Soccer Practice #2

Today was practice #2.  Coach Lewis is getting a bit more relaxed with the whole coaching thing.  Coach Bailey was out sick again so I had to step up and help out.  Flip-flops were never meant to be soccer shoes...ouch!  The Red-Breakers had their first scrimmage and did awesome.  I think the kids look forward to the Ring-pops dished out at the end of practice.  In fact, word had gotten out we had extras to dole out. :)

I know, I know...it's been almost another year!!!

Another year has passed and I cannot believe it has flown by!!! Charlie has gotten so big too fast! He is the most precious little being out there. To see him grow to where he is today is a true blessing.

He is now in his last Pre-K class and is loving every minute of it! The First School has been such a wonderful school for Charlie and I am so going to miss it after this school year. I have had the most rewarding opportunity to help out at his school and to be closer to all the teachers there. I have a great respect for all of them for all that they do for my child.

He has started Soccer for the fall. This year is a little bit more of a special year because his daddy is coaching his team "The Red-Breakers". Not only is Chuck coaching but the assistant coach is my step-daughter, Bailey. It is truly a great bonding experience for the family to be together like this.

Speaking of Bailey, she has graduated (in four years might I add) at the University of Arkansas and is in her MAT program. She is loving this experience. She has a true calling and anyone will be blessed to have her in their lives. She is engaged to her high-school sweetheart, Chris and plans are on the way for their wedding in the summer of 2010. I have the honor of being the Matron of Honor and also Mother of the Bride. I am just tickled pink over all of this! I am so happy for her and wish her only the best!

Chuck is doing well. He has a lot on his plate but is a true trooper!! I look up to him everyday and am very thankful that he is a part of my life. He is such an amazing husband and father. He so puts up with a bunch of my crap and keeps on keepin on. The man needs a medal!!

As for me...well I don't have time for all that! I was lucky to type the above! Third times a charm, right?? Let's see what this year will bring..

The Red-Breakers Soccer 2009

Happy Birthday Betsy!!

Tonight we celebrated Betsy's 29th birthday!!  :)  We had a really great time hanging out on the patio at Theo's.  I heart Theo's!!  They have the best drink menu and appetizers!!  The sliders and their french fries are to die for!!   I had this strawberry basil lemonade drink...yum (ok, I had a few)!!  I can't believe that I have known Betsy for 28 years.  You are a blessing girl!

My Best Girls!!

Today was a great day!!  Me and the girls' that have stayed true to me all got together for a GNO.  We had such a fantastic time together.  Megan moved back from Little Rock, Melinda drove over from Tulsa and Claire flew out from Georgia.  We don't see much of each other AT ALL!!  I still keep in contact via phone but  no matter how long we have been a part from one another it was like we just saw one another the day before.  We just picked up where we let off.  We went out to Bordino's for dinner and then to Willy D's to let our hair down a bit!  Good times!  Let's not wait too long before we all get together again.

SCORE!!!

Well he did it!! My son scored his very first not one but TWO goals!! Unfortunely I was so excited I didnt' take any still pics of it. Thank goodness for the camcorder!! He is really enjoying it now. It's a shame that the Fall season will be over in a couple of weeks.

Since his little "not listening" stages at the beginning of the school and soccer year, he is a totally different kid. He listens all the time now and is the happiest kid alive. Of course he has his little lapse here and there but he's THREE!! Not much longer until I have to stop saying that. I can't believe he'll be four 2 weeks from today. Life is much better when all of us are in good moods!

Trikes Blues & BBQ 2008

Charlie's school had their first annual "Trikes, Blues & BBQ" rally. It was a scream!! All the kids got to bring their trikes on Friday. They all met at the courtyard to have their hotdog snacks and get their pictures taken with the Harley's that were brought up from a couple of biker dads. Afterwards they all got on their trikes and rallied in the parking lot. That was a site to see and luckily with all those kids riding around no one got hurt. There were a few near misses and some minor collisions, but that is to be expected at any kind of rally. They had a blast!!

Charlie's First Real Train Ride

Courtesy of NWABikers.com:

"Keeping with the general lazy schedule of most of the few trains still crawling their way through the middle of the U.S., the Blues Train was at least 30 minutes late.
And finding the boarding platform clearly took some insider knowledge: Walk down Powerhouse Street past the construction site of the new Underwood apartment building, and find the small concrete pad behind the Powerhouse Grill and Bar. Or, get to the train like Michelle Pivonka, of Chicago, did. She hiked up the rocky tracks.
“People just didn’t quite know which way to go, it was pretty confusing,” she said, finally settled on one of the original plush velvet bench seats in the 1927 car of the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad train as the engine made its way to the Randal Tyson Track Center. This old train is also a popular joyride for passengers wanting to go south to places like Van Buren and Fort Smith.
Cole Willems and Charlie Lewis, two Fayetteville 3-year-olds, were extra excited to be on board. It was their first train trip, said the boys’ parents, as the kids squirmed in their seat while the adults snapped pictures.
“We were excited about this because to take him to Fort Smith might have been a little long,” said Chuck Lewis, Charlie’s dad.
This is the first year for the train shuttles. And already, passengers are thinking of improvements.
“It would be even cooler if there was a blues band on board,” offered Pivonka"

Chuck and I took Charlie to BBB 2008. This year they had the Arkansas-Missouri train help the visitors commute back and forth from Dickson Street to the Track Center. We saw a great oppourtunity for Charlie since he is obsessed with trains so much to be able to ride his very first "real" train ride. HE LOVED IT!! He was grinning from ear to ear. He asked me where the Hot Chocolate was. If you ever watched "Polar Express" you know what I am talking about. He didn't want it to end. He was able to go on this ride with his best buddy, Cole. You would have thought they had died and gone to heaven.

Charlie Redeems Himself!

Okay, so the second soccer practice was awesome!! On my last post things were looking pretty gloomy for little Charlie. He didn't have a great week last week and we needed to change some things up a bit. After his day at school on Friday his weekend was not looking fun at all. He had gotten into trouble all day long and just wasn't listening to the teachers at all. They have a color system at school for how your child did for that day. Green meaning they had a great day, yellow is not so great and then the RED which is not good at all!! Last Wednesday Charlie was in the yellow. Uh oh! So I talked to him and tried to make him understand that he has to listen to his mommy and daddy, his teachers and his coaches. And of course I get the, "ok mommy, I understand". RIGHT! I come pick him up on Friday and he's got that big red card flashing at me. Well, needless to say, I was not a happy camper. I took his TV priveleges away and the most agonizing thing that I could do to him was to take all his trains away. That's right, I put my foot down and took his most favorite things aways for the entire weekend. He had a chance to redeem himself at soccer last Saturday, but that didn't take. So by Sunday, Charlie comes up to me and says, "mommy I listen to you and daddy, and my teachers, and my coach...I sorry I don't listen". I DIDN'T BUCKLE!! GO ME! I told him that words don't add up to much for me at this moment that I wanted action. He was actually really good not whining for his trains or to be able to watch cartoons. I was shocked. Come Monday after school, I slowly came around the corner to see what fate my son was in. Oh my gosh, IT'S GREEN!!! Ms Cindy said that he was wonderful, they had a great day and that he listened everytime that she asked him to do something. Whoo Hoo!! So, my punishment worked...how long will it work, we won't know, but the main point is that it did this time!! So to all the mommy's out there, stick to your guns and ride it out. The outcome is well worth it!! All week long we have had a great time. I'm wasn't on him constantly. It was pretty funny on Monday night when he got his trains back. He started making a track and layed out his engines and was just having a grand ole time. Then bedtime rolls around and he looks at me and his daddy and says, "please don't touch my trains and tracks". The fear was in his eyes and voice. It was so cute. We'll see if we have soccer tomorrow. It's suppose to rain so I'll keep you posted!

Soccer season has begun!!

Well, it's official...I can truely call myself a "soccer Mom"!! Charlie had his very first soccer practice this morning. He looked so adorable in his soccer attire. I tried his outfit on last night and he was so in the mode of playing soccer and was excited about going to practice. However, that wasn't the case this morning at practice. I just don't know what happen to him. He was clingy and whiney, just not the norm for him. He acted like he was tired. I'm not quite sure how that could be since he went to bed at 9pm last night and woke up at 7am this morning. He did kick the ball around a bit back and forth but only on his terms. Hopefully, Monday's practice will go smoother. Chuck and Charlie are actually outside right now as we speak kicking the ball around. I'll let you know how it goes Monday. By the way, I have a new blog for you to check out. This is for my new little side business. http://justboardbywendy.blogger.com

A Visit from Special People

I just had a wonderful visit from our niece (Samantha), nephew (Shane) and great niece (Skylar). Skylar and Charlie had the best time!! Skylar is about 6 months older than Charlie so it was a lot like have twins running around the house. They were too funny!! Charlie was very upset when they left. He wanted to go back to Chattanooga with them. Hopefully we'll be able to visit them during Christmas break.

Now, the house is too quiet!! I'm not yelling at the kids to stop pushing, or pulling hair or to share their toys. I did it during my first part of my marriage and all I can say is...kudos to all you moms with more than one kiddo!! It's tough and I'm sorry to say but it doesn't get any better in their teen years! It is fun and challenging but also exhausting!!!!

Anyways, I have started making and selling custom made hairbow hangers and memory boards. I am also doing letters for children's rooms. I need to upload my pictures to show off my work. Hang tight for now and I'll post the pics later on today.

Happy Anniversary!!

What in the world have I done in the past year??!! Holy cow, this year has just flown by!! Hello to all! I'm no longer at the fair!! :) Let's see, let's start with little Charlie. Charlie is gigantic!! He is going to turn 4 in October. Makes my eyes tear up just thinking about it. He is a little over 42" tall and weighs 43 pounds. He is solid!! He just cracks me up! He is the sweetest, most lovable and hilarious child out there!! He is so obsessed with any "Thomas" affiliated trains!! There needs to be a different word for it. It's to the point we may need rehab or an intervention!! I sure everyone is tired of him talking about all the engines but I so glad that he already has a passion for something at the age of 3. He is very secure with himself. He is not scared at all to be in a room by himself. He can just sit there and entertain himself forever!! I sit there and watch and listen to him and I am in awe to see and hear how creative and imaginative he is. He is a little parrot so you do need to watch what you say around him. I'm getting really good spelling things out now. It just isn't the same though when you are so frustrated and angry and you spell out the explicits! He is definately the best thing that I have ever done!!!

Chuck and I are doing well. Chuck has been working A LOT!! I have taken up a hobby in gardening. So far so good. I haven't killed most of them (yet)! I love my herb garden. It is so...nice to just be able to go right outside your house and grab what ever herb you need instead of going to the store and paying $3 for a little bunch that dies practically the next day. I am started my own Pampered Chef business. It's been real fun getting to meet all the people. I probably need to really get after it but it's just so hard when your husband has late night meetings or business trips. It's just something for me.

I did get to go to a girl's weekend getaway at my dear friend's cabin (Stephanie Link) this past weekend. It was absolutely wonderful and much needed. If fact, I was complaining the first night that it was insanely too quiet. Chuck and I haven't taken a vacation lately. He's been so busy at work it's just a bit hard to work in with his schedule and Charlie's school. I hate taking Charlie out of school (especially since we pay for him to go there). It just seems like money down the drain when he misses school.

Anyhow, I will blog later (promise it won't be another year) when I have more time to sit down and actually gather my thoughts.

To the Fair We Go...Twice!

Today our playgroup went to the Washington County Fair. Charlie was so...excited even though he had no clue where we were going. We all got there and as we approached the entrance there was a sign that stated that the rides would not be running until 5pm. Bummer! So we went ahead and saw all the animals. All I can say is...I am such a city girl!! The kids had a blast! Charlie was disappointed that he couldn't get on the rides. I think the mommies were as well. So, one of the mom's and I decided that we would come back in the evening. I'm so glad that we did. Her little one and my little one had so much fun. They definately like the BIG rides. They went on the swings and absolutely loved that. Charlie was squealing like a little girl. The other little boy didn't know what to think about it at first but eventually loved it. He didn't want the ride to be over. After they went on that ride then they went on a true kiddie ride - the choo-choo train that went 2 mph. Charlie sat there and endured it. The other started crying half way through. Come to find out...he didn't like the kiddie ride...he wanted to go on the swing AGAIN! After they rode on the swing we went on the catapillar roller coaster. Yep...they're diehards! Thank god it's over though...I felt so disgusting afterwards. YUCK! The important thing is that the kids had a good time, right?

Charlie's 1st Day in the 2 Year Old Class

Well, today went very well. Charlie was very excited to go to school this morning (to see Cole and Phoebe). When we got in the building he was heading towards his old class. I had to put the brakes on. He was a little leary about going in the new class but once he saw Phoebe playing he was game. I made the decision over the weekend that he would stay until 2:30pm instead of noon. I was a bit hesitate at first only because the the kids no longer sleep in cribs...they're on mats and I didn't know how they would adjust during naptime being so close to one another. The teachers said he did very well. I'm in the process of potty training him so I had him in pull-ups. They said he stayed dry and went to the potty every time they took him. The only time he wet his pants was while he was asleep. All in all, it was a very good day for all of us. I actually have more time to do things around the house. Sounds like fun, huh? Tomorrow, we are going to meet up with our play group and head out to the Washington County Fair. I'll let you know how they goes...

Wigglicious!

Well, we went to our 2nd Wiggle show for the year today. Charlie was so excited this morning. He was ready to get out of his PJs and get out the door. I kept on reminding him that we had to drive to the Wiggle house for a while before we could get in their house. After reminding him 100 times he finally understood the concept and finally just passed out the second half of our trip to Little Rock. We got there and of course headed towards the souvenir table. My son now has every character, shirt, hat and backpack. He's set for life! Once the Wiggles came out on to the stage, he was in heaven. He just stared intently with his mouth opened the whole time. Towards the end of the show, I took him to the Toddler Mosh Pit. It was hilarious! Those guys work hard on stage! They performed for 1 1/2 hours straight. That's a long time for a little one to endure. By the time we got back to the car, Charlie was exhausted!! We went to eat a quick bite after before heading back to NWA. After we chowed down, he was out! I'll post pictures later. I need to put him to bed. He's asleep on my lap with his Captian Feathersword hat on with his Feathersword in his hand. Too Cute!!!

What's going on?

Hmmm...not a whole lot has been going on. Charlie has finally completed his toddler days at First School. He will now be in the 2 year old room. We went to Open House on Wednesday to meet his new teachers and see his new room. When we got there, Charlie went to his old class across the hall instead of his new class. Once he got in his new classroom he saw all the toys and different set up and was like "wow!". He picked up a couple of toys and took it to his old class. LOL. He has one more week off and then back to normal hours. I'm still debating if I will keep him there until noon or at the 2:30pm pick-up. I just don't know. This Wednesday we are taking him to another Wiggles concert. I'm really excited to see how he reacts at this one. I will definately post some pics of that. Nothing else really going on though. I'm still going to the gym almost everyday. On the days that I don't get to go, I'm relieved but then again...I feel real sluggish on those days. I have noticed that I have toned up. If I can just keep it up I'll be happy with myself by Thanksgiving. Well, it's time for Prince Charles to take his afternoon nap. I'll blog later!

The Best Decision I Made in a Long Time

Well, I finished up the NWA Junior League New Members Retreat. I had a lot of fun meeting new people and seeing those that I know there. I am so...glad that I joined this organization. We did something today that really got to me and has forever changed my perception in life. I will dedicate my time and put my whole heart and soul into this project. I wasn't able to take many pictures so I hope the girls at the Retreat will send us pictures so I can upload them here. I am so tired now I can't think straight so I'll blog later, I just wanted to let you know how the Retreat made such an impact on me.

History Was Made Today!

Well...he finally did it!! My son went and pooped in the potty today! WooHoo!! I know, ew...but I have to be excited about it! All you mommies out there understand my enthusiasm. He didn't know quite how to take it though. He was actually a bit puzzled in to what just had happened. We are getting there, slowly but surely! We're moving on up...

Yesterday, we all went to our POA pool party. It was a lot of fun. They had raffle tickets to purchase at the entrance for the prizes at the end of the party. Guess who won the grand prize??? I've never won anything before...I have but they were small little things. I won a really nice picnic basket that was filled to the brim with stuff. Then when they were drawing for the second prize they called my name again. I KNOW! I gave up that prize so someone else could enjoy it. After that, they called my name a couple more times. I got a bottle of wine and some more free movie rentals and sandwiches. I should go to the border and get a Powerball ticket, huh??

Anyhow, I've been doing a really good job going to the gym. I go six days a week plus do my Jazzercise at least 3 times a week. Tuesday is my off day from everything. I have also taken up a Body Pump class. I love it! Today I'm trying out Body Flow. I took a Spin class two Saturday's ago. I liked it, but I need more of a full body workout. Chuck has been doing his share of going to the gym as well. He has gone every morning for the past two weeks right before he goes to work. Charlie just loves going to the childcare at the facility to play with all the children. Anyways, not much else going on. I'll keep you posted on the Potty 101 situation.

Nana's Coming!!

Well, Nana is coming to NWA to visit her grandson. It's been since his first birthday that they saw one another. Lots have changed! She's just going to die when she sees Charlie. I'm really excited about this visit. He's going to just love her to pieces. We just have to wait until October until she gets here. It'll be here before you know it!

Olivia's 1st Smash Cake

Looking at the above pictures, do you think that she is enjoying her very first smash cake??

Need I say more??

Well, it's official...Olivia is one year and a day as of today. Time just won't stand still for a second! The kids came over this past Sunday to go swimming. They had a blast!! It was Olivia's first time in the water. She didn't want to come out! We grilled burgers and dogs while we were at the clubhouse and reminisced about early childhood stories. We had a really nice time. Cole didn't want to leave. He kept trying to sneak off to get back into the pool. Charlie and Cole just absolutely love each other. Poor little Olivia fends them off pretty well. We will definately do that again very soon.

Happy Birthday?

Charlie and I went to a birthday party in Tulsa today. It was my long time friend's daughter who had turned 7. I was dreading the drive but I really wanted to see everyone. The last time I saw them was about 6 months ago. Anyhow, she had her daughter's party in a gymnasium at the middle school there. Sound fun so far? The gym has every gymnastic equipment known to man in there. Of course the little girl was so...excited about this party because she just loves tumbling. There were about 15 little kids there just running, jumping, swinging and tumbling everywhere you looked. Still sound fun?? Charlie was having a blast. He'd jump in the little pits filled with foam squares and just thought that was the best thing ever invented. Of course I was on the edge the whole time because there were things in there that were not safe for the children OR parents. So...the party is moving along and it's time to go and have pizza. Everyone loves pizza , right. Well little did we know that it was just a little break from the events that happen next. After pizza, all the kids go back in to the gym to play. All of the sudden we here this high pitch screech...one of the little girls fell off one of the balance beams and got a really bad beam burn down the side of her thigh and calf. All of the grown ups were all freaking out because we had no clue what had happened. We didn't know if she broke something or what. All we knew at the time was that she couldn't move her leg. Then as we got closer to help her, we saw the aftermath. Her mother ran and got an ice pack for her and placed it on her burns...poor little girl. I had no idea that such things could happen. At that time I had been informed that one of the ladies that was assisting the party hurt her neck and back. I'm thinking to myself...I knew from the minute I walked into this gym someone was going to get hurt. I didn't think it was going to be more than one. So, as the little girl is getting some TLC I'm watching my friend move Charlie away from a certain area of the gym and then she goes to fold down this platform so the kids wouldn't climb up on it. As she is trying to figure how it folds down, the platform crumbles on her and her right index finger gets caught in the hinge. OUCH!! I watch her pull her hand away from the platform and look down at her hand and watch her face turn white as a ghost. She starts running down towards us and yells at her husband, "we need to go, my finger is coming off!" Still want to have your child's birthday at a gymnatic gymnasium people? So, she and her husband wisk off to the hospital and all the kids are still at a loss of what is going on. We decided to finish the party up for her because there was still about 30 or so minutes left. So we did the birthday cookie, sang to her, opened the presents and I took lots of pictures for them. We cleaned up everything and made sure that the kids were all picked up. I went to my friends house afterwards to help the grandmother get all the kids situated. I stayed about an hour and then headed out. I later received a phone call from my friend and found out that she broke her finger and the tip was torn off but hanging by the ligament. The ER couldn't do anything but stitch it back on with 8 stitches and that she would have to see an orthopedic surgeon for the fractures and a plastic surgeon to see if the tip is salvagable. I thought 07/07/07 was suppose to be a lucky day. I guess God wanted me to go to Tulsa today for this reason. She apparently needed all the help that she could get. The thing that really got me was that most of the parents just left their kid there. Had we had more eyes on the kids I believe that this all could have been avoided. So Happy Birthday?? Well...the little girl did have a good birthday but this will definately be a birthday that my friend will never forget!!

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy Independence Day everyone! This day went by so fast...I can't believe it's over. Chuck, Charlie and I went to the movies this morning to see "Flushed Away". It was a cute movie. Charlie enjoyed it. Charlie and I went to the movies yesterday on a playdate as well. We watched "Curious George". He did fine until the last 15 minutes of it. He's watched the movie before so he knew where it was leading to. Anyhow, after the movies we went to get some firecrackers and the little pistol feel asleep on the way to the house. Lucky!! Once he got up we took him swimming for a couple of hours. He is getting so much better swimming every time we go. He is starting to place his face in the water. The longest he kept his head down was for 5 seconds. I was getting a bit anxious...it seemed like 5 minutes. He jumps in the water by himself, especially if you say the famous Buzz Lightyear saying, "to infinity...and BEYOND!!" and once you say that last word...in he goes. It's so...cute!! After swimming we lit a few firecrackers. The very first ones that we set off were the smoke bombs. He thought a genie was going to appear. Do you think he's watched "Aladdin" a few times?? He doesn't know what to think about the explosions. Sometimes he thinks it's funny...sometimes he's crawling up my leg for me to pick him up. We were going to go watch the display down at the baseball park but decided to chill at the house for a change. Chuck was able to enjoy a peaceful and restful day...but tomorrow it's back to the "mistress".

I have been doing very well going to the gym and sweating up a storm. However, I feel bad that I didn't go today. I did go swimming though...that counts! I will get up tomorrow and load up the little one and head over there and do a little extra to make up for today. I have to keep my motivation going. Anyways, I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful 4th of July!!

No excuses!!

Ok...I am now a full-time member of the Fayetteville Athletic Club, thanks to Bailey. They have a child care facility there for Charlie to exert some energy at while I work up a sweat. I've already been twice now with him and he absolutely loves it!! So...no more excuses for not being able to go and work out. Between this and Jazzercise I should be ready for Ms Fit 2008!! I'll keep you posted on the progress. I guess I need to get that contract put together that Oprah advises all of us to sign to get in shape. You know whatever Ms Oprah says it's gold!

Anyways, it's been a very low-key weekend. Chuck has been at work all weekend. Poor guy! If he was paid hourly we would be millionaires!! Thank goodness 4th of July is coming...atleast he'll get that day off...hopefully. All this computer stuff is going to get the best of him and the rest of us. Well, Charlie is taking a nap so I think I'm going to get a couple Z's in as well...this working out stuff is just exhausting me!! :)

Fun City!!

Well, Charlie and I went on a playdate to the movies...we thought! We got there before the others showed up and they had four huge youth groups already there scattered all over the place. They had a seat here, two seats there and no where for us mommies and kiddos to sit together. So, we decided to go elsewhere and do the movies next week with a better stategy. We went to Fun City instead. Charlie thought he had died and gone to heaven. The kids had a ball. We stayed there for three hours...THREE! We couldn't believe we were there for that long. Charlie played hard the whole time. He didn't even stop to eat. Maybe it was the tub of popcorn that I got him that did him in. When Charlie found out that we weren't going to watch a movie he was upset!! So we compromised with a tub of popcorn and I still had to drag him out of there. Anyways...I was a bit skeptical about going to Fun City because I always thought of it as Germ City...but they renovated the facility and made it more spacious so it wasn't bad at all. Again...I had to drag the boy out of there to leave for naptime. He loves playing!! What a life!

Anyhow, this past Sunday Charlie went on his first slip-n-slide. It was hilarious!! He paid more attention to the water hose than anything. The water was so cold. His poor little hand was purple by the time he was finished. He came up to me and said..."done...shower please!" for the warm water. Saturday we went to our annual POA pool party. Charlie was swimming here and there and telling everyone "hi" (he's not shy). The grown-ups were playing water volleyball and it didn't even phase Charlie when they would dive for the ball and splash him. He thought it was funny. We had a good time. I love our subdivision! Of course you have those who don't want to be talked to but for the most part everyone is so...nice here.

Charlie is doing well at school. He is doing much better adjusting to naptime there. I try to get him up at 7am so that by the time naptime comes around he'll be willing to go down. Well, telling you about naptime is making me tired. Good night for now...