'Soaking' It Up In Downtown Greenville!

Last weekend we decided to try out Papi's Tacos downtown, located on River Street. We knew Callen would be getting tired soon, and didn't want to risk having a melt down or a super fidgety child in a restaurant. We were able to order food (which was pretty yummy!) and take it outside along the river front to eat. Cal ate his share while doing some serious people watching! Once finished, he got down and found his way back to the fountains which are right beside the restaurant. (While I was waiting on the food to be ready, Doug had taken Cal outside to wait. He spotted the fountains then, so we had to sit and eat around the corner from them so he wouldn't be tempted to go back while we were eating.) As soon as we were finished eating, he made a bee line back to them! 

At first he was simply touching the water with his hands, and then drawing them back to him. However, Cal quickly warmed up to the fountains, and before I knew it, he was walking right through the sprays! This wouldn't have been so bad except that this was the first day it had been cold enough to think about wearing long sleeves. I had decided to pack a jacket for Callen...thank goodness. This was the first time I did not pack an extra pair of clothes for him. We were trying to save space since we were on our bikes, and didn't want to have a bunch of extras (and I never need to change his clothes). My bad! After his water adventure, we headed straight to the bathroom, changed his diaper, and put on his hoodie jacket. We had one classy child...hooded jacket, diaper, and shoes...running around Falls Park. Needless to say our time downtown was cut a little bit short as Cal's lips started turning purple!

He loved playing in the water. I am sad we did not do this sooner with Cal. We could have spent many hours during the hot days playing and cooling off in the fountains. I am hoping for another warm day or two before we move fully into fall...although I am not sure since we have been in pants and long sleeves several days this week. If not, there's always next year!

Grandparent Love

Cal loves spending time with his grandparents. Any chance we get, we try and get Cal to see his them all. He definitely sees my dad and Malinda more often because of their proximity (all of 2.5 miles down the road!). Getting together with Doug's parents is a little more difficult, but we do our best to get together at least every 4-6 weeks. 

Cal doesn't do much cuddling with his grandparents (unless he is sleeping or sick). He either plays with them, or around them...if they are in his way and aren't playing with him, then he will just go around them!!! The comment I hear most often is that Cal makes them tired just watching him play! 

****Disclaimer**** Because my dad and Malinda live so close, and we do stuff with my family so often, I have been really bad about taking pictures with them. When we go visit Ken and Jan (Oupa and Nana) or Charley and Linda (Grand Chuck and Inder), I am much more likely to take pictures. I apologize in advance for the lack of Steve and Malinda (Papa and Mimi Malinda) pics.

I love boat rides with Nana and Oupa...let me drive!

The one and only cuddling photo since Cal has been mobile...ear infection and fever brought him to a halt!

Oooooo Oupa! You are funny

Helping Grand Chuck drill in deck boards

Watching the trains with Inder

Snuggle Time!

Cal loves his Papa...and Papa's phone, glasses, pens...

One of my favorite pictures of Callen and Mimi M

Cal's face lights up and a big smile comes across his face when he sees any one of his grandparents, whether in person or through FaceTime. I am so glad for the technology these days because I feel Cal is able to know his grandparents better than I knew mine, and they are better able to keep up with his new 'tricks'. Their love for Callen is wonderful! I look forward to each one visiting in order to spend time with them...and let them see first hand how wild this child can be (and that I am not exaggerating!).

Our Little Helper

These days, Callen wants to imitate everything Doug and I are doing. If we throw a ball, he picks it up, and tries to throw it. If Doug is brushing his hair, Callen will grab a similar object and act like he is brushing his hair, or wait until Doug is done with the brush and use it. It is great that he is taking so much interest in what we are doing. 

As it closer to dinner and bed time, Callen becomes increasingly fussy (like most kids, right???). He is constantly clinging to my legs, wanting to be held, or crying for attention. In order to help with the crying, Doug started taking Cal into the basement to empty the dehumidifier, and thenthey go outside to dump the water. Callen was always wanting to carry the 5 gallon buckets, so Doug got out Cal's beach bucket for him to use. Now the two of them walk around the yard and water plants and spray the ferns on the front porch. Cal thinks anytime Doug is going into the basement, he needs to go with him. He about has an all out crying fit if Doug goes without him.

The other day I took Callen into the basement with me to get laundry. He went straight to the water buckets, and tried to carry them. I filled his bucket with water and took him outside to water the plants. He went right to the plants Doug and him normally water. He then walked up onto the front porch because he knows the ferns are the next thing to be watered. So funny how much he knows and remembers.

Our floors stay a mess! Between Doug and me, we must sweep the floors in the kitchen and eating area at least 3x/day. Callen must feel since he makes some all of the mess, he should help with the sweeping!

Working hard

Sweeping it all into the dust pan

Making sure he got it all!

Mommy, I'm all done!!

When I'm in the kitchen trying to cook or do anything, I have 2 little feet right under me. Doug and I have both about fallen on top of Cal because he appears at your feet before you know it. Most of the time I can keep him occupied with the tupperware drawer or some other cabinet. He pulls out every pot, pan, and lid there is. His favorite is the spice rack. He loves to pull out the spices and shake them. Most of the time they end up all over the floor (hence the sweeping 3x/day!). Cal just wants to be involved, but I wasn't able to let him be up on the counter with me, and I can't cook with him on my hip. Then I saw the greatest thing ever that my sister's friend made for her little girl...an activity tower. Doug built one for Cal this past weekend, and I am loving it. He is able to be counter height with me, secured, and he can act like he is cooking with me...or at least see what is going on. This is going to be a lifesaver down the road, and so much fun for Cal as he is able to do more in the kitchen with me. If he starts getting fussy, I ask him if he wants to help. He jumps into my arms, and loves to be at my level to help!

Helping mommy cook dinner

I hope Callen is excited to help with chores and other projects around the house as he gets older. It is wonderful to see how excited he gets when he realizes he did something like Doug or me. He claps and gets a big grin on his face. I know that Doug and me are enjoying having someone think we are pretty awesome and wanting to do everything like us!

Labor Day Fun and Birthday Celebration

Doug's birthday is September 2nd. Because it fell around Labor Day this year, he decided to take off work Friday (and Monday for the holiday). We had a great 4 day weekend to spend together and celebrate Doug's birthday!

We started the weekend off by going to the BMW Performance Center to watch the Handcycling Relay as part of the Paracycling Road World Championships being held in Greenville, August 27-September 1. This event brought over 40 nations together to compete for the World Champion in each of the classifications. There are several classifications of racers based on the handicap of the athlete. Each time we attended the races, we saw handcyclists (athletes who have lower limb impairments). There were also visually impaired riders who rode tandem, cyclists on trikes for added stability, and cyclists who can ride a 'normal' bike but unable to compete with able bodied individuals because of a physical impairment. It was amazing to watch the level at which these athletes compete, let alone do it with a handicap. Being a PT, it made me appreciate even more how good these athletes are, knowing what kind of physical, mental, and emotional obstacles they have had to overcome to get to where they are. Truly amazing! We saw more race action on Monday when we attended the road race at the Millenium Campus.

Trying to stay hydrated...

and cool!

On Friday, we headed up to Sky Top Orchard (a fall favorite activity for us!). We have been trying to find other places to go since Sky Top can get sooooo crowded on the weekends in the fall. However, we figured it wouldn't be too bad since it was a weekday and most kids would be in school. We were right, and only one of about 30 or so people up there. We enjoyed picking apples...Callen even picked one off the tree! He liked eating the apples more than picking. He probably ate part of about 5 apples in 30 minutes! We were able to walk over and see the goats and sheep, and then walk down and see the geese. Cal didn't care too much for the geese and all the noise they made. We had a nice picnic lunch while Cal ran around before heading home. We stayed home the rest of the afternoon, and cooked up homemade fish and chips (one of Doug's favorites!) that evening.

Pulling the wagon...he didn't want to pull his own wagon; just the big one!

Picking his own apple

Eating...

Eating another...

and another...

and another...

and another. Love the family pic with the apple!

Checking out the goats and sheep

Staying a little father back from the geese

Telling Doug all about the animals

Saturday was the start of college football, so we stayed inside and watched football most all day! We had a few people over on Saturday afternoon to watch the Clemson game. It wasn't the outcome we were hoping for, but it was fun hanging out with friends and cheering on the Tigers. We have taught Cal to raise his arms overhead like a touchdown when we say 'Go Clemson Tigers' and 'Touchdown Clemson!' My personal favorite is how he feels about the Gamecocks at such a young age (I guess we are teaching the boy right at an early age!!).

Tiger Spirit

Taking turns pushing each other! Cal loves Stella!

We love hiking in the fall, but between football season and shrimpin' season, it is hard to get it all in. So, we decided to go hiking on Sunday. That is one of the things Doug had high on his list for things he wanted to do for his birthday. Well, there is a reason hiking is best in the fall...it was sooooo hot on Sunday. We tried a new trail and didn't follow directions well to start, so we ended up hiking a mile (in the wrong direction and uphill) before realizing our mistake and turning around. The hike, Lee Falls, is not maintained by a park or forest service, so it is pretty grown over in some areas. Doug had Cal on his back in the pack, and it was tricky to get through certain areas. We finally had to turn around before getting to the falls. We were both hot, tired, and not able to get Cal through some of the areas in order to make it to the falls. We will have to go back to the hike in a few years when Cal is able to walk on his own! He did enjoy our pit stop at a shaded area by the stream. He was quite content splashing in the water.

We went to the Paracycling Championships Monday morning, and then went downtown to celebrate my brother's birthday. He and Liz are renting a studio apartment at the Field House in downtown Greenville. They have a patio/balcony overlooking the Greenville Drive stadium. Callen was able to 'go to' his first baseball game. He watched the baseball game for about 2 minutes before he got down and started running around. He had more fun playing with Ella and the ball and bat he found.

Happy Birthday, Da-Dad!! We had a great weekend celebrating with Doug. It was so nice for Doug to be off for 4 days, and be able to play instead of having to worry about chores and projects. Family time has always been important to Doug and me. We try and spend as much time as we can with our families, whether in person, on the phone, or by FaceTime these days. Now that we have Callen, I see more and more how important family time is in developing and growing bonds with your kids. Cal loves his evening time with us, and we look forward to that time with him. It's really nice to be able to have four full days with the 3 of us together!