Funny how you can wake up to a little bit of sun and smile. It might be cold, but the sun’s out. Luckily, Misty and I got to take a really nice, long walk before the clouds completely covered the sky.

The weather turned on us. It was cold and damp, and we all felt like getting out of the house. Problem was, everything we had previously planned was based on the sun being out. Adam suggested the Marine Science Museum since we haven’t been in almost a year, and also because the new sections were now open. It was kind of odd that he came up with this idea, because earlier in the day Ethan had mentioned that he really wanted to learn more about the rocks you could find in the ocean. Not sure where that came from, but it was a perfect random thought to weave into our day. We spent almost three hours wandering the museum, and it ended up being a great day.

After all the wandering, we were hungry and ended the day with Mexican food at El Tapatia. I truly think they are one of the better Mexican spots in Virginia Beach. Amazing pork carnitas, great queso dip, super chunky guacamole and freshly made tortillas. So good that it didn’t matter that it was a dinner that totally blew the calories I walked off earlier in the day. It happens, right?

Tomorrow the weatherman has predicted cloudy, but in the 60′s. I won’t hold my breath for those warm temperatures. It will probably be rainy and 40. If it is, I already have an alternate plan. A day of football for Adam. Avatar or The Tooth Fairy for me and Ethan. Oh, and a nice long walk to burn those buttered popcorn calories that I cannot do without whenever I go to a movie.

I’ve got my umbrella ready. Just in case.

I love how Christmas and New Year’s Day fell on a Friday this year.  Adam took off Wednesday and Thursday, and we had a full five days of family time.  Tonight Cristin and Justin came over and Adam and I got some adult time together.  It was an early evening, but a fun one.  We’ve already made plans to go out for breakfast in the morning, Adam will watch the Eagles/Cowboys game at 4ish and Ethan and I will either shop or go see a movie together.  And then it’s back to school and a routine on Monday.  I am sooooo not looking forward to that because we’ve had such a great holiday.

And I am still recovering…

If you want to see the pics, go here.

We had an early game today, and will have a repeat of that for the next two weeks. Up at 6:30, out the door at 7:00, on the fields by 7:30 and game started at 8:00. And we WON! The kids did great today.

For the first time in my life, I honestly look forward to Mondays.   Yes, I miss my little guy while he’s at school, but he loves it and I think Mondays are good days for him, too.  We had a fabulous, fantastic, amazing weekend, but I still looked forward to today.  I am enjoying my walks on the beach every day during the week. The sunshine, the salt air, the laughs with one of my best childhood friends.  We’re walking over six miles a day now, and rather than feeling tired and sore from so much walking, I feel relaxed, refreshed and healthy.  Today couldn’t have been any better.

I came home from walking, ate a grapefruit, caught up with a few things around the house and then it was time to pick Ethan up from school.  I love taking him and picking him up from school.  I love how he rushes into my arms every afternoon and tells me he missed me, even if he didn’t.  And I love that I got an e-mail from school that I’d been selected to be the room representative for his class.  I signed up for it weeks ago, and got a note from the volunteer chairperson that his teacher had specifically asked for me.  I am sure Ethan’s teachers from last year put in a good word for me.  I’m the “what do you want, what don’t you want” kind of mom.  Never pushy, just tell me what  you want and I’ll take care of it.  My mom, the teacher, taught me how to be a good parent at school.

We got home from school and I got dinner ready, fed Ethan, helped with his homework and then he and Adam headed outside for their daily soccer drill time.  Adam is enjoying soccer as much as Ethan is, and each day the two of them work on the basics for about an hour.  After their outdoor time, the two of them headed to Target for a few things and came home with a very cool, much more grown up costume for Ethan.  I really didn’t want Ethan to wear a pre-fab costume this year, but they found something super scary and they were both beaming over it when they walked in the door, so who could be mad at that?  It’s some scary skeleton thing that has a chest piece that pumps blood.  I am just thankful that we’re not wearing some stupid character like previous years.

Today zoomed by.  The good days always do.

We had a really fun day today. A long day of soccer, but the kids played well today. They lost by two goals but there were 14 goals scored, which made for an exciting game. Ethan’s doing really well, and improves every week. This is really his first season of playing. He played one season when he was three, but we all know what three year old soccer games are like. He runs the entire game, and although he’s the smallest kid on the field, he’s not afraid to get in there and go after any ball, against any player. I call him Tenacious E. He and Adam have been practicing the basics every evening, and it showed on the field today. I love watching how each week he gains a better understanding of the game. He knew he did well today, and his confidence keeps growing. Cristin and her boyfriend came out to watch Ethan play today, and that really meant a lot to Ethan. He loved the support.

After the game, we headed to my parents and had pizza and salad. We hung over there for a bit, and then headed home and just hung out. The dinner hour was approaching and I decided I wanted to make fajitas. Big mistake. Had you asked me three hours if it was a good idea, I would have been bragging my ass off over how good they were. Now I know what foods bother me. Cooked onions and peppers! Oh my gosh! I thought I was dying. I immediately grabbed the baking soda, put several teaspoons in a glass of water and drank it. After about 30 minutes, I started feeling like I was going to survive, and now I think I’ve made it.

Adam is golfing tomorrow, and it looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day. I promised Ethan we’d go to the beach. He’s been quite jealous of all the time I’ve been spending at the oceanfront lately, and is dying to get into the water. I’ve also got to buy that kid a surfboard. He’s been saving his money for one, especially after watching last weeks surf competition. I think we might get him a softboard for Christmas. I’ve been reading up on them, and realize that will be the best thing for him to really learn on.

Other than these few things, I’ve got nothing else for you.

Ethan had his first soccer game at 9:30, and did incredibly well.  They tied 3-3, and we were pretty proud of him since this really was his first game.  Speed, tenacity and amazing endurance count for a lack of experience in Ethan’s case.

After the game, we headed to my parents’ house, and ordered pizza and wings for lunch.  Once again, he lost another tooth at my mom’s house.  As we were heading out the door, we discovered the Tooth Fairy visited and dropped a $5 bill and three $1 bills in the living room and on the front steps.  Tonight, the Tooth Fairy will make another visit at our house.  Ethan is now forced to try and eat with three top teeth missing.

We got home and debated whether to hit the fishing pier or play putt-putt in the evening.  Putt-putt won out, and I did a little too much bragging lying about my skills as the fomer Jr. State Putt-Putt champ.  I lost to Adam by fourt strokes, but I did have a couple of amazing long putts.

On the way home we stopped for dinner, and then came home and watched a marathon of Silent Library on MTV, one of the few shows the three of us all enjoy.

We took a day trip to Kings Dominion today. Adam bought the tickets over a month ago, and they were good for today only. We really lucked out on both the weather and the crowds. When we arrived there were about 30 cars in the parking lot, and although it was a little cloudy for the first part of the day, the sun did come out and the temps were in the mid-70s. And yet it rained all day at home. It was truly a perfect day with no lines on ANY rides. Ethan had a total blast and said it was the best day of the summer.

You can see more pics here.