I Wanna Go Fast

Lately Landon has become the Apollo Ono of tricycle riding. Either that, or Ricky Bobby. He has shown tendencies of both personalities - driven and focused, but always willing to stop if he sees a snack! Phillip and I have such a good time with the little guy every night, watching him race around downstairs on his little Radio Flyer. Our favorite part is when he decides to go around and around the dining room table, and he turns his head and whole body so that he can really lean into each curve!

I'm Two!

Yesterday Landon and I visited his pediatrician for his 2 year old check-up! The last two years have flown by so quickly - and no place reminds me of that more than the doctor's office. For the first time, Landon stepped on floor scales to be weighed instead of on the baby scales. And his height is measured on a wall chart. And he is a big boy! 29.5 lbs and 35.25 inches!

The best part of the whole appointment was during my conversation with his pediatrician about Landon starting preschool in two weeks. She was very excited for him, and started telling Landon all of the things that he would do and see at preschool ("they have a playground, and books, and you can play with new friends" etc). Landon looked at her and said in a very serious voice "do they have trucks?"

No better way to end a doctor's appointment than on a laugh!

When In Sweden...

It was about 100 degrees outside on Monday, but Landon and I got out of the house for an early start anyway. We were taking a tour of a preschool for this fall, and were both excited. After we left the school, Landon was tuckered out and fell asleep in the car. On a whim, I just kept driving, and pointed the car towards Charlotte.

Why Charlotte? Because there is an Ikea there! I have never visited an Ikea, but heard that it's kind of a fun place to while away an afternoon. Plus, it's air conditioned and serves food -score!

Landon slept the entire two hour trip, and awoke just as we arrived. Our first stop was the cafe for lunch, and since this was our first trip, I thought it only appropriate that we have swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, and ligonberry sauce. Landon really liked going through the cafeteria line, and he picked out some cookies for us to enjoy for dessert. Then we settled into our seats in the kids area, and enjoyed sitting with the other kids to enjoy watching "A Bug's Life". Landon was very impressed that they had kid-sized tables, chairs, and toys in bright, fun colors - not something you see very often in restaurants!

Although I came home with a big bag of great stuff, I was most impressed with the engineering of the store. Everything is designed with the consumer in mind, and every inch of the store is set up to make shopping easier and more enjoyable for adults, kids, and even seniors. A kids room that rivals most kid play centers, family bathrooms, snack bar, cafeteria, comfy lounge area for shopping breaks, floor arrows and maps everywhere, and best of all for us, a completely hands on kids area!

Most of the products that are sold for kids are out on the floor, so that the children can try out the chairs, beds, lofts, tunnels, and toys - how nice is that! Landon was in heaven wandering around there - he could touch things at his height, plus the colors, soft fabrics, and displays really appealed to him.

All in all, a nice (and slightly unconventional) way to escape the heat and have some nice time together!

Family Beach Week

This fall, Landon begins preschool - two days a week! So what's the thing that everyone has to do before school starts back for the fall? Family vacation! This vacation was even more special than most because it was a family vacation times six - five of my best friends and I all arranged to head to Wrightsville Beach with our families for four days of beach fun.

We visited the yacht club two of the days, and Landon "surfed" for the first time! He has been envious of all the surfers and their boards for quite a long time, so when some of the Dads brought their boards and he was able to get out on the water, he was pretty excited. He wanted to stand up the whole time, and he didn't want anyone to help him. I think we may have a surfer on our hands. Phillip tried for the first time as well, and according to the other guys, he did pretty well too! Looks like we might need a surf rack on my car, huh?

Landon loved exploring the beach with Josi, swimming in the ocean with Ian, bodyboarding with Colin, fishing with Caleb, and enviously watching baby Cate nap with her paci. Sometimes its hard to give up those paris!

Since three of the six of us are pregnant right now (and one with twins!), if we repeat this trip next year, our little group will jump from 6 kids to 10 kids!!!

Of course, the guys worked in some golf, the girls worked in a fondue night, and everybody got together for a fun BBQ and a night out at Indochine. Five pounds gained and lots of laughs later - we are all back home!

Good Ole Rocky Top

Finally...some pictures from our trip to Tennessee! Landon is so lucky to have his great grandparents in his life, and to have three (second) cousins so close to his age. Too bad that one of those cousins lives in Thailand! For our most recent visit, Landon was able to spend so much time playing with Lexi and Bryson though. We might have to have a Skype playmate with Sofia so she can join in the fun next time! Every time we all get together, we create some great memories, and I know that Landon will really appreciate having these pictures when he is older.