Wings Over Washington

We took the boys to an air show last night at the Pasco airport. We all had a blast! I stumbled onto the idea after seeing an advertisement in a coupon magazine. So I bought the tickets online. I packed up all the things the air show website recommended and off we went. The day was a huge success. This is how it started. Online, it said that parking would cost $10, but when we got there it only cost $5. Then, when we went to go in and hand them our printed tickets from the internet, the guy tried putting a VIP band on Rob and I. I tried to stop him and explained that I didn't buy VIP's, I bought the Adult passes, but he assured me he was right. What am I going to do? Argue with a wonderful man who wanted to upgrade our bands to VIP? that's right! Rob said, this will probably be the first and last time for us honey. So in we went with our special green bands, (not your low class red bands.)
They had 2 bounce houses for the kids, airplanes all spread out for you to look at. Army forces recruitment booths, one of which thought I should join, yah right! I said no, it's not for me! The guy was pretty persistent. He really wanted me to sign up, just goes to show you how desperate they are, now doesn't it! But our little Spencer didn't back down. He did 10 pushups on the asphalt! and scored a free poster. -what a stud. ---We found our spot along the runway, laid out our blanket and set out our chairs, and then Rob found out just what VIP meant. There was a special taped off area for the "special" $35 per person people, where they served a catered buffet BBQ dinner, complete with the most delicious chicken and steak, side dishes, and drinks one could enjoy. (Rob mentioned that if we drank beer, we really would have saved some money.) It was delicious, and here's the funny part. I mean if someone gives you something for free, you better bet we're going to enjoy it. They started serving food at 3:30pm 30 minutes before the show started. So we went and had a bite to eat. And then yes, we went back at 6 for round 2. They also had tatoos and face-painting for kids, Spencer became a cheetah, which freaked Carter out for the next 10-15 minutes, because Spencer wouldn't stop hissing and crouching like a cheetah cat waiting to pounce his next meal, which apparently Carter thought was him. Oh brotherly love-
We went back to our spot just before the show started, grabbed a bag of cotton candy and placed our ear protection on.
They had a really cool opening presentation and a pilot even sang the Star Spangled Banner while he flew all these aerobatic moves in his airplane. They had a long procession, almost parade, of all the counties fire and police departments and their vehicles. Bomb squad, armed forces, hummers, cars, trucks, boats, and then some.
They started with an F15E jet. This sucker was so loud! It traveled faster than the speed of sound. Rob and I thought it was so cool! Then they had the Canadian Blue Darts hit the air, all 9 of them, where they did some spectacular flight formations and even drew a heart in the sky. At one point, they had 2 airplanes fly directly at each other and then at the last second turn and just miss one other--Spencer turned around and said to me, "that was awesome!" Even Carter sat still and just watched all the planes. He loves airplanes though, everytime one flies over our house he has to stop, point up at the sky, and yell airplane momma! They had a few other free falling planes and one really quiet, bomb dropping airplane that could maneuver so easily. It was just amazing to watch. Lastly they had an old WWII airplane fly alongside another one and it gave Rob and I chills! The music was great, fun atmosphere, and you couldn't have picked a better night. Even though we were facing the sun, it was completely overcast and just a cool pleasant evening full of 3 hours of watching different airplanes do amazing tricks. I mean we scored a great deal, saved over $40, the boys had a great time, Rob and I did too. Spencer & Rob even got their picture in the paper, check it out!
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/galleries/gallery/327364.html

Go Cougars!

Such a lucky kid! Rob received tickets to a WSU game and took Spencer Saturday night. They left right after Spencer's Flag Football game to make it before kickoff. It was a 2 hour drive. They packed a lunch, their Cougs shirts, rain gear, and a blanket. They called and I got to talk to Spencer, and I could tell he was just grinning from ear to ear having a great time watching some football with his dad. They enjoyed the game with a 34-9 win over the Portland somebody's? It rained on them pretty hard, so Rob asked him when he wanted to leave, and Spencer said, "Not till the game's over." Ya gotta love it. Rob tried to keep him as dry and warm as possible, but let me just tell you how wet the blanket and all their clothes were when they got home. It was close to 11 when they got home, Spencer had fallen asleep in the car, so Rob carried him up to his bed, laid out all the stuff to dry, and I got to hear how cool it was the next day.
Go Cougs!

Football all weekend long

Our Big Red is all about football. He just started Flag Football and had his very first game last Saturday. He loved it! And did awesome! It was so fun to watch him in all his enthusiasm try his hardest, blocking other little boys, grabbing at their flags, having his turn to be Quarterback, and the best part, running the ball. The best part of the day was when his shirt came untucked and he had to tuck it back in. And proceeded to do so in the back of his undees. This didn't faze him one bit. Nothing could break this kids focus on game day.
So now we have Spencer's game Saturday morning, we return for a little college ball, playing catch, and Spencer tackling Carter, and then on Sunday all the NFL games. This kid just can't get enough. He actually remembers so many statistics that it's kind of scary, really. He knows more about the players, who's hurt, who's predicted to be good, numbers, previous game scores, and yes, that's right.....scary! Spencer says he's going to play high school football, play on the Florida Gators football team, and then play for the San Diego Chargers. (He wants to be the next LaDanian Tomlinson) Rob told him after he's done playing, he'll have a great career as a sports analyst because he knows so much and loves to talk!
Enjoy the pics!

Superheroes Party

Last week, my friend Wendy told me that her husband was performing at Hastings for a Back to School Superhero Party. It was so much fun! We had Batmans, Spidermans, Supermans, Fire girl, Catwoman, & even Super girls. He's made a cd and performed at numerous places. His songs are for kids and they're fabulous! They are so catchy and they all have a great message, and they stick in your head, and they're just fun! Even Spencer & Carter would sit and listen, or stand up and dance along. The boys loved dressing up and being with all the other Superheros at Hastings. They're called Wiggle Like A Fish, and I highly recommend it! The whole family's involved. He and his dad, his son, and I'm not sure who dresses up as Wiggles, but Wendy does all the Public Relations, and they are just having a good time pursuing this endeavor. So check out their website and buy a cd. Your kids will love it!
http://www.wigglelikeafish.com/

Here's some pictures of the Superheroes party.

Flying Airplanes: Crash & Burn

Spencer's First Day!

I can't believe this day has happened! Our little Spencer now goes to school all day! Rob and especially me, have been excited and looking forward to this day, but as it got closer and closer, we both started getting a little nervous and sad. Spencer would be gone from 8 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon. 7 and 1/2 hours! he would be gone, in the care of someone else, interacting with other kids all day long, experiencing so many firsts without me or Rob. So anyways, I basically just tried to not think about it a whole lot, because Spencer was excited and I certainly didn't want to mess with that. Yesterday was the first day. The night before I showed him how to use his new alarm clock, we set out his clothes for the morning, went through the routine, and then tried to get him to calm down and go to bed. I think this took awhile as he was so excited! He woke up to the sound of his alarm, and I heard him turn it off and jump out of his bed. He got ready, I made him breakfast (yes, that's right, I don't do this a whole lot, but figured it was a special day, so I made him a hot breakfast with the hopes that he wouldn't get hungry until lunch.) He even did his own hair, which was just awesome, (so hard not to do it myself!) and we snapped a few pictures and then we were off.



I dropped him off at school, took him to his classroom, watched him find his seat and sit down and said my good bye. -I think I did well. I held it together, I left him with a smile, and told him to have a great day! As I left, and the more I thought about it, the more emotional I got. Luckily I didn't have a break down or anything, I just kept telling myself that everything was going to be okay. As people called or asked me about how I was doing, I simply told them that conversation was off the table, until I knew I wouldn't lose it when I talked about it. So, I did my grocery shopping, physical therapy, nap with Carter, even a little housework, until it was time to go pick him up. As I waited for the bell to ring, I was still a bit on end, but as soon as I saw him walk out, smile, come over and tell me, "it was so much fun!" all my worries, emotions, and anxieties went away. I wasn't sad, or nervous for him, and was just happy that he had a good first day. He is such a wonderful kid, and I know he'll do well in school. He has a few friends from his Kindergarten class with him, so at least he knows some kids already. He thanked me for his lunch, and told me all the cool things he did and how fast his day at school went. So at least for now, he still loves school, loves setting his alarm, getting up and ready in the morning, and even homework. We'll see how long that lasts.