Tuesday, August 11, 2015

I love Summer

4th of July. Boyd put on a pretty good light show after getting over the trauma of stepping in dog poop.
This summer is going by to quickly. My house is a mess and dirty but extra time with Boyd and knowing what he is up to all day is something I missed when he was in kindergarten and will miss again when he starts first grade.  Friends are at the utmost importance to him and I am so grateful for our neighborhood and the families of all ages who play together almost daily.  Boyd's summer has been full of events and activities and even more free play time. Four days of Baseball and wrestling camp, a trip with Adam, lots of swimming (oh yes the lifeguards know him by name), toad catching, library trips full of non fiction and so much more.  I admit I've been bad at taking photos because I am soaking in the moments. Enjoy a few snapshots of our summer. 

Growing and going this cutie pie

A quiet time each day allows an opportunity to regroup and realize you can do things solo that you couldn't before like these Lincoln Log structures.

All toads must be named.

Helping me grocery shop and finding joy everywhere he goes.

Jammies and toads

On your mark...set....

Summer sleep

Paddle boating to explore the lake/pond. We went a little too far with the exploring and got stuck. I had to get out and push.

SO proud of decorating daddy's wheels

Another creation


On our summer to do list was window markers. We started by taking turns drawing a picture to tell a story and it turned into drawing the 50 states 


If you look closely you can see a few states

Silly

More toads.

A movie date

We were fortunate to follow Boyd's love of animals and information with both a reptiles alive show and a birds of prey show. I learned a lot and Boyd did too. It was also fun to hear him answer and ask such well thought out questions.

Never a dull moment. After a hike we went to the sporting goods store to play or take a rest.

Did I mention Toads. I think this night the total was 8 with the 9th escaping because it peed on someones hand.

Driving his RC car

This outfit. I couldn't resist. He was a detective I believe.

Perks of going to appointments with mommy- fun afterwards in the Georgetown fountains.

Firefly frolic one mile run. Boyd waits for it to get dark. The race was through trails and oh boy was it dark. I was nervous that he would have wiped out a zillion times since I had walked the course (he also ditched the headlamp) but out he popped to the finish stretch in second place overall behind a 12 year old. 7:52 in the dark on treacherous trails -not to shabby.

Hanging out at an old favorite park in Falls Church in his fedora.

We played with this so long at the store I couldn't not buy it.

National Night Out. This year we got there in time for the helicopter tour.

Balance and focus.

Running the high schools beautifully groomed grass fields. I have to really try when I run with him now. The other day he joined me on my run and ran every other loop with me. The next day he biked with me and said, "When I get older I am going to let my kids run and bike with me too." I almost cried the happiest tears, biking and running with my dad as a child were some really joyous times and I hold them near and dear to my heart.

Boyd, why won't you cut your hair?

After some drama with a broken loom band that his cousin had make and Boyd cherished, a new package arrived which also encouraged him to try and make them himself. Success. 

Boyd quote, "I look good. I think the girls are going to like me."

Did I mention there is never a dull moment around here.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Stowe, Vermont

I like it in Stowe, Vermont because a lot of people I like are there. I might even go on the boarder of New Hampshire. Maybe even go to see the people I want to see, Martin and Chris Kratt. Even go to the mountain forrest in New Hampshire too.

Boyd, Age 6 Virginia

Colorado

I like Colorado. They have a lot of mountains I like to climb, might even stand on the four corners, go to the Dairy Bar and have a lot of other fun there. I would visit my cousins. 

Boyd Age 6 Virginia

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

The author

Nasty Stuff
by Chris Burla July 8, 2015


I like my hog spit. Because I like nasty stuff, like a snake eating a rat, or a robin throwing up, or someone licking the bottom of their shoe. These things are nasty. You might like nasty stuff if you like smelling the bottom of your feet, or if you like boogers. The best place to find nasty stuff is the forest because you find poop, but not every time.  My favorite person to look for nasty stuff with is Martin. My name is Chris. Good luck finding nasty stuff.

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Photo messages from Boyd and Adam's epic Summer 2015 Road Trip

Bessemer Michigan Home Town 2 Mile Run. Won his age group and the next one up with a 15:49. Love that he is sporting his Red White and Blue!



Mini Golf on the way up to GiGi's. The best course they've ever played on.  Adam won by 2 strokes but Boyd got the days only hole in one.


Frozen custard, oreo and peanut butter cup to celebrate.

An evening playdate with the Messerschmidt's while stopping in Wisconsin.

Walking the dogs with Grandpa. Boyd said that he and Hobbs won the race around the block.

Brennan's trip with Grandpa. Best store ever! Free samples everywhere!

We all fight over the two good Verlo pillows at our house so a stop to the Verlo store was the perfect impromptu stop for the boys.

Playdate with the Margason's and their fun toys while in Missouri.


Hug with Renee (my forever best friend) and Reid while in Wisconsin (they are part of the Messerschmidt clan this picture is out of order)
The boys are making their rounds, so stay tuned for more photos as the trip goes on and once they return. I know there are some gems of the Matt Ramsey cousin clan and with all the Burla's coming my way once the good camera makes it home.  I sure am missing my boys and all the wonderful people they are getting to visit.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Boyd Kindergarten Exit question and answer session (Entrance Q&A can be found in my August 31, 2014 blog)
What do you want to be when you grow up? Zoologist 
What's your favorite color? Orange and Blue
Favorite animal? Tasmanian devil and all the types of snakes
If you could have a pet what would it be? A king snake
If you could have a superpower what would it be? If I ever get so far away from mom it will drag me to her or her to me
Favorite thing to do outside? Go on adventures
Favorite thing to do inside? Make creature power suits
Best place you have ever been? On the mountains in Colorado
Favorite food? Junk- real food would be pizza
Best friends? Marshall and Porter
Favorite book? The Book with No Pictures, Scary Snakes and the World Atlas
Favorite movie? No idea
What was the best thing about kindergarten? Every single thing
What's one thing that you taught your friends? Facts about History like the Titanic and how it sunk
What's something you really liked about your teacher? She came up with the idea of Science and a lot of cool things 
What are two things you are good at? Seeing animals and picking vegetables and fruits
What did you learn to do while in Kindergarten? Opening string cheese, writing, and tying my shoes
What is one thing you will miss about kindergarten? The teachers
How many inches did you grow this year? At least 9
What's one thing you'll be able to do next year that you can't do now? Write in cursive
What is one piece of advice you have for next years kindergarteners? Be good or she will punish you

WITHOUT ANY prompting, ask your child these questions and write down EXACTLY what they say. It is a great way to find out what they really think. When you re-post put your Child's age. Almost 6 1/2

1. What is something mom always says to you? "Love you"

2. What makes mom happy? Me 

3. How does your mom make you laugh? Tickles me

4. What was your mom like as a child? Weird

5. How old is your mom? 32 or 31

6. How tall is your mom? 5 feet

7. What is her favorite thing to do? Go places with me 

8. What does your mom do when you're not around? Race

9. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Kissing me

10. What is your mom really good at? Hugging me

11. What is your mom not very good at? Kissing dad

12. What does your mom do for a job? Run

13.What is your mom's favorite food? Enchiladas 

14.What makes you proud of your mom? Winning money

15. If your mom were a character, who would she be? Marty from Madagascar

16. What do you and your mom do together? Play scrambled states

17. How are you and your mom the same? Our eyes

18. How are you and your mom different? You're a girl

19. How do you know your mom loves you? Cause you hug me all the time

20. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Paradise Diner

21. How old was your Mom when you were born? 23




Sunday, June 21, 2015

Making Creature Powers

Kenyan Drum Night Community Circle


Playing catcher and trying to prove he is the toughest. Not competitive or anything-haha

Working it. He styled his sun kissed hair.

Baseball camp. Team 1

Rise and shine

Last day of camp and ready to play.