Harrison......

Today's Instagram picture post is about Harrison. Because he keeps reminding me I haven't done one all about him yet. So, here goes! Harrison is my baby. He's my funny guy - making me laugh every day since he could talk. He's smart, resourceful, kind, loving, a helper. He's super smart, has the voice of an angel, and is a great actor. He cares deeply, plays the guitar, bass and piano with passion, is a thinker and a learner. He's a lucky guy and I'm lucky he's my only son! 

Here's Harrison with comedian Amy Anderson (also known as Aubrey's mom who plays Lily on Modern Family). We saw her perform at Central Washington University in the fall of 2012. Harrison loved the show and loved getting to meet her. 

Here's my sweet, soft, squishy, moppy-haired, angelic little baby boy! I used to pretend to bite his ear and made a funny sound. He always laughed!

A boy and his dog - is there any better bond? 

My rock star! Who knew he could sing like this? Who knew he could play the bass the first time he tried? Who knew he'd be in a band? This was taken at Bushwhack's latest show. 

Again, with the dog. Love those mugs! 

I'm kind of in love with this picture of us! 

Harrison couldn't wait to see Book of Mormon at the Paramount. He had memorized nearly all the songs before we went. After the show, who should walk out the side door than the guy who played Elder Cunningham? He was nice enough to pose for some pics and sign our programs. Pretty awesome for a theater fan! 

My boy at Cannon Beach - see Haystack Rock in the distance? 

On the first day of school this year. A sophomore in high school already. Always the goofball!

In between shows during "Legally Blonde" which he was in this past summer. He was exhausted. 

"Smoking" the stage cigarette after the show. Notice his sister's disapproving stare. 

One day, we went on a coffee date. This was Harrison, looking serious. Serious about coffee! 

I like to call this picture "Obnoxious Teenage Boy." Although it was taken a couple of summers ago, it still embodies Harrison's spontaneous spirit - and his penchant for making sudden, loud noises. 

That's my boy!

Anxious morning.....

Poor Hannah. This morning she was so nervous, she decided to go to school and skip the choir field trip because she's worried there's something wrong with her heart. She's been having dizzy/fainting spells and her hands and feet have been turning blueish/grayish at times. We've been to three doctors (her regular doc, her arthritis doc, and her adolescent medicine doc) and they are all mystified. So, we're heading to the pediatric cardiologist to see if it's a heart issue. My guess is it's not, but better safe than sorry. However, with all the weird palpitations she's been getting, she's having more and more anxiety and was fearful today that she might faint during the choir field trip, or worse, on stage tonight during the concert. So, it appears she's not going to either. Which is both a disappointment and a worry that it will affect her grade. And who knows how long it will take to get into the cardio? I'm hoping it's sooner rather than later so she can put her fears to rest.

The good news is she did go to school. And Hayley has a test schedule at school which means she doesn't have to be there until 9:30. So, we're headed to Starbucks for a little mommy/daughter date before school and then I'll drop her off. After that I'm headed to Wal-Mart for a mini shopping spree (hopefully) for my San Francisco trip - new jeans, maybe a few tops, and a bag/purse big enough to carry my camera and all the other essentials I'll need while walking and exploring the city. We leave this weekend and I'm so excited! A little nervous about leaving the kids, but excited too.

Oh, and I have to rant about one thing. My ex-husband is a jerk! Not that anyone who reads this doesn't know that already, but last night he was too lazy to pick up Harrison for their Monday night "24" date (they watch the show together on Mondays, due to my total generosity in allowing him an extra day with the boy). So, he expected me to do it. I had about a million things to do, plus needed to help Arlie with a paper for school so I said no, he had to come get him (I mean, seriously? What ELSE is he doing?). So, he did, and was a total ass when he got here. I mentioned Hannah's concert tonight and he did his typical, toddler-like behavior of playing the "I can't hear you" game. Then, when I mentioned I needed his help (because Jeff has a Toastmaster's contest tonight and I'm only one person needing to take two kids to gymnastics, trampoline class, and the concert), he said "nope, I'm working" (this means he's sitting on his ass at a site of new homes, where absolutely no one to maybe a couple of people will stop by). He then said "it's YOUR night, you deal with it" so I said "does that mean you're not coming?" and he said "I don't know". So, I reminded him he's a parent ALL the time, not just on the days he has the kids. Oh, and then he turned around and said "You know what? You can pick Arlie up this Friday" (referring to the fact that every other week he picks up both Arlie and Harrison at choir practice after school, which he would have to do ANYWAY and he drives RIGHT BY the house on the way home). I said "what does Arlie have to do with this?" but he didn't answer because he knows he's an immature asshole. Then, he took Harrison with him and Harrison texted me and then called me and said he wasn't sure he wanted to stay there, because the thought "daddy might hurt me"! OMG! I said I would come and get him right away, but he kept being undecisive about leaving. I know the only reason he didn't leave is because he feared the wrath of his dad and the guilt if he left. Doug is really out of control and need to get his attitude in check. His immature behavior and petty attitude is just unbelievable for a "man" of his age. This is the shit I have to deal with..........ugh.........

Harrison's 11th birthday!

The birthday fairy came and put presents on the table, balloons on the lights and a donut cake for the birthday boy!

The donut cake - Harrison's idea!

Eleven candles for my "baby" boy!

He's a happy camper!

Don't you know better than to put your tongue on an open flame?

Make a wish!

The coveted gift -a cell phone - he's been asking for one since age 6!

Making his first call to guess who? His dad!

The party - opening presents!

He invited five friends over........

Whipped cream in the mouth! Yum!

Harrison and friends enjoying ice cream sundaes and a cupcake tower

The boyz.........

The cupcake tower!

A Couple of Harrison Funnys!

We had just visited Tonaiya last Sunday and Harrison had helped Ingrid rub some essential oils on her feet that were to promote brain function and healing (remember, Tonaiya is Harrison's good friend who is hospitalized with encephalitis, and Ingrid is her grandma who is an "energy healer" by trade). On the way home we were talking about these oils and Jeff said "well, they must have absorbed into your hands, Harrison. Do you feel any smarter?" to which Harrison replied "No, but you look a little dumber!" (ba-da-bum!)

Yesterday I took Harrison to Toys R Us to FINALLY spend a gift card of his I've been carrying around in my wallet for months. He picked out some walkie-talkies, we paid, and were leaving the store. He looked wistfully at the "rides" (the ones you put a quarter in) and said "me and the rides, we used to be tight. But as I've grown older, we've grown apart!"

He makes me laugh!

The Manny!

Harrison "nursing" Myla after she fell off the swing set (notice ice pack behind her head!)
Harrison teaching Myla the fine art of Nintendo DS!

Harrison has been coming to work with me the past two days and I have to say, he's been amazing! What a great help he's been - entertaining the kids, putting them down for naps, nursing their wounds, giving hugs and encouragement - I tell you, he's a natural with kids (I have no idea where he gets that!) :)

Anyway, I told him he's going to be a great babysitter one of these days. He is so gentle and sweet with Dakota, who has special needs, and he has some sort of magic that gets her to talk a LOT! She doesn't have too many words, but Harrison seems to get them out of her and then some. He had her saying the funniest things on the swingset. And he just adores Myla. He insists he's her new best friend and that she "likes him best". Both girls totally accepted him putting them down for naps and Myla even let him hold an ice pack on her head after she fell off the swings. It was sweet to see what a loving little guy he's turned out to be and how amazing he is with little kids. Oh! And he cleaned up the house, stacking and sorting everything and even dusted. He's going to make a great husband someday! :)

Harrison at the Variety Show!

Here's Harrison at the Variety Show, singing "Angels". Enjoy!