Letters For Lucas

Wonders, Mishaps, Blunders and Joy.. commentary on my life as a mom in the form of letters to my son

Spring Break 2012

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Today I’m missing my little side kick, but I am proud to report I we survived Spring Break!

In the beginning there was worry and dread. Lots of dread and then, I made a list! I outlined each day and before I knew it I was actually excited about Lucas being on Spring Break! 

The days were long, I’m not going to lie, but we had so much fun together.

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There was a trip to the aquarium, a birthday party, a play date, ice cream, scooter time, a much needed hair cut, plenty of park time and we started swim lessons!

There were also at least 20 rounds of the game Cars & Trucks cards, pizza and macaroni and cheese lunches, a couple of afternoons with no naps that we filled with crayons, paint and multiple viewings of Rio. Oh, and there was one afternoon spent with a babysitter so Mommy could get her yoga on.

All in all the week went by super fast and we didn’t even get to everything on my list, but the memories of our time together and Lucas’ first Spring Break will last a lifetime. 

Linking up with Galit (These Little Waves) and Alison’s (Mama Wants This) monthly link up, Memories Captured.

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I’m His Mom

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While at the park today, someone asked me if I was Lucas’ babysitter.

Could it have been the hoodie and Converse sneakers that prompted the question?

It certainly wasn’t the lines on my face or the hair pulled up in a bun on top of my head.

Or was it?

Don’t we look alike?, I thought.

Don’t we have the same blue eyes?

If you spent any time with the two of us together, you’d recognize in an instant the same short temper, extremely strong will and an inability to sit still for too long.

If you listened to us, you’d hear the same phrases coming out of our mouths and inflection in our voices.

If you watched us chasing each other across the grass, you would have heard the infectious laughter than only two people that spend as much time together as we do can share.

If you looked closely, you’d see an immeasurable love and a bond so pure that only parent and child can share.

If you could look into my head, you’d realize how much space is occupied by thoughts of this boy’s well-being, including his daily nutrition intake, overall health and happiness, growth, sleep cycles, education, relationships, and striving to be the best role model I can be.

I wish you could see the way he reaches for me as if I’m the only person in the world .

We have the same blood running through our veins and his heart is mine as mine is his.

Babysitter?

No. I am way more than his babysitter, “I’m his mom.”, I stated proudly.

I’m lucky enough to be his mom.

 

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Mesmerized

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The sky was full of dark clouds and it was pouring rain when we woke up on Friday morning. Our outdoor plans needed adjusting…. fast!

Enter: The Aquarium of the Pacific

We have been once before, but not since Lucas was a year old. You can read about it here. I was bound and determined to make this visit different.

I have always thought there was something incredibly soothing about watching fish and other glorious sea creatures effortlessly move through water and clearly, so does Lucas.

He stood and starred completely mesmerized by starfish, sea horse, otters, jelly fish and stringray. The expression on his face was calm and wonderful.

It was the perfect rainy day outing for us.

Plus, we got to wear our new rain boots!

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Halloween

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The best things about Halloween?

1. Candy corn. I know it’s available all year long, but I only buy it during the month of October. I’m the only one in my house that likes it and so far, I’m on bag #3.

2. Multiple visits to the pumpkin patch in search of the perfect pumpkin.

3. After the sun goes down, Lucas has been demanding requesting that we drive around our neighborhood to see all the Halloween decorations; twinkle lights, pumpkins, spiders, ghosts and one amazing pirate ship are his favorites.

4. Carmel apples, cake pops and other yummy treats friends are braver than I to try to make.

5. Holiday arts and crafts. 

6. Glow in the dark skeleton jammies.

7. Decorating pumpkins with pipe cleaners, stickers, glue and pomp pomps instead of knives.

8. Watching It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

9. Trick-or-treating and hoping for the good stuff.

10. Children dressed up as Super Man, princesses, Woody and sharks. Speaking of sharks, will you please check out the face on the shark below? I love having a child! Especially during the holidays.

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This post was inspired by Stasha’s Monday Listicles, a linky right up my alley! This week’s topic: Ten Things Halloween.

I’m also linking up with Jessica (Four Plus an Angel) and Tracy’s (Sellabit Mum) Boo! in the Blogosphere Halloween Photo Link Up.

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Brave

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As my eyes ping pong from the two seals bobbing up and down 20 feet from shore to my left and Lucas and his dad standing at the water’s edge to my right, all I can think is: what makes these two creatures so brave? 

The playful and curious mammals are enjoying riding the waves and being propelled closer and closer to the land, only to be pushed back out to sea again. They are visibly having fun and it’s a joy to witness.

My two year old is just as confident with every single step he takes further into the Pacific Ocean. The glee on his face makes me giggle as I shake my head. He adores the water but cannot swim, so I’m also a bit on edge.

The difference?

The seals instinctively know that they can turn towards the ocean and go “home”. They have other challenges there, but if a foreign object or human came too close, they know to retreat or attack.

Lucas is armed with his dad at his side gripping him back to safety as needed and a sturdy life jacket. He is too young and little to know how to really protect himself, especially from the strong current and rough waters. He is thrilled to have the seals as company.

For now, both pairs are safe from predators and having the time of their lives.

 

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The Summer That Was

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If Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer, Labor Day marks the end.

Sigh…

Here are our summer highlights:

We celebrated someone turning two with a bounce house party and someone else (gulp) turning 39 on a Duffy boat. Both parties included cupcakes!

There were toes in the sand, afternoons spent in wet bathing suits and sun screen applied almost daily.

There were trips to the park, sweet treats devoured and rainbows found while sailing on the ocean.

We had fun at the circus, on the water pad at Legoland and met idols at Disneyland.

There was a girls’ weekend in Palm Springs, a blog conference in San Diego and a glorious week in Hawaii.

Lucas started school and we have already proudly covered our refrigerator with adorable art work.

There was a visit to Grandma and Grandpa’s house and a mini roller coaster ride with fearless cousins.

It was a great summer, full of milestones and memories.

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Wishing everyone a happy and safe Labor Day weekend!

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In Her Shoes

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I’m a walker.

I’m a stroller pusher (although these days, Lucas would rather run up ahead).

I’m a comfort seeker.

I’m a park goer.

I’m a networker.

I’m a beach comber.

I’m a diva.

I’m a mom.

Linking up with Alicia’s Wordless Wednesdays.

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I Smell A Bully

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Lucas is barely two years old and is still trying to grasp the concept of sharing. He’s got a long way to go, but for his age, he does really well.

Unless, he’s being pushed too far and then, just like you or I, he loses it.

Yesterday, his Mommy lost it.

We were at Barnes & Noble and Lucas was vying for a place at the train table and a train to play with and every time he got his hands on one, another boy, an older boy would snatch it from him. 

I bit my tongue the first three times as I nonchalantly looked around for the boy’s mother and helped Lucas find another train and told him he would get a turn with the one he really wanted soon.

The older boy kept Lucas and two other younger children from using an entire side of the table and at one point (and this was utterly shocking to me) pushed my son out of his way. 

No “excuse me”, no “I’m sorry”. Just a push.

The look in Lucas’ eyes was one of bewilderment and asked what did I do wrong?. 

Grabby? Possessive? Rude? Where was this kid’s manners? Better question, where was this kid’s parents?

I smell a bully.

At one point, little three-year-old, Emma walked around the older boy to get to a section of the train table he wasn’t hogging and he exclaimed that she “hit” him. 

She didn’t touch him. Her mom and I were right there the entire time. 

Trying to set a good example, Emma’s mom had her apologize to the boy and also explained that her daughter was only three and didn’t mean to touch him. With that she asked how old he was.

Six.

Six? Six years old and acting like this? 

Shortly thereafter, the boy went for another train from Lucas and that was it. My poor son had had it and so had I!

I got in the six year old’s face and said, “You are not being nice. That is the fourth time you have taken a train from my son. Where is your mother?”

We didn’t stick around long enough to meet the mother, as Lucas, having been pushed to his limit had a complete melt down. I scooped him up, calmed him down and we went to another section of the store.

I really didn’t want to be that mom, the one that flees, avoids confrontation, but let’s face it sometimes it’s just easier when you know you’re never going to run into that six year old or his mother again.  

I know I can’t protect my son from every bully or uncomfortable situation and I’m not proud of the way this scenario played out. 

On the other hand, it’s not my job to discipline someone else’s child when their parent is no where to be seen, is it? What did I do wrong? How do you handle situations like this?


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Tackling Disneyland On My Own

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If you had told me a year ago, heck, yesterday that I would take Lucas to Disneyland by myself someday, I would have told you, you were absolutely nuts.

But, I did it!

I even braved the crowds on a day before a holiday weekend.

Now, who’s nuts?

What can I say? I’m glutton for punishment.

Actually, it was housekeeper day and I needed a big outing to keep us out of the house for a few hours.

Lucas did great and despite the nearly 90 degree heat and I did pretty great too, if I do say so myself. 
We were on the tram and heading for the park at 9:30, where upon arrival, went straight to “It’s a Small World”, which Lucas claims to be his “favorite” ride now. It’ll be a few days before I get that @#$% song out of my head…

We hung out with Mickey & friends in Toon Town for nearly an hour, otherwise known as spent time stalking Goofy and then enjoyed a nice lunch together in Tomorrow Land, that only set us back  $14.00 – shocker!

We watched the Disneyland Marching Band perform, strolled through Critter Country and met Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore, rode the “Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” for the first time (which is perfect for toddlers, by the way), toured the entire park on the Disneyland Railroad (a given with a “choo choo” lover in tow) and were back in the comfort of our air conditioned car just in time for nap time. 

I was very apprehensive about tackling Disneyland on my own; couldn’t fathom juggling Lucas, stroller, bag, long lines, heat and not to mention, my patience level, but every time I seem to worry like this, Lucas ends up pleasantly surprising me.

There were no melt downs, he kept his hat on, ate everything I put in front of him and got in the stroller when asked. It was the perfect outing! 

And bonus… he’s out for a while and my house is sparkling clean. 🙂
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