YES!

I don't know if I ever mentioned this, but a couple of weeks ago, Brady passed his driving theory test...he didn't miss a single question, and if you have ever driven in the UK, you know what a feat that is.  Well, this week he had his driving practical test (for the record, Brady and I just argued a little about this, I say practicum, he says practical...if practical is wrong, blame him; if it is right...it was my idea, ha:).  Anyway, he passed!!  We decided to celebrate by enjoying the beautiful weather and pub-hopping.  To be fair, we didn't intentionally pub hop (with a toddler).  We had simply already ordered a Scottish egg (just say no) and a drink when we realized the first place didn't have any outdoor seating left so we went to another pub/restaurant nearby to enjoy the weather (and some chedder and mushroom french fries)...ummm, amazing (yep, both the weather and the fries).

Parker also had his 'first real owie' (I made the mistake of calling it that and now we haven't heard the end of it).  There was kind of a lot of blood for a skinned knee, but we solved it with a 'Cars' plaster (bandaid) and some weird pink cream (they don't sell Neosporin here...seriously).   

I am so proud of Brady and can only hope that I can pass as well...I'm preparing myself to retake it, ha:)

Pahrka

Ha, the title is supposed to be 'Parker' with a British accent...I'm an idiot.

I have always wondered if P notices the accents here.  When we first moved, I he would just stare at people when they spoke, but after a week or so, it didn't seem to phase him (probably because at least one character in every book we read has a British accent...yeah, even before we moved...again, I am an idiot).

Anyway, yesterday we were talking and this is was our conversation...

Me; 'Whatever you say Parker'
P; 'or Paahka'  (again, I'm sorry)
Me; 'who says Parker like that?'
P; 'Karen' (she is the woman in the creche at the gym...he loves her).  He then proceeded to say it over and over again in a British accent.
Me; 'well then, ok Pahka'
P; 'or Karper'
Me; 'who says it like that'
P; 'Ellie'  (she is the one-year-old daughter of our friends matt and mandy)

Yeah, I can't win...:)

park love

P and I LOVE going to the park.  We have one very close to our house which makes it really easy to make a quick trip after P's nap and before Brady gets home for dinner.  Lately, it has been so beautiful here (crazy, I know) that we've been making morning trips to the park by the mall and afternoon trips to the one by our house.  

If you could get smiles this big all the time, you'd go twice a day too:)

Lately, Parker's cars have been the focus of our trips...he loves to race them down the slide and on the ground.  He is pretty serious about these races.

He seriously makes me smile...:)

best friend ban

Warning: I am about to get on a high horse...I'll let you know when I dismount.

Recently, a local paper ran a story about some elementary schools adopting 'best friend bans' in order to keep them from feeling the pain of splitting up with the friend.  You can read the story here.  Is it just me, or are we fostering a whole generation of kids who don't feel pain, experience failure or even truly understand what their own unique gifts are?  Now that I am a parent, I understand wanting to shield my child from pain, disappointment or discomfort, however, I also know that I can't shield him forever.  My job is to help give him the tools he needs to succeed, and hope that he is resourceful enough to use them. Eventually, he is going to be living on his own (that's the plan anyway), working (hopefully), and getting married (after he is at least 27).   I know that along the way he is going to skin a knee, get his heartbroken and be disappointed with a grade, and I am going to be here to give him a hug every time.   As much as I will hate to see him in pain, I will know that at least he will survive the next time he is disappointed and never give up so he will know the joy that can come from true success.

Believe me, I understand the pain even best friends can cause (what can I say, girls are catty), but without those friends (yes, they are still friends), I would have missed out on so many joyous moments and wonderful memories.

Ok...I'm off.

Be Wilderwood

This weekend Brady helped our friends put together a swing set...P helped for a while.

Then, Mandy and I took the kids to Be WILDerwood while the boys worked...it was awesome.  It reminds me of what I think Neverland might look like with tree houses and zip-lines...totally fun.  

We had an absolutely wonderful day!

Dad

What is it about fathers and their daughters?  I am a kind of a Daddy's girl.  My mom is like my best friend, but my Dad is the one I go to when I need help...he was the first person I called every time I was in a car accident (yes, I know I make this sound like there have been a lot of these...there have been).  After I ran into the Dairy Queen sign...with my best friend's mom's van...at 15...he was silent (that incident probably deserves its own post).  I have never felt disappointment more heavily then at that moment.  I knew I never wanted to disappoint him or my mom again.  

Even though I am now grown and have my own family, he is still there to help whenever I need him.  He even drove to the Wichita YMCA once with spare keys at 5:30 AM when I couldn't get in touch with Brady (he is a hard sleeper).   He is also the person I call when I have a leaky faucet or want to demolish a room so we can start from scratch.  To me, he can fix anything.  

I know that he will always be there for me and my family and will drop anything to help (well, maybe not a really good golf game, ha:).   He has also taught me the importance of being there for your friends when they need help.  My dad is one of the most loyal people I know and will do anything for a friend.  

Not having my parents nearby has been one of the hardest experiences I have ever gone through.  They are the most amazing people and I am so, so lucky to be their daughter.  I only hope Parker turns out as awesome as Landon and I did...ha, j/k!!

We love you Dad!!  Happy birthday!!

today...

Today I cried after I called and put Parker on the list for preschool in starting in September.  I know that he needs it, but I don't have to like it...

Today I learned to never say never...P had a meltdown...in public...I seriously did not know what to do.  Once we got home, he guzzled an entire glass of milk and slept for 3.25 hours...apparently we found the problem.

Today my fear of almost stepping on a mouse came true...wait, I mean rat...notice the big black blob toward the middle...Parker said, "mommy, are you scared of the little mouse?"  "No, Parker, I am afraid of the giant rat!"  Big difference.

Today it was so nice I let P wear shorts...seriously, I love spring (I am telling myself that the sunshine will last).

Today I realized that yes, some driving license pictures are worse than others...warning, never get your picture taken when you feel like poo, haven't done your hair and your face hates England (on second thought, that zit gives me a little Cindy Crawford flair, ha).