Learning at the Library

When Caden was about four, we started going to the library about once every two weeks. That is how long the books are allowed to be checked out. I check out books for Caden to read to me and then books for me to read to him. I always thought Caden would pick out his own books, however, to this day, he goes straight to the computer to play the learning games. He stays there until I tell force him to leave!

These two pictures tell me I should do some serious work on his posture!

Since I am stuck picking out all of his books to read to me and take AR test on, I usually try to stay with a theme. At first it was whichever holiday may be coming up, or something that we may be doing soon. (circus, camping, baseball, dentist, etc.) But as soon as he started school, I started sticking with the unit themes of his class. (transportation, safety, weather, community helpers, etc.) When we were at the library last week, I thought it was a good time for him to get his own library card. I am hoping to teach him a little responsibility with it, even though it will remain in my wallet until time to check out!

I love when I get pictures that show his "baby face"!

Big boy taking his books home!

Even though he has no idea what I've picked out for him!



Fish, Foam, and Farewells

On Sunday morning, we stopped by this shop. Caden and I each got a pair of shoes that we thought would be good for Disney.

Check them out in their "flair hair"

Didn't take long for this baby girl to need a little nap!

Caden was trying so hard to catch a little fishy in his bucket. Shane was hoping he wouldn't, only because he knew Caden would want to take it home and have a new pet.

Well, he caught one and was so very happy! Until it died, and we had to put him back in the water.

We walked up to The Hangout to get a little lunch. When it was foam time, the kids took no time to jump in!

Caden begged to do this jumpy thing the past few times we've been here, so we let him try it this time.

Looks like little Miss Palyn wanted to try for herself!

I caught this sign on the way out and thought it was cute!



Another great weekend, I'm sure this will be the last time on the beach with this beautiful summer weather. We are thinking maybe a little trip for a Thanksgiving dinner in November!

Beachy Day

So I know I said that this was our last trip to Mom's for the summer, but we just couldn't help but to squeeze in one more before school started back! So last weekend we made a very quick trip down. We arrived Friday night and we were so happy to see our sweet girl that waited up past her bedtime to welcome us with so many hugs, kisses, and squeals!

I missed her!!

They sure love their TaTa

Cousin love!

The next morning Mama and I got up and went to a few yard sales. We didn't have much luck, except a few books I got for Caden and a friend for $.50. Then we stopped by Krispy Kreme for a dozen of the best donuts ever!

We all loaded up and went to the place we visited last time that was shaded very well under a bridge. The kids had so much fun there last time, however this time when we arrived, we quickly noticed these guys everywhere.

Not sure if you can tell,

but there are eight lined up along the shore

That was enough to keep us from spending our day here! As we looked around, we noticed these hermit crabs on the wall. I have never seen one except for pets in the little cages! After that we saw a really big crab crawling out from under the wall. No way was I get close enough to catch a picture!

Hermit crabs

Palyn waiting

We have talked about taking Caden on the Pirate Ship Tour, and one passed by while we were out.

We decided to spend the day at the pool instead. When we made our way back to our cars, Shane's car wouldn't crank. We were all so confused, because the radio and lights would turn on, but it was acting like the battery was dead. He tried everything he could and we ended up calling someone out. I was so impressed with Shane's attitude and patience. He stayed calm and never got mad, even though his car is only 1 year old and he shouldn't have any problems with it. These are all reasons that I love this man! I am very impatient, which then turns to irritability. The help he called was going to be about 45 minutes, so we walked to another area and played in the water a little. I could not believe that all they did was jump off the battery, there were so many signs that it wasnt the battery. (He had it checked out when we got home and all is good now.)

Handsomeeee!



We knew just what we needed after waiting our in the hot sun. So we stopped here on our way back...

They both had strawberry cheesecake, please excuse a little drippage!

I had, well I forgot the name of it! But it was some kind of chocolate with reese's in it!

We spent a few hours at the pool relaxing and playing before getting ready to go and eat. Mom had to work that night, so we wanted to visit her at Lulu's. We were going to snap just a few pics before leaving, and I loved that Palyn ran up in our family photo like she didnt want to be left out! (Ignore the backgrounds, these were just quick little snapshots!)

Someone is starting to pose like his Mama! uh oh!

At Lulu's

Palyn with her real mommy!:)

Playing in the sand

The beginning of his castle he was building

I was so surprized at how awesome he was at hula hooping! ha!

Couldnt love these two any more!

Caden was so upset that someone knocked over his castle :(

In deep conversation, I love that they love each other!

Shane and I were so lucky to be able to go back to the beach that night by ourselves! It was so nice to have a little quite time with each other and talk about so many things without interruptions! I almost blinded him with my phone's flash!



Golf with my Guys

As I've mentioned many times, Caden has yet to find his "thing". A hobby he loves and can't wait to do. He enjoys riding bikes, so we've thought about BMX. He likes throwing the football, so we're signing him up for flag football this week. We will continue with boy scouts this year to teach him more "boy things" that his mommy isn't so good at. Other options we have thought about are tennis, swim team (which I loved when I was his age, just a little too demanding on me with all the travel), and then there's golf. I have always loved when a guy plays golf! Not too sure why, it's just so attractive to me! It may be the attire, ha! Anyways, I read somewhere that children with ADHD do better with individual sports rather than team sports. This may be true, we have never tried anything but team sports.

Shane plays golf ;), so when we decided to come see him at the last minute yesterday, he suggested that we go to a driving range with him so that Caden could at least watch and maybe he could show him a few things. I thought that was a great idea and was excited about it all day. When we got here, Caden had just woke up from a nap in the car. He was grumpy and wanted to go eat. We couldnt go eat first, because then it would be too dark. Of course, he insisted that he didn't want to go to the driving range. On our way, Caden saw a McDonalds billboard for a smoothie. That is all we heard about after that..."I want a smoothie". I had a pep talk after we got there about how much fun it was going to be and how thankful we are that we have Shane to show him cool guy things, but if he didnt want to hit he could just watch. It took about two times of watching Shane and he was right up there with him wanting to try it. The rest of the time, he had nothing but a smile on his sweet face and enjoyed hitting with Shane.

Lord, I know I am partial, but is he not the most handsome little golfer you have ever seen?! I better watch out for the girls like me that love golfers! ha! I was so happy that he enjoyed himself, and really hope that he grows to like it more. I know he will probably learn more when it is just him and Shane without me. Right before we left, we saw a billboard right as you turn in to the parking lot with none other than a McDonalds smoothie on it. We headed to Outback and got him a frozen drink and he was one happy little guy! (So is his Mama!)