Memorial Day 2011

We had a great, relaxing Memorial Day weekend with Collin and family. I was able to take Friday off as pay-back for too much travel (I rewarded myself, but my boss was on the golf course and didn't care). So we hung out at home, with our only big outing to the library and park.

Friday marked the first time Collin checked out books at the library. I'm delighted to say that he's no longer eating books, so I decided it was time for some free variety and our library has a decent selection of toddler board books. With a book in hand as we drove home, I listened to Collin read to himself, which is mostly babbling, but an occasional "roar" from familiar-looking dinosaurs.

And on the topic of not putting things in his mouth, there's another item missing from Collin - his pacifier! I decided it was time to wean. When I was reading all the books when pregnant, I was sure he would be weaned from the pacifier between 6 months - 12 months. We're a little late and he isn't loving the process, but it's going pretty well. We'll see if Cas keeps it up when I'm out of town the next two weeks . . .

Saturday I took my first golf lesson, a skill I'm hoping only to develop for work, though it would be fun at some point to join Cas for a round (or 9 holes) of golf. Anyway, as expected I'm terrible. About 1/3 of my swings either missed the ball completely or hit 99% grass. I tried to remember just 3 things - position of my thumbs when I swung back, turning my hips, and watching the ball . . . but clearly I forgot that last one quite a bit considering I'd swing and miss at an embarrassing rate!

Sunday we were SO BLESSED to hear from our Sunday School leader, who had just returned from Ethiopia, about God's greatness in the adoption of his two children. Jay's testimony that as it says in Prov 21:1 - The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases - they were able to obtain the necessary paperwork in a day to bring their children home. We were blown away and praying for God to give us hearts that love orphans as He does.

After church and a nap, we threw Collin in his swim gear and took him to Great Aunt Debbie's for a pool party. He was immediately snatched by Grandpa Brownie, though he hadn't quite woken up yet -
Into the pool where, still slightly dazed, he splashed and kicked, but mostly clung to Grammy or me.

Sunday night Collin went home with Grammy and Brownie while Cas and I joined our friends for a Memorial Day party that went past Collin's bedtime. Grandpa Brownie decided my car needed to be washed - it did - and so Collin joined in on the work.

Monday we slept until 9:30, had a lazy morning complete with breakfast tacos, and then Cas and I went to the driving range so I could show off my learnings. After that it was time to pick up Collin from Grammy and Brownie's and head home. Grammy and Brownie, in typical grandparent fashion, raved about how perfect Collin was with them overnight, despite his 6:20am wake-up time on Monday. Of course he behaves perfectly if given everything he wants, a prerogative of grandparents (except the pacifier, they supported me on that)!