"Down By the Bay" by the artist Cole

Below is a cute clip of Cole singing his version of "Down by the Bay"; I used to sing this to him quite often a few years ago. One afternoon recently, he heard the song on a Calliou show. He looked at me and in all seriousness said "Mom, you used to sing this to me all the time, what happened?", and before I could answer, off he went creating his own rendition. I was cracking up because he was joyfully bouncing around the house while doing so. Be sure you catch Tucker's look as Cole bops on by...

You're safe here....

I remember watching thunderstorms each summer with my dad, we would either sit just inside the garage doors or on our small front porch. The smell of a thunderstorm is very distinct to me, so earthy, while a regular rainy day smells fresh and grassy. The storms in PA were more about rumble than about flash but the rain would pour; they would ride over us quickly and in the late afternoons (which is when they seem to pop up the most) the sun would show its face again and steam would rise from our driveway.

After moving to Minnesota, summer storms were redefined for me as a whole new weather phenomenon! Although I did already know that Minnesota could produce some dandy storms. The reason I knew this was because my best friend from college moved here and I had flown out twice a year over a four year period to see her and during one of those trips witnessed a MN storm firsthand. She was living in Uptown near Lake Calhoun. I don't remember where we were that day but the sunny skies suddenly had taken on an ominous tone (literally one that was a mix of green/black/orange. We rushed back to her apartment and pulled into the parking lot just as the first big fat raindrops began to pelt us, the wind gusted and was knocking things over on her first level abode as we entered. We slammed the windows shut and her lights flickered. It had gone from a beautiful blue sky to a dark angry one in a matter of 20 minutes. It was exciting, amazing and frightful. The storm raged outside for awhile and then cleared out. The fact that I can recall the details tells you that my mind was quite affected by it.

In May of 2007 we moved to MN; it was a beautiful and early spring and Cole who was 5 months old watched me as I unpacked our boxes and made our house a home. The weather was unusually warm for that time of year, not hot enough to turn on the air conditioner but muggy. We had some pretty strong thunderstorms roll through, typically in the middle of the night and I remember being awoken not by the clap of thunder but by the disco show that the lightening was creating. It would cut across the sky one after another and make me flinch as I lay there watching it in the skylights above our bed.

The week before Memorial Day weekend, Dave was working, Cole was napping and Tucker was supervising as I finished hanging odds and ends. It was mid-afternoon and the sun had been shining all day. The air had been calm with no movement; the humidity had been building as the dewpoints had risen each hour. I remember thinking that I should close up the house but I had been waiting until Cole woke up. I don't know what I was doing but I heard the winds pick up out of the blue. I thought it was odd considering how still things had been all but 30 minutes prior. I went out to our deck and gasped. A swirling sky of black clouds to our southwest was heading right for us. It was such a strange sight to be standing in direct sunshine at that moment and yet see what I was seeing. My memory rolled back to that visit with Heather. I ran inside and closed the downstairs windows. Though normally I would be ticked if anything woke Cole up, I was actually grateful that the gusts of wind were blowing doors shut upstairs as I heard him cry. I ran to get him just as the tornado sirens went off. My heart beat fast as raced around slamming the windows shut with Cole on my hip. The rain had begun to pummel the roof and the piercing sirens punctuated through the roar of the wind. I glanced through the back door and saw the darkness hovering nearby. Cole, Tucker and I got down to the basement and sat in the middle of our laundry room. I could now hear the hail hitting our house and I felt an overwhelming sense of anxiety. It takes a lot for me to feel this way and thus I was anxious over being anxious. With a newborn in a new house hearing tornado sirens for the very first time was simple unnerving.

Since that day, we have had numerous bad storms; one hailstorm got us a new roof. I don't mind them as much however I still get a lump in my throat when I see the sky turn the color of pea soup or when I see menacing clouds. Over the years, Cole has learned that we head downstairs when the sirens scream, that that is the safest place to be. When the F1 tornado hit North Minneapolis this past spring, it was hard to explain to him as he saw news footage why things like that happen. He has asked with concern every time since when we have a storm "is it going to blow our house away!?" I can't tell him "NO" because I would be fibbing so I have chosen to say "highly unlikely" which is the truth.

The damage reported by the media that was inflicted by that aforementioned storm all but 5 miles from our house must have had more impact on Cole that I thought. Obviously when they do news stories on tornadoes, they show a list of what things you should and shouldn't do. Cole can't read yet but he certainly remembers signs. Quite often this summer when we have gone potty at the library, Costco or the grocery store, Cole points out what he calls "your safe here during a tornado" sign. I agree and then say to myself "I sure hope we never have to be in here for any other reason than to go potty!"

What did he say....??

The one-liners just keep coming...Cole is quite the wordsmith these days. I'd like to say it is because I never used "baby language" with him. I have always used my normal vocabulary in our conversations and it has forced him to ask when he has no idea what it is that I've said. I already see him incorporating "advanced" words into his everyday lingo which makes this voracious reader and editor proud!

That said, here are the latest and greatest quips from Cole:

During the afternoon, the winds typically pick up on the lake making our ride back to the public dock more than a bit bumpy. Cole likes to sit up front to take full advantage of the boat hitting the waves. I sit with him since the "jumps" are pretty big. On our most recent ride, it was more rocky than normal and we were getting quite wet as a result. Cole shouts with a grin on his face from ear to ear "Now that's what I"m talking about!!"

As we were packing in our hotel room on the day we departed San Francisco, Cole says "I'll like this place but I miss the Twin Cities".

Riding in the car after school one day, I was telling Cole the errands we had to run before we headed home, his reply "okay baby".

When Cole thinks that Dave or I are making something up he states in a perplexed tone "are you kidding me out?"

As another thunderstorm struck with intensity and we headed to the basement once again, Cole heard the rain absolutely pummeling our roof and goes "well that's impressive!"

We always leave our hearts...

Last spring, we made a five day getaway out to the left coast as Dave was running the Big Sur marathon. We spent a quick 24 hours jetting around our favorite city by the bay seeing some our favorite haunts, spent time with friends who live north of SF and then headed south to spend the remainder of our vacation in Monteray.

This year, Dave registered for the San Francisco Marathon as a quest to conquer for his 40th birthday. We decided to stay put this year and stay in the city our entire six days. This would allow us to stop at all of our must see's and check-off our must do's!

Needless to say, we continue to marvel at how much joy spending time in SF creates for us. Cole was the consummate trooper as we ventured here and there and everywhere. We took the ferry over to Sausalito and enjoyed a yummy seafood dinner on a deck overlooking the bay, we rode the cable car (Cole's favorite!) and walked with the masses, people watching at its best at Fisherman's Wharf. We drove over the GG bridge and visited the Marin Headlands with their breathtaking views and black sand Rodeo Beach. We oohhed and ahhhed at Baker Beach where we watched a container ship go under the GG bridge on a clear spectacular day. We went up and down the streets in our old neighborhood and saw all the work they had been doing in the Presidio. We walked along Chrissy Field and shopped at Sports Basement (for those who know about SB, you already know why that was a MUST DO!). We met up with the Kawashiri clan for a scrumptious (gluten-free menu in an Italian place!!)dinner and walked around Union Square watching the kids eat cupcakes.

Cole and I both love hotels so setting up for an extended stay in one place with a to-die for view of the city was fun too! Dave completed 16 miles of the race running the steepest and toughest but most scenic part of the 26 mile route. His legs screamed enough and he heeded their command. Cole and I were so proud of him! We celebrated Dave's 40th birthday by heading south for a late lunch in Half Moon Bay and walk along a stretch of beach that took some climbing to get to/from. Cole played in the tide pools while Dave rested his weary limbs. We enjoyed large chocolate cupcakes in our hotel room to cap off the day!

Our last and final day we traveled north, the road zig-zagging along the curvy coast. Our destination was Point Reyes. We climbed up and back from the lighthouse (300 steps) and took in the view that went on forever, spent some time poking around the beaches and then headed back stopping for a late lunch in Stinson Beach.

We packed a lot into our six days and yet, we did not feel rushed or exhausted, just exhilarated. Leaving in a cab back to the airport, Cole wanted to know when we would back. I think both Dave and I replied simultaneously, "very soon".

TIME OUT

I know Dave had seriously been considering and researching purchasing a boat over a year ago; it was on our life white board for years now (those who know us know what this is) and residing in the land of 10,000 lakes, the water just beckoned. Living in Minnesota we have come to realize how precious our warm weather months are and our dream of owning a boat just became stronger and stronger. Hence, after much budgeting and tinkering with the concept, Dave found our perfect boat, albeit in the month of January and in of all places Alabama. So off he went between snowstorms to drive the 20 hours each way to tow our 21 foot Tahoe back to its new home. We had fun at the boat show in late January envisioning ourselves on OUR boat puttering around but never could have imagined how much fun our summer was going to be.

Now here in late July after finally unofficially naming her TIME OUT, I've taken some time to reflect how this boat has brought us such joy in just a few short weeks.

We had her out on the 42 degree water on Easter since it was a beautiful blue sky morning and we so craved our inaugural ride. Since then we have taken every opportunity to be out on her. We have gone camping "up north" and brought her along to explore Leech Lake, we have explored the many coves of Lake Minnetonka, we have boated to lunch and dinner, we have floated for hours on rafts and we have beached her on tiny islands. We have also learned a thing or too about getting her in/out of the water since the expense of a slip is prohibitive; we have mastered (on most days) the timing of when the public access docks are best to load/unload her and I can now say that I am comfortable with driving her in peak traffic and putting her on/taking her off the trailer with people watching (I was a mess doing this the first few times as a boat does NOT drive like a car especially under windy conditions).

Most of all, I love that being out on the boat has given us ample time to just be a family experiencing these new adventures together! Cole has gone from being a hesitant and clingy swimmer to gleefully motoring about without either of us in the water with him; to witness his confidence increase tenfold has me singing praises about our boat time. Tucker just wants to be with his pack so he is content basking in the sun then retreating to the cool shade under the Bimidi top and taking the occasional dip (we just got a skamper ramp which should make it easier for him to get in/out of the water).

Seeing Dave relax after a crazy week in the ad world as we cruise across the bay makes TIME OUT worth every unexpected penny she has cost us, LOL! And to feel the warmth of the sun on my face as we buzz about the water puts me in my happy place every time.

Life does have a way of bogging us all down and sometimes saps us of our energy. Taking the boat out reinvigorates us and gives us purposeful time to take a step away from the chaos, a much needed TIME OUT!

Will I ever be ready for these conversations?

One night before bed, Cole was in a quieter mood than usual. Typically bedtime is full of laughter and manic behavior as he attempts to wind down from his day. Corralling him into his room takes a bit of maneuvering but once he gets under the covers and we begin reading, his body takes the hint and he settles down. This particular evening, Dave was traveling so I made the assumption that Cole was melancholy about his daddy's absence. I normally let him communicate that rather than prodding him when he isn't ready or willing. So I was startled when the real reason for his mood was revealed.

"Mom, I'm sad about something", he began. I replied "hey buddy what is making you feel this way?". He paused and look a bit apprehensive as if he was struggling with explaining what he felt. I didn't want to push so I just waited as he collected his thoughts "Mom, what do I do if no one wants to play with me?", he softly said. My initial internal reaction was an immediate ache in my heart. I wanted him to share more so I asked "did something happen at school today?". He nodded with tears glistening in his eyes and proceeded to tell me that "X said that he didn't like me today and didn't want to race cars down the hill. Then X said he didn't want to play in the fort and then X pushed me on the slide." Following this description he let out a defeated sigh. My momma bear instincts wanted to irrationally say how all of those interactions weren't very nice but my brain overode that with a reality check. So I tried my best to acknowledge how he was feeling and let him know that it was okay to feel sad about it; that sometimes friends need space or want to do something different than what we want to do and we can feel disappointed but need to go find someone else that wants to join us or try and ask them again in a little while.

Cole quietly listened as I tried to make sense of today's events for him. He looked me in the eyes as I finished and said "thanks mom, I just want to be friends with everyone". I nodded with tears filling my eyes. I kissed the top of his head and hugged him even closer. I walked out of his room with the painful realization that there would be many more of these conversations as the innocence of his past few years is fading fast and is being replaced with an increasingly acute awareness that life can be a not so nice place sometimes.

Observations by Cole...

Cole is as bright and precocious as ever which can be both entertaining and exacerbating but in either case showcases his wit and wisdom which is darn right impressive. Here is the latest and greatest that I've managed to remember to jot down.

Cole and Dave have been unsuccessful this summer with their fishing. Angling is supposed to a calm activity however with a 4 1/2 year casting in a frenzy constantly tangling his line or throwing his hook into boat cushions and the like, fishing has pushed Dave's patience on occasion. After the umpteenth time one afternoon when Cole mangled his line, Dave's voice thundered. It only stopped Cole for a brief moment wherein he then retorted "Dad, your freaking out" followed by a laugh and his infamous impish grin tossed Dave's way. He knew exactly how to crack his daddy's frustration and bring the situation around to a positive again.

I tell Cole often how darn cute he is because simply he is. He normally says "I know" or "thanks, Mom" but one random afternoon after I picked him up from school without me saying anything with regards to his cuteness, he goes "Mom, I'm not cute anymore, I'm cool". The "cool" part was said in a drawn out way. I said "Oh really, well you can be cute AND cool". He replies "No mom, you can't, cute isn't cool". I nervously laughed with the sinking realization that he is losing his naivete. Oh my...

Being an only child has its advantages and disadvantages. He doesn't have to share his time with Dave and I with any other kids but he does have to play independently alone more often than most of his friends. Many times when he wants to race cars, build towers or play pretend we make the time since it is so fleeting and soon he'll not want to play with us anymore. However, the reality is that we cannot always play with him when he wants us too. So taking his innate "sales" ability to a whole other level, he recently says to me when I tell him "no, mommy can't kick the soccer ball around, she needs to feed Tucker and prep dinner", Cole responds "okay, so here's the deal, how bout we kick it 10 times, then you go make me dinner because I'm hungry". So I go "Hmmm, where exactly is the "deal" for me in that? Isn't a deal an agreement by parties that is mutually beneficial?" Cole looks at me blankly since I do tend to use adult logic with him and goes "what did you say, was that a yes?" All I could do was laugh out loud, go kick the soccer ball ten times and make dinner. Some things are just worth giving in too!

One smart cookie...

Cole has always been quite a precocious kiddo with outstanding conversational skills and a vocabulary (and proper use of it) well beyond his years but sometimes I catch myself momentarily stunned when he says something (either during his grand imaginary play or to me directly) and I realize that it isn't the typical musing of a 4 1/2 year old. Once my brain kicks me back a "WOW", I find myself smiling with pride; sometimes Cole catches my expression; he then throws me his impish grin as if to say "I know what you are thinking mom; yep, I'm one smart cookie". And that simply makes him even more impressive...

The Twins with my guys...

This is the first year that Cole has gone to Target Field for Twins baseball games. We are super lucky that Dave's agency has season tickets and on occasion we are able to attend a game with wonderful seats.

Now it goes without saying that a four year old doesn't quite grasp the rules of the game nor is entirely interested with what is going on ON the field. However, Cole suits up in his Twins cap and shirt and oohs and ahhs as we see the stadium and as long as he has a soft pretzel or is digging into a cardboard box of popcorn he is a happy camper. As with anything Cole engages in, he does so with very little sitting. He is up, he is down, he is in Dave's lap, or he is in my lap; he needs to go potty or he wants to get more food.

We are able to watch maybe six innings before we have all had our fill but the experience of attending and watching one of America's past times is beyond value.

*This photo was taken at this past Sunday's game on Father's Day. I love when I catch the both of them unaware; they typically end up some of my favorite shots!

Camping 101: "Living Outside"

I think it is pretty comical when you say you are going or went camping and people reply with the question "in a tent?" As far as I'm concerned that IS camping and there isn't any other form. Yes, you can sleep in a campground in a camper/RV but come on that isn't truly camping when you have toilets/running water and TV's on board!

Anyway we took our inaugural camping trip this past weekend with Cole and Tucker up to Stony Point Campground which is located in Chippewa National Forest on Leech Lake, about 3 hours from the Twin Cities. We towed the boat and had the truck full to its brim with "stuff" but we used 85% of that "stuff" which was pretty impressive since you just never know what your needs may be due to location/weather.

The campground was beautiful and well-run and our site had views of the lake. Cole had been so excited as we packed, pushing the buttons on our lanterns and just generally curious about "living outside". Once onsite, he helped Dave put up the tent as I set up the table and supplies. We then walked out to the point and looked out in awe at the vast body of water (Leech Lake is the 3rd largest lake in MN at 140,000 plus acres). We grilled hot dogs and made s'mores and then nestled in to the tent well before it got dark which in those parts is well after 10pm.

My early riser was up with the birds, literally at 4:45am. We had to keep him quiet at least until 6am so we were grateful for the DVD player, LOL. Tucker and I took a stroll out to the boat dock and watched the sun come up. We cooked up some breakfast and we were on our boat by 8:30am. We tooled around and the boys fished some. We moved to another location and the boys fished again (nada nothing). The water was way too cold to swim so they tried fishing in spot #3 (no luck). We headed back to camp and had an early dinner, then headed back out on the boat for a post-dinner cruise. The sunset was AMAZING, the water calm and lake quiet and peaceful. Back to camp for more s'mores. Another early morning, though not as early and out on the boat again. The storm clouds began to build mid-morning so we headed back to camp and packed up.

Just a short camping adventure but one of many more to come. So many places to explore in our own "backyard" of 10,000+ lakes.

Where is everybody?

So Cole and I went to the movies this week. He can barely sit still for a meal let alone for a 90 minute flick so our trip to the theater was his first ever. It was a gamble of sorts as I had taken him to the kid's live theater twice this past winter and nearly 30 minutes in, he was ready to go but with a Groupon to Fandango about to expire, I said to myself, let's go! So off we went to see Kung Fu Panda 2!

Cole was sooo excited as we made our way up the escalator to the fancy schmancy new cinema here in St. Louis Park. It was midday on a Monday (school isn't out yet) and the foyer was EMPTY. He wanted to get popcorn which he promptly spilled as he turned to RUN down the corridor. :-) We made our way into the barely lighted theater only to find that we had the entire place to ourselves. I thought for sure that at least someone else would show but as the initial trailers began to run and the lights dimmed, NO ONE did. I thought it was cool, Cole kept asking "where is everybody?" He was a bit distressed by it but soon was distracted by the booming Dolby Surround Sound. I haven't even thought about the noise/loudness factor which Cole is very sensitive to. He was a bit shocked during the first really loud piece and I became worried that our maiden trip to the movies would be short-lived but he settled in and except during some scary scenes when he burrowed into my lap, genuinely enraptured by the movie screen.

As the movie ended and the lights came up, he seemed a bit disoriented. It was as if he forgot where he was and that he and I were the only ones there. I asked him if he had a good time and he smiled and said "yeah, that was cool, the good guys won, can we come back and see the new CARS movie tomorrow?". I gave him a big hug and told him that CARS 2 would be playing in a few weeks and we would come back with Daddy! He jumped up and down, shedding the tiny little pieces of popcorn that had become stuck to his shirt/shorts. We both laughed and then he then stopped and said "well, I hope there are more people next time we come since there are so many seats!"

Mommy Day Video

Dave and Cole put this video together for me for Mother's Day. :-) I finally got around to getting the HTML code so that I could post it here:

Happy Mothers Day - 2011 from David Denham on Vimeo.