Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo 2009

He will be the next Michael Phelps yet!

I am sure that my little guy will follow in his mother's footsteps and love swimming as much as I have and still do. I even hold out hope that he will be the next Michael Phelps (exept for the pot smoking). He has been doing well in swimming. He is starting to get more comfortable in the water. He pushes off well and seems to have the beginnings of a good comfort in the water. I can't wait until he really starts doing some real swimming and diving. I can't wait to throw rings for him and have him dive down and get them. I am so easly pleased. I am adding a video of his latest swim class.
Swimming Lessons from Melyssa Vige on Vimeo.

My New Running Buddy

In an effort to get more movement in our lives, I have enlisted a new running/jogging/walking buddy. He is the cutest little 3.5 year old, Maddox. He is a real slave driver. He loves to run and doesn't like to rest for a breather very much. Yesterday we went around the big block. He did a lot better than I thought he would and he had a great time. I thought we would just walk around the block. Oh no he wanted to run. So we jogged and walked. Then later he went to swimming lessons. He will be a triathlete for sure!
Today we decided to go farther and with a destination in mind. We went to the neighborhood park. It is only about 1.5 miles. He ran even more today and didn't want to rest. So I am hoping that we can work our way up to a 5K.
I am so proud of my little partner and he is getting me outside and both of us moving.

We tried something new...

I tried a 10 minute workout video with my Maddox. Before it started I asked him if he wanted to do it with me and he said of course he would do it with me. When the lady came on the screen for the stretching warmup... he was right there stretching along. This was made even cuter by the fact that he was wearing his Iron Man pajamas doing all the moves (sort of) right along with the instructor. He followed along right up to the part where she does crunches. That is when he saw the perfect opportunity to jump on me and say "Gidddy Up Horsey! Yee Haw!" I busted out laughing, but the added weight I am sure added to the workout. LOL. It was a lot of fun. He even asked if we could do it again soon. Not sure whether he meant the workout or jumping on me.

It only took...

It only took 3 years, 7 months and 10 days but we finally made it. The three of us sat in general population at church today and it was done without any fuss at all. The amazing thing is that he was quiet the whole time. My little guy is not know for being quiet. That is one of the main reasons we have sat in the "cry" room at church for so long. Not that he was a crier he was just LOUD. He didn't whisper at least not for any length of time. He learned two things today. 1) Being quiet isn't as hard as he thought. 2) Super heroes fit really well in the pew. Here is to many more Sunday's enjoying the sermon and actually being able to hear it. I almost forgot what that was like. 

Evidence

Our Crew

While cleaning our study today I came across some great pics of Max and myself that we used at our wedding. I just want to share them with you and for all of you who think Maddox looks likes his daddy, take a good look. LOL I think he is a good mix of both of us. 

Little Max

Little Mel

Ready, Set, Go!

The last couple of days Maddox and I have been enjoying the nice weather and getting home before the sun goes down. We have been running/jogging/walking in the neighborhood.

On Monday I decided we would get outside and kill some time before swim lessons. I thought we would take a nice walk around the big block in our neighborhood. Was I ever wrong! Little guy decided that we were going to RUN around the block or should I say race. I didn't think he would run that far but he surprised me. He would say "Ready, Set, Go!" then when he thought we had gone far enough he would say "Now Breathe!". Then "Ok now Ready, Set, Go!". It was a lot of fun and I think we both enjoyed being outside. Last Summer/Fall we would walk around the neighborhood often, but now it is even better cause he can last longer and go farther.

So on Tuesday he wanted to go to the park. We have been driving to the park since they took out the road by our house for construction, but it is almost complete and the days are getting a little longer. Since it is now passable and not dark, we decided to walk to the park. Once again we didn't walk, we RAN almost the whole way. It isn't a long walk but for a little one I was impressed by his stamina. It is almost a mile each way. We played at the park for a little bit. Up and down the slide. I was surprised he made it home. He still ran most of the way with very few breaks.

Of course the only down side to all this is that he doesn't like to lose, so he zig zags on the side walk in order to make sure I don't pass him. It is too funny, but there have been a couple of close calls when I have almost nipped his heels as he has darted in front of me.

Houston Children's Museum

Today we went to the Houston Children's Museum. We had a great time. I hope that you enjoy a few of our photos. 

Watch over me!

Background : Little guy used to LOVE Elmo, but sort of lost interest once he found Batman, Superman and all the other super hero types. After seeing Sesame Street Live with Landon he has had a new interest in Elmo. He likes to carry around this little stuffed Elmo. So on Friday they usually bring a letter bag for a sort of show and tell to his class with the letter of the week. This week was not E but I. Maddox only wanted to bring his Elmo to show his friends. He has been really good all week so I thought sure why not...(We also brought an ice pack for the I).

So here is the story I get when I pick him up. It was even written on his daily paper too, in case she didn't get to tell me about it.  She said that when it was nap time he sleeps in the corner under the cubby's. He put the Elmo in the cubby over his head but with the head out. The teacher Ms. Bobbi asked him why he had put him like that instead of holding him while he slept. Maddox looked at her very matter of factly and says "So Elmo can watch over me & keep me safe while I sleep!"

After nap time Elmo even got to go outside for some play time. He came home with fur full of mulch. I would say that both Elmo and Maddox had a great day!

Back to the Water

Ready for Swim Class!!
We are back at it. Last Spring Maddox took swimming lessons. As most of you know I was a swimmer growing up. I love to swim. I could spend hours in the pool. So I was very excited to get Maddox involved in swimming lessons. Most of the time he enjoyed them. He isn't one for sitting still, so there were days when he wouldn't get a stamp after class cause he didn't want to sit on the first step without moving while other kids took their turn in the water. I wouldn't either, I can't blame him. We took a break in swimming when Mommy got burnout. It was hard doing 12 weeks of lessons, twice a week, driving across town to pick him up, hurrying to get him fed dinner,  getting everything ready for 1/2 hour lesson then running home to put him to bed. I was spent and it was Summer time. I thought "Hey I can just practice with him myself in our neighborhood pool!" I actually did bring him a couple of times but not as much as I had originally planned. I think he was happy not to go for a little while. Well lately he had been asking about the water and the swim place. He wanted to take lessons again. I gave them a call and got us signed up for a class that was already in session. I want to see how 4 weeks goes before I sign him up for another 12. The first lesson went well. He remember almost everything from his first session. He even did a better job of floating on his back....thanks to all the floating in the bath tub. I am looking forward to his next lesson. P.S. He is still working on the sit quietly on the top step while the other kids are taking their turn part. 

Sesame Street Live

Today we took Maddox and Landon to see Sesame Street Live Elmo's Green Thumb. We picked Landon up a little before noon and set off on our journey. 

Both boys looked a little sleepy so we were hoping that they would nap a little on the way. We even got stuck in traffic on I-45 on the way, so there was plenty of sleep opportunity. 

Maddox finally nodded off right before we stopped for lunch at McDonald's so he maybe got 15 minutes of shut eye. 

Both boys ate their lunch and we packed back in the truck and headed to Reliant Arena for the show. We parked no problem and off we went. As we were walking I asked Max if he had the tickets and he had left them in the truck, so the boys and I hung out by a tree in the parking lot while Max ran back to the truck. 

We got through the line and as soon as we walked in the doors both boys were in awe ( of what I am not sure but they were). Maddox proclaimed that this was "Awesome!" 

We decided to hit the restrooms first thing so we wouldn't have to go during the show. With all on empty we headed for our seats. The boys had fun playing around waiting for the show to start. 

Once the show started both boys were enthralled. I am really glad that they both enjoyed it.

You could tell that both of them were tired. Especially during the intermission, but they fought threw it without sleep. 

Atleast for a little while... Maddox fell asleep on my arm right before the end and Landon looked like he was close to dozing off as well. 

Both boys wanted the balloons they sold at intermission and the light up toys. I wasn't about to break the bank so after the show we headed to Party City for some balloons and toys. I found just the right things and both boys were all set. We took a detour home so we wouldn't get stuck in the awful traffic again. Right before we got to Landon's to drop him off.... He fell asleep. He had a long day. I believe that both boys had a grand time. 

Is it time yet?

The other morning the little guy crawled in bed with us around 5 am. No harm done he slept most of the night in his own bed. (We are still a work in progress). At about 6:45 he pops up and says "Rise and Shine, The sun is up!" This is his usual morning greeting. He then rolls over my way and says, "Mommy where is the remoke? I wanna watch Scooby." My reply, "Not right now. In a little while." He proceeds to roll over his Daddy's way. I hear the next part quite clearly. "Daddy can I watch TV?" Daddy says, "In a little while!" So the ever planning little one rolls back over to my side, curls up real close, grabs my arm, hugs it, mumbles that he loves me, THEN looks at my watch, makes it light up and proclaims "It says, A LITTLE WHILE!" 

Givin' The What For?

Lately my little guy has gotten quite the little attitude. Not in a bad way but it is hilarious. Tonight he gave Daddy the what for.

Daddy: "Time to put your pjs on!"

Maddox: "Not yet, I have one more tv to watch! Then I get my pjs, then get you, read a book and go Night Night! You wait one minute." (All said with lots of finger pointing and shaking.)

He is so matter of fact lately it is funny. I try very hard not to bust out laughing when he is being so serious. Max totally got a good laugh out of the exchange from last night about getting ready for bed.
Lately there is so much good stuff to write about I just forget to write it down.

Cutest Video!

I love this video Jodie took of Maddox and Landon! Check out Jodie's blog to see the boys reading together.

Christmas in Review

Tuesday Dec 23rd we headed to Louisiana. Maddox in the third row, Daddy laid up in the second row, and Mommy at the wheel. Good thing I know how to drive the Expedition with a big blind spot right in the middle of the back window. We got to Eunice about 5pm. Ali was waiting on Maddox. The two of them played their hearts out. At about 8pm the crew came to visit at Andre's and we had 7 kids under the age of 4 (Most of them 3) running around. It was wild, but they had a great time! 
Wednesday Dec 24th Maddox and Ali woke up to lots of presents under the tree. They had a great time opening all of their gifts. We had a wonderful lunch thanks to Andre! Nice to visit with Maw Maw Pont, Uncle Larry, Pawsy, Paran, Ali, and Uncle Milton even dropped by for a few minutes. We headed out to Roanoke at about 8 or so that night. Once we got to the house we all went for a quick drive to Jennings to see Christmas lights... and what is a trip to Louisiana without a drive thru daiquiri-Bubba's Chosen Frozen was literally one of the only things open on Christmas eve. 
Thursday Dec 25th Maddox woke up right in time to open presents as the last one had been placed under the tree. He opened a TON of Batman and Superfriends toys. I really don't know if we have enough room for all of his stuff now. We had a nice day of hanging around with Granny and Auntie Shyra. Granny made Max's favorite chicken & dumplin's for lunch. Yummy!!! Did I mention that it was almost 80° and so muggy you could cut the air with a knife. No white Christmas for us... not even close. 
Friday Dec 26th was spent preparing for the Dees Family game night. One of my favorite parts of the holidays. We always end up laughing till we can't stop. This year we played Family Feud for the first time. It was soooo funny. We had a great host and lots of awesome contestants. What is a name that you would call your pet but wouldn't want to be named??? Puss puss...While the adults played games and chatted the kids had a BLAST running around after each other. I know mine slept like a log that night. I hope Will, Sarah and Jude did too!
Saturday Dec 27th was spent lounging around visiting a few family members we hadn't seen yet and packing to head home. We went by Auntie Una's house and played the Wii Fit for a little bit. Lets just say I know that I will never be a hula hooper or a tight rope walker, but I am a decent ski jumper (even though I have never put on a pair of ski's). Auntie Shyra is an awesome hula girl. Nick ski jumps pretty well too! Auntie Una is a ball of snow and Kasey has some of the best balance on the planet. We had fun! After that we hit the road. The weather was ugly and rained a good bit of the way home. Driving a big SUV in the wind and the rain is no fun at all. I was glad to be home in my own bed, but we had a great Christmas trip!A funny note from when we got back. The James family sent Maddox a gift and we unwrapped it when we got home. Little guy looks at the label on the gift and says "It says I was good today! so I can open my present."

What do you want for Christmas?

I was going to try to write a letter to Santa for the little guy this year. So hubby asks him what he would like for Christmas. He responds with " I want a pumpkin I can wear on my head!" The things that boy says sometimes I just don't know where they come from. I am going to try to ask him again to see what other wonderful things he wants Santa to bring him. 

The new room

We recently moved Maddox to his new room. It is down the hall from ours where the study used to be. So far it is working out alright. He does still wander in to our room during the night. I figure the beginning of the New Year we will hard core try to break him of this but the holidays will be hard core. 

So tonight my little man has been wired. I mean really wound up. It didn't matter what I asked him to do he was not paying attention. So when he asked to watch TV and have a cookie (not together), he was told "Nope, Boys who don't listen don't get to have cookies or watch TV! Those are rewards and you haven't done what you were told." So as you can imagine that didn't go over too well. He tells me "Mommy, You not listening right!" and then walks into his new room and slams the door behind him. I figured it would be a little longer before I would get the storming off into his room thing, but I guess he really does take after his mom. So he comes in and tells me he is sorry and asks again for a cookie and tv. He gets the same answer. Once again he marches down the hall, looks back at me and says "You can't go in my room!" and closes the door behind him.

After a while he came out and tried again with his Daddy. That didn't work either. Then he proceeded to tell his Daddy that "Mommy not my friend anymore. She no listen to me. I want my cookie and TV and she wont let me have them!"

Sometimes I feel like he is a teenager already!

All Clean

So this morning as we are getting ready to go to church my little guy is quietly watching Home Alone 3 in the front while we are in the back getting ready. He ran in at one point and grabbed something, put it behind his back and in a flash he was gone. I didn't really think anything of it as he has been doing that a lot lately. I am finished getting dressed and go in the front to check on him when what do I find....

That thing he had picked up and put behind his back was a travel sized bottle of shampoo. I didn't know this at first viewing the scene. All I could see was there was a white substance coating the dvd player and parts of the table it was on. Then I saw the small bottle on the floor. I pick it up... empty. The entire contents had been poured out over the dvd player, table, a book, a dvd, the support box for the tv and the tv speakers

. I just didn't know what to say. I stood there speechless for a minute and then did what any mother would do. I went and grabbed my camera for blackmail material later on or proof of the event, whichever comes first. 

When his father came up to see what all the commot

ion was about he just stood there speechless as well.

 What do you say to an entire entertainment area covered in shampoo. 

When asked why he had done it the reply I got was.. "I wanted to make it clean!"

After quite a bit of cleaning we got all the shampoo off of everything. I don't believe that anything was permanently damaged. Thankfully!

Snow!!!

Tonight it snowed! For many of you out there this isn't a big deal but here it is a rare occurrence. Let me just say we took this opportunity to enjoy the snow. It was the first time my little guy has seen snow. It went over big. He loved making snow balls and throwing them. Here are a few pics for you to enjoy. After we played in the snow we went in for a cup of hot chocolate. What a great unexpected evening!

Rock Star

Last night while hanging out with Mommy and Daddy my little guy found a sheet of star stickers. He proceeded to use the whole sheet of stickers. He didn't place them on the furniture, the walls, or even a piece of paper. He put them all over his arms. He then ran around the house telling us he was a "Rock Star!".
He had a really fun night with the stickers, playing hide and seek with us and he even tried on my GW Bush Halloween mask. There is something a little scary about a 3 year old in a giant mask of the President. If you are wondering why I have a GW Halloween mask. A couple of years ago I was a Rose Bush for our Halloween competition which consisted of dressing up like GW covered in roses.