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.

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!

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, 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!

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.

New Member of the Family

Uncle Grant and Aunt Kelly got a puppy yesterday. Her name is Maya and she is a mix between American Bulldog and Labrador Retriever (and possibly something else, considering her resemblence to a Pit Bull). I like her very much. She is a lot smaller than our dog, Layla, so I had to be careful around her. Maya is very pretty, almost as pretty as Layla.

Just Keep Swimming...

Thank you, Aunt Cathy, for introducing me to the swimming pool!

That's right. Yesterday, I went swimming for the very first time. Well, for the first time in a grown-up pool. Grandma and Pa got me a kiddie pool and I like to crawl and splash around in it. But Aunt Cathy's pool is much bigger, and a little bit scary.

I wasn't sure what to think, and was acting very clingy, but after a while I relaxed and had a grand time. I'm a natural, already kicking and trying to swim. It must have something to do with the fact that Mommy was constantly at the pool last year when I was in her belly. Whatever the reason, I can't wait to go back.

Maybe you'll want to come with me, too. Ask Uncle Grant and Kelly, ask Aunt Cathy, ask Mommy and Daddy--they will all tell you have much fun it is.