Happy Memorial Day

The Big Playdate

Today's big playdate was at Samuel's house. Cade, Connor, Harry, Samuel, Sam and Will. Brownies, volcanos, Battleforce 5.
Later, we played "Step to it" with baby sister who is super supportive of even the smallest victories ("Yaaay for Mommy!), followed by Star Wars Episode 5, snuggled up with Blanket and two snoedels.
Oh, to be a 6 year old boy!

35 going on 34

Mommy, how old would you be if you weren't going backwards?

Bedtime Invasion

Kevin was out on another bike ride, so of course Ainsley didn't want to go to sleep. Harry was kind enough to let her invade his bedtime and play in his room for a while. He even allowed her to play with his Legos with her Tinkerbell fairies.

But when you're done playing the fairies have to come out. 'Cause it isn't going to be the fairy house forever.

And there you have it!

Rule #1

While Kevin was out on his bike ride, Harry, Ainsley and I trekkd up to Clemyjontri Park to meet Mikki & Tyler, map in hand. Oh, right...Parkway's closed for said bike ride...now what? Awesome! There's a Chain Bridge Road sign...that Harry "Mr. Direction" McDermott helped steer me onto. A few miles in...are you kidding me? Chain Bridge was closed! What?! So, I did what felt right , and somehow got lucky. Pulled into the park right behind Mikki at 9:59! Asked Harry if he realized we figured it out because of Rule #1: Remain Calm. "I wasn't so calm." Oh. How 'bout that.

Harry’s 6

Okay, we've obviously fallen a bit behind in the updates category. It's been very busy over the last few days/weeks/months. From a week at Disney for Harry's first running race (the Royal Family Run during the Princess Half-Marathon), to weekends full of swim lessons, soccer games, karate belt-tests, and lacrosse clinics, to 2 weeks of grandmotherly visits from both sides of the family, crossing over with my own first week away from everyone for an entire week (on very short notice).

Literally in the midst of all of this, Harry turned 6. There was quite a celebration at home mid-week, but also a full-blown "double" karate party at the dojo. Mr. O was kind enough to host a second-wave party for the late arrivals due to a major tee-ball conflict.

Kim continues to lament over Harry's shift from imaginative play to… whatever the clinical term it is that she's indicated he's in now. Personally, my untrained eye doesn't see it. I think he's playing more than ever, with his friends, with his sister, and on his own. Granted, there seems to be a lot more realistic play… which is to say there seems to be much more reality-based play as opposed to fantasy type things (cars, trucks, and planes as opposed to dragons, knights, and animals), but again, this is my untrained eye.

His physical prowess and athletic ability continues to develop. He's found his niche in Soccer, playing a lot of defense, and playing with great intention and focus. He's not the one who's going to out-move everyone on the field for the big goal, but he is very good at running down the play, and clearing the ball, and actually looks for pass opportunities. May not seem like a big deal, but not everyone is doing that yet.

Swimming still seems to be a bit of a challenge, but one-on-one lessons with Mr. Leon at the Y are apparently helping a lot. Still have some things to work on, but it's all with the plan of passing his test at the Pool this summer, so he can go off on his own with the rest of his friends.

Harry continues to excel with his Karate, recently achieving Orange Belt status. His excitement, discipline and accomplishment are recognized by both his instructors and us at home, however channeling that into things like cleaning his room, are still up for discussion.

Lacrosse has been a new sport for Harry this Summer. We had tried playing a bit on our own at home, but this is the first time he's getting some outside instruction with a large group of kids (something like 50 in the whole program). It's still up for debate who's actually having more fun… Harry playing & learning, or me coaching.

We're shortly going to be ending up Kindergarten and moving on to our first summer of camps. It promises to be an interesting time, for all of us. As well, Little Sister is on the verge of stepping into her 2^nd phase of Big Brother's legacy at Abra, which should be just as much fun.