Spring Break 2015

It was Tate's first Spring Break.  And I had to work the entire time.  Sigh.  I'm pretty ok with it this year because we're going out of town in a few weeks to celebrate my parents' 50th anniversary, so I really couldn't afford another trip this week.

However, I just wanted to be able to spend some quality time with him this week.  I most definitely wanted absolute down time for him...for him to just have fun!  No having to get up early.  No having to get dressed and go to daycare.  Just simple fun.

His official spring break start was last Saturday!!  So we were off to the rodeo bright and early!  We arrived and went straight to Kids' Country where he rode a pony, petted some animals (which he doesn't really like all that much, but he's always so excited to do it!!) and saw some longhorns and newly hatched chicks!

One hour old!

Then we headed outside to mutton bustin'!  I had talked this up like crazy!!  I let him watch a video of his friend, J from school doing it and Tate was ready.  As we made our way to the rodeo he told everyone he was going mutton bustin'.  He was absolutely thrilled and raring to go!

They got him all suited up, I filled out the paperwork and paid the fee and it was time start bustin'!

Here's his ride!!

He made it all of maybe 2 seconds, if I'm generous :)  Definitely some tears.  He was very surprised to learn he didn't get a medal for just riding.  Great teaching moment, and the reason I cannot stand the whole everyone gets a medal, everyone gets a prize, kids are told you're doing a great job when they're most definitely not, the not keeping score business.  Here's the thing:  someone is going to win.  Someone is going to be best.  It's not always going to be you or me.  The person who was best gets to win.  You want to win?  Hold on tighter next year.  I  pretty much told him that, in much kinder terms, but I wanted it clear that he has to be the best to get the silver belt buckle.  I lauded his effort and the fact that I knew he was super scared, but he did it anyway because that was so huge.  I told him how proud I was of him and that he should be incredibly proud of himself for doing something new AND really scary.  That cheered him up, and he was able to walk proud.  That's what I wanted to see.

We had some lunch, rode several rides, even the Ferris Wheel.  I HATE the Ferris Wheel.  It scares me to death.  And Tate was all about the Ferris Wheel.  I let him drag me on it only because I felt bad that I didn't have someone else to ride all the other rides with him since it was just him and I.  I squeezed my poor boy's hand so tight, it was red.  I kept my eyes closed as much as I could, reciting the Lord's Prayer almost the entire time.  Absolutely awful.

On the Ferris Wheel...still on the ground.  My fear
isn't evident quite yet!

Some spinning ride that flew through
the air that we went on together!!!

Tate absolutely loved the Ferris Wheel.  Squealed with joy and delight.  His total happiness made my stiff, rigid body of absolute fear worth it.

After some Kona Ice snow cones, we just came home and chilled out.

Saturday evening I had 40th birthday party to go to for a girlfriend, so Nanny S babysat for me!  She and Tate had a rockin' time while I played with some of my dearest friends!

Sunday we went to church then headed over to the zoo to ride the train!  One of our favorite things to do here!  We made a grocery store stop then did some meal prep for the week before heading out to the park to meet N and her daughter for a couple of hours.

On the train! 

Post playdate hugs!

Just a gorgeous afternoon of letting the kids run around like crazy while N and I had our own playdate and talked and talked.  Just love her!

I signed Tate up for camp at the local Arboretum for half day for the entire week.  I have Nanny S coming over in the mornings to stay with him until it's time to go, then she picks him up when it's done.  I'm absolutely surprised by how much he's loved the camp.  He comes home telling both of us all about it!!  It's just great!  I'm so very pleased.

And I love that I can sleep in a bit in the mornings because I don't have to prepare his lunches or get him dressed and ready to go!!  Which also means he's started to sleep in just a few minutes...on a couple of mornings. :)  Total bliss!!

So Monday they were off for camp!  Got him all situated with all his allergy stuff though I will admit I was an absolute basket case the entire morning he was there.  It's so hard for me because I worry so very much about his safety.  I almost feel like I have some PTSD after his anaphylactic reaction last summer.  The idea of leaving him in the care of new people and praying they take his food allergies seriously is nervewracking to say the least.  But these people were so awesome.  Nanny S said that as soon as they walked in and signed in the director was there saying they were just waiting for Tate to arrive.  They introduced Tate and Nanny S to all his counselors and went over all the instructions.  I've been so very pleased.  So very pleased with the care extended to my child as well as the respect they have for his medical concerns.  In addition to how kind they have been to me.   We will definitely be returning.

Monday afternoon I had them just come back here for lunch and I gave Tate a laser pegs set to put together.  I just wanted him to have time at home to do whatever he wanted, especially in case he didn't enjoy camp and really needed some time in a happy, safe place.  Then they were off to swim lessons. Nanny S brought him to my office after swim lessons, and we made our way home.

Tuesday after camp they went to see the movie 'Paddington.'  There were a couple of moments apparently when Tate was scared and/or nervous, but Nanny S said they enjoyed it.  Tate said it was good, but he's in no rush to have his own copy :).

After camp Wednesday they came home for lunch then Nanny S drove them to his BFF Gavin's house for a playdate!  Tate had a blast apparently...they ended up staying almost 3 hours!!  Needless to say, Tate was exhausted Wednesday night.

Tate loves to make faces these days!

Thursday they met me for lunch at Smashburger!!!  I loved getting to see my boy in the middle of the day...what a treat!  Then while I went back to drill, fill and bill they went to the library for a while.

Finally Friday arrived.  Sadly, I had to work this Friday (I normally only work a 4 day work week).  Nanny S took Tate off for his last day of camp.  When I was dragging my sleepy butt off to work, he was happily engaging Nanny S in his favorite game these days...hangman!!!  Apparently, the last day was a roaring success!  Nanny S also managed to get me a pic of Tate with 'his girl' :) as well as one with his teacher and in the classroom.  I'm overjoyed that he had such a great time.  

They came home for lunch then headed over to an indoor playground!  I couldn't find anyone to go with him, but Nanny S assured me Tate would be fine because he makes friends so easily.  They were there a couple of hours!  These are pics of the after effects of an afternoon playing hard and making new friends!

When I got home he told me he had a lot of fun and that he decided to try something new there today!  He went to the big climbing apparatus and really liked it!  He was so proud of himself for trying something new.  He was also excited because he ran into someone there from his camp!

I was really proud of him for trying the new apparatus of his own accord, but  mostly for being willing to go someplace where he didn't have a buddy and being absolutely ok with it.  I love this about him...he does so very well with new challenges and taking care of himself.  Whenever I worry about him still sleeping with me and how very attached he is to me I take comfort in how very well he plays by himself when we're home and how well he handles being the 'new' kid, knowing noone.  I'm so not like that, and I wish I was.  I think it's a trait that will serve him very well as he goes along this journey we call life.

We ordered pizza when I got home and had our game/movie night, though we only had the movie part since it was so late.  Thankfully he and Nanny S had played a couple of games of Monopoly and Hangman, so he was ready for the movie part of the night!

Today we had a total Mommy and Tate day.  We stayed in our pajamas until after lunch, then made a very rainy, wet trek to the baseball store to get some of his baseball stuff...helmet and glove (so ridiculously pricey!).  We even braved the deluge of rain that lasted all day to go to Target.   We hung out at home, played some games, did some math on the computer, did some Legos, colored and had a great day together.  

Tomorrow starts the beginning of a new school week.  We'll go to church, grocery store and run a couple of last minute errands.  I'm hoping to get us to the movies as well.  We were supposed to go to a Spring Fling, but all the rain today (seriously 10-12 hours of constant rain) has caused the event to be canceled.  No matter...Tate and I will enjoy one another's company as always!!  

What a lovely way to end Spring Break...together.