Los Angeles Trip

Today was our first full day in Los Angeles and what a day it was! We started out with the hotel's complimentary breakfast and then headed for Universal Studio's Theme Park. The crowd was fairly light and we breezed right through all the rides, waiting no more than 20 minutes for any one ride. We rode The Mummy!, Jurassic Park The Ride!, The Simpsons, The Backlot Studio's Tour and so much more!

The first photo above is from the Back Lot Studio Tour and the ohters are friends we met along the way.

First Day of School!

Today was the Big Day! RJ looked so adorable in his uniform and brand new white sneakers. We got up today around 6:30am and he had a bowl of grits for breakfast, then we went potty, washed hands and face, brushed teeth and go dressed. After we got dressed and combed his hair, we took his picture out front by the Japanese Maple tree.

We left the house about 7:15am and got to the school at about 7:30am, we parked across the street in the church parking lot and walked down to the crosswalk to cross. Then we followed the crowd into the courtyard and went into the building and into Mrs. Hutchins class. Both Mrs. Hutchins and Mrs. Esrael were waiting to greet him and he was the first child there.

At first I thought he was gonna be fine with me leaving, Mrs. Hutchins took him by the hand and walked him over to his seat, but then he decided that was too far away from Mommy
and came back over by the door to stand near me. I walked him around the room and showed him where the bathroom was. By this time the other kids were there and the Mommies were all leaving, but RJ was still hangin near me and saying he didn't want me to leave. When the school bell rang, RJ was staning behind his seat and had let go of my hand. Mrs. Hutchins was sitting down at the table with all the kids and Mrs. Esrael was helping me "escape", as I backed away she stepped in and guided RJ to his seat.

I went back to pick him up at 10am and he was all smiles and then I walked him over to the cafeteria where the After Care program will be (this is where RJ will go after class regularly). Tomorrow and Wednesday RJ does not have to be in the classroom so he will go to the After Care program in the cafeteria and he'll be able to play with the other kids.

On Thursday, I will take him back to the classroom where he will be for a half day and then he will go to the After Care. Friday will be his first full day of being in the classroom (7:50am - 3pm), then he will go to the After Care.

Typical of my child, he's very non-talkative about his day (other than that he had a good time), I did manage to get out of him that they played on the playground, had storytime, and colored for a while. He also brought home a little teddy bear that they gave to everyone in the class.

After we left the school, we went to the pet store and got two fish, we bought a tank on Friday and had it set up and running just waiting for fish. We got the fish comfy in their new home and fed them, then had our own lunch. After lunch, we watched a little TV and now RJ is napping with Daddy (who has to go to work at midnight tonight so he is sleeping till mid-afternoon).

Ok enough for now, I'm gonna try and be productive while he is napping.

RJ in the pool!

RJ in the swimming pool!

Swimming Lessons!

RJ started swimming lessons this week and he is doing very well, however I think he is more interested in flirting with Kaylie. Monday, Kaylie and RJ started out talking and on Tuesday they progressed to kisses on the cheek, then as the week progressed, the hand-holding started. :-) He has one more week of swim lessons, and then we'll have to break his little heart cause he won't see Kaylie again -- lol!

Today RJ and I are going to Brandon Ripberger's birthday party in a little bit, then we are meeting friends up at the church where the kids will stay in the nursery and the adults are going to dinner and to see Pride and Prejudice at Theater Memphis.

Then tomorrow we are just home after church (at least at this point).

First Day Back at work!

Well the worst is over - the first day back wasn't so bad today!! I worked from home last Friday afternoon and went through all mine and my boss' email which was a good thing cause today was much easier getting back into the swing of things. This afternoon I set up the lobby of Bldg. 60 for our pancake breakfast in the morning -- my boss (Steve) does these twice a year, once a Christmas and once in the summer in both his offices (Colorado Springs and Memphis). The team really seems to appreciate them.

After work, I picked up RJ and took him to his first swim lesson. His instructor said he did really well. RJ was so proud of the fact that he went under the water all by himself.

He will go back for swimming lessons for the next two weeks (Mon - Thursday) and will then get a report card and a little bag of goodies.

More later....

Lazy Day!

Today is a bit of a lazy day at home, Daddy is working midnights right now so he is in bed sleeping. RJ and slept in a little bit and then got up and had breakfast and watched Cailou. At the moment he is playing independently with his trucks. Tonight after Daddy gets up we are going to a members party at the zoo with the Schwegman's and the Ripberger's and their kids.

It promises to be lots of fun, the kiddie rides are free and they have a sea lion show at 7pm. Plus the kids will get to swim in the Nile (the river at the zoo), which they love to do.

More later....

Back home again!

It's good to be home! After I took RJ to daycare this morning, I spent the day re-organizing my kitchen and getting stuff done around the house. Andy got up around one o'clock this afternoon (he's going into work at midnight tonight) and we had lunch together and continued to work around the house. Around three o'clock Andy went to pick up RJ so he could play with my neighbors nephew, Anthony. RJ and Anthony played outside for most of the afternoon and when it started raining, they played inside my neighbors house.

We had dinner together and now RJ is asleep, at the moment Andy and I are watching a taped episode of the Deal No Deal finale, then it's finally time to unpack the suitcases.

After I drop RJ at daycare tomorrow, I'm headed to the grocery store.