Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star...

As I turned on D's DVD the other morning I hear....



"Tinkle Tinkle wittle star, How I wunder you are..., up buv world high (low mumbling) then sky"



Yep...wow, he really does learn stuff at school! Not to say he doesn't but it sure makes you feel really good when you know you have not been working on something with them and out blurps something completely new. We've sang that song before, many many times but just not recently.



But this time was different. He held his hands in the air and made them "twinkle" as he sang the song.



This morning, same scenario. After he was finished with Twinkle Star, he wanted to sing "Row, Row" song. I think we might have quite the singer on our hands.



I couldn't help but buy the "Tinkle" book at the store today. Sure enough tonight he had to read it over and over and went to bed mumbling it in his sleep!

Uh oh's...

This lil dude lately is accident prone! My goodness, his legs are always bruised. I guess they say they are "little boy bruises" that it just happens.



Well, it didn't help that there were a few instances of him getting hurt this week at school...and well, when we got home he tripped over the curb, fell off of the 4 wheeler and bumped his elbow. We heard about Bo Bo's for a while, and I think we still are. His knee was pretty scraped up, the first time that's happened.



Oh and I forgot to mention he had a bloody nose at Grandpa and Nina's house last weekend. It wasn't just a lil flow, it was quite a flow and we still don't know why. Who knows, these days but I sure don't like seeing my lil man get all scraped and bruised up from playing. But boys will be boys...and I hate to say it but I think he got his clumsiness from me! :(

What a big boy!

With mommy's new goal of going to the barn twice a week, Daddy and D get their nights to hang out with the neighbors in the cul-de-sac. D now insists on going into the neighbors garage to find the big 4 wheeler (even though it is a barbie version). He doesn't care, all he cares is it's big and it goes waaaaay faster than his lil green machine.




He still doesn't exactly know how to steer, but he is content driving around...and not necessarily in circles. I guess a bigger "ride" is in the near future for the dude.

Wash, Car?

That's what D asked me when he awoke from his nap on Sunday afternoon. (after a napless Saturday, and a rough Saturday night and Sunday morning) the Dude took a 4 hour nap. But by that time, he was ready to go.

He wanted to help "Wash car". He took the liberty of grabbing a sponge and started scrubbing my car! I love it, he's a natural! First car wash and he knows what to do. I guess he knew what he was doing, b/c I sure did wash my car a lot when I was preggers with him.

He then had to have his own bucket of water and he had to wash. Wash everything!

What is red and has claws?

CRAWFISH!

Ok, so it just so happened we had a very busy weekend planned. We not only made plans to go to Grandpa and Nina's house for a crawfish boil but we were also invited by some friends to their house for what? Yet, another crawfish boil.

It couldn't have been a better weekend, it was absolutely gorgeous weather! They threatened rain, but it stayed far away and brought a nice cool front. Which meant, what else than a great hair day! I kid!

As we headed to our first outing (which is normally at the beginning of D's nap) it was bright and very very sunny. So the dude demanded his hat and sunglasses. We walked across the street and down the lake to the event.

It was a lot of fun! They even brought back leftovers! D had fun in the bouncy thing, slide and snow cones! He now mimics a crawfish by clamping his fingers as if he was "pinching" like a crawfish would with his claws. He was having too much fun to slow down, but you could tell he was fighting it. He was sleepy. But waaaay to much going on for that. While Daddy and Mommy got to eat our crawfish, Grandpa chased D around and who knows what they did. All I know is they had fun and I think Grandpa was pooped! By the end of the event he had to have a "balloon hat" much like the big kids. He again loved to pose on the way back to the house. What a wonderful evening.

We thought by the time we got to our friends house that was a mere two miles away the dude would be asleep. Wishful thinking, i know! Nope he was awake and ready to greet and meet everyone. Check out the big table full of crawfish and inspect the cooler that had the mushrooms, potatoes and corn.

But it didn't take long for him to find Bryce's tractor and find dirt to put in it. Before you knew it they were demolishing the neighbors nicely landscaped beds. Ah well.

It was a good time, and all I have to say is by 8 o'clock...I was pooped! We had fun catching up with some old friends and just hanging out. It couldn't have been a better weekend!

A little down time...

Finally a little down time. A weekend that was jam packed, yet finally a bit slower from the week's past.



We had planned a date night, can I get a Wahoo?! I had also heard about a home tour out in a new subdivision in our town. So, we decided to take D to Grandma and Grandpa Gonzo's to have more of a day with them than just an evening and morning. Which meant we could head to the home tour, child free. I admit, with as much walking as we did and how strollers weren't aloud in the homes...it would have been a challenge with the lil dude coming a long with us.



I love tours like that...you get to see what to do and not do in your future 1.6 million dollar home! just kidding. But really, it's amazing how with money some people just don't have taste. But it was great, really. We got tired from all the walking, waiting for shuttles and snacking...that by the time we made it to where my company had a home, it was a quick breeze through the homes.



We headed to a new sermon at our old church. I know, some might think we are crazy for going on a Saturday night. But 1) we have been wanting to try it out, and what a great time when we don't have to worry about D and 2) we get to sleep in on Sunday. It was a good start to the night. Then after margaritas and a stop at a few local watering holes...we ended up meeting up with some old friends. Long night, but fun was had by all.



Needless to say, I was kind of happy when the next day it rained all day. That meant you didn't feel so bad for staying in and relaxing. Naps are great!

Texas Bluebonnets...

Ok, so these weren't exactly the most beautiful, precious bunch of bluebonnets! I was on a search for some good bluebonnets to get pictures of D. We missed out last year and this year, time just kept getting away from us.

Lesson learned...don't wait until after Easter to try to find some. Because if you do find some they are all trampled on from the Easter crowds. Every year I say I want to go out off of 290 to take pictures. But it has yet to actually happen.

So we heard there were some over in this park in the Woodlands. Sure, they were there...but very sparse. The dry weather didn't help either, some looked as though if they had a nice rain shower would perk right back up. They were few and far between. So we found a small patch and took pictures in them.

D didn't know you aren't suppose to pick them. So naturally he picked it and put it behind his ear. And then the silliness progressed. It was a good time, until someone went #2...then it was time to go!

Enjoy!

Laugh out Loud...funny!

Ok, so tonight had to be the funniest night at dinner.

The dude is just talking more and more each day and pronouncing things more clearly.


As he is eating his steak dinner with his new found favorite vegetable "asparagus", he reached over to grab his milk and took a sip. Out came:



"MMMmmm good"!



We couldn't help but burst out laughing! He just looked at us like we were silly.



I asked "do you like your steak"?



His reply: Mmmm yummy steak daddy!



ahh...love the personality!



Then when it was time to go to bed, he put his tractor and his car in his closet and told them "night night". Proceeded to pick out a book, told Daddy to sit in the chair and read, all the while crossing his arms and rubbing daddy's hand. Where does this stuff come from? I love it!



It was a great night of laughter and love.

2 yr checkup...

All went well at his 2 year checkup.

Dr. E was very pleased with how well he was talking and experimenting and well...all the things he should be doing.

He had to get one more shot AND...they took blood (like us grown ups) in the arm to have some tests done. Oh my gosh that was the hardest thing ever. The poor dude did not understand it. Let's just say they were big boy, alligator tears. Almost brought tears to mommies eyes too!

The test results came back with no problems. They were just worried with how bruised up he always gets and was when they saw him that they should just do some standard procedure "lab work".

But the dude is right on track with everything. He told us because D is so interested in the potty, to go ahead and try the morning and night ritual of going and sitting on the potty. We shall see how that goes. He also said that we could switch him to a toddler bed or big boy bed. He said it will happen eventually and well...its on our terms and his. This shall be interesting!

Crazy to think that we won't be going to the doctor every month or two, every half year...that now it is once a year. Of course besides the lil illnesses here and there that he will have. What about all the questions that will pop up? What is one to do? I am sure we will live and learn.

So from an 8lb 12oz newborn when he was born he is now a 2 year old toddler that weighs 28 lbs (44%) and is 36" tall (80%) and his head circumference is 50 cm (26%).

He's our growing boy!

New found love...

After opening all of his loot. He finally made it to the tractor, which after seeing I knew was going to be his all time favorite.

Sure enough, this tractor makes noises, lights up and moves! What more can a little toddler ask for?

Let's just say it's hard to part with.

He first started on the patio, dragging the new dirt (mulch) from the beds. Packing it in the tractor and letting it dump it out. Then doing it all over again...and when he was out, going and getting more dirt.

Then it came time to go to Grandpa's and Nina's house. Yep, that ended in an all out crying fest...making a scene in the street and having all the neighbors wondering what was going on.

By the time we made it home that night he had it in his hand while sleeping in the car seat. And if he dropped it...it would wake him up to want it back again.

Wow, do we have a farmer on our hands...at any rate he is all boy!

Birthday Loot...

Ok, so it only took us almost a week to open all of D's bday presents. I wanted him to at least open them out of the bags so I could take this grand photo (which still doesn't have every present...sorry for those of you). But our goal was to stick some back in the closet.

That didn't happen. One by one, "Mommy, OPEN".

IF you ignore...he says "Daddy, then tries to whistle...OPEN".

Yep, he got that from Daddy whistling at the dogs. So now he does it almost all the time. Pretty darn cute if you ask me. He's just too clever!

New Bo Bo's..

I was heartbroken today when I got home from work to look at my son and see a black eye. My immediate reaction was "What happened, and who threw something at him"?



Turns out D and his instinct to drive things on walls lately...well he was apparently pushing a car up the wall and was leaning back and when he leaned back so far he fell back and the train came down right on top of him. hitting right below his eye socket. Needless to say, it looks like it hurt!



Of course then he lifts up his shirt and shows me another bo bo. Yep this time a full round mouth, with teeth bites on his stomach! Seriously? Who does that? I guess Toddlers.



Daddy said "Ask him who did it"? Ok, "Dylan, who bit you"..."Ashley"! I guess there is no more ambiguity of not telling the parents which child bites anymore.

My poor little man!

Let's go fly a kite...

And send it soaring! Well...that wasn't so much the case in our situation.

We've had this kite for a year for D. Never opened it...but its been so windy lately in our backyard I thought why not try.

Well...Daddy isn't too keen of it! It didn't want to fly straight, up or even out. So much for a $1.99 kite, huh? Ok, maybe next time we should spend over $2 for a kite if we expect it to get off of the ground or leave our hands.

D loved it...there was no complaining except that he wanted to grab it and well...it just wouldn't go at that point.

Gunnar even got in on the fun...

What can I say the weather has been great, and we are never inside! No complaints here...

Family Fun...

After the train the ride we went to the Grandparents house to meet two of D's great Aunts he has never met before. They were so excited to see him and meet him and see him play.

It was such a gorgeous evening, nothing could have been more perfect than to sit on the patio and visit while D got to play in the dirt and have fun. He loves his bubbles too and so I couldn't help but try for a perfect photo opp (since there hasn't been much lately).

Fun times with the sister's and their photo opp...while the food was getting cold. Hahaha!

Good times were had by all! I can't help but grab those moments of in between poses...the "real" moments. Enjoy!

UP Steam Engine 844 - Choo Choo...

After a jamb packed weekend of birthday excitement with firetrucks and fun, we had another eventful day to go ride a choo choo train! Two of D's favorite things in one weekend? I don't think the bday weekend could have been any better?!

Played in Old Town Spring waiting for the train to arrive. D thought it would be great to get his nice shiny Thomas the engine train all dirty in the dirt, then he decided to climb in an empty case box of beer. Classy...but hey sometimes boxes are the best of the best of toys!

I had no idea that people follow trains and that they are called foamers. And my oh my were there a lot of foamers. We stood amongst the crowds patiently waiting for the train to arrive so we could get on. (thanks to our friend Clint who works for the railroad, he was able to pull some weight and get us a few tickets to ride this steam engine from Old Town Spring to Houston on it's tour from Kansas to the Valley).

The thing was massive and you could hear it coming...D shouted "Train, Train...Choo Choo Train"! We were excited and knew he would be too! just like the airplane he sat like a perfect gentleman looking out the window and observing all that was going on around.

there were people chasing the train down the freeway to keep up, and traffic on a major highway slowly going 20 mph. It was definitely an experience to be a part of.

We toured the train from front to back. From the beverage area to the standing room only and then to our seats.

When the train arrived two hours later in Houston at the Amtrak station there was time for photo opps! I couldn't believe how big this train was! Of course it was so big and to get it in the picture with all of us was a task of not having us look like ants.

But enjoy, it was definitely a fun memory!

Family time...

Great photos with the family, after everyone left D's party. Finally we have pictures to put up in the house!!!

Can you tell we were all exhausted and the lil dude was purely running on...who knows what? He was slap happy he was so tired...but couldn't get over all the attention! oh and can you tell it was bright?! ooooopps....

I have to say it's been a long time since me and bro have had a picture together. I think the last one I just love is from our wedding. So...here is my latest and greatest favorite!

Big Red Firetruck Birthday party...

It started as a very dreary cloudy, almost rainy day. The dude slept in but woke up in a great mood! We went in singing Happy Birthday to him and he laughed and giggled. You could tell he had a good nights sleep from the style of his hair!

He headed off with Daddy after breakfast (his favorite...scrambled eggs with Tabasco) to get his haircut. He was a super star. It gave me some time to get the house ready for the party. Although, as time went on I got more and more worried about the weather. The weatherman all predicted that the weather for this special day for a week was going to be sunny, clear and dry! Why was it cloudy and rainy at noon? But thank goodness that by 1:30 the clouds parted ways and the sun came out. It was still a bit chilly but then got the normal Houston warm...but very tolerable.

Everyone started to arrive as we were still trying to setup the tables outside...so it was a bit stressful...but all that mattered was that the kids had somewhere to play. I couldn't have imagined trying to entertain 16 or more kids inside our lil bitty house. But it all worked out in the end.

The dude had a blast on his new birthday present. I think we have found our new "babysitter". He would leave the funny bouncy bouncer.

Of course, as the kids were playing and the parents were talking and as it reach closer to 4 o'clock I was getting worried our big surprise wasn't going to show up. But then...I heard it!


The beep beep of a fire truck! D stopped, looked at me and I said "Is that a firetruck...do you want to go see the firetruck?" He hopped out of that thing so fast, it was in the blink of an eye! We walked to the front (and now thinking back I didn't really tell anyone around that there was this surprise and to head to the front yard...but luckily everyone followed my lead...sorry folks). We were greeted by fireman John. D was so shocked and surprised and I think trying to figure out why a fire truck was at his house? They were very nice and walked us over to the truck and opened all the compartments. They were very eager to show us all through the truck and all that they do. Fireman John even asked Fireman Herron to get dressed in his full gear.

Do found a tool he liked and wanted to show everyone...then it was time to climb in the drivers seat. As I walked around to the front of the truck to take a picture on the decking at the front of the truck I about peed my pants! Not literally but sure made my heart drop. I now remember hearing Daddy say Dylan "honk the horn". Well, he sure knew how to do that...and it sure did scare an awful lot of us at the front of the truck.

As it was time for the fireman to leave they left with lights and sirens and all...and that is when we heard the funniest, sweetest laugh ever! I can't even describe it and sure wish that we had it on video...the dude's laugh was the best. Now, anytime you say fire truck he does that one of a kind laugh. It's the best.

We all then headed back to the yard for cake and ice cream. We had a hard time lighting the candles being it was so windy in the backyard. So we "pretended". But the dude loved it, he didn't break out in tears this time and he spent a good 20 minutes on his little "2" cake.

It was a great party but man oh man, it's like when we got married. I feel like I didn't get to talk to everyone who showed up so then the guilt sets in...hope everyone understands. :) As party goers started to leave we began opening presents. Once again (like that at Christmas) he knew exactly what to do. He went for the biggest present first and ripped off all the wrapping paper...then moved onto to the bagged presents and dismantled all the paper. Throwing it from side to side like it was nothing.

Of course with every revealing of the present he wanted to "open" them and play with them...but we kept moving on. Needless to say we didn't get through all presents. In fact, even at the end of Sunday night there is still presents to be opened.

All in all it was a success and I am happy, just flabbergasted that our little man got to see a firetruck on his street in front of his driveway! Pretty special if you ask me...!

Happy Birthday Boo Boo, we love you!

2 sweet wishes!

On the eve of our sweet baby's 2nd birthday I couldn't help but look over his crib and watch him sleep...and think of where we were two years ago, what all has happened in those years and how we are today! My how time flies...and it sure has flown. I laughed and giggle to myself, smirk then get a tear in my eye to think of all the laughter, tears, love and joy this little bundle of joy brought to our lives (all of us for that matter).

Every day is a new day and something new we experience, hear or even have to learn as parents how to discipline the new little dare devil tactics he has learned. But we wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

We are absolutely in love with our lil man and just couldn't be happier. His sweet smile, gorgeous eyes and fantastic outgoing and loving personality and is someone who teaches me every day!

Here is to many more years of FUN, LOVE AND LAUGHTER! Ok, and probably an occasional tear, or melt down on D's end...but here's to the past, the present and the future!

We love you Boo Boo!