"Take my picture Mommy!"

"Okay!"

You Light Up My Life

Okay. You got me. I am totally sitting here watching the new season of So You Think You Can Dance (WAHOOOO!) and they played a certain song that probably, totally inspired this post's title. But seriously. My family TOTALLY lights up my life! Cheesy cheesy cheesy. So what! They do!

Brian stayed home this morning in order to come to Caleb's last swim lesson. His previous lesson didn't end so well, considering that Caleb became terrified of falling off the new platform and going to the bottom of the pool. Heartbreaking right? But we worked through that and Caleb arrived today with his Spidey swimsuit and matching goggles and towel in hand (all his choice). He faced and conquered his fears and made his Mommy and Daddy so proud of him! He is a great little swimmer and he will go far!

His reward? An afternoon with Grammy and Pop. They claim to be in Alford withdrawal and we are in Grammy, Pop and Chai withdrawal. Caleb walked in their door, ran after Chai, tucked her into a massive hug and declared "I missed you so much Chai!" Eight days in a condo together did not make us sick of each other. What a blessing! Thanks for a great afternoon Mom and Dad!

He loves his spidey! And he rocks those goggles!

Loving on that platform today! But notice the grip!

The perfect endnote!

"Put on the goggles Grammy so that I can spray you in the face!"

(you know Grammy loves her dude when she obliges despite a longstanding dislike of water in the face!)

Welcome home Sharkie!

Grammy's reward for water in the face.

Oh, and P.S. Sharkie loves his new home! Just as salty without all of the waves!

What to do?

Tell me if you have this problem. What to do with the sometimes overwhelming amount of stuffed animals that a young child accumulates? Despite multiple purges a year, our dude's toy chest remains very full. Don't get me wrong. We are thankful, so take no offense! And while I honestly have those days that I wish I had the space for other things, there are just as many days that their uses make them more than worthwhile. Case in point, yesterday was a Spiderman Party. The dude's idea. He was the perfect host too. Perhaps he is picking up on his Mommy and Daddy's love for hosting parties and friendly get-togethers?

 The office made a perfect party spot!

Serving Snow Monster. Such a great host!

Yes, he is at the goofy picture-taking stage! Totally okay!

Cooking for his friends. I got a bottle of ketchup, aka really hot pepper sauce Mommy.

This was back in January for a Trevor playdate. This time the stuffed animals took part in a safari. This was base camp.

Trevor didn't want the hat, but he grabbed a flashlight and they hunted down all sorts of friends!

So, I guess I really am all for that sometimes overwhelming amount of stuffed animals hidden in Caleb's toychest. They add hours of delight to days stuck indoors. What next? Perhaps an underwater adventure?