, I knew I was hooked.

You may think this silly, but I believe this skirt is one of the best pieces of exercise equipment I have ever purchased! Not only is it comfortable to work out in, it gets a nice breeze too. No, really, I am so much less self conscious than I normally am in shorts. In fact I despise shorts, so to have an option that allows me to be cool and not be stressing about every flaw in my lower body is truly a great thing. Plus, I have to admit, they are pretty cute too.

So, as I was coming in from my lesson tonight, Christopher snapped a shot of me. I thought I would give a quick pose too, to get the full affect of the skirt ;)

I really feel that anything that makes working out and exercising more appealing is a wonder! And for me, it is my nifty new tennis skirt!

So on that note,

Anyone for a game of tennis?

Fun at the Park

Today we met some friends at the playground and had a great time. Ristow was non-stop energy as usual. He tried to push me on the swings and ended up on his bottom. He always wants to try what he sees the other kids doing on the playground. We had lots of fun on a beautiful day. Today the weather finally dropped about 15degrees and it was a breath of fresh air.

Mommy and Daddy

Ristow has recently discovered that even though Christopher and I are his mommy and daddy, we also have our own mommies and daddies. This idea excites him very much. When Christopher's mom was visiting last week, Ristow said "Awww dad, you are so excited to see your mommy!"
Then tonight my parents took us out to dinner with them and when they came to pick us up, Ristow proclaimed "Mom! your daddy is here!" and "Tell your mommy hi!"
He is so funny. Everyday he comes up with some new realization that amazes me. Above is a picture of my mom, dad and brother. What a cute family ;)

When we got home from dinner Ristow had us all play hide and seek in the front yard. It was so much fun watching him get so excited, and ofcourse the neighbors walking down the street were moved to smile and laugh along with us. He truly reminds me to enjoy the small things in life and to not take the simple joys for granted. I am thankful for a fun Sunday with my family.

Puppet Show at the Library

Today I decided to take Ristow to the puppet show at the downtown library. He was hesitant and excited all at the same time. Puppets tend to creep him out. I managed to convince him to try it out. We sat by the door just in case. He kept his eyes covered and then as the marionettes came out, he shouts " Hey, they're not scary they're just puppets!" phew, what a relief. We sat throught the whole production and he only wanted to leave once, which quickly passed. I love getting him to experience new things, but then ofcourse I set myself up for it later. All he wants to do then is make puppets and put on puppet shows (non-stop). That's ok, I guess, as long as the puppets and I don't start having conversations while Ristow is down for a nap!

Last day before school starts

Well, school starts tomorrow and our days will be more committed. So today we took it easy, cleaned the house a bit and got out the little swimming pool of Ristows. It has a small inflatable slide and a big giraffe head on the other end. He had so much fun sliding and playing that we were in there for a few hours. Both of our feet were prune toes and his fingertips were almost unrecognizable because they were so shriveled.
Finally it was time to get out and I was bent over letting out the water and plop! sure enough my cell phone dropped into the water. Arrrrrgh! I grabbed it right away and tried to dry it out but to avail. So frustrating, and the fact that I depend so much on it makes me even crazier. Unfortunately, it is important and I will have to replace it. Oh well.
The funny part was that while Ristow was watching me try to dry it he says "mom, you need a Smart Clip!" All I could do is laugh and say " you're right buddy" For those of you who don't know, the Smart Clip is a clip for cell phones that they show on infomercials. That way you can hook it to your purse or belt loop and never drop it. Ristow has seen that infomercial one too many times I think. It comes on in between the cartoons on his favorite channel. Goodness!

Everyday amazes me

Christopher's mom Beth came down to visit this past week and we had a wonderful visit. We did lots of fun stuff. We hit the beach, the zoo, the playground, and played games. Ristow was precious. He cuddled and loved and laughed and was so good all week. It was wonderful family time.

As we were on the way to the airport to drop Beth off, Ristow started singing the song "Awesome God". The words go: Our God is an awesome God. He reigns from heaven above, with wisdom, power and love. Our God is an awesome God."

When Ristow got to "he reigns", he cheered, because of course it was raining outside.

He goes " mom, God is raining!"

All his beautiful little mind grasps is that God rains from heaven above. He was so excited and said " mom, God sure is awesome isn't he?"

I love my son and am so proud of his enthusiasm for life and for the Lord, even at 3yrs old.

Girls Weekend

There is nothing like a weekend with the gals. This past weekend I met up with some of my old roommates from college. Every year there a number of us who get together and just spend time, good quality time together. We talk, we laugh, we talk some more. It is wonderful. This year we met in Ohio near Hocking Hills. There are lots of cabins and some great sights to see. These pictures are of Old Man's Cave and Ash Cave. It was beautiful weather and great scenery.

Getting together with people who have known you for longer than your current life stage can be very refreshing. Not only do they remind of your past but of things that were important to who you have currently become. They know you, and not the you that you pretend to be to people you just meet, but the real you. These girls have seen my joys, my sorrows and real everyday self. I am truly thankful for their friendship in my life and I cherish each of them. I am blessed to have a few other people that know me that well and I try not to take them for granted.

Laugh, Live, Love, Smile oh yeah, and hot tub whenever possible!