Say CHEESE... not CHEESY

Daddy Did WHAT?

Uncle Brian with the boys last summer. Uncle Brian, Brown... Hollywood and Blondy, White LOL

The other night my darling FFP shaves my children's heads into MOWHAKS before completely shaving their heads. I know they wanted to be bald like Uncle Brian who is serving his time in Iraq but that is a lot of baldness for one family, let me tell you. They did look adorable though and my Hollywood sure can Ham it up.

The next morning FFP pulls out clothes for Hollywood and so he's in Jeans and his Army tshirt from the PX. He says, " I look like Uncle Brian, only I'm not brown." LOL. I need to post a pic of Uncle Brian on here to compare. Sorry boys no latino blood in you to make you brown.

Fishin on the River

Hollywood, Blondy, FFP, Gpa Dennis and I went out on Gpa's boat yesterday to do some salmon and striper fishing. We didn't catch anything worth keeping but we had fun anyhow. Hollywood did his homework on the boat while we "waited" for the fish to bite. He helped reel in a baby striper on Gpa's line. We had a fun day!

my baby is Upward bound

Hollywood wanted to be like his buddy down the street and try basketball. David had always done Basketball through the EV Free church. there is a devotional time and since we go to church (or we try anyway) I'm fine with this. I'm not sure how FFP who is not religious in the least, will feel about it but its a little to late for that now. We talk openly about what the boys feel that God is and where his presence is all the time. This is just one more outlet for that.

Hollywood's first Basketball game is Saturday. I'm not sure how the pictures will turn out in that dark gym so I may just have to take a picture of him in his uniform before the game with a BBall outside before hand. He is good at shooting and getting baskets (a lot better than I ever was, just ask my cousin Allen). He is not so sure about going after the ball or even passing yet. I hope that there is a big difference between now and November when the end of the season is. I'm proud of him for trying something different. We will have real baseball where a ball is pitched by a machine next year. I hope this gives him the courage and self confidence to take control. We will see. There will be pix this week.

I'm Movin on UP

Hollywood with his Second Grade Teacher

Hollywood is being moved up to the next level of reading. I broke down and asked. I feel guilty, like I'm bothering Anne with these things. I mean if she has something to tell me, she would send a note home or email me right. But when I asked she said that she needed to talk to me about that anyway. Mrs. K thought he should move up to Mrs. O's literature group because his reading was very good. I am excited and nervous. Hollywood likes nice short sweet answers. Not always what the teacher had in mind. I hope this move motivates him. He starts over there next Tuesday. He is having some trouble with time management though. He is not so excited about math so he takes his time... lots of time... sometimes way too much time. So that is also something we need to work on. I'm just not sure how to keep him motivated while he's at school. I will be working in the classroom on Monday afternoons, so that might help. I will be able to see what he is and isn't getting done because that is when they have extra time to finish anything from earlier that they may not have been able to accomplish. We will see. I really like Anne and I think she is the perfect teacher for my Hollywood, strict and loving all at the same time.

Ride Like the Wind

Hollywood learned to ride his bike without training wheels today. Although I felt like he could do it for a while... he was pretty aprehensive. Today we just said..."Listen, we are taking the extra wheels off and going to the park to learn to ride." He replied, "OK"


(sorry its blurry... it was dark and the kid was moving pretty fast by this point)


With very little practice and lots of guidance from his dad he was off and flying, making trips around the trail at the park. I am so proud of him. Of course Blondy thinks that its his turn. I think I'll let Hollywood have the glory for a while then work on the little guy. Gma K and Gpa D came out to see him ride. It was a great night! We are so lucky to live where we do, so close to the grandparents and aunts and uncles, for many other reasons than the free babysitting of course.

Wordless Wednesday

My very cool Hollywood on his first Day of Second Grade.

Yes, This is definitely a typical facial expression. When the camera comes out so does the clown in him. He does have beautiful brown eyes though doesn't he....

Sleep Over

Hollywood had his first sleepover (you know without Mom and Dad ) at a friends house *Just Because* last night and I am under the assumption that he got to sleep WAY TOO LATE since he took a nap today for the first time in months. My Little boy is growing up so fast...

7 Things I love about Hollywood

1. He is so smart... he loves to learn new things and is driving to find answers to the unknown. First Grade show and tell he told about ... The Bermuda Triangle. That's my boy.

2. He has never been a huge cuddle bug but sometimes when he's tired he just curls up and leans on me lets me hold him. I so treasure these moments.

3. He loves to read and be read to. We are starting the Harry Potter series and he is so enthralled. He can't wait for me to change the page or the next thing to happen.

4. He loves video games. If you know Hollywood you know I must PRY him away from his games. He's really good at them and is learning that just because you can't pass a level yet you keep trying and you'll make it. It's kinda like everything in life but it doesn't hurt or bleed as much when your character falls and you have to try again.

5. He guards his words but gives out love and truths about you when you least expect it... like last night.

6. He dreams and imagines BIG all the time. He loves to not just be in first but to WIN with a vengeance. He is very competitive.

7. I see so much seriousness and frustration just under the surface and I feel for you but you are figuring things out yourself and finding answers along the way. You are my independent one and though I miss the hugs and kisses I treasure the big boy you are growing into.

So Sweet 7

My Hollywood is not as affectionate as I wish he was. When I come after him for love he runs and hides. I understand this but it still makes me sad. So when last night as I was putting him to bed he asks, "Mom, could you do Snug as a Rug?" I sweetly kissed him on the forhead and said "I love you" before tucking him in good and tight. I was walking out of the room as he rolls over and says quietly, "I love you, too." and closes his eyes. It was a good day.