Up, Up, and Away!

Since I was a little kid one of my favorite memories was waking up early and watching the hot air balloons of Clovis Fest. When I was in junior high...and maybe even high school...the balloons would fly over my parent's house and land in the fields...right across the street. All of these years have gone by and we have never gone to see the launching of the balloons. My friend, Kim, invited Landry and I last year and we passed. You have to wake up REALLY early...like be there at 6:15 in the morning! This year I decided to take the risk and try it out.

 

I say risk because Landry is always a bit skeptical about things...remember the carousel incident, the pumpkin feelings, and the disdain for Pump It Up? Normally the balloons fly over our house on Saturday morning. So, being the mom that I am...I have learned from experience...I planned on us being able to watch the balloons fly over our house on Saturday, I could tell Landry about the balloons, get him excited, comfortable with the sound and fire, then go down Sunday morning and watch the launch. Well, as with most things involving motherhood...the plan did not go like that! :o) Saturday morning came...no balloons. Not. a. single. balloon! Great. 6:15 Sunday morning ought to be awesome. Can you hear the sarcasm?

 

First stop...Starbucks!

 

Second stop...Clovis Rodeo Grounds.

 

Third stop...

 

 

After waiting in line...

yes...waiting in line at 6:00 in the morning...

we turned around and had this view

 

 

Don't forget about my breakfast date!

 

Breakfast of champions...right?

 

Shortly after we got there Kim and her family showed us where to go. They start with the balloons all laid out on giant tarps.

 

 

Then they start to blow them up with these giant fans.

 

While they are blowing them up they allow you to help push the balloon up into the standing position. They will even let kids sit inside the balloon...not the basket...the actual balloon...as it is being blown up. Landry of course wanted NOTHING to do with that! :o)

 

Here he is watching everything...notice...NO TEARS...lots of concentration...but no tears!

 

 

He just barely let me get a picture with him in front of the balloon before it was standing!

 

Here are the other balloons being inflated. Notice how close everyone is to the balloons...it is so cool...you can literally TOUCH the balloons!

 



 

Now it's time for the fire!

"Wook, Mama...big fire!"

"Yup. That big fire is what makes the balloon fly."

"Bawoon fy...in da sky?"

 

There were three prople dressed in very authentic time period clothing. I thought that this guy and his adorable dog were too cute! Love the dog's aviator goggles!!! The poor dog was shaking the entire time. ;o)

 



 

Landry in awe of all of the balloons. Still no tears!!!!!

 

I was about 10 feet away from this balloon as it was getting ready to launch!

 

Landry's viewpoint!

 

"Mama...bawoons fy. Bawoons fy in da sky yike a airpane!"

Yes, sweet thing...the balloons do fly in the sky like an airplane!

 

It was all around a great time! You will notice that Chad didn't join us. It was too early for him...and I think he was worried that Landry would freak out. Which, I thought he would too...but he didn't! So, we shall see if Chad joins us next year because we WILL be coming back. Landry has been asking all morning to go and see the "bawoons" again! :o)

Proud Parents!!!

Ok, so I am warning most of you now...this is a post that is really meant for the grandparents and extended family. If you are not a fan of watching other people's children do some pretty basic things...you've been warned! :o) I tried e-mailing these videos to some people and apparently they took up too much space...so this was my only other option. :o)

We are so proud of Landry's newest talent...the first time we I heard him sing this, it was in his crib, over the baby monitor. Literally brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't have been a prouder mommy!

This next video is a skill we have been working on for a while! He was able to count to 5 about 6 months ago and then seemed to forget it. Then within the last week he has nailed down 1-10...we are still working on 11-20. :o)

Sorry that the videos are sideways. I took them on my phone and couldn't figure out how to get them turned around. :o( Also, you will notice that he is very easger to finish his filming so that he can watch himself. He doesn't show any kind of interest in any other videos, cartoons, movies, etc. But boy does he love to watch videos of himself!

 

It really is so funny how I spend my entire day teaching other people's children new ideas, concepts, and skills. My favorite part of teaching...besides the relationships...is seeing when a child truly grasps a new concept. There is no better feeling...except to watch your own child learn something new. I am very passionate about teaching and love my students...but man, there is an entirely different feeling of pride when it is your own little one singing the ABCs and counting to 10.

 

Landry Tigh...we love you to pieces and are so proud of the amazing little boy you are!

Mommy and Daddy are soooooooo proud of you!!!!!!!

Fresno State Football!!!!

By now you should know about my love for Fresno State Football! Yes, it is a love. I really do love to tailgate, hang out, watch the people, watch a little bit of the game, watch a lot of the cheerleaders, eat junk food...well, you get the picture. Our group of friends get together and tailgate for all of the home games. I know, you might be thinking, "How cool...they have a tailgate pass." Nope. We don't. We are the people that, no joke, set up our tailgate at 2:00 in the afternoon for a 7:00 game. Why? Well, if you get there before the "parking lot patrol" you can park for free and set up shop for free. :o) Each year the set-up gets a little bit more elaborate. I'm so thankful that the guys don't mind that I am normally the only wife that comes...and I am slowly working on having us be completely color coordinated, table covers, cute plates, etc. I have to break them in slow so I don't get the boot. :o)

 

As you can see...Landry loves to tailgate, too! We have been bringing him since he was born. He was about 6 months old at his first tailgate...and I think it is safe to say that he is a pro at it now.

My nana got him his very own little blue chair that is perfect for the tailgate. When the guys were setting up the tv Landry pulled his chair right on over, climbed up, and munched on some yummy popcorn. Have I mentioned how much I love this little boy?

This time Landry got an extra special treat...he got to see "his baby," Amelia! If you remember, Landry first met Amelia about 2 months ago. He loved her then and he is still in love with her!

 

 

Right when Amelia...and her parents...got there he had to see "his baby." Yes, that is what he calls her...all the time...even at home. He will see a picture of her and say, "Dats my baby. Dats Amewia. I see my baby, Mommy?" Amelia slept for most of the tailgate and Landry checked on her every once in awhile to make sure she was ok. When she woke up he couldn't stay away!

 

 

He would rock her seat, try and get anything she might need, and gave her gentle pats. "Wook...baby's feet wight dere!"

Landry and Amelia at their first tailgate together!

After 5 hours of tailgating...it was game time!!!!

 

As you can see...it was a packed house. ;o)

 

Landry likes to spend most of the game walking up and down the row of seats. Thankfully there aren't very many people in our section so he has plenty of room to roam. This game he thought it was fun to run his hands along the benches as he walked. The end result...hands that look like this:

 

Right after I took this picture he looked at his hands and immediately started to cry.

"My hands aw dirty...my hands aw yucky!"

Thankfully I always have wipes on hand. :o)

 

Here's to another great season of fun, friends, food...oh... and football!!!!

 

***Fun Fact #1: Landry's hat is an adult size...yes, our child has a giant head!

***Fun Fact #2: Tailgating is my version of camping! :o)

Summer Recap!

As I mentioned in my last post...summer is over. :o( Yup, another school year has started and the craziness has already begun. We have been in school for two weeks...10 days...and already I have spent 17 hours at cheer events, had Back to School Night, hosted one rally, went to 2 staff meetings, welcomed 28 new munchkins into my room...yup, 28...graded beginning of the year assessments, lesson planned, welcomed the most fabulous student teacher ever into my room, had picture day, ate popsicles, had one parent conference, finished my first week..of after-school parking lot-crosswalk duties, and yes...I did manage to spend some time with my family in there...somewhere! Don't worry...this week is much slower...I only have 2 hours of cheer practice, another rally, Scoops and Jazz on Thursday night...awesome PTC event... another all-day cheer event on Saturday, oh...and 29 second graders to teach! Yup, I'm gaining one more for half of the day. But don't forget...it is a 4 day week...good thing teachers only work 8-3! :o)

All kidding...and exhaustion aside...I do love my job!

Without my job I wouldn't have been able to spend my summer doing all of this:

 

Celebrating Erin's 30th

 

 

Sheri's 40th...Vegas style!

 

4 years of marriage...

 

Mornings filled with blowing bubbles in the backyard

 

4th of July...and 10 years with Chad in my life!

 

Monterey Bay Aquarium

 

 



More time in the backyard with "Mr. Clean!"

Visiting G.G. and Poppie in Redding...

 

Meeting Aunt Val and Uncle Mike

 

Enjoying a Starbucks...or two..or three...

 

and capping off the summer celebrating Keith's 40th in Bass Lake!

 

Summer...I am sad to see you go...but the Type A in me is really ready to be back in a routine!