Sick Sunday

Levi was starting to feel under the weather on this Sunday before Audy's birthday. He ended up eating lunch, walking to the couch, and falling asleep before we knew it.

Here was the progression of the nap.

Come On!

Levi has done really well in church school this week. We get a paper every day with check marks indicating how he did that day, and there is usually a note of "Great Day!" or something like that on the paper, too. Today's note also said, "Very sweet boy!" Let's hope and pray that continues.

Yesterday after church school, Levi and I played outside - which seems to be becoming our habit. I finally got him to come inside - it's still very hot out there - and we played upstairs for a few minutes before he requested to watch some golf. We watched Phil's 2004 Masters win and then the 2010 Masters win. Then, Levi saw another video on the sidebar of YouTube that he requested to watch Phil's Backward Shot (you can use the link to watch it too).

This is Levi's rendition.

First Day

Today was Levi's first day of school. Yesterday was actually the first day for the rest of the school, but we hadn't been able to make it to the doctor to get another form filled out until yesterday. We were also able to find a nap mat while we were out for the doctor's visit, which is an essential item at his "school". This school again isn't really a school for his age group - it's a Mother's Day Out program, but we tell Levi it is school. He thinks he's like Daddy since they're both going to school.


Kevin got him ready this morning, and I asked him to take some pictures of Levi and of Levi with his backpack. The backpack is supplied by the school, so all the kids have the exact same ADULT-size backpack. It is convenient because there is so much room, but it is huge!

Kevin said it almost toppled Levi over - I had stuffed the nap mat inside. Without the nap mat, the lunchbox fits inside the backpack easily.


I got to pick him up today, and his teacher said he did great and that he is very sweet. Hopefully, that behavior will continue and that "terrible two" child, who we're starting to see on occasion, won't make an appearance. The note that was in his folder even said he took a "long nap" - not sure how long "long" is, but I was really afraid he wouldn't do well on a nap mat in a room with other kids. I guess he played so hard that the distractions just weren't enough.

Ouch!

Levi and I got home Friday night after my last week in Augusta for a while (hopefully). Not that we had a bad trip, mind you. We stayed with Nana and Papa - and they took very good care of us. But, there's just something to be said about your own bed, your own shower, your own kitchen... Levi had a wonderful time, spending the days with Nana, Papa, and DeeDee. I, on the other hand, found myself gone from the house for over twelve hours every day. Not exactly a fun week for me. I missed Levi like crazy during the day. Kevin didn't go with us this time, because school has started for him. Levi and I missed him, too.

We got home on Friday evening, went to dinner (Levi wanted a quesadilla), and played upstairs. Unfortunately, as Levi catapulted himself toward the bookshelf for another book, he landed chin first on the bottom shelf. He cried. Kevin held him. He bled. I held him. He cried. We put a cold washcloth on it. His crying began to subside. We read to him. He sniffled. We put ice on his lips and chin. He sniffled some more. We watched Chuggington and then Oso, while I kept the ice on his boo-boo. The results?

Not too pretty - and these were taken almost twenty-four hours after the fall. But, our boy is a trooper. He looks at himself in the mirror and says, "I got boo-boo." And then pretends to sniffle.

What's Your Name? Part 2

Last weekend, Levi learned his first and last name! No more, "Me!" He cannot pronounce the "L" of Levi, so it sounds more like, "E-vi", but he says our last name perfectly. He is also very good at saying that he's two when you ask; although he has not mastered holding up two fingers on one hand yet. He usually likes to hold up both pointer fingers while he says "two".

Last week, we were back in Augusta for my work. Levi was very excited to see Nana, Papa, and DeeDee. Overall, the week went well. Levi also had a trip to see Ms. Debbie (his one and only barber, so far). He was excited to see her too. We were thankful that we had a chance to visit with Kevin's family, even though I did have to work through most of the visit.

I've written before about Levi's terrible reaction to "new" bathtubs, but he has been doing extremely well lately. The trick? At least one cup in the tub to use.

Kevin talked his mom into coming back with us for this week, so that he can get ready for school. Then, Levi, Nana, and I will head back to Augusta for another week of work there for me. That's the week that Kevin will officially start school. Levi will start school the following Monday. Hard to believe that school is almost here.

Family Vacation

I took last Friday and this past Monday off from work, and we headed for a family vacation in Chattanooga. Daddy had never been, but we thought it would be a fun place to take Levi. We had a really great time. We headed straight for the Tennessee Valley Railroad when we arrived in Chattanooga on Friday.


Levi didn't want to let go of his ticket once we handed it to him.

His favorite part of the ride was when we rode through a tunnel and the man telling us all about the train and the area surrounding the railroad tracks turned off the light. Levi is still talking about the "dark tunnel"!

We went to Rock City and Ruby Falls on Saturday. Kevin took the pictures with his camera, so I have none to share right now.

On Sunday, we rode the Incline Railroad and then went to the Tennessee Aquarium. Levi did so well at the Aquarium. He walked around almost the entire time, holding my hand, unless I put him next to a "window" like below. He was very interested in the turtles and enjoyed "finding Nemo". He also liked putting his hand in the touch tanks; although he was so short that he didn't get to actually touch any of the fish.


The hotel where we stayed had a pool, so we went swimming Saturday and Sunday nights. On Sunday night, another family was at the pool who had twin little girls. Levi wanted to "play together". He also wanted to copy them when they were practicing floating with their mom. The back of his head would barely get wet - his feet in the air like he was a jack-knife - and he'd say, "Mama, I floating!" The pride and satisfaction on his face were priceless, and as any mama would do, I said, "Yes, Levi, you are!"

Levi's Favorites

A couple of Levi's favorite things that he's learned about since spending so much time with Daddy with summer.


Yes, he said, "Chewbacca"!


Who would have thought a two year old would like Uncle Jesse the best?

Second Birthday Party

Today was Levi's second birthday party. It was a golf theme (of course), and his aunts made the cake and cupcakes. Tic-tacs for little golf balls, upside down chocolate chips for holes, Rice Krispy treats for the big golf balls. They are so creative, and I thought it all turned out incredibly!


A picture of Levi with the bakers/decorators.


I don't know how well you can see Levi's face in this next picture, but it was priceless. Daddy took the picture while everyone sung, "Happy Birthday" to Levi. He grinned so big the entire time everyone sang. His big eyes went from person to person watching them as they sang. You would have thought that we'd given him the moon. It was so precious!


Levi liked the cupcakes and homemade ice cream, too.



We had a great time at his party. Thanks to all who came - for making Levi's second birthday party so special.

Some of My Favorites

There are a few things that Levi says that I think are just adorable. Okay, maybe more than "a few", but Daddy recorded these two on Levi's second birthday.

This one he picked up from Audy and one of her friends, Lacey. Here's his version of "How you doing?" Do you hear that extra "n" - "How do-nin?" It just makes me smile.


I can't remember the exact story for how he started saying this, but I think it is too funny. "I busy!"

Second Birthday

Levi woke up this morning and opened one present - a Rains family tradition that is now a Hughes family tradition - his first golf glove. To say that he was excited about this present is probably an understatement.


Then we took Levi to Alabama Adventure (combo of theme park and water park).


While in the theme park, Daddy rode two roller coasters while Levi and I watched. Then Daddy and I took turns riding rides with Levi.


This picture is from our trip on the Ferris Wheel - the only ride all three of us could do together.


At the water park, Levi rode down slides with me and Daddy. He wasn't excited to ride the lazy river, so we spent the majority of our time in the kids' area.


We took Levi to Jason's Deli (kids eat free on Tuesdays!) for dinner, and then he opened a few more presents. This is his "happy" face.


This is his happy face with his Drive, Putt, and Chip golf trainer. Mama's favorite choice because he can still use a driver inside without balls ricocheting around the entire room.