Tommy and the Trainer

If you know anything about Tom, he has plane on the brain--always. We can be having a conversation about our children or something serious, and next thing you know, his thoughts have derailed and he's suddenly talking about motors, speed controllers, ailerons, etc. And no, not for the 747--for the remote control models. I have always said I would find great pleasure in taking a baseball bat to the 20+ planes in our garage, but I don't think that would make for a happy husband (and if Tom ain't happy, ain't nobody happy).

So, since he loves flying nearly as much as he loves breathing, I have to put on a happy (or maybe tolerant would describe it better) face and go with the flow. On Tom's last break at home, he spent one week in Utah to humor me, and the other doing absolutely nothing but working on the d*!# airplane in the picture above. It was a pipe dream (oops, I mean just dream) from nearly a year ago, and he was even bright enough to offer to build his brother, Gary, one as well. (Something about grand memories from the Trainers they had back in the golden teenage years.) His "goal" (if that's what you want to call it) that week was to "maiden" the Trainer. Hour after hour, day after day, was spent in the garage--cutting, covering, sanding, and building. On his last day home, with only two hours of precious daylight left, we (the whole fam damily) headed to the flying field to watch old glory take flight, and that she did.

I was armed with the video camera to record such a momentous event in the history of our family, while Sammie was armed with the digital camera to take still shots. While Sammie and I played along, Tommy was obviously mesmerized. (Is this a taste of what's to come??!)

P.S. If you think I'm a tad bitter about the models, you'd be absolutely, positively, 100% correct!

All Boy, All the Time

Other mothers with little boys tell me his antics are perfectly normal--"he's just a boy." While Sammie was a hard newborn, she was an excellent toddler and the "terrible two's" weren't that terrible at all. However, my little tornado is giving me a run for my money.

He devises a way to get into everything, and he can't just walk, no, no, he has to run and jump to get where he's going. Not to mention climbing on everything. His favorite spot is to stand smack in the middle of the kitchen island. As soon as he has been reprimanded, it's right back to the stool and onto the island once again.

Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and planes (go figure) seem to litter every room in the house, as well as the matching sound effects. He's even taken over Sam's pink Polly Pocket car--doesn't matter if it's pink--it's still a car nonetheless.

Here are a few Halloween decorations--keep in mind I only put out a few, because you-know-who would be bound to find and destroy them. He's quite fond of rearraging this table, and the witch usually ends up in the pumpkin's mouth.

Did I mention trucks, trucks, and more trucks . . .

and more cars . . .

It's a good thing he's a cute little guy; otherwise I would be tempted to sell him to Toads'R'Us.

A Girl's Day Out

Well, two hours at least! Sammie brought home her report card yesterday and had straight "A's." As her reward, of sorts, she and I were treated to pedicures while Daddy stayed home and kept his eye on Bubba.

Hopefully, for my foot's sake, she'll get "A's" quite often!

More Lagoon Pics

Here is the infamous incident where Tommy climbed onto the back of the boat. No wonder he has such a mischievous smile--he was plotting his escape!

Daddy, Sam, Tommy, Nicole, and the "Monster." Obvious Tommy hasn't quite warmed up to Halloween yet.

Fall Fun At Lagoon

Well I don't know that it was as fun for Tom and I as remembered in years past, but all the cousins had a great time together. Tyler, Carly, Travis, baby Emily, Nicole, Grant, Sammie and Tommy played the night away.

Tom and I, however, were party poopers. We both had colds, it was too cold for our blood, and it was way too crowded to enjoy it much. Not to mention the fact that Tommy can't be trusted on the kiddie rides! Grant and Tommy were put in the toddler boats together, and wouldn't you know it, the ride had to be stopped and Tom had to run through the gate as Tommy turned backwards and crawled out on the back of the boat. Tom said Tommy won't be allowed to go to Disneyland until he's five!

At any rate, here are a few pictures.

Tom and Sam wait in line to ride "Wicked!" Sam was a little nervous to say the least!

A family photo at last! (Oh, wait, that's not me!)

Another family photo! (Oh, wait, that's not me either!)

Fall Fun At Hogle Zoo

While we were in Utah last week, we took the kids to the Hogle Zoo. We hadn't been there in a few years and they had made a lot of fun changes. We had a good time, but I think the playground there was the best part for the kids.

A Day in the Life of a Pilot

Recently Tom had a long layover in Nairobi, Africa. In order to pass time, he spent his days mingling with the wildlife (and eating the wildlife-ostrich and alligator).

One for the Record Books

As we are heading to Utah soon, I had to get the kids a coat (which we don't use in Arizona; a jacket is sufficient). From past experience, I have learned that it's not wise for me to pick up any article of clothing for Sammie without her being there for approval.

However, I took a chance, and succeeded. She actually liked the white coat I selected for her, and even agreed to wear it. Yeah me!

Naptime

This morning I had to drop Tommy off at a friend's, get a haircut, and stop at the post office and the bank. By the time we pulled into the garage, Tommy was nearly asleep. After a quick diaper change he was down to bed...or so I thought.

Fortunately, at bedtime, he goes right down without a peep. However, naps have been a different story lately. As soon as I put him on the bed, he chases me to the door and cries. After a few minutes he usually quiets down and climbs back on his bed.

I went downstairs, ate lunch, and came back up to the computer 30 minutes later. I heard some noise in his room, and apparently no sleeping had been taking place. Instead, I found an assortment of cars, trucks, planes, and animals.