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I signed up Scout for his first soccer class.  It is for 1 1/2 year olds and up, so I guess that makes him official in two days!  He knew something great was in the air when I woke him up this morning, and was really excited.  He did a great job and learned how to toe touch, kick backwards and sideways, dribble the ball and run to kick the ball in the goal.  He got a ton of attention from his coach and only got tears in his eyes when he learned the rule of “no hands”.  I was impressed he stuck to the rule for the most part.  here the little squirt is making a goal and getting serious accolades from his coach!  The best part was when he would clap for himself after everything he did that was good.  That’s my confident little soccer stud!

Scout has been able to use a spoon for a while, but in order to keep a clean kitchen I usually do the feeding, or let him use his hands.  Before I knew it last night, my mom had given him a spoon, and he was in Heaven!  He ate more than usual which was a total plus…..BUT the mess in his lap after his meal which included rice and corn……..might not make the transition worth it.  We’ll see…

I have always known that being prepared is not my strong suit.  I honestly think that when they say “opposites attract”, they may have been talking about me and the Schmickster!  He reads manuals from the beginning to the end, I wonder why they cut down so many extra trees to provide directions on things you can just figure out.  Micah has a place for everything, and is bothered when things are not in their place, whereas I find new places every time I go to put something away.  Micah makes list upon list (even lists of lists he has to make), I have a memory that keeps the important dates on record….anything I forget, could not have been that important.  Micah wants to know every morning what our plans are for the evening, and when he asks, I barely know my plans for the day.  The list goes on and on and on, and I really think that is the beauty of us.

I am much more “Pretty Woman” — I like to fly by the seat of my pants.  Micah is much more scheduley — like a robot.  And although there have been conflicts due to our ingrained personalities, most of the time it works out.   And as we move along in years of being married, I can see us both getting a little closer to the others way of thinking.  Sometimes there are hiccups along the way, and I am publicly announcing to my husband that this weekend was full of me hiccuping…….and maybe one big belch……
#1 –  hiccup — We were invited to a friend from high school’s Halloween party. (Note — A friend we haven’t seen since high school, along with about a dozen others we haven’t seen since then either.)  Upon looking at the invitation on our way to the party, I realized that this party was actually revolving around bringing a pre-carved pumpkin.  I knew in my mind to bring something for the potluck — and my delicious arugula, raspberry and slivered almond salad did just the trick — but as far as a pumpkin….whoops.  I kind of knew we were supposed to bring one, but I thought of it kind of as a side note…..not the whole party.

#2 — hiccup — For the same party, we got Scout all dolled up for the first time he ever really realized the fun of it all.  I grabbed my camera to get a family shot before leaving, and after snapping two pictures, realized that my camera was out of battery.  Wouldn’t you think that getting pictures of friends from long past would kind of be cool.  Thank goodness I have that memory I was bragging about before.

#3 — bigger than a hiccup — I like to call myself a risk taker.  I even brag about it when being compared to Micah.  One of the things we will forever disagree on is when to go and fill up the gas tank.  I think they made the gas light go on to remind you that it is time to think about starting to fill up.  Micah, on the other hand, thinks that as soon as his tank hits the half way point….it is time to start thinking about filling up.  I honestly can not wrap my mind around that one.  I absolutely hate to go to the gas station and waste my time there, and he CHOOSES to do it twice as much as I do.  The one beauty to our difference of opinion is that he will always fill my tank if he has my car long before I would have.

On Sunday, we were on our way to church fairly early to get prime seats for the primary program my mom was in charge of.  As Micah was loading up my car, I actually said to him, “My gas light just went on as I pulled in last night, so we will definitely have enough gas to get to church and back.”  He continued loading up as I grabbed a few more things I needed.  Our conversation was pleasant, and Scout was being really cute around Clubhouse on Niguel Road, when Micah said, “Oh no….we are out of gas!”   I am an EXPERT at how far my gas tank goes once the light goes on….so I KNEW this wasn’t the case.  But when I looked over, I realized a HUGE oversight!  Micah was running the AC, and doesn’t he know that the second the gas light comes on….all luxuries go out the window!  He tried it a few more times, and although I was saying things like, “I don’t know Micah…could be the engine”, I knew it was the stinking gas!  The beauty of the situation was that because we were somewhat early, we had a lot of fellow church goers see that there was a problem.  My face was literally as red as a tomato when one car stopped to ask what they could do to help.  I told him that we were on the phone with AAA, but thank you so much for the stop.

Micah was surprisingly and to my delight, very nice and calm about the situation.  He didn’t ridicule, point fingers or even tease me.  But after about 15 minutes of waiting, he started with, “If you would just stop when it hits half a tank……”  I immediately interrupted him with, “I knew you would break….I knew you were going to break!”  He said he was just suggesting….and I told him he broke!  He didn’t speak of gas after that, and AAA came to the rescue.  I will admit that even I was appalled at the situation.  (Although I don’t think it would have happened if I was driving!  I would have taken corners slowly, never turned on the AC, and let me car coast down the hills instead of driving like a banshee! (Last one was a slight exaggeration))

Micah, I am publicly acknowledging that I could stand to be a little more prepared.  But you know I am the eternal optimist, so let’s look at the bright side of things.  First — If we had carved pumpkins before Saturday, they wouldn’t have lasted.  And more importantly, we wouldn’t have felt like engaging in our 4th annual pumpkin challenge with Calin and Skilly tonight for FHE.  Second — what if I had taken my camera, and we ended up looking like the old dowdy couple in the pictures.  This way we can fool ourselves and anyone we tell that we looked like a million bucks compared to all the old hags we went to high school with!  And last of all — what is the point of purchasing our AAA membership if we never use it.  Three cheers for utilizing the membership!!! Hip Hip Hooray!

(Tarah, we missed you…and stole this pic off your blog in order to shout out to your husband.)

The next night I made dinner after church, and he joined in on the fun.  I love to cook for him, because he is a huge eater and he always thinks my food tastes good.  After that we played a little pictionary.  He is an amazing artist, and watching him draw simple things like a shoe would blow anyone away.  When he finally left, Micah and I were cracking up about him.  We both agree that he was a perfect compliment to our groups both nights.  Marc — we think you are great, and you are invited anytime!

We had a little church Halloween party, and I am proud that my ingenuity and creative juices got Scout the award for cutest costume!  I had another costume planned, but the day was pretty hot and I thought he would die of overheating.  My mom suggested sticking him in his swim trunks and putting on his dad’s goggles (which he would have loved!), but I came up with something much better.  Like trunks and goggles would have taken home first place.

How stinking cute is he!  And perfect trick or treat bag…wouldn’t you agree?

His favorite game…putting the bean bags in the pumpkin.

Here he is lining up in the costume parade.  Skylar was with him because she dressed up in exactly what she was already wearing and some of my mom’s high heels as “Scout’s manager”.

And finally….when we went home, his dad was “proud of his award” but “ashamed of his choice in costume”.  I guess he was ashamed in my choice of a costume.  All I have to say is FIRST PLACE!!! (and by the way…..the only reason Scout kept all of this garb on was because I kept saying how handsome he looked, and how it was “just like Dada”.  He must of agreed it was just like Dada because the second I said that, he didn’t fuss over his headband or leotard at all!)

I was watching Scout in in the middle of a dilemma this morning.  He was trying to do his morning exercises (dad’s ball exercises, push ups, kicks and spins).  Before exercising, he was playing with this little toy farmer he has.  When he went to move Micah’s ultimate push up bars he wasn’t interested in dropping the farmer, but couldn’t get his little hand around the bar he needed to hold.  I sat and watched him struggle with it for about 45 seconds, which was when I saw a little of me in him…..brilliance at it’s finest!  He got the farmer, opened his mouth wide and stuck the farmer’s hat in his mouth.  After securing the farmer, he picked up the push up bars and walked to his destination.  Then when he put the bars down….I saw a little of me in him once again when he clapped for himself.  Our goal this month — work on being more humble!

Someone recently asked me what my pet peeves are, so I thought up my top five…..

1. It doesn’t happen often, but if I ever see someone brushing their hair at or near a dinner table, I want to gag!  I absolutely hate stray hair.  I would almost classify this under more of a phobia, but wherever it is…I hate it.  I can’t get into the shower unless there is not even one stray just hanging out.  (Can you imagine my disgust when there is a drain full of it!)  I will NEVER eat at a restaurant where I have found a hair in my food -which happens all of the time!  I am convinced that because I am looking for it I find it more often….but that says that everyone else is just eating it! GROSS!  As I was growing up, I found it even more than I do today.  But the “perp” was my bratty little sister Tristen who was planting it in my food regularly!  I guess it should have made me mad, but it just kept me skinnier than her!
2. I absolutely can not stand the sight of someone brushing their teeth and spitting it into the kitchen sink!  It never is a long walk to the bathroom, and there is the right place for everything.

3.  I HATE it when I am at a restaurant and they start sweeping or vacuuming right next to my table!  It’s disgusting!  You know there have to be little dust mites (and probably hair)  that creep their way up into my food!  This also goes along with another pet peeve….I hate room service at hotels.  I don’t care how “clean” we think our room is…you know there are little lurkers in every corner.  I am specifically talking about hair, but “lurkers” can mean anything that isn’t supposed to be there.  And there is just something gross about eating where you are going to sleep,  unless you are in your own bed with a good candy bar.  Home is where the clean heart is…not hotels!  I don’t even walk around five star resorts without wearing shoes at all times! NASTY!
4.  It drive me nuts to unpack from a vacation.  Packing doesn’t bother me in the least, but unpacking the load is the worst!  I think it has to do with the loads of laundry and not having anything fun to look forward to … except putting it away?! Not lately, but when I was much younger, I was known to keep my stuff packed until the next vacation. It was always a treat to open the suitcase to find the shirt I had been searching for, or my driver’s license just in time for my next trip.

5.  Last but definitely not least….I can’t eat, or sit around anyone eating Lucky Charms.  You know the goosebumps you get from someone scratching the chalkboard….I get it when my teeth scrape along those artificial marshmallows.  Just the thought makes me shutter!  The worst is when someone saves all of the marshmallows until the end and eats them all at once……disgusting!  I would rather eat anything than Lucky Charms!

Sometimes I get SO impatient to get Scout out of bed.  Last night, I woke up at 3:00am and was debating on if I should go and get him.  I knew that one would backfire…so I didn’t, but this morning I was so excited to get him.  I wanted to document his first hour every morning….

He always looks well rested when I get him.  He has had a habit of reading a few books, or blowing on his whistle for a good while before he lets me know he wants out.  This morning, he was totally confused because instead of running in and grabbing him, I snapped a photo.  Look at those kissable lips!

We are immediately off to breakfast where he usually gets his favorite — oatmeal with special sprinkles (cinnamon and a tiny pinch of brown sugar).  I put in the brown sugar just so I can con him on the first bite in case he isn’t interested in eating oatmeal that morning.  It almost always does the trick.  If it doesn’t, I tell him it is Dada’s favorite cereal….and if that doesn’t work, I make Micah take a bite to prove it (if he’s around), and that is about 100% effective.

He always has to down it with a ton of milk.  I LOVE water, but my mom’s words of wisdom told me that mlik will do his body good.  She is probably right, since the doctor’s are always amazed at what good bones she has.

Then it is off to read thousands of books, play with toys and take a bath with “bubbles”.  It’s one of the best hours of the day!

When I woke up to serious wind this morning, it was very nostalgic.  I remember when I was little, we would all go out to our trampoline with blankets.  Across the yard was a little door that housed something (like a water pressure gauge) that would slam open and shut with heavy winds.  We as kids would sneak off the tramp with our blankets and try and get to the door before it opened, but as soon as it opened we would yell “GHOSTS!” and run back to safety — the tramp.  It was like clockwork…. every day it was really windy, we would just head on out.  We would also all wear socks and walk around the tramp without lifting our feet.  Then we would get into shocking wars.  I remember Shem being particularly good at serious shocks. This morning, I was really bummed we didn’t have a tramp for me and Scout to hang out on.  But we did get to look out our window at the incredible Eucalyptus trees blowing like crazy in the wind….and Scout learned something new….to blow out of his mouth like the wind.