I Love Snow!

I don't have much by way of worldly experience yet, but one thing I've learned from my short time on this planet is that I love snow.  I really do.  Nothing in particular about it.  I just love it.

In my 19 months, I have already seen more snow than most of my family did in their first decade of life.  And it keeps on coming.

You've already read about two weeks ago.  And a month ago.  Well, it snowed again last week.  I mean, it snowed good, about 4 inches or so.  Then, when it was pretty much all gone, it snowed another inch or so last night.  And then again today there was a bit of snow falling for a while.  But nothing beats the fun I had last week.

As is becoming our routine on snow days, we walked to Cafe Eclectic, our neighborhood hangout, for breakfast.  I just love their waffles.  And their chocolate milk boxes.  (Yes, I know that there's nothing special about their milk boxes, but it's the only place I'm allowed to get one.)

Like Daddy, Aunt Kelly was home, school being canceled and all, but Uncle Grant had to go to work.  So we said too bad for him and had a fun time with her.  Kelly brought Maya over to play with Layla and that was pretty funny.  Layla's not a puppy anymore like Maya.

We walked down to the VECA Greenline and built a snow person.  Mommy brought tools and props and everything.  I especially enjoyed shoveling snow.  And then I just had some fun running around, crunching the snow underfoot.  I got tired from running and plopped down.  Mommy came and sat down beside me and we ate some snow, although I wasn't quite sure what to make of that.

The snow hung around for a few days and I had to walk down to the Greenline at least once a day to play in it.  Sure, I was getting stir crazy being couped up in the house all day.  But, like I said, I love the snow.

Anyway, enough talk.  Here are the pictures.

Fun, Fun in the Snow

Daddy got to stay home with us yesterday since they cancelled school because of the weather.  Me and Mommy were so glad.


At first it was just raining, then the rain started freezing.  Soon, a wintry mix started to fall and it got pretty nasty out.  And it wasn't really the kind of stuff you want to play in, so we stayed inside.  Grandaddy stopped by for a short visit and helped the day go by.


It finally started snowing pretty good during my naptime.  But it wasn't until dark that I finally was able to play in it.  I was getting stir crazy being trapped inside all day, so I convinced Daddy to let me out for a while.


It snowed some more overnight and everything froze solid, which made it kind of dangerous.  But we decided to take a stroll through the 'hood anyway.  Me and Daddy ran around, while Mommy worried we might slip and fall.  But we looked out for her and helped her past the treacherous spots.

We ended up around the corner at Cafe Eclectic and had a nice breakfast.  Well, Mommy and Daddy had a nice breakfast.  I mostly had fun playing with the kids at the booth behind us.  Oh, and I discovered the joy of a chocolate milk box (my first!) and drinking through a straw.

All the fun in the snow must have tuckered me out because I fell asleep in my high chair almost as soon as I started eating lunch.

I can't wait to play some more!

Fun at the Zoo

It was shaping up to be a wonderful day, with weather fit for springtime.  On the way home from church, Mommy lamented that it was close to naptime and we couldn't go to the zoo.  Subsequently, I fell asleep in my high-chair eating lunch.

Upon waking, after I finished the rest of my lunch, Daddy decided it was indeed a good day for the Memphis Zoo.  By that time Mommy didn't feel like walking around the big zoo, so she stayed behind.  We thought that today would be a good day to leave the stroller behind as well.  And, with it so near to closing time, we figured we ought to drive instead of walk.  It turned out to be good that we did.

Cat Country, in contrast to its usual atmosphere, was full of life.  Those cats are always just sitting around doing nothing when I go, although that may have to do with the fact that I usually go to the zoo in the morning and they've not been awake for long.  But today they were walking around and even playing with each other.  What fun!

It was feeding time over at the Farm, my favorite place in the zoo, so I didn't get to pet anyone.  That's okay, though; I always get to play with them.

Since we went sans stroller, I got to walk and roam all around, just like the big boy that I am.  Daddy carried me around on his shoulders between exhibits, though, to move us along quicker.

The pandas, usually so lazy, were lots of fun today, too!  One of them was even outside.  The other was playing inside, interacting with all of us visitors.

The elephants weren't out, so we hurried to the Northwest Passage.  The panda bears weren't doing much, but the sea lions were showing off a bit.  Two were posing on rocks and another was swimming by, trying to get my attention.  It was beginning to get dark, though, and I didn't much care.

One of the black bears came strutting right up to me and the bald eagles were talking to me.  So that was fun!

It was getting darker and darker, with storm clouds approaching.  But we wanted to see the grizzlies.  As soon as we walked up to the Teton Trek.  We saw the bears and turned to leave.

All of a sudden, the bottom just dropped.  Fortunately, the tram pulled up to save us.

But it was pouring down rain by the time the tram dropped us near the front gate.  We had to run to the gate, then run to the car.  And it was some kind of fun running in the rain.

Tomorrow promises even more fun.  I have a friend coming over to play!

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

We helped Mommy celebrate her birthday this weekend and I gave her lots of kisses!  Her birthday was on Saturday, but she celebrated all weekend long.

First, Uncle Grant and Aunt Kelly came over on Friday so that Mommy and Daddy could go out to dinner with some friends.  I like Grant and Kelly!  Oh, and Aunt Kelly made a cake for Mommy, complete with (well, we won't say how many) candles!

Then, me and Daddy had a boy's day on Saturday, as Mommy had a girl's day (chick flick, then chocolate fondue) with several girlfriends.  We didn't get into too much trouble!

I usually go to sleep after church on Sunday, but I decided I would stay awake yesterday so that we could go out to eat with Grandaddy and Grandmommy.  We had Central BBQ!  It was hard, but I did it just for Mommy!

Last night, after I finished dinner, Daddy was officially in charge of me.  Why?  Well, Mommy had a big night planned, with both the Golden Globe Awards and Return to Cranford (PBS Classic) on.  I didn't want to let Mommy go, though, but relented when Daddy promised that we would read my Puff book for bedtime.

This morning, I let Mommy sleep in until 7:30, then let her nod off for a short nap a few minutes ago.

And it's finally warming up here, so we're heading up to the zoo!  Uncle Grant is  coming with us.  This, too, is part of Mommy's birthday, as she has been missing our trips of late.  (We did make a trip with Michael the other day, though.)

So, we love you, Mommy!  And we hope you had the happiest of all birthdays!

Gobble, Gobble!

Happy Turkey Day!

We loaded up the car at bedtime and drove through Tuesday night to Grandma and Pa's house.

It took a long time (8 1/2 hrs, including stops), but I don't remember much of it.  The only times I woke up was when we stopped and the bright lights shined in my eyes.

I had a big day yesterday, interrupting my playtime (with Grandma, Pa, cousins Trevor and Jayda, Aunt Hillary, Uncle Patrick, Mommy, Daddy, Layla, Sugar) only for someone to wipe my nose, which is now running.  I didn't eat much yesterday, but my appetite was back this morning at breakfast.

Daddy's about to go get Nane and Mema is coming over soon, too.  And I can't wait for them to spoil me rotten.  (Grandma and Pa are already doing a good job of that!)

We're watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but I really don't care about cheerleaders and musicals and Rockettes.  Bring on Sesame Street!  Bring on the Peanuts characters!  And bring on Santa Claus!  (Get ready, Grandaddy; we'll be calling you when Santa comes.)

This is not my first Thanksgiving, but I was too little to remember last year.  But I can tell that, by the smell of things, this is certainly a holiday for me!  I hope it's a good one for you.

Poor Mommy and Other Excitement

Poor Mommy.  She hurt her knee, a first degree sprain of the medial collateral ligament (MCL).  It happened on Tuesday and, although she is better, she is still having a hard time getting around.

Fortunately, we have great family and friends.

Grandaddy watched me and put me to bed while Daddy took Mommy to the doctor.  On day 1, Daddy had to take care of Mommy, while he and Grandaddy took care of me.  On day 2, me and Grandaddy had quite a day, as he used his day off to play with me.  On day 3, Grandmommy was back in town and she came over to love on me.  Mrs Carol, bless her, brought lunch.  Then, I went to my friend Michael's house to play.  Uncle Grant and Aunt Kelly brought dinner and played.

The weekend has been mostly me and Daddy, but I can tell Mommy is getting better because she is able to do more with me each day.  It won't be too long before she's on the floor with me again!  Oh, and Aunt Cathy came over last night with dinner and energy to play.

In other words, it's too bad Mommy hurt herself, but I've enjoyed all the visitors!

Don't be a stranger.  And don't wait until someone is injured or sick to come play.  You don't need an excuse to play with me and love on me.  Wait, I am the excuse!

Weekly Roundup

Sorry to be away, folks.  And, really, I don't have a very good reason for not posting in a week.  You know, just the ordinary business of being a kid.

That said, such ordinary business can be quite extraordinary, as was the case this week.

The weather--oh the weather!--has been so very nice.  A kid couldn't ask for better weather.  Maybe someone else could, but not a kid--at least not a kid who likes to be outdoors.  I went to the zoo...twice.  First, on Monday, with my friend Michael.  And then, today, with Evan.  And, on a few occasions, I got to walk Layla and run around.  And I got to swing in my tree swing and go on lots of walks.

Yesterday was a big day.  Mommy and me made a car out of a box.  (More on that later.)  Then, Daddy took me to another basketball game.  (Actually, make that games, with an 's' at the end, because we saw the last quarter of the girls and the first half of the boys.)  And, finally, we went to church for movie night on the lawn.  (Did I mention the weather yet?)

So, the reason we made a car out of a box is because it was 'Boxcar Movie Night' at church.  They were showing Horton Hears A Who! on the lawn, but everyone was invited to show up early to make cars out of boxes.  Why?  Well, who wouldn't want to sit inside of a car on the lawn to watch a movie?  That's what I thought!  I see all those hands.

We made my car during the day because we weren't sure (a) if there would be enough boxes, or (b) if there would be boxes my size.  (And it turned out that there were plenty of boxes, but they were all too big for me.)  At any rate, no one had a boxcar quite a fancy as mine, which was decorated with wrapping paper and felt, as opposed to sidewalk chalk.

I had lots of fun (and ate lots of popcorn!), although I must say that the movie was not so good.  Now, the book is quite enjoyable, but the film version just tries way too hard.  We would rather kick it old school in this house!  (Take that, Jim Carrey.)

Oh, and before I forget, I posted some more photos on the Flickr page.  Here are a few.

Boy's Day

Mommy has been very busy this week making banners for the Missions Banquet at church.  And they are very nice.  Mommy is so creative.  So, anyway, they have to be done before tomorrow.

Plus, sometimes I like to give Mommy a break from me and sometimes I wish I had more time to spend with Daddy.  Therefore, we declared today a boy's day.

Me and Daddy played and read and listened to music and went to a basketball game and watched some college football.

With Daddy, I usually like to play with my balls or my cars or my blocks.  But, today, I was really into the wooden train set that spells my name.  I don't know why; I just was.

Grandaddy and Aunt Cathy got me some new books at the Scholastic Book Fair at church the other night, so I have new books to read, although that doesn't stop me from reading the old ones.  Actually, we don't so much read the old ones as much as I identify things on the page when asked.  I'm a smarty pants like that.

And Daddy has turned me onto OutKast.  I like their beats and especially enjoyed dancing to "Bombs Over Baghdad."  What?  Are you laughing?  We should have a dance off.  That'll teach you.

Then, me and Daddy went to watch his students play basketball.  The girls were playing when we got there, so we just found a spot in the stands.  Between games, though, we followed the girls to our school section and sat there while the boys played.  I know the girls were supposed to be watching the game, but that didn't stop me from distracting them.

After missing my nap during the basketball game, I was tuckered out.  I held out, though, until I couldn't stay awake any longer.  And I went from full speed to slamming on the brakes.  My nap my have been late, but it sure was long.

I was so excited when Mommy got home shortly after I woke up.  She missed me so, and I missed her, too.  In fact, just two minutes before she got home, I started saying, "Momma."

It was a good day!

Pumpkin Patch!

We went to Priddy Farms and their pumpkin patch today with Uncle Grant and Aunt Kelly.  And we had lots of fun.  Don't believe me?  Look at these pics:

And look at the Flickr page for more photos.

Busy Busy

So, it has been quite a while since my last post and everyone has been clamoring for an update.

Well, update, we are really busy around here.  My apologies.

A few highlights of things you missed:

• a wonderful Shell concert by The Prodigals, sponsored by our church and the first attended by Grandmommy and Grandaddy,
• half a weekend without Daddy, as he left me and Mommy to go to Pickwick with some guys,
• lots of fun with my friend Michael and our Mommies, since our Daddies were together,
• the Pink Palace Arts & Crafts Fair with Aunt Cathy (there was a petting zoo and I got a rocking giraffe!),
• a cheesy Shell concert for kids that sounded cool (dinosaurs!) but wasn't,
• lots o' rain, intermixed with some really nice autumn days,
• one evening per week with only Daddy as Mommy leaves us to tutor other kids,
• Read for the Record with Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar,
• some finger painting,
• Pa coming to see me(!),
• and Daddy on Fall Break!

There, that should catch us up to date.

Oh, did I mention that Pa drove up from the War-Town yesterday?  Well, he did.  And I am so excited.

Busy, But Fun!

Yesterday was a busy, busy, yet fun, day.

First, we all slept a little later than usual.  Then, we definitely stayed in bed later--well, all of us except for me, but I stayed in Mommy and Daddy's bed.

Finally, we made it downtown to the Farmer's Market.  If nothing else, we have to go down to be around the people and pick up some tomatoes.  We also got some basil, snap beans, and ground beef.  And Ms Valerie June was playing lovely music, although she was on a break during most of our visit.

After a nap and lunch, we walked over to Clamjamfry and the Scottish Faire at the Presbyterian church down the street.  I was too small for most of the stuff for kids, but I was able to pet the sheep!  There were also some shepherds and dogs herding sheep in one area.  And that was pretty fun to watch.

We walked home and, then, drove over to the park for Nuts! Over Art.  Several artists had booths and quite a few even had hands-on activities for kids, but I was too little.  Mommy did find a nice print for me by Kong Wee Pang called Bird Tree.  It is an orange tree with brown leaves that slowly turn into brown birds flying out of the tree.

Then, we traveled over to Cooper-Young and walked around.  Mommy found a few books for me at Burkes.  One was Bear Snores On, the full sized edition of which I already have as a board book.  I also got Go, Dog.  Go!  P.D. Eastman's Book of Things That Go and It's Not Easy Being Big!, which is about Big Bird and Elmo.  (Add those to The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! and The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too!, both by Mo Willems, that Daddy brought home the other day and I racked up this week!)

We stopped by Young Ave. Deli before leaving for picnic food and headed back to Overton Park.  As part of Nuts! Over Art, the Levitt Shell was hosting the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.  First came the string quartet, who played some Mozart.  A librarian joined them and they accompanied her as she read a children's book.  Then the woodwinds took over.  Soon, the librarian joined them, reading How I Became a Pirate.

I didn't pay much attention, but ran around with Daddy, playing.  I did leave him a few times, though, to play with some other kids.  I also had to come play with Uncle Grant and Aunt Kelly when they arrived.  And, then, my friend, Michael, showed up and we played.

As you can imagine, I was pooped after such a busy day.  I almost didn't make it home for my bath, but Mommy said I was stinky and needed to get clean for church.  But she was even more pooped than me, so she went to bed and left me with Daddy.  She deserved an early night, though.

Mommy is such a good Mommy and I love being with her all day, but I need (and love) Daddy time.  And, any way, Mommy needs Mommy time sometimes.  It doesn't matter who puts me to bed, but Daddy can't sing like Mommy!

Memphis in September!

It's September in Memphis and that means it's Cooper-Young Festival time.  At least, that's what Mommy and Daddy have been telling me for a few weeks now.  And I was able to experience my first CYF today.  There were lots and lots of people.  And they were all over those few blocks around the intersection of Cooper and Young.

We saw some really cool art.  We wanted some, too, but it was out of our price range.  That's too bad, especially considering that Mommy and Daddy got some of our best pieces at the festival.  (Oh, I colored a picture the other day.  I'll have to scan it and post it tomorrow.)

Also, the smell of corn dogs and funnel cakes and crepes had me on edge.  I really wanted something, but then I filled up on Goldfish.  Oh, well; I guess I had enough at the fair.

At any rate, we stopped at the new Chick-Fil-A (the only one actually in town) on the way to yet another concert at the Shell.  Farmer Jason, of Jason and the Scorchers fame, was playing.  He was great fun, too, until the weather hit.  After a week of rain, you'd think the sky would clear up.  But, no.  And we didn't even get to hear "Punk Rock Skunk."

That's okay, though; it did give me an excuse to play in the rain.  I ran around, up and down the hill.  And I only did a face-plant once.  Then, in front of the stage, I found a big puddle.  Well, that was just too cool.  I stomped and danced around that puddle for quite a while.  And it made the rain stop, after which I continued to run up and down the big hill.

Then, I got to meet Farmer Jason.  He winked at me and signed my CD.  Too cool.  Too cool.

Big Time Day

I had such a big time day today. And I had so much fun!

First of all, I slept late. I'm a morning person myself, but I felt bad for Mommy and Daddy, so I decided to let them sleep in today. I'm a compassionate person like that.

Once we got up and moving, we trekked down to the Farmer's Market. That's one of our new Saturday routines, now that Daddy is down to only one job. But this week was extra special. Some friends of ours, who are part of a co-op with one of the farms (Whitton Farms), were out of town and gave us their weekly share. So we came home with a bounty of veggies, as well as a bouquet of flowers.

After a short nap and some playtime, Mommy decided we needed to get out of the house. So, the two of us went up to the church to play on the toddler playground, leaving Daddy watching football on the couch. Well, I think I tuckered Mommy out, so we didn't stay too long.

At any rate, we had to get home in time to get ready to go again. Like I said, it was a big time day.

Once home, we packed up a picnic and a blanket, then headed for the Levitt Shell. (In case you don't recall, the Shell does 50 free concerts each year, half in the Spring and half in the Fall.) We went to lots of concerts there in the Spring and the Fall season just started this week; in fact, today was the first children's show of the season.

The Billy Jonas Band played today and it was lots of fun--and the live show was way better than the recordings. All of us kids (and our parents, too) got to be part of the band. And we learned that almost anything can be a musical instrument, as Billy and his friends played trash cans and water jugs and all kinds of neat stuff. I danced and ran around, took a break to drink some juice, and then went back at it.

It was so much fun, a sign of things to come over the next month of free concerts. Tomorrow, we are going to see The Mystical Arts of Tibet, performed by Tibetan monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery-in-exile in India. Come out and join us if you can.

Whoo-Hoo!!!

Daddy only has one job now!!! Whoo-hoo!!! Thursday night/Friday morning was his last commitment working at the airport.

And that means two things. First, it means that he will have more time and energy for me and Mommy, so he'll be a better Daddy and a better husband. Secondly, it means that he will have more time and energy to devote to his students, so he'll be a better teacher. (It also means that he will be able to sleep more, but he doesn't care much about sleep anyway.)

Anyway, me and Mommy (and Layla) are super excited to have Daddy home at night.

Outside

We have a little cold/cool front coming through the MidSouth, which means that being outside is suddenly tolerable again. So, we are taking full advantage of the situation.

Yesterday, me and Mommy went swimming with my friend, Michael, and his Mom.

Then, today, me and Mommy and Daddy went to the big park (that would be Overton Park). We had planned to meet up with Uncle Grant and Aunt Kelly, along with their new puppy, Maya. It turns out, they invited a few friends, who also brought their respective doggies. Plus, several other dogs at the park decided to come say hey. So, I ended up playing with lots of dogs.

And, in addition to running around the large greensward, I figured out that I can (and like to) climb on picnic tables. This morning, I discovered that I can climb onto the coffee table and, of course, I had to apply my new skill in a different context. Mommy does not like me using my new skill.

Sid!

Mommy went to the movies (to the movies!) with Aunt Sandra, who is in town from Atlanta visiting.

That means me and Daddy are having boy's night!

Anyway, we were watching some cartoons online (I love online cartoons, by the way) and we found this cool song from 'Sid the Science Kid.'

Check it:

Big Kid School

Mommy and me went to Daddy's school--that's the big kid school--to help him get his room and door decorated.

I got to meet Daddy's colleagues and they are all so nice. Of course, they thought I was something special and some kind of cute!

Big kid school starts Monday morning.

Oh, and Daddy will be coaching baseball in addition to his teaching duties. Check out the crazy Wildcat, the school mascot:

Learning New Things

So, Mommy and me are staying home again. That means no more school, right? Wrong. Everyone knows my Mommy is the best at teaching little ones and, well, I'm a little one, which means she's teaching me.

For a while now, she has been trying to get me to learn some sign language. And I have been putting up pretty stiff resistance. That is, until today, when I said please in sign language.

And I now recognize both a fish and a car. How do you know? Well, I make associations. When we get to the fish page in one of my Eric Carle books, I make a fish face like Mommy has taught me. Then, when we get to the car page, I go 'vroom vroom' like Mommy has taught me. I've been barking at dogs on and off for a while now; it comes and goes. And, as previously mentioned, I like to go 'mooooo.'

Daddy, who officially reported for duty at his new job today, has taught me to make a fun clicking noise with my tongue and the roof of my mouth. That makes us both giggle.

Big Day

Today was a busy day, full of family and friends and fun!

First, me and Mommy played so Daddy could get some sleep. Once, I crawled up into bed with Daddy and tried to wake him up, but he was out cold.

We were planning to go to Aunt Cathy's house for lunch and swimming, but the weather did not cooperate. Aunt Cathy called to say that she didn't think I needed to be out in the pouring rain. She and Ms Joan were in midtown and could just stop by to see me. So, Mommy made lunch for everyone, to go with the peach cobbler she was making with the peaches Pa and Mema picked in Georgia. And we had good times.

After they left, me and Daddy let Mommy take a nap. We played, then I took a nap, and then we played some more. Finally, I went and woke Mommy up.

Then, Grandmommy called. She and Grandaddy were in midtown and wanted to stop by for a short visit before heading home for dinner. So, we played and read books. They brought mail for me, a birthday card from Aunt Johnna and Uncle Pat that I just loved. It had Sesame Street folks on it and I had to show it to everyone several times.

All in all, a good day.

Boy's Day

Me and Daddy have had a fun day today, especially since the medicine has worked its magic.

First, we played. Then, we napped.

And, then, we needed to get out of the house. So, we walked to the zoo to see the sea lion show and they made me giggle. We stopped on the way at Cafe Eclectic for a pastry and I fell asleep on the way home.

Now, we're playing and waiting on Mommy to get home.