It's all about me --- Caleb Day

Summer began around the 1st of June for Caleb....however, it hasn't been much of one for him!! Dr. Mom has been busy this summer....working part-time for a major research company, teaching 2 human development classes (web-based, but hey they have to be graded!), evaluator for a small local grant, and analyzing data and writing....for paper presentations and journal publications. Dr. Mom had to prepare for a major education conference in Spain so she would work during the day and then analyze and write late into the night.....she did this during the first few weeks of June -- Caleb's summer vacation----Dr. Mom wasn't much of a mom during this time. Then Dr. Mom left sweet little Caleb so that she could go to Spain to present that paper to her peers--- Dr. Mom was gone almost two weeks while sweet little Caleb stayed home with dad in the evenings and friends during the day. Three days after Dr. Mom got home from Spain she had to leave again....major research company sent her to DC for 2 days of evaluation meetings.....sweet little Caleb was left behind once more. When Dr. Mom came home from DC, sweet little Caleb only had 2 days of summer vacation left....bad, bad, bad Dr. Mom!!! Then Dr. Mom got an email that major journal wanted her paper for publication....more work for Dr. Mom and less time for sweet little Caleb. Dr. Mom had to meet 5 deadlines within two weeks for paper presentation submissions to next year's conferences and publication deadlines (2 of those).

Dr. Mom is working like a dog instead of a dr.

Sweet little Caleb is waiting patiently, until Saturday morning that is....patience is gone.....Sweet little Caleb brings up the list of all the things we had planned to do during summer vacation --- we hadn't done them. So on Saturday, we proclaimed it Caleb Day.....and we would do what Caleb wanted to do!! Dr. Mom walked away from the papers that needed to be finished, the grading that needed to be done, and the house that needed to be cleaned and enjoyed Caleb day. First we went to see the new Ice Age Dinosaur movie....we sat in the back way up high (not so high really but you know he is only 5) and we ate nachos, popcorn, and a hotdog (between us not each of us!) and we laughed and we laughed some more.

When the movie was over we went to the rock climbing center. Sweet little Caleb has been bugging Dr. Mom for 6 months to go rock climbing...you have to be 5 and he wasn't. His is now and we went. First Dr. Mom had to learn how to be a Belay (huh??). Belay holds the ropes for the climber. Dr. Mom is officially a Belay -- with a card that says so. Sweet Caleb listened to the rules of rock climbing and then buckled on the harness and strapped to the rope.

Let the climb begin!!!

Dr. Mom(the Belay) holding the ropes for him....and he is off on his climb to the top!!!

Three steps up and he asks if he is there yet!!!

Hanging by a thread - I mean rope


Coming down from the climb -- notice the form - this is his first
down so his form isn't quite there yet, but before we left he had the
bounce from section to section down and could move right on down
the wall. He was in heaven!!!

Big smile cause I am on my way up!

He really did go further up the wall than what the pictures show,
but the nice helpful lady only took the pictures for us in the beginning.

Within 10 minutes my Belay arms were in pain....they aren't used
to such a work out!!! By 20 minutes I am wondering if I will make it
much longer. Thankfully Sweet little Caleb had only made it about 1/2 way
up the wall and his legs and arms were getting tired too. He decided he wasn't
ready to go to the top yet(since it was really kind of scary) so we were able to leave with plans to come back
VERY SOON!!!!


Then we rewarded ourselves with a Sonic drink and vanilla cone because remember
it was Caleb day and on Caleb day we do the things that Caleb wants to do
(who cares if mom is trying to lose weight!)


Later that night we went to a friends house for a birthday party. The friend had two zip lines in thier backyard and a nice play center. Sweet little Caleb was in heaven once more that day.
Friends to play with. Swings to swing on. Rope to swing on. Dirt to dig in. And a zip line.
(picture of zip line to come later -- it is on Dr. Mom's phone and she needs to upload it)

What a wonderful Caleb day!!!


For now the Dr. is out....planning more Caleb days!!