Merry Christmas From The Beach!

We are borrowing Uncle Austie's and Aunt Alison's beach house on the California coast this Christmas. It's not quite as fun when the little cousins aren't here. But it was great to see the big cousins yesterday. The first thing to do yesterday when we got up, was go over to the beach and build a sand Titanic.


We brought this little tree with us from WA. After all, we wanted to make sure that Santa would find us and know where to put the presents. He found us!

Milestone!

Mom finally got Carson to let a real barber (beautician) cut his hair. He's had trouble with sensory issues and fears when it comes to getting his hair cut, since he was about 18 months old. And mom has had to cut his hair for the past 6 years (and has not like it at all). After going through the haircutting experience while listening to music (see the headphones?), and having a very efficient and wonderful person do the hair cutting, Carson has decided that he's no longer afraid of getting his hair cut by a professional!

This is a HUGE deal for mom! Woo hoo and way to go Carson!!!!!

Catching Snowflakes

We finally got snow! Carson went outside to try to catch snowflakes on his tongue. But, as you can see, he's in his PJ's and got cold rather quickly.

A Birthday Present

Here is Carson, thoroughly enjoying his birthday present from Grandma R. and Grandpa B.

Our Cool Little Dude is Turning 7!

Last weekend we had Carson's birthday party at a local bouncy house play place. He had fun jumping around with the other guys. The cake and decorations were Thomas The Tank Engine themed. Yes, Carson is still one of Thomas' biggest fans.

After playing and having cake, the kids had a pinata. It was a fun time. And the best part for mom was not having to pick up or clean the house!

Halloween Costumes

We went to a Halloween party the weekend before Halloween. Carson dressed up as a Star Wars Clone Trooper. Yes, we know that Clone Troopers don't use light sabers, but just don't tell anyone.













The night of Halloween, moments before we went out the door to go trick-or-treating with friends, Carson went into his closet and grabbed his old Hot Wheels driver costume. For the past 2 years, he had been too afraid to go out trick-or-treating. But this year, he said he felt brave! And he had a great night.

School Photo, First Grade

I am so pleased with this photo. It's one of the best school pictures Carson's had; and he's had 5 now. He wanted to wear his "Day Out With Thomas" shirt.

Yes. Braces at Six Years Old

Carson just got braces on his front 2 teeth. The teeth came in with a big space between them, and at crooked angles, so his pediatric dentist wants to get them brought together and straightened out so that the teeth next to them will have enough room to come in.


The poor kid didn't like them; and when we got home from the dentist yesterday, he pulled the wire out. He tried to pull the braces off; but didn't understand that he can't. They are glued on to stay. After a rough night, I drove him into school this morning. His buddies at school thought the braces were pretty cool, and Carson's mood has picked up considerably (thank God!). We had the wire put back on this afternoon. He's doing much, much better.

Pumpkin Patch

There are still a handful of pumpkin patches in the area where you can go, pick out a nice pumpkin, and put the money into a box on the honor system. The large pumpkins were $3, on down to small ones for $1. The place was decorated for the season very nicely, too.

This little Pumpkin Man was very cute!

Scarecrows abounded all over the place.

We decided to get a wheel barrow full! Tomorrow we get to carve them all.

Scarecrows watching over the parking lot.

The sad thing about this field is where it sits: between a bunch of car dealerships. I fear that before we know it, this land will no longer be farmed, and will become a car lot. Just across the highway, where there was a pumpkin patch just a few years ago, is now a big mall.

Fall Playdate at the River

Carson and a buddy had a playdate last week. They played at our sand pile, and then headed down to the river. Right now we have fish swimming upstream on occasion. The boys, of course, wanted to catch some; preferrably with a spear or their bare hands.

School is keeping Carson very busy, reading his little "decodable" books every day, and doing lots of work sheets that have him writing, coloring, learning math concepts, and more. His favorite time of day (other than going home) is recess. Reading and writing don't come easily for him, but with more practice, they are coming a little easier than a month ago.

Free time after school has been fillled with playing with trains and cars. Our living room is usually a large train depot or a city, complete with train tracks, an airport, a boat at a marina, lots of car traffic, and the Space Needle.

Carson LOVES fleece. He loves to be wrapped up in it, and to wear my fleece jackets. Here he is, hamming around in the kitchen in one of my fleeces (backwards).

September Stuff

We got in one last warm beach day up at Birch Bay with the cousins.

Finally got in the fall hair cut. Mom dreads cutting Carson's hair, every single time!

One of Carson' classmates had a birthday and brought in donuts to class today. Everyone brought home Krispy Creme hats.

First Day of School, Sept. 3

Well, I didn't get a picture right on the first day of school. But this photo was taken just a few days later.



















There was some confusion, and Carson was put on the wrong bus to come home from the first day of school. Fortunately, Carson just stayed on the bus, and after dropping all the other kids off, the driver was able to get him home. It was a long ride, and it has not happened again.

Touching a Shark!

While we were in Maine, we visited the Department of Marine Resource's little aquarium. They have a few open top tanks where people can touch sea critters. This tank was home to some small sharks, including a couple of spiny dogfish sharks. Carson touched one! (Yes, this was allowed).

More Maine Trip Pics

We boated by Ram Island Light one day.

Taking the plunge off the church float!

Cinnamon sticky rolls from the farmer's market boat.

We only slowed down enough to drop a line in the water one day. No bites though.

Fun in the sand.

The Cuckolds Light in the background. Lunching at Newagen on the pier.

Captain Carson driving the Mako.

Trip to Maine

Carson and mom spent 10 days travelling back east. All but a travel day on each end, were spent on the coast of Maine. We helped Grandpa Bill celebrate his 83rd birthday.







Carson, touching a shark at the local aquarium.










Carson, playing with his sailboat, in front of Grandma and Grandpa's house.

A moment of tranquility at a small beach on the other side of the island.












A lobster boat in Boothbay Harbor.












We spent a day at Pemaquid, checking out the lighthouse, a historic fort, and Pemaquid beach. Great day!

The day we arrived in Maine, Thomas the Tank Engine was in town. We got to see him and have a fun day.

We saw a farmer's market boat. It makes a run that includes stops in 7 harbors.
















This sailing vessel, the Friendship, was being worked on in the harbor.


















Hendrick's Head Lighthouse, Southport Island, Maine.

Getting Into Mom's Underwear Drawer

Carson asked me where I keep my "boob holders". A few minutes later, I was suspicious of the extreme quiet in the house. So, I looked into my bedroom, where my underwear drawer was open. And Carson's bedroom door was closed. Hmmm. Very suspicious. I quickly grabbed my video camera and crept to his door.

Theater Camp

This summer, mom thought that the attention seeking, extraordinarily social, boy that we all know as Carson, would have a great time at a theater camp. Well, even though his group was for kids ages 5-7, theater is serious business. Lots of listening and sitting quietly required. That was a stretch for Carson right now. But he hung in there and ended up having a good time.



Here's the gang (minus one girl who didn't make the last day) finishing up their final bows. They acted out 2 short scenes from some of the Magic Treehouse books.


One of the perks of this camp, was having head shots taken. These are photos that are used when going to an audition (not that we will be doing any auditioning). When the photographer was posing Carson, I whipped out my camera and snagged a shot of my own.

Summer Fun

Carson enjoyed our local carnival this year. It was the first year he went, as he has gotten over his fear of rides. It was lots of fun. We even bumped into a classmate and another kid we know.









Every other week, we join friends for a creative activity. This week, we made bug jars and collected bugs to examine.










The Fourth of July was spent picnicing with WA family, followed by shooting off fireworks downtown with friends. I didn't get any really good firework photos, but this firework was insane! It threw off a huge ball of crackling streams of light. The entire display from one of these kryptonite balls lasted about 3 seconds- it was intense!

Working On The House

Because Dad was suiting up to go under the house for work, Carson (of course) wanted to join him. We modified a full body suit (with a stapler) for Carson; gave him a respirator, and a pair of his swim goggles. Here he is, just as capable as anyone. Don't tell him he's only six.

Here are the "men" getting ready to crawl down underneath the house.

School's Out For Summer!!!

School got out just over a week ago, and we've been playing and working and been getting in the summer groove. Here's Carson, home from his last day of kindergarten. He very proudly announced that he's now a first grader!





Our first summer outing was to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. We had great weather and carpooled in the new minivan. Two moms and four kids in total. Lots of animals to see, including the new penguin exhibit, and a roaming peacock. It was a great day.

Yesterday, we joined some of Carson's local cousins, and went down to Seattle Center and the Pacific Science Center. There were lots of cool exhibits at the Science Center, including Grossology, life-like dinosaurs, and a room full of butterflies. It is a such great place for kids and adults.

Carson has been afraid to ride carnival rides since he was about 2 or 3. But, at the Science Center, they had a virtual roller coaster ride. It was a capsule on hydraulic pistons that held about a dozen people. Once you are seated inside, you look at a small movie screen of the ride, and feel the capsule move and jolt; very much like the real deal. We coaxed Carson to give it a try. And after some hesitation and waffling back and forth, he sat between mom and dad. About 30 seconds into the ride, he was hooked!

After leaving the Pacific Science Center, we hit the carnival rides at the foot of the Space Needle. Carson finally had the nerves to ride the little roller coaster there. He ended up riding it about 5 or 6 times.

As well as riding the roller coaster, Carson rode almost every ride there was. Mom and dad even rode a few. Then we went over to the midway area, where Carson stunned us with his dart throwing prowess. He came home with six stuffed animals and several inflatable items. It was a great day of family fun.

Homage to Pitchman Billy Mays

One of our more favorite Discovery Channel shows that we watch, is called Pitchman. Carson likes the pitchmen, and created this video in their honor.

Flying Just Before Splashdown

We have a new pool this summer, and it was set up yesterday. The water temps started out at 53F, and are warmer today. Here is Carson, demonstrating how to do a belly flop.

Playing Golf

The weather has turned from winter to summer in a flash. We had weather in the 40's into mid April; and as of the end of May, we're up into the 80's! What happened to spring?

Our evenings lately have been occupied by playing frisbee or golf, out in the yard. Here is Carson, using a driver that is way too big for him, but connecting with the ball, nevertheless.

Here's the wind-up.

He swings ..... and connects!

And the follow through.