BeurskensBaby: Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Tommy had a busy Memorial Day Weekend. I was hoping to take him to a parade today to start him young and make sure he knows what Memorial Day is all about - honoring the men and women who have served our country and given the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in defending our freedom. For various reasons that did not happen (naptime, horrendous allergy day for mommy included), but we know he will enjoy parades in the future when he can understand and appreciate those things.

Friday the Tomster got his THIRD haircut. He always looks cute (biased mommy), but the hair was just getting unruly. Plus it's summer, and it's hot, so I wanted to go a little shorter. Grandma came down for the weekend and we went to The Circus, which is a drive-in restaurant where you can eat in your car, or under the "circus tent." We ate inside, as we wanted Tommy to see Macaroni Anne Cheeze, the clown that was making a special appearance that night. We saw her for about 10 seconds, when she told us she'd be back to our table, but we never did see her again. When we were driving out, I saw her at the other end of the restaurant with about 50 kids. However, the big news was that Tommy ate a mozzarella stick and 2 pieces of a hamburger, which he said he wanted. Haha. I actually asked him if he wanted each of the different things on the kids' menu, and that was the only thing he said "yes" to. Now I could live on mozzarella sticks (and maybe I actually did back in college), so this was a huge night for me! Mom and I ordered them as an appetizer, but when they came out, Tommy started his "point and eh" so we finally cut up a stick for him to try, and he loved it! I've been told to be careful because the cheese might be too much for him and he could choke, but I don't plan on giving these to him all the time.

What "Major Hunk" doesn't carry around stuffed animals? Last photo before haircut!

Saturday we took a ride to Pennington to see my niece Alexis play soccer in a Memorial Day tournament since we had not made any games all spring. It was so hot...to think that I played in these same tournaments every year back in the day...I am definitely getting old! I didn't get to see much of the game since I was chasing after Tommy. Even though I was right on top of him, I couldn't stop him from taking a fall and getting a nice bruise on his head. Poor kid was hot, tired, and needed another nap since his first one was short. Why is that always the case on the weekends, but he'll nap for THREE hours in daycare...or if I have a babysitter at home on a weekend?

Bruiser

Do you notice all the stripes in this picture, or the tower they are building together?

Stop tickling me Mommy!

My attempt to get a few moments of relaxation in was thwarted by the Tomster

We "opened" our pool on Sunday as you'll see below in the pictures...all are welcome! Mom and I took Tommy to visit her friend Dotty who has an oceanfront condo in Belmar, and Tommy loved being on the deck watching the boats, cars, motorcycles and airplanes. He was also very excited about the 3 dogs he got to see there. Afterwards we went to The Norwood Inn in Avon for dinner with our friends Denise and Mike, and sat outside, which was great because Tommy could run around with tons of other kids. One of us was usually up with him at all times, but for a little bit he just ran around chasing after other kids trying to get in on the action, or just observing what they were doing.

Mom and I thought he looked so cute the way he was sitting, mesmerized by Yo Gabba Gabba.

Is this not the cutest outfit? Tomster put the hat on sideways all by himself!

Sunday afternoon nap

We opened our pool this weekend! I know you're all jealous!

Tommy thought it was more fun to be outside of the pool, however

Tommy's newest set of wheels...he's up to 6 now I think, and will soon require his own garage

Someone wasn't liking the idea of being IN the pool

A rare seated moment on Sunday night at the Norwood in Avon

Monday was sort of a recovery day. I had an awful allergy headache all day and just wanted to close my eyes for a bit. I thought I would while Tommy napped, but he woke up after only 45 minutes when my aunt and uncle arrived to pick up my mom on their way back up to north Jersey. So I sat in the pool for a little while and Tommy splashed me from the outside. John was working late again so Tommy and I did some grocery shopping - something I've figured out he LOVES because he can flirt and charm the other customers. I cannot take him shopping without at least 5 people stopping to interact with him. And I'm pretty sure HE is the one making the initial eye contact/move to start this interaction!

I was still feeling pretty awful when we arrived home, and was grateful Tommy fell asleep in the car. Unfortunately, the plan to get him on his mat inside, unload the groceries quickly and take a nap on the couch did not go so well. Tommy woke up in the move from car to house, and he wanted me to lie down with him. Love too, but I had to at least get the cold stuff from the car put away, I explained. He was good about my explanation and I got on the floor next to him as quickly as I could. Tommy never napped, but I must have dozed on and off, getting just enough rest to kick the headache. He snuggled in with me, piled pillows on top of me, and played with various toys while the hour long Fresh Beat Band special on the DVR played. As a treat for being so good about letting Mommy get some rest, we took a walk to the park after dinner, which he was so excited about! He even knows the way to the park, pointing to which direction I should be going. It's so funny to watch, though when I want to go the long way so I can get some walking in, I don't know how that's going to go over with him!