School and Soccer

The first two weeks of pre-school have come to an end. The first couple of days were a bit touch and go on whether Landon liked going. He would say that he had fun and would tell everyone that he wanted to go back, but he would come up to me as "Batman" to tell me otherwise. Batman would tell me that Landon didn't like going to school because it was "soooo long" and he missed his Mommy. I made sure to give Batman extra hugs on those days. Even if he said those things at nighttime, by the time we pulled into the school parking lot he was all smiles and shouting "yay yay yay" over and over again. I think it was just an adjustment for him those first couple of days. This is the first time Landon has ever spent any amount of time without an immediate family member caring for him. I think it also helps that Landon's best friend was able to get into the same class as him so he has a familiar face while at school. Plus, he's only there for three hours a day so he knows that he'll be back home shortly. His teachers tell me great things about him every afternoon at pick up. He listens well, he cleans up after himself and others, and he seems to always be on his best behavior while at school. I love hearing those reports. He may misbehave at times at home, but what four year old doesn't? The feedback I receive from his teachers reassures me that Landon is receiving the proper guidance and discipline from home. He knows how to behave and he knows how to respect authority. Yes, he may push my buttons or Kevin's buttons, but he definitely knows how to be on his best behavior while he's out of our care. 

This week was also Landon's first week of soccer practice. I was a little nervous just because I didn't know how it would be coaching a bunch of four year olds, let alone my own child. Things went well and I'm looking forward to this soccer season. Landon had so much fun and is asking every day if today is soccer day. I can't wait until his first game when he's in his uniform! 

Alligator Fun

We recently went to the Alligator Farm and Landon had a blast. That morning I watched as Landon started pulling all of his clothing out of his dresser drawers. I asked him what he was doing and he told me that he was looking for his alligator shirt. The only one he had was becoming too small so I placed it in a bin to donate. He was adamant about wearing his alligator shirt to see the alligators so I had to unpack it for him. We couldn't pull into a parking spot fast enough. Landon asked to get out of the car as we were still driving looking around for a place to park. He was so excited and the thought of waiting to park the car was just too much for him to handle! He ran to the first exhibit while yelling "come on guys" to those of us left behind in his dust.

Landon was able to pet a baby alligator. He then found out that he could hold that same alligator. His eyes lit up at the thought of it. That was, until he was informed that he was too small to hold the alligator all by himself. Landon was so offended by that, but his Uncle Matt came to his rescue and stepped up to the plate. I was going to hold it with him, but the second the thing was brought out of the cage and its head whipped around at me I screamed and stepped back. I knew right then that I wasn't a good candidate to hold its head. I took the picture instead from a safe distance away.

This baby alligator made Matt think that he could take on a 12 1/2 foot, 650 pound alligator. He paid money to potentially lose an arm or leg. Completely ridiculous, but he was Landon's hero for the remainder of the day. Matt made it out alive and Landon's first words to him were "Can I go down there now?" I think not, Landon! 

Once we saw all of the exhibits, we had to go around for a second time for Landon to lead us on an expedition with his binoculars!