One, two, three, four, FIVE . . .

Dadoo... will you teach me to blow a bubble. Sure thing son, here... have all 5 pieces. Tell you what, my boy lets no offer like that pass him by. Wrappers flew everywhere and soon his joules were filled with a sugary wod of Hubba Bubba Island Punch. Chew after chew after chew and a quick time laps of 5 plus minutes the bubble blowing lesson began. Ok Xaine, I want you to watch and try doing exactly as I do. Fwatten owt your goom and twy pwessing it between your tongue and tweeth wike dwis (what ... you didn’t catch that... oh... sorry... guess I should have spit out my wod first) K… now pull your tongue back a bit, part your teeth and breathe out slowly. I managed a bubble my first try (woo who go me). Xaine, on the other hand, produced a fairly good amount of spit, slobber and drool and ultimately, with a very red face from trying to blow with his lips clinched shut, achieved impressive distance as his gum wod shot across the room. My boy is no quitter though, so he utilized the 5 sec rule and continued practicing. Each time with a little less salivation and fewer wod launches until… BUBBLE!!!!!! …………
1 MISSISSIPPI, 2 MISSI…. POP!!! That was the end of his bubble and the beginning of a nice facial mask. Proud of himself, he wanted to continue to work at refining his newly discovered skill. So I left him to his fun. Now I’m sure you have all heard of instances where gum is on the soul of a shoe, smashed into the carpet or even the ever so dreaded waking up with it in ones hair… but how about this? As I came back to check on how he was fairing I encountered him sitting ever so peacefully with his back to me and what seems to be an additional layering to his epidermis.

Curiosities taking hold I just had to ask what happened. Xaine, turning and momentarily flasheing that cute smirk of his, said “What…I was playing jump rope with it” …

Bubble gum is free, free, free,
Please give some to me, me, me.
I am clever, not a dunce,
How many can I chew at once?
One, two, three, four, FIVE . . . .

Over the River…and through the Woods?

Cruising north on I95, Firestar’s windows down and the air mussing through our hair, Xaine I had embarked on what was to be a short (15 min) drive to the Citi sponsored ‘Summerfest’ at Metro Park. Just over St. Johns River in the downtown redevelopment area, right off the Sports Complex exit, you can’t miss it. Guess what folks… You can miss it and… we did. We must have been rocking out to some great tunes because before we knew it we had gone over 3 rivers and were in the midst of the M. Night Shyamalan Woods. Realizing we had obviously driven way too far (no, we did not see the “Welcome to Georgia” sign) we broke the male stereotype and asked for directions. After “Flipping a BE-A-CH” and enjoying the scenery from a southbound aspect we finally arrived. Passing beyond the Citi banner we found ourselves in a realm of waterslides, carnival games/rides, rock walls and what seemed to me the most popular attraction… “LINES”. As to not feel left out we quickly assimilated into a “line” and after chatting it up with those around us we soon (about 30mins later) found our way to the front and were awarded with two pretty pink (yes we are secure men) cotton candy’s. We noshed on those through our next “line” where we received refreshing snow cones. While I went for the Green, Xaine being the inquisitive child he is was amazed to learn that Red+Orange+Green+Purple= Brown and yet when absorbed by one’s taste buds it result in a very vibrant tongue. Feeling ambitious after a few of these “lines” we thought we would tackle the monster of them all.. the Rock Climbing Wall. Estimated waiting time from this point is 1 hour. No problem for us line pros. So we waited, and waited and waited… until YES.. we were next. Proud of our “line” waiting accomplishment I looked down at Xaine just in time to see his lips gesture “Um, Dadoo.. I’ve changed my mind, I want to do that instead” and with that statement and a heavy tug at my hand I was dislodged from the “line” and on my way towards what appeared to be a color changing devices for humans? You take a seat in one of 6 carts, turn a wheel in the center creating rapid rotation and upon exiting the ride your flesh tone ranges from a pasty white to various shades of Green. My son passed up the Rock Wall for this? What is a Dadoo to do? As there was no “line” for this contraption (wonder why), we sat in our cart, spun the wheel and upon exiting Xaine was a vibrant white, nauseous and kind of lethargic child. When asked if he wanted to do it again he very politely expressed “NO THANK YOU”. With the sun swiftly setting we walked around a bit and then as the last rays of light were taken over by the night I lifted Xaine upon my shoulders and we watched the skies as Fireworks burst and glimmered (no line required for that event). Another great night on the East Coast.

“Eh, Shaka Brah.”

If it wasn’t obvious that Xaine has my genetics through that handy gap between his toes, the unique puzzle piece eye’s and lets not forget that relatively good sized “Y” chromosome… get this boy near the ocean and there is no mistaking it... He's my BOY!!! Monday – Friday may be all School and pool but come the weekends he is a total Beach Bum. Right off of Beach Blvd at the JAX Beaches has been our primary east coast hang out thus far.

With its white sand, warm water and moderate wave breaks it’s just perfect for him to practice his body surfing. This boy is relentless with determination and energy, even after being “Rag Dolled” and slurping up a “Neptune Cocktail” he’ll just stand up, wipe the water from his face, his hair from around his ears and head back out into the ocean for another ride.

After a good 3-4 hours of non stop fun in the sun it’s time to nosh at Xaine’s favorite JAX Beach local “Joe’s Crab Shack”. He say’s he likes the food and continuous refills of soda, but I think he just enjoys the scenery (tell ya what; I have left that beach on few weekends with a case of whip lash). Now...You tell me.. think any woman could resist that shy, "Who me..." demeanor?

Once filled and finished flirting it’s either a walk back out out of Joe’s doors onto the beach or a short (only 15min) drive back home...

Ohhhhh....

Isn't my tuckered out Beach Boy so cute?

What Are Little Boys Made Of?

Ever wonder what the effects of a highly humid state like Florida and a few weeks of swimming in a clorinated (or Clorox as Xaine referes to it) pool would have on a 5 year old boy’s body. Well here you have it.

Ok, ok.. before any of you panic and put your kids in a plastic bubble, I’m pretty sure this is just a temparay side effect from Xaines decision to discard the Lick-A-Stick in his Fun Dip candy package and use his finger instead.

Unless us boys really are made up of snips and snails……..?

X-A-I-N-E

Crazy how time flies. Wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that Xaine and I are now 1 - 3 hours ahead of most of you...

I've started working on the 3rd floor of Building “B” at the Citi campus (having swallowed my pride years ago I have no shame in admitting… Yes.. I did get lost. Exited the elevator on the 2nd floor by mistake, walked to where My office should be only to find an office with several family pictures that unless I’m mistake were not mine… talk about a “What the?” moment.” This place sure can be like a “Labyrinth” at times but I find leaving a trail of grits when I venture out is helping.

Xaine is attending Bright Horizon’s (the day care site located on the Citi campus). He is the newest friend in the Explorer class (3 – 4 year olds) and will be moved into the BIG KID class (5 – 7) mid June. The daycare facility is huge containing several class rooms a library, computer lab, basketball court, 3 playgrounds, Water Park and that’s just what we’ve seen so far. I want to go back to daycare….

Xaine is adapting swiftly and the socialite that he is is having no issues making new friends. He has been quick to inform his teachers (Ms. Nicole and Ms. Kizzie) as well as his class mates, security guards and other parents that his name has no “Z” and is spelled:

X - A - I - N - E

His only expression of concern has been that he is a “Toddler’ now and does NOT want to take naps. (LOL.. we just moved across the country and of all the things to be upset over) But for the “Toddler” he is, I respect his concerns and spoke with his teachers the next day getting him an exemption from naps (a.k.a Cot Time). He now utilizes this time to practice his writing, reading and drawing. Not sure about the rest of you, but given the choice of Cot Time or doing self created homework, pretty sure I would be checking my eyelids for holes. Not my boy though… he loves homework.

Each night before bed we sit down together, nosh on some OREO’s and go over his lessons. He is doing well at picking up addition and subtraction (like his big brother Al) and will be learning all about rhyming the next few weeks.

Chow for Now