Build-A-Bear

After landing in Tampa and settling in a bit at Jayjay's apartment, we headed to Wire Grass to grab some lunch and do some shopping.

Cole spotted Build-A-Bear and I landed in a place I had never planned on.  His persistence was impressive and his sense of direction spot-on when I tried to distract and trick him out of it.  I broke down and we walked in....

Aside from feeling sensory overload, it was a good experience.

Cole (love this kid) chose the cheapest bear in the store, even after we explored all of his options. We stood in line and waited while two girls and their mothers had 5 animals stuffed (?!).  Cole entertained Jayjay and I with some of the songs provided to put inside of the bears.  Luckily, he didn't realize that he could purchase the "Happy Birthday" song and relive it over and over and over....like in the store.

Finally it was our turn to stuff Cole's bear.  The cutest thing was putting the small, soft hear inside the bear.  Cole got to rub it between his hands to warm it up and then put good wishes and love into it for the bear to live a happy and loving life.  So cheesy and so precious!

Next came the accessories.  Again, Cole surprised me with his inexpensive reserve.  We walked away only $20 poorer with a bear, Ozzie, wearing a Tampa Bay hat and a guitar.  Most importantly, Cole loved it!

Flight to Florida

Normally a day of travel doesn't merit an entire blog post.

But this one did. 

I was nervous as this was my first time to fly with Cole by myself.  It's always nice to know that you have 'backup' and can share the stresses of travel with a child.  We started our day early and got the dogs to Na & G's house for their mini vacation.  Na took Cole and I to the Airport by 8 am for check in.

This face should have told me what I was up against....

The airport was more crowded than I've dealt with in some time.  Lines were long for ticketing and security.

Cole did well, but I could tell that his mood was not going to hold for long....

At the gate we started to break out some toys and got breakfast.

The ride started fine.  Cole was enthusiastic and excited to fly.  Then we were on the tarmac for too long.  Then flight became boring when he realized that it involved a lot of sitting still.

Toys.

Distraction.

Snacks.

All failed.

Cole sassed and even hit me.  I was at a loss.  There is no timeout on an airplane.  I couldn't remove anything because he didn't like any of his toys, snacks, etc.  So, we talked and fussed.

Eventually he fell asleep and I got an hour of peace in which I chatted with our seatmate (and apologized and offered her a three year old for the week - wouldn't her parents be surprised!?!).

Cole seemed like a new boy when we landed after he woke.  He was all smiles as we waited for our baggage.  Some of the sass returned in the car with JayJay...but then he found chocolate.

We headed back to Jayjay's to regroup and plan for the rest of our afternoon, hoping that Cole would become his normal 'go with the flow (for the most part) self'.....

Quick Recap of Florida!

We're back!  What a treat that was!
Florida, 70 degree weather, pool, golf cart, fun...Why do we live in the Midwest again?

Here's a peek of our trip...

More to come. Stay tuned....

Missed Moments: Cole's THIRD birthday

 Cole's third birthday also marked his last day at Miss Dawn's house.

As a big-boy, potty-trained, three-year-old, he was ready to begin KinderHaus daycare & preschool.

Miss Dawn celebrated Cole with a birthday cake and balloons and some cool gifts from the Busch Stadium gift shop where she took the boys on a field trip earlier in the week!

What a fun last-day, birthday, celebration day!

PARTY TIME

 As mentioned, we celebrated Cole's day on Friday after work in Yo-Gabba-Gabba style!

Cole was so lucky that his family loves him so much and traveled that afternoon/evening to celebrate with him.

 We kept it simple with salad, Pizza Hut pizzas, wings, and cake & ice cream!

Gigi & Alberta; Grandma, Grandpa, Adam & Rachel, & Aaron; Na & G all made the evening so much fun!

 Homeboy is spoiled.

Homeboy is lucky to have such an amazing family.  

We all are.

 Saturday morning we headed to Carlinville to spend time with Oma & Opa...and of course, celebrate Cole some more!

Of course, the material things and party are insignificant in the grand scheme.

(They sure make the celebrating fun though!)

I hope Cole always knows how much he is loved.

He has lots of family and they all think the world of him.

Not such a bad way to be spoiled....

Happy Birthday, Cole.

It's been amazing to watch you grow and become yourself.

You are spunky and loving.

I am so proud of you and so proud to be your mom.

I can't wait to celebrate you year after year.

Missed Moments: Pickin' Punkins with Cole's PowerHaus Pals (Eckarts Round 2)

I took the day off to go on Cole's first field trip with 

he and his friends and teachers from Power Haus.

First of all, who knew that riding the school bus would be so thrilling to the boys?!!? So cute!

These two were my buddies for the day: Cole (obviously) and Caeden.

First stop, a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch to pick our "perfect" pumpkins.  We had to try a few out before we decided on the right choice!

Next up, animal feeding!

I saw a lot of this through the day: the boys backs!

Cole and Caeden proved to be the tricycle version of Hell's Angels. 

Lots of things to do!

...and, the impossible feat, getting eight 3-year-olds to look in one direction with hands and feet down, fingers out of noses, and smiling!

Thanks to Cole's teachers for providing a wonderful environment for him.  We have been son pleased with his time at Power Haus!