Friday night is the Croods night

Most animated movies are parent and grandparent fodder to take the kids to do something. Somehow The Crood's escaped my kids eyes until it came out on video.  So Friday night Jenna decided we were going to have movie night.  We got chocolate chip cookies to bake and laid out pillows and sleeping bags on the floor.  We were going to watch Epic but since I was the only one who hadn't seen it I suggested the Croods.  After watching the trailer, the kids were convinced and off to iTunes we went.

How this movie escaped mass market appeal like Shrek and Madagascar I'll never know.  It was really funny for kids.  Not quite as funny for adults as others, but still funny.  During intermission, the kids convinced Jenna to go on a caveman hunt (they run on 4 legs).  There was no way my knees were going to hold up to it so I was the videographer.  

Blue Belt

Noah graduated to blue belt last week. This was the first junior graduation he has been able to attend. He was a rockstar.  He and his partner were asked to demonstrate their self-defense move to the group because they were so awesome. He's little karate boy at school also.  His new backpack is an ATA messenger bag that may not have left his body except to sleep.  This weekend he's taking his best little friend to buddy day and he's crazy stoked for it.  

Noah the Second Grader and Cam the Preschooler

Another year and another first day of school.  This year our boy goes into the 2nd grade and Campbell begins full time preschool.  So far it's been a lot different.  Since he's in a big kid hallway now I haven't seen him a single time during the day at work.  

Both kids walk right in the same self-confidence that I love and hate at the same time.  When I helped Noah take his supplies in the first day I got a wink and "Peace Dad." Seriously. I created you and I get "Peace Dad." Campbell had a little difficulty separating this summer going 2 days but now that everybody is getting up and ready and the morning she knows she's not missing anything. I had to ask her to come back to give me a knuckle pounds this morning.

<sigh> 

Love those kids. 

MMA Boy

Noah was allowed to participate in a JuJitsu seminar at ATA this weekend. Initially everyone 8-9 had to get permission. Noah asked if he could come watch and he was given an awesome compliment by his instructor and was told he could participate. He was an absolute rock star. He was with adults and older kids. He was by far the youngest and smallest person there. His instructor was PJ Bonner, a professional MMA fighter from Little Rock.
After the two days he is all MMA. He wants to watch every fight coming up and is asking all kinds of questions about becoming a fighter, much to his mother's dismay.

Our Purple Belt

Noah missed graduation for the city tournament (baseball) but he was still able to move up a belt.  This was his first belt earned as a junior so he had to know the entire form.  Tigers learn half the form at a time so they have a midterm (head band) type ladder progression. This one has seriously upped his pride level.  He slept in his new belt two nights in a row.  As much trepidation as he showed in his first few junior classes, he's really stepped up to the plate. One day he was singled out for his stance and was brought up to lead the group.  His leadership drills are also much more difficult but he does them like a pro. What's crazy is we can see the light all the way to black belt now.  Hard to imagine him as a black belt but as fast as he's maturing, when the time comes I have no doubt he'll be ready. 

Lordy lordy...

My 40th birthday happened to fall on a supermoon this year.  When we discovered this last year I was dead set on camping out on my birthday. As the time neared and Jenna discovered I was serious she became a good sport and the weekend was on.  The Green's were gracious enough to join us.

We went to Petit Jean mountain.  I've been there as an adult but haven't camped there since I was a kid.  It was fun to take the kids a place I went several times when I was their age.  It hasn't changed much at all with the exception of the walkway over the lookout point. Luckily they had steps down to the old points so I could take my kids out on the rocks where Dad took me. 

We had a little rain Saturday afternoon and we got a little wet.  It was worth it though for the drop in temp and to get rid of the bugs. I woke up in a tent 2 days in a row.  The first morning I was 39.  The second morning I was 40.  As you can see from the morning picks with the kids snuggled to me; there wasn't much change at all. 

Father's Day 2013

My Father's Day was more than enjoyable.  As always, the kids picked the gifts.  According to report, Cam wanted to give me a 'big picture' and Noah wanted to give me the day off.  With some creative Mommy-spin I got the most wonderful poster of the kids dressed up like me and a day on the lake.  Here's a pic of my poster and a pic with the kids.  There's also a whole photo album of the day on the lake. The day was made because Noah's finally old enough to sustain the idea of a day for daddy beyond 30 minutes.  Campbell of course just follows his lead.  All day long out of nowhere she'd run over and give me a kiss and wish me a happy daddy day. The day ended with a Facetime call to my dad.  Campbell told him all about the day. I keep telling her that's 'my daddy' but he just looks at me like I have three heads. "No that's Papaw!"

I hope everybody had a great "Daddy Day."

Noah's 7th Birthday Party

I'm not as far behind as you think. Noah's party in May was actually snowed out of all things. We had to reschedule it for 3 weeks later but it happened nonetheless. The party was at Modern Mission. It is an outdoor laser tag game with multiple battlefields and guns that shoot 300+ feet.  If you've never been there, stop what you are doing and book a weekend with 10 of your closest friends.  It is a boy's (no matter what age) dream come true. 

Quick bike...er...hike

Jenna, Noah, and I went for a quick bike ride around Lake Fayetteville this afternoon. We had a full schedule so we were rushing to cram it in. We got there and somebody (think of me doing the Blake Shelton finger point at myself) realized he only threw 2 of the 3 bikes in the back of the truck...so...
Jenna, Noah, and I went for a quick hike around Lake Fayetteville this afternoon.

Noah's Nemesis Conquered

We went on a long family bike ride Saturday morning on the new trail system.  After riding 6 miles, Noah announces he wants to try the wall at Lewis and Clark again. He's tried to climb the wall multiple times in the past but the first 'nose' always knocks him off.  The last time was at a birthday party and he got so frustrated he didn't try it more than once and everybody left disappointed.  

Today was different though.  After 6 miles on his bike with little wobbly legs he managed to get over the initial 'nose' and then scamper up.  I was nervous at the top because you'd hate to see him fail when he was so close.  His reaction when he hits the ground says it all.​

Noah turned 7!

It's been a rough birthday week for the poor boy. ​First, his birthday party was snowed out.  Yes, snowed out.  Who would've thought you should plan for inclement snow when scheduling outdoor laser tag in May? It's been rescheduled for Memorial Day weekend and in a twist more kids will be able to make it now.

We did his best to make the day special for him but we were really busy.  Jenna put down a blanket of balloons on his bedroom floor which he thought was super cool.  Since the day was going to be so hectic, he opened his gifts before school.  He loves his new bike.  The fact that it's got a fork to take off-road means he hasn't found a mud puddle he can't traverse yet.

I was able to spend most of my day at the school with him and Jenna surprised him for lunch.​ The night tried to be about him but it's hard when he had a 745 PM baseball game.  This followed an 8PM game the night before.  Before the game he slid into another kid whose cleat got him just under his left eye.  The way it happened and the way it looked at the moment, I can't believe he didn't need stitches or wake up with his first black eye. 

I asked him last night if he felt 7 because I don't feel like he should be 7.  He said "I keep forgetting I'm 7 so I guess I don't feel like I am. What's it supposed to feel like? I don't feel any taller!" I guess we build them up too much when the kid thinks they are going to magically grow on their birthday :)​

He's a good kid and we are so proud of him.  Love that boy.​

2013 Race for the Cure

Raceday this year was a mad sprint to the finish.  April is the toughest month at work and it made for some wild days leading up to the event but it was all worth it.  ​This year's race was more than interesting with the amount of staff and committee turnover but in the end we pulled it all together. I was chair of operations for the second straight year.  It's a position that I feel more and more comfortable with but still keeps me on my toes. 

The weather this year did not cooperate at all.  This is the craziest spring I can remember.  It rained both setup days and on raceday. Luckily we avoided lightning, tornadoes, and ​snow.  I never dreamed snow would be a possibility but since we just had 2 days of snow the week AFTER THE RACE I thought I'd mention it. 

I went through three sets of clothes on Friday but Saturday came without a hiccup. Unless you count every outlet used by sponsors being attached to wet GFI's that constantly tripped a hiccup.  In that case we had a few hiccups.  Jenna is already making her comments about me "retiring" from active race service.  I just nod and tell her she's probably right but we have plenty of time to discuss it (and for me to change her mind).

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