New format for Fox Funnies!

I decided to move my Fox blog over to an actual blog site; so I can post more than one photo, if applicable, when I share my Fox stories.  Sometimes I have to write these things down so I don't forget them.

So this weekend Kevin and I had a wedding reception to attend on Friday.  We normally don't go places Fox can't go with us (since we have him so little anyway it seems crazy to get a babysitter).  But one of Kevin's co-workers got married in Gulf Shores in late May.  And they hosted a reception Friday.  We asked Grandma and Grandpa K to keep the kid overnight.  They jumped at the chance.

My mom (aka Grandma) came over to pick Fox up Friday when he got home from day camp.  We packed an overnight bag, his tablet and a couple Highlights magazines and they were off!  Daddy and I had a very nice time at the wedding reception.  We cut out of there around 9:30 pm and decided to make the best of our "hall pass" by checking out the new Hollywood Casino.  En route to the casino, we decided to check in on the kid.

Apparently on the ride home Grandma decided to make conversation with Fox by asking him a few questions about camp.  To which Fox politely reminded her, "Grandma, I'm trying to read my magazine".  (I don't know where he gets this from!!!).  She took the hint and went about driving.  A small while later (still in the car) she asks him a few more questions and he promptly told her, "Grandma!,  we're playing the quiet game!".  She said she almost swallowed her teeth trying not to laugh at his attempts to shut her up.  Kevin and I busted a gut as she relayed the story to us.  Truth is, there are times when we get in a car and the kid won't hush up.  So I tell him "let's play the quiet game".  Usually it's when road conditions are bad and Kevin and I are otherwise stressed and he's rattling on and on.  But we've never had him say it back to us or hear of him repeating it until now.  Out of the mouths of babes...............

Mom went on to say that she put him in the tub and he was watching Curious George in the back bedroom at the time we called.  He'd eaten a good dinner of Mac and Cheese and was being very good.

So, we hung up, parked our car in Valet and went on about our business at the Casino.  I think by the time we got home and I got to bed it was like 2 am.  Not being a spring chicken anymore, it took me till noon on Saturday to wake up and even longer to actually motivate.  But we had to go to my folks house in Florissant to pick the kid up; and decided to stick around and acknowledge Father's Day while we were there.

The plan was to arrive late afternoon/early evening, have a meal off the grill and just hang out in their backyard enjoying the mild temps and gorgeous day.  That we did!

By the time we arrived, Grandpa was working his magic on the grill.  Kev and I had stopped along the way to pick up some miscellaneous items and hit the Hallmark for Father's Day cards.  During our stop in Schnucks, Kevin found a $15 starter hockey kit for kids that included two sticks and a round ball (in lieu of a puck).  We decided to grab it for Fox with the hope that he would use it and play outdoors more.  To our delight, he took to it immediately at Grandma and Grandpas, playing in their back yard with Daddy.  He tries to stand like he shoots left but he's a rightie.  So we had to help him with that a little.  Otherwise he had a great time playing with his daddy all afternoon.

At one point in the day we were discussing the changing seasons as a group.  I commented that it's no longer April Showers bring May flowers but June showers bring ?????.  Without skipping a beat Fox replied enthusiastically, "PILGRIMS!!!".  That's our Fox....ever literal.  You say Mayflower, he says Pilgrims!!!  Grandma and Grandpa were so stunned at how he connected the two that they couldn't stop laughing!  You never know where a conversation will go with this child.  He keeps things interesting, that's for sure!

Since I forgot to send the strawberries (that we picked and froze a couple weeks ago) with Grandma on Friday, I remember to take them with us Saturday....along with shortcakes, whipped topping and a batch of brownies that Kevin whipped up.  Grandpa and Fox were craving strawberries.

For dinner we feasted on Barbeque:  pork steaks, hot Italian sausage, brat burgers and hamburgers.  We also had corn on the cob, baked potatoes and salad.

After indulging in a delicious meal, we relaxed on the patio while letting our food settle.  Fox decided to take a hockey break and read his new Highlights magazines.  He, Daddy and Grandpa perused the latest issues until Fox decided to get a pen and play the "Find the Hidden Objects" puzzles in one of them.  He asked Grandpa to help him.  It was fun to watch the two of them search for different things.  But Grandpa was quickly schooled in how Fox operates.  Fox got rather perturbed with Grandpa for going  out of proper order.  Grandpa was finding carrots when clearly the next word on the list was banana.  Didn't Grandpa know he should be looking for a banana and that he was skipping ahead by finding the carrot?  SERIOUSLY, our child jumped up out of his seat, arms flailing and got completely and utterly exasperated with Grandpa's lack of attention.  I was having one HELL of a time watching Grandpa react to Fox.  For all 48 years of my life it's ALWAYS been Grandpas way....and now comes this 10 year old trying to call the shots.  WORTH.THE.PRICE.OF.ADMISSION.  Hilarity ensued and Grandpa relented to doing things Fox's way after he'd been TOLD!  Entertainment at it's FINEST.

I had some band issues that caused me to take a while longer than normal to eat.  So when everyone else was finished Grandma cleaned up while I watched the Fox and Grandpa show and tried to finish my meal.

A while later, the natives (Fox and Grandpa) were getting restless for their strawberries.  Dessert time it was.  Grandma served shortcake for Grandpa and a brownie covered in strawberries and whipped cream for Fox.  I had mine with a brownie versus shortcake, too and Mom had just a brownie.  I don't even remember if Kevin chose a dessert.  I think he was too full from feasting on BBQ.

It was such a nice day, mild temps, sunshine, perfect for just kicking back in the old neighborhood and taking in the simple pleasures.  We watched Fox discover the sheer delight in spotting fireflies; and we explained to him how we used to catch them and put them in jars.  When we were kids there were way more fireflies than we saw last night (a mere few).  Catching them back then wasn't a challenge, it was commonplace.  Nothing more fun that teaching your child the things you used to do as a child.

When it got a little darker, Grandpa broke out his flashlight and decided to set the mood for ghost stories.  Fox got TOTALLY into it.  I've never seen him pay such close attention, literally!  But he kept interrupting Grandpa's stories till Grandpa finally gave in and handed the flashlight to Fox.  He started with a short ghost story.

And then decided to make up another story which ended up being MUCH longer due to the "ums" throughout.  HA HA HA.

Soon, the daddy's were getting tired and the kid was yawning....although he SWEARS he was not tired (LOL).  So we packed it up and headed home to St. Charles where Daddy and Fox turned in shortly thereafter and I was awake till after 1 am, AGAIN?!

As we were leaving Mom and Dad's the STRANGEST thing happened.  Fox and Kevin walked out before me and as I was headed out their front door (which was open), I heard a chirp and felt something graze the inside of my right ankle.  I kinda freaked out and dad joked that it was a mouse.  I was about to crap my pants (I HATE mice) when Mom said, "No, it's a BIRD".  Sure enough a baby bird (that clearly didn't know how to fly yet) had gotten INTO the foyer and had to be shoo'ed out again.  It was rather disturbing for us and I'm sure traumatizing for the baby bird.  NEVER a dull moment.  Mom and Dad said that was a first time in 48 years in that house that a bird had gotten in.  CRAZY.

So here it is Sunday, the actual Father's Day.  I am documenting the weekend before I forget it.  My CRS is getting worse by the day.  Kevin has already managed to fill the pool and get the filter going.  Soon we'll be able to enjoy it fully.  He's also been to Lowe's, Schnucks and Walgreens and is now downstairs watching his beloved NASCAR race.  Later he plans to throw some food on the grill for dinner while Fox plays hockey outside some more.  I'm getting ready to do some work (never enough hours in the work week to get done what's expected to be done so I'm playing catch up).  Overall a simple, relaxing and FUN weekend.  Like every Sunday evening, I feel it was too short and Monday is creeping up on us again.

We've given Kevin his Father's Day cards and are going to the Cardinals Social Media night on Tuesday for his celebration.  Should be a fun time for all.

http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/stl/ticketing/group_theme.jsp?loc=socialmedianight


Wishing all the Dad's out there an equally peaceful day.  XOXOXO

Lori