1/8 time

Pops set up a partial drum kit in the basement. Some would say it was for him but I think it was more so for me. Here and there he's been giving me lessons like how to hold the sticks and which drum makes which sound. Some dads would just tell their kids how to look cool behind the drums. Not my Pops. He teaches me to play the drums in essence makes me look cool behind the drums. I'm hoping to start up a band with my cousins, Joey and Zac. I think we would be way better than the Jonas Brothers.

Autumn Rivulets

It's times like these when I come to realize what a true outdoorsman I have become. I don't think I can really pinpoint which is my favorite season. I love spring because you can see the leaves growing and the flowers blooming. It's such an exciting time of renewal. Summer is always a blast. The is warm and sunny. You can run, play, fish and hike all day long. The sun doesn't go down until 8:30 meaning I get to stay up just a little bit longer. Then fall comes and brings in the brisk cool air. It's a different type of renewal. Everything around me is changing and it feels exciting and new again. I know winter is coming and everyone will be cursing the snow. I on the other hand love the snow. It's so fluffy, soft, and fun!

So today I had the pleasure of raking the leaves in the front yard. What comes off as a chore to Joe the plumber is a real treat for me. Mom even bought me my own rake. I wanted the super big one but I kept on whacking Mom in the knee with it. (Mental note to self: Work on coordination.)

America's Best Dance Crew in da house!

Summer came and went pretty quickly. I feel like summer only began a month ago. Well, I've been pretty busy these past few months. I helped mom redecorate the house. I've been building things here and there. Plus, I've discovered my passion for dancing.

I'd like to think I have some street cred since I come from the very far west side of Chi-town. I can totally bring it to the table and then some. My signature move happens to be the donkey kick. Whenever Mom and Pops put on the beats, I gotta throw it down yo!

Tour de Block

I don't know about the Tour de France but the Tour de Block seems to be just as challenging. There's lot of winding sidewalks. Plus, I have to watch out for speeding vehicles. Thank goodness for the bell on my bike. It's a great way to alert people of my arrival. Of course, "On your left!" helps but some people can't tell between their right and their left.

At every stop sign I was expecting people to throw cups of water at me but I think they were on lunch.

Eyes Wide Open

I just realized bird-days are full of surprises. Mom and Dad said they are usually a one day festivity but in my case it turned into a 4 day blow out. It started on Thursday at Grandmama's house. I thought it was going to be my usual painting day. Much to my surprise, Grandmama had a cake with candles and presents in the library. Oh how exciting to get my own cake. It was nice to have the whole day devoted to eating it. Besides the cake, the wonderful thing I received from Grandmama and Grandpapa was my own personal Thomas the Train laptop. Now I can work side by side with Grandmama (not Grannie!) when she's doing important work stuff.

The festivities didn't end there. When I got home, I had more CAKE! You can never have too much cake is my motto. I would have been just happy with getting a cake but Dad had something else in store.

At the age of twee, I have my very own bike! Who would have guessed there was something better than cake?

Twee or Tree?

So I celebrated my third year of being out of Mom's womb. (It feels great to be free.) This was the best party I've ever been to. It was awesome having everyone over. We ate lots of good food (thanks, Pops, for the pasta with vodka cream sauce), played in the yard, and opened presents (the cards were the best part of the gifts). So when people ask me how old I am, I can proudly say, "I'm twee!"

I hope all my bird-days get to be this fun and festive.

Out fishing

I believe fishing is in my blood. I come from an elite lineage of fishermen. So when Pops when took me out fishing last month, it was no surprise I was able to hook a fish and drag him to shore. Of course we practiced catch and release. It's the only way to fish.

I'm striving to get enough fishing experience under my belt so Pops can take me to Canada soon. I missed the boat this year, but may be next year I'll get to experience the land of 1,000 walleyes.

RIP Blue Balloon 3/1/08 - 3/1/08

I feel pretty lucky to have known Blue Balloon. His life may have short, but he really knew how to live life. He didn't let anyone hold him down and he always took to the skies. Blue Balloon was fearless. That's what I really admired about him. Even when Pops said not to let him go up so high because that popcorn ceiling is very sharp, Blue Balloon continued to go up, up, up. Again, Blue Balloon was fearless. There were no bounds for him.

It was hard to see him in a deflated state. The words "Trader Joe's" were hardly visible. The white string was limp. His bright blue color had darkened. Worst of all, he was torn in half. Honestly, I still don't understand why he couldn't be fixed after hitting the popcorn ceiling. We were right there and I think we could have saved Blue Balloon.

I remember hearing that loud pop. Inside I knew it was Blue Balloon because he rushed to the ceiling so fast, but I hoped it was something else like someone crushing popcorn packaging. Alas, Blue Balloon fell into my arms. It was never the same after that.

Mom said it was good Blue Balloon lived the way he did because he had a very fragile life. So to that, I thank Blue Balloon for showing how to live so carefree and to live out every emotion that runs through me. I hope to be as fearless as Blue Balloon.

Do one thing everyday that scares you.

Breakfast of Champions

Oatmeal tastes so yummy and keeps me pretty regular. I can have 3 bowls of oatmeal for breakfast and may be an extra one for snack. I'm really digging this sitting at the big people table. Not only is the view better but you get more room for plates full of food and for trucks.

Leo's dinner theater

Dinner is one of my favorite times of the day. We get to sit down, talk amongst each other, and enjoy a really good meal. Last night we had breakfast for dinner. What could be better than scrambled eggs, French toast, and bacon? Nothing really.

Year of the Rat

So I've been hibernating these past few months. Well, I wouldn't say I was hibernating. It's more like my blog has been hibernating. Lots of things have been going on. The year 2007 has finally concluded and I've begun the year of the rat.

I found out my cousin Beth has a baby inside her belly. Remember, it's in her belly, not my belly. I would get totally confused about the whole matter because Mom would point to my belly. Although, one would think I would have a baby in my belly since it does stick out. I like to say it's just my food baby.

The new year has been treating me well. I've discovered a passion for fixing things. All the tools I received have came in handy. Mom and Pops have new floors everyday. Plus, I even make them new stairs at no extra cost. The house is in tip top shape. Bob the Builder has been a great mentor and teacher. Without him, I don't know what I would be doing with my tools.

I'm sure there's lot of new things ahead for me in 2008. Mom and Pops have been talking about preschool. I'm all set since I have my trusty rescue pack to carry all my trucks to and from home. Pops even mentioned in taking me out fishing in the backyard. I'm pretty psyched about it. I begged for him to take me to the fishing store so I can pick out my own lure.

So we'll see how everything goes. I will definitely keep you all posted.

And now, a guest post from Pops. Take it away, Pops!

" You're hit,man. You're bleedin'."
"I aint got time to bleed."
" Yeah? Do you have time to duck?"
____________________________

It was as if I got hit by Quintin Jackson himself.
The sudden feeling of confusion.
That feeling of not knowing what just happened other than knowing than I just got hit. And hit hard.
Stars, man. Lots of stars.
And that dull sound as if I was in some Spielberg scene where a shell goes off way too close to Tom Hanks and the next 30 seconds are spent in muffled tones just above deaf.
My hand instantly shot to the top of my head as if to hold my brains in.
And my son. What of my son. Witness to this tragedy. With the look of puzzlement on his face. Watching dad writhe in pain.
My thoughts switch suddenly from "what hit me" to "how am I gonna make sure he's ok and how am I gonna get us both to the hospital."
Who watches a child at the hospital?
Where does he sit?
Do you call someone first?
And wait at home?
Do I call an ambulance?
But I can walk.
Who calls an ambulance if you can walk?
Man up.
Just man up.
Don't go to the washroom.
Stay away from mirrors for a minute.
Get a hold of yourself man!
Stay calm. You're hit, man.
You're hit bad.
Ahhh..but I've been here before.
And I think quickly.
I can walk.
I can talk.
I can't hear too well. Except the bells.
Oooh..look at all the pretty stars.
Hold yourself together man!
Don't pass out.
The boy will just as soon pick up a marker and write on the walls.
And that's worse.
Stay calm.
You're hit.
Hit bad.
Keep holding my head.
And peek.
Peek at your hand.
And expect to see red.
Alot of red.
Just a little.
Not too bad.
I've been red.
Real red. Like, cut those clothes off kinda red. There aint no washin' that out. Just burn 'em.
And I lived. Every time.
Where am I? What day is this? It's sunday. Yeah. Sunday.
We went to Home Depot.
We bought stuff.
My son learned how to handle an electric drill. And handed me screws.
Oooh..look at all those pretty pretty stars.
Hold yourself together, man!
" Dada. Big Ouch."
Ugh. he knows I'm down for the count.
Hide the markers man! Hide the markers! I just painted that wall!
9-1-something. 1? 2? 911. That's it. 911.
Wait. man up!
Ya gotta man up.
Ya got hit by a full swing of a putter. You lived thru that.
Man up. " It's ok. Play with your trucks for a minute."
And those shelves look nice. Real nice.
But that 3" gash on my head aint so nice.
"Dada. You ok."
" I'm tryin'. "
Man those shelves held up good. Too good. I wont have to worry about them comin' down.
Even when I bend down to pick up a toy 10 seconds after i secure them to a wall and then stand up at speed.
And get a 3" gash on my head.
Hold yourself together man!
"Dada. More tools!"
" No. We're done. Time to put tools away."
" Dada. I'm hungry."
" Ok. Let's go get lunch. And some ice."
It was the second day headache from the concussion that sucked.
And today I can't dial a phone.
And I think I live in Stickney.

Eat your heart out

Takeru Kobayashi better move over. There's a new champion in training. I'm not really into hot dogs because of the whole nitrate content, but I can sure eat a handful.

Mom almost had a heartattack when I shoved that orange in my mouth.

Ill Communication

I'm digging this whole talking on the phone thing. I miss my Pops a lot when he's at work. So to have the opportunity to speak to him makes me all happy, happy, joy, joy. We talk about a lot of things. I ask Pops how the forklift is doing and where he's at. We share some good times when talking on the phone.

Ma Bell! Got the ill communication!

Boo nose

So I have my first real cold - boo nose and all. I guess I feel ok, except for that annoying feeling of my head being clogged and heavy. My nose is running a mile a minute and you would think I wouldn't feel so plugged up. Thank god I know how to blow my nose. I'm still working on covering my mouth when I cough so I don't spread my disease to the human race.

Last night was kind of rough. It was really hard to sleep with a nose full of boogers and goobers. Mom and Pops said this is very temporary and my cold should be gone within a few days. In the meantime, I'll be fixing stuff up around the house. I can't be sitting around waiting for this cold to go away.

Play date

I had my first real play date with someone other than my cousin. (Becca you know I love you and you're still my favorite play date!) Mom thought it would be good for me to get out of my comfort zone. So we hiked it on over to Ariana's house to play with Michael and Mirabelle.

My nerves were going all crazy and I really didn't know what to make of the situation. I've never really played with other kids. To make me feel somewhat confident, Mom dressed me really cute so I wouldn't feel too dorky. We got to the door and Ariana greeted us. I remember her from Mom's work but I wasn't sure if I was supposed to play with her first and then play with Michael. Very confusing. Then Michael came and I saw he was playing with toys!!!!! Oh how I longed to play with toys, trucks, cars, and baby! Michael was super cool and super nice. We chilled and watched a little Backyardigans. Then we had lunch and with that I had my first juice box. It was super yummy!

Mirabelle took a little catnap but I got to play with her when she woke up. Oh just love babies!!!!! I just wanted to give her hugs and kisses. She's very cuddley like Bo.

Oh did I mention they have 3 cats?!!!! That's just like Grandmama's house minus the one of course. The one kitten was super soft and cute.

So my first play date was pretty cool. We plan on having more play dates in the future. There's nothing like making new friends.

Planes, Trains, & Automobiles

The parental unit continue to fuel my love for big trucks. Today there was a festival of trucks at the school. You wouldn't believe all the vehicles that were sitting in the parking lot. Of course, my favorite vehicle, fire truck, was there. I think it was the most popular. I couldn't wait to drive it. Mom put me in the seat but I didn't realize how high it was. Holy cow was the ground pretty far down. I kind of freaked out a bit. Those truck books make it look like the guy is sitting only 2' above the ground instead of 10'. Man, what a misconception. I begged Mom to get me down. As soon as I had my feet hit the pavement, I wanted back up in the truck. What can I say? I'm an adrenaline junky. I live off of fear.

After trying out all the trucks, we went to the playground and had some good quality play time. Nothing says fun like a jungle gym.

Happy Bird-day...to YOU!

Grandmama taught me a song. She said everyone is born on a special day and every year you sing them this song. Not only do I like to sing this song, but I made up a little dance, too. This dance requires special skills and is not recommended for people who suffer from motion sickness, vertigo, and/or lack of rhythm.

As you can see, it takes great coordination to sing and dance at the same. I dedicate this video to all the bird-days for each day of the year.

Sleeping with the fishes

I mean that literally not figuratively. It's official, I'm finally out of the crib and sleeping in my very own big boy bed. Well, Mom and Pops call it the "big boy bed." I like to say it's my Nemo bed. I love my bed! It goes so well with the fishing/outdoors theme I have going on in my room. My Nemo bed is bright orange and blue (which contrasts with the bright honeydew color walls) with stickers of Nemo and Marlin on the headboard and footboard. Remind me to take pics so you all get a good visualization of it all. Pops was worried I would roll out of bed but it hasn't happened yet. I love living or should I say sleeping on the edge. The cool thing about the bed is that I don't have any bars to hold me back. Not that I really roam around too much like a buffalo in prairie but it's nice to know I have a little bit of freedom. Once it's beddy byes, I'm pretty much out like a light.

Speed? I AM speed.

And a happy birthday to ME!! I'm the big 2!

We're gonna call this the transportation birthday. I got a sweet '32 Ford hotrod plus that 4-wheeler motorcycle in the background. The 4 wheeler has a rechargeable battery so I can go-go-go any time I want to! I don't have the steering thing down so well yet. For that matter, I don't have the pedal thing down yet on my hotrod either. But I'm determined to figure it out soon.

Oh..oh.. plus I got my very own lawnmower! And to that I say....OLE' !!!