Big Beezy and Lil Peezy

My work offers a cooking class in conjunction with our local grocery store. I signed Brandon up, as the minimum age was 6 years old. I thought there was a parent component, but it turns out it was just the kids. I met Dave and Brandon there to register Brandon and see what the class was all about. Peyton wanted to join, but she can’t even reach the top of the butcher’s block, so it’s definitely not for her. Even as it was, I think Brandon was the youngest there, based on size. And I think the only boy. We registered him at one spot, then dropped him off at the demo area. He didn’t even flinch! I had to tell Dave to go back in there and give him the heads’ up. Dave told him he’d be in the store walking around, and that he’d be back after class was done in 2 hours. I was snickering because on the table tops were a bunch of ingredients, and zucchini was one. I think zucchini is on Brandon’s short list of “do not like to eats”. I think it may be alone; that’s his kryptonite, except when I put it in zucchini bread. Brandon barely waved goodbye as we left the prep area. We walked around with Peyton, who was happy to have both parents and no brother around. She then started complaining she was hungry, so I took her home to eat. We snuck a peek again, but I told Peyton we were in ninja mode, and I didn’t want Brandon to see us. He was engaged, looking at the table top, as the chef was telling them all something. He didn’t see us, so we ducked out. Dave stuck around and gave me some updates, like just now, “He’s eating.” I’m sure that is his favorite part! I’m so proud of him, as he definitely is not the shy one, and willing to jump into something with both feet! He is so willing to try new things, especially if it involves food! I’ll have to see what he says when he comes home! He’ll have 3 more sessions, breaking for the week that we are gone.

*Update* Dave said at the end of class, he saw Brandon shaking something onto his food, then eating. There was an older boy egging him on to do something. Later, Dave realized it was a salt shaker. WHAT?! They are supposed to be “Thriving” and there is a salt shaker? They will be getting a call from me tomorrow.

Brandon was watching some baseball this weekend, and he saw a player “Freeman”.  He shouted out, “Hey, that’s Freddie Freeman!”  We were watching the Giants game, and this guy was on the opposing team.  I asked him, “How did you know who that was?”  They hadn’t just flashed his name, stats, or anything like that, so I didn’t get it.  And it’s not like he’s an Atlanta Braves fan!  He said, “Oh, I have his baseball card.”  He knows quite a few players like that.  He’s received two packs of cards this year from his team.  I just went through a stack of cards, and Freeman wasn’t one of them.  So, I’m not sure what year he’s referring to.  Dave thinks we should give him some more cards, and maybe he’ll “Rainman” it and start memorizing stats on the back.  I think Dave likes the fact that Brandon’s getting more into baseball now!

Today, Dave got up early for a bike ride. He rode to my dad’s, while the kids and I hung out at home. Then, I got a “Where are you?” text, and I figured I’d better hurry it up. So, we loaded up the car, and headed to hang out with my dad for the day. The two dads were just hanging out, then both took showers after we’d gotten there. Our plan was to head out to lunch for my dad (and Dave), since we are going to another event tomorrow. We headed to a dumpling place, but we were 30 minutes early, since we’d gotten some wrong information on a website. Good thing I’d brought Brandon’ s baseball stuff, so we headed to a local park to throw some balls around. Unfortunately, the kids saw a structure and were more interested in that instead. So, my dad and I threw a ball around, while Dave took the kids over to the structure. My dad hasn’t thrown a ball in over 20 years, and with his “You throw like a girl comment”, I fired some at him I don’t think he’s seen me throw and catch as an adult! After some time at the park, we packed up and headed back to the restaurant. We were still a bit early, then watched as the restaurant was opened for the day. Dave ordered like he’d not eaten for a week! Since he over-ordered, we ended up taking food to go. While we were waiting at lunch, we talked about heading to the fair. The kids were excited, and it’s the first time we’d taken them to our hometown county’s fair. We went back to my dad’s to get the stroller, and then headed to the fair. The kids wanted to ride the rides, but I told them that we save that for D-land. We walked around and visited some of the pavilions, as well as the Chinese acrobats. We saw a “Monster Corn Dog” and that thing was a force to be reckoned with, seriously one of the largest I’ve ever seen! I’m glad my dad wasn’t serious about getting one, as Brandon was totally drooling over it. Peyton never took a nap, though we thought maybe she would while we were walking around. There were too many things going on for her to fall asleep. When we got home, they saw some kids playing in the street. They were teens playing football, looking out for cars, and just being silly. The kids were fascinated! One of the teens said, “It’s like they’ve never seen white people before!” I heard it, but I wasn’t sure if it was referring to us. I was sitting with them, so they wouldn’t run into the street. I was also making sure they didn’t hit our cars as they had with a few others on the street. My dad even brought the kids as popsicle so they enjoyed that while they watched the teens. We headed home after the teens went back down the street. The highlight of the fair for me was watching the pig races The kids and I climbed up the bleachers to sit down, while the dads hung out down below. We had to snake our way past those who were sitting already, and they tried to help Peyton, but she wouldn’t take the offer. She let me at least hold her hand, so I was able to guide her up there. Luckily, we made it without falling down, else, it may have been a domino effect with the three of us on top of each other. Here are the pictures from today:

Today both Dave and I took the kids to their eye exams. It’s just a routine vision check; Brandon’s annual, and Peyton’s first. Peyton’s appointment was first, and she sat in the seat, and didn’t mind the eye patch. And then her cooperation stopped. She didn’t answer for pictures, letters or E’s. The optician gave up after 5 minutes, referring her to the pediatric optician. Brandon jumped up on the chair, and he was eager to give his feedback to her. Peyton was happy to watch, and get in the exam area to see what Brandon was doing. I was talking her through the exam, and telling her how easy it was. Brandon was a good sport having all of us in there. After that, Peyton and I went to school for the field trip, while Brandon and Dave went to the Farmer’s market and then to the pharmacy. (The Farmer’s market was to kill time until the pharmacy opened). We arrived at school, and most of the kids were there already. The teachers knew I’d be there, but may be a little late. Peyton got to eat snack, potty, and get herself ready. We were paired up with Misha and Sydney, just like Peyton had been telling me! I had all their lunches ready to go, when Misha and her dad showed up. I was going to take the three newbies in the class, as Ms T wanted them to have a familiar face if it wasn’t with the teachers. We also had some seasoned parents coming in Ms T’s group – Miraya’s mom, and Nicole’s mom, who met us there. The bus ride was uneventful, and fortunately Sydney was okay with Peyton sitting by the window first. We arrived at HH park and zoo, and we found Misha’s dad. So, there were 11 kids, one teacher, and 4 parents. It was a great ratio, and all the chaperones in our group were great! We all helped each other out at different times of the day, and it was pretty well-organized! One mom commented how it is so easy to see who are the seasoned chaperones versus the newbies. I was also thankful that we were grouped together as well, commenting how much easier it was versus some other field trips I’ve been on. The kids all got along well, too, and even if they didn’t want to go on the roller coaster, they were fine to hang out in the line and watch their friends on the roller coaster without complaining and wanting to separate from the group. We took a break for lunch, which made it easier for me, since I was carrying three lunches Then, we headed for some more rides before taking another break for the puppet show. After that, we went to the play structure and each parent took a corner to block. The kids got to run around, slide, and climb before we headed out for one last ride – the carousel. Sydney and Peyton chose different animals, about 180 degrees away from one another. I left Peyton with Misha and her dad and she was fine with it, while I went to hang out with Syndey, Miraya and her mom. Sydney asked me if I was going to ride next to her, so I hopped on that animal – a fox, for firefox! I could hear Peyton’s laughter from around the bend. We gathered up again, and headed for the bus. This time, Sydney got to choose where to sit, and sat by the window. I think Peyton knows it is better to sit next to the window on the way over, because everyone ends up sleeping on the bus on the way back. And, she got a pillow in me, versus Sydney, who I had to help keep her head from bonking on the window as she slept. We knew the kids would sleep, since they were already looking drowsy after the puppet show. It was a warm day, and fortunately, they were all staying hydrated. The only tears seen were from Peyton from the day! She cried on the bus on the way over, when we were trying to count by 5′s (she’d gotten through the 10′s), and I was correcting her in front of Sydney. Then, again, when she changed her mind on the roller coaster and wanted to go after the coaster already took off with her friends. She finally calmed down, but not without her friends asking why she was crying, leading to more crying. We kept walking, while I held her hand, and she wiped her tears away. Eventually, she calmed down, and was able to enjoy the rest of her day. Without a nap, except for the 20 minute one, Peyton went down quite easily at bedtime. Brandon flopped around a bit before finally falling asleep.

There was a public service announcement on the radio, and the last thing I remember hearing was, “Remember, don’t drink and drive.” Apparently Peyton was listening as well, and she asked me, “Why don’t drink and drive? Because you might spill your drink? Because it will fall over?” I know I’ve seen that response on a t-shirt or something like that, but I doubt she’s ever seen that. So, I told her, “Yes, we don’t drink and drive because you may spill something.” She HAS spilled milk and THAT is yucky! I guess she’s learned her lesson.