I'm Sick

I have a cold and it is not fun. I've been coughing for days and last night my nose started running. Mommy is making me stay home all day today. I could run around and be fine but for some reason my parents don't like the sound of me trying to cough up a lung.

Santa and Gingerbread Houses

Update on our Christmas activities - Let's see...Monday Ethan and I took Ms Stephanie and mommy to see Santa Claus. I told him the usual - that I wanted a magnifying glass. He didn't seem to think that was enough, so I went all out and asked for a chicken spotter. I think Santa was confused so mommy told him that binoculars would do.

Thursday mommy made a Christmas tree cake and I helped decorate it. We took it to playgroup Friday morning to eat. We also made a gingerbread house which is causing me tremendous grief. I was caught eating some candy off of it (it just looks so yummy) and had to go to time out for like the billionth time today. And tonight we're going to a big dinner for church group. I hear it is the last one of the year, so I am going to have lots of fun.

Oh and the other night (Dec. 8th mommy tells me) we went to a town far away called Bethlehem. There were angels, Mary and Joseph, and scary Roman soldiers. But I think it was all make believe. At the end, there was a baby Jesus. I don't understand it all but it was kind of neat. Afterwards we went for pizza at the Mellow Mushroom. Groovy place with yummy pizza.


Oh and Santa sent his elf, Bernard, to watch over me. He seems to be hiding during the day. We leave him food at night and he eats it, plays with something, and leaves his elf hat out so that we know he came. He's supposed to be reporting to Santa on my behavior, so I've been trying to just misbehave when I'm not home. I also think that Bernard needs to be told on. Can you believe he took ornaments off of the tree? You know I get in big trouble when I do that.

Every morning this month I've been opening my Lego City Advent Calendar. I have been getting all kinds of neat Legos to add to my collection.

Visit to Fire Station #24

This morning the mom's group from church went to the fire station to visit the firemen and stuff. We watched a movie about fire safety and oh I wish I had it at home. If you didn't know, I'm a sucker for safety. I love to learn about ways to be safe. Then a fireman put on his fireman clothes. He had boots, pants, a jacket, hat, gloves, a mask with air tank, and of course a flashlight. I think the other kids were scared of him, but I went up to the fireman with Parker and saw that it was just a man inside of there. Then we went to the garage and got in a real fire truck and played around it. It was so cool. The firemen even took us in their sleeping area where they try to rest when they are on their 24 hour shift. We gave the firemen some homemade cookies that I helped bake. I was proud that I was able to share with the firemen. It was a good time.

Breakfast with Santa

I think I started my blog about the time when I went to eat breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Well last Saturday, Dec. 1st, I got to have breakfast with the one and only Santa Claus. I arrived at the mall very early Saturday morning filled with excitement. We got our food and there he came - Santa himself! He picked me up and let daddy take a picture. I also got some goodies and a cool space DVD. After that was over, daddy, mommy, and I walked around the mall for exercise. We of course went to the Apple and game stores. Daddy and I played on the white thing that you can stomp on and play games for a while. I was so tired but it was a good day.

My Thanksgiving Holiday

Well we got home from a week in Milton Friday night really late. We went to Pappaw, Granna, and Aunt Jamie's. Daddy, Pappaw, and Uncle John took me to a place full of airplanes called the Naval Aviation Museum. I got to get into planes and push all kinds of buttons. Pappaw took me to the gift shop and I picked out a bucket of airplanes with a plastic airplane mat. I am actually playing with them right now. I have not let them get too far from my sight. Then one day it was Aunt Jamie's 16th birthday (which means I'm officially 15.5 myself). She rented a jumpy thing, had a dj, and lots of people. One of my favorite people, Jada, was there. She played with me and we had fun. I took a big bubble bath in Granna's tub several times. We also went to Panama City to see the Hardmans. We played putt putt golf. It was my first time and I got a hole in 1 on hole number 10, whatever that means. I got a token for Pappaw because of it. He took my picture in a huge pile of tokens and said I was going to be on the front page of a major token publication (come on Pappaw, a major publication?) for the state of Florida. I guess it is helpful when your Pappaw writes the newsletter to get the front cover. Anyway, we had a blast with our Texas family - did I mention we went to the beach and I got in the gulf? And we visited Grandma and Tata's, saw Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, and other fun stuff. Oh and there was this big meal with some extra corn (if I ate corn, I would have had some) with fancy plates and stuff. Mommy and daddy had to grab my plate when I almost threw it. Something about Granna having that plate for nearly 37 years or something...Anyway I had cheese and crackers, forget all that homemade turkey, sweet potato casserole, dressing, yeast rolls, etc. It was a sad day when we had to leave and come home. But we did go to Cooper's Tree Farm the next day and get our Christmas tree. Mommy's decorated the house for Christmas. I'm having a lot of fun with the decorations - especially the turkey that sings Deck the Halls that Nanny gave me last year. Whew! I'm tired and have to clean up the destruction I brought upon the house today.

Wow October's Gone

Well I had an exciting month of October. We sold mommy's truck and she cried. I don't know why, it is just a car. But then we got a VAN! I say something that sounds more like band just to make my parents cringe at the thought that I don't know my b's from v's. But I like the van even though daddy insisted that we didn't get a DVD player. Mommy says we could buy 10 portable ones for the price of an installed one. So I'm still waiting to see a portable one in there. I have been sleeping more in the van and I can see so much more out the window.

We went to the pumpkin patch with Parker and his family. That was so much fun! Then we went to a state called South Carolina to see mommy's daddy's side of the family. Most of them I had never met but I did get to sing Happy Birthday for 40 people. I was the star of the room. Best of all I got to see Pappaw, Granna, Aunt Jamie, Uncle Mike, and Mammaw.

Then Nanny came and stayed for a good long while. She went camping with us to Vogel State Park. It was so cold I said I was done camping within a few hours. But I stuck it out 2 nights and had a little bit of fun. The marshmallows and company were good at least. And she stayed for trick or treating. We went over to Parker's neighborhood which was so fun to trick or treat with my friends. Mommy said I was cute in my dog costume because my ears flopped when I was running from house to house.

Now for November. I hear a visit from Ethan and a trip to Granna and Pappaw's is on the agenda. I was going to say docket, but no one would believe a 3 year old could use that word. Little do they know I know my alphabet and am trying to write my letters. Mommy says my pencil control isn't there yet, but oh man do I have the desire!!!

We Had Fun in TX!

We had a great time in Texas. At one point I asked mommy if we were going to live with Aunt Debbie. Mommy said no but it was a long time before we came home. I got a Cooper sandwich from Jacob and Megan. And we were able to go to Jacob's first baseball game and see him score a run.

Let's see, oh yes, Aunt Debbie treated us to an afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese's. I played with the cool toys at Uncle Pete and Aunt Debbie's too. They aren't really my aunt and uncle, but they are our family by choice. If you ask me who my brother is I'll say Jacob and for my sister I'll say Megan.

On the flight home, I walked on the plane and unprompted by daddy or mommy I told the pilot that I was going to be a pilot. So he liked that! He let me sit in his seat and wear his hat for a picture. I wasn't allowed to touch the buttons though. Maybe I'll go to school to learn all that stuff one day!

Portraits and Packing

Daddy, mommy, and I went to the portrait place the other day and got our pictures made. I had a lot of fun because the ladies made me laugh. Check out our family portrait.

Tomorrow morning we're leaving for Texas! I have some toys that I have set aside to pack and I'm planning out my travel bag. I have to go to the doctor for my 3 year visit here shortly but the rest of the day is dedicated to preparing for our trip. I am going to have so much fun visiting the Hardmans! I haven't been back to Texas (I'm a native you know) since we moved to Georgia.

Chuck E. Cheese

Last night we went to Chuck E. Cheese for my 3 year old birthday party! It was a blast. We got to eat pizza, cake, and ice cream and Chuck E. himself came out to see me. We played lots of games and I got so many tickets and prizes. Oh and mommy and I passed out goody bags. I had been waiting for a month for that. I got a lot of really cool presents. I had the best time with my friends and family!

My BIG announcement

Mommy is telling me there is a baby in her belly, so I have to make my announcement. Daddy has flashlights in his belly and I have kitty cats in my belly. My kitty cats are growing and growing. They aren't giving me ouchies because their claws aren't big enough yet. But they are "so cute"!!!

Braves game

We went to the Braves game on Friday night. I had a lot of fun. First we tried to catch a ball during batting practice. Daddy told me to hold out my hand, so I did but it didn't work. Mommy caught me a ball last year but she wasn't up to running around Friday night since she's sick all the time anymore. I ate all the cheese off of mommy's pizza and daddy bought me a pretzel but it must have been petrified since it was so hard. In the 4th inning I told mommy I was all done with the Braves game but they said I had to stay (previously I've thrown up on mommy and frozen to a popsicle state in order to leave early). I'm glad I listened to them b/c there were some pretty cool fireworks after the game. I had a good time and it just would have been better if the Braves had beat the Mets but it doesn't look like that's happening this year!

Gymboree & Potty Fun

I have to post about my new Gymboree classes. They are so cool with older kids who are starting to become friends. Ms Liz is now not only my music teacher on Mondays, but also my Fitness Fun teacher on Tuesday afternoons. We have a snack after that class and then I have art with Ms Deb who has been my art teacher for 1.5 years. My mommy will leave and let me do the classes without her watching over me as soon as I turn 3. In conjunction (ever heard a 2 year old use that word?) with the new classes, I've started skipping most of my naps. Mommy tricked me into lying down today to have quiet time and I accidentally napped, but for the most part I don't need a nap anymore. It really works out well since mommy's super tired from the baby and I get to bug her even more! Seriously I am already a good big brother because I'm trying not to sit on mommy's belly anymore or kick her in the stomach. It is so hard but I'm trying.

Another thing going on is that I am slowly letting mommy and daddy con me into using the toilet. I figured I gotta get something really good out of this. So when I fill up my potty chart (I'm only 4 away!) I get a new game about the ocean. I only had 80 spots on the chart to get a super cool game. Who's winning this battle? I showed mommy that I can hold it for about an hour if I want yesterday. All it takes is kicking and screaming, surprisingly I decided to please her and go after an hour. No wonder mommy hasn't pushed me so hard today. She's afraid of another fit!! Ha! Ha! Ha!

The last 2 weeks

The last 2 weeks have been a lot of fun. We've been doing all kinds of fun stuff. Granna, Aunt Jamie, Mrs Beagle, Jahna, and Jada came up for a few days. Granna stayed with mommy but I got to go to the aquarium and the zoo! What fun it was. Mommy and daddy want to take me to the zoo again. I think they just want to go themselves! And then mommy had her 30th birthday. I don't know why that was such a big deal, but I played along anyway. I helped Granna make mommy a cake. My arm and my sleeve got caught in the icing, but other than that it was a good time. I thought making a cake was a good idea as always. I was so sad when our company left. But later that night daddy and mommy took me to see Ratatouille. I enjoyed the movie soooo much that I cried when we left the theater.

We've been swimming a lot lately. The pool has been super warm since it has been really hot here the last few days. Mommy actually stayed in for a long time last night! Mommy also has been taking advantage of clearance prices so she's been buying me lots of clothes that she says I can't wear yet.

Daddy took me on the lawnmower for the first time Thursday night. I helped him mow the front yard which was a blast! I was so excited.

Oh and some people named Ms Aeriale and Ms Amy came to visit us Saturday night. I was sad when they left because they are super cool.

Maybe mommy will get her laptop back soon so that I can post more often. My fingers have been getting weak not typing as much as normal. I guess that is the price you have to pay when you play Elmo's Keyboard game so often that you break the letters off of the computer.

My 1st Sleepover

Sunday night daddy and mommy took me to my first sleepover. They said they had to get up really early and travel to the doctor's office for mommy's belly hurt so I might as well try to have a sleepover at Parker's house. Mommy got me all ready for bed and tucked me in. I told her, "I'm having a sleepover." Off she went. Daddy picked me up just after lunch the next day. I had a great time and am looking forward to sleepovers in the future. Maybe a friend can come to my house next.

4th of July Fireworks

Fireworks go "boom"! We camped out in the mall parking lot with the Lowes, Stewarts, and Saucedos. And there was a huge fireworks show. Oh and I did some sparklers beforehand. Then on Friday night, we had a swim and fireworks party here at the house. Mommy says Daddy's pyromaniac came out and lit off some huge fireworks. Check out the great pictures Ms Stephanie took of us at the mall's fireworks.

Our Vacation

We had a fabulous vacation June 22nd-July 3rd. Mom and Dad dropped me at Papa and Nanny's for two nights. Aunt Mimi and Austen were there. We went swimming and to see Surf's Up. I had a good time and didn't miss daddy or mommy too much. Then we headed to Orlando with Nanny and Austen. We saw Katherine and family, did scavenger hunts, went to the Rainforest Cafe, and sneaked into the pool at the JW Marriott where daddy's conference was held. It was a blast. Then we visited Mammaw and Uncle Mike. Uncle Mike of course took me to DQ for ice cream, and I enjoyed sitting in Mammaw's lap. We stopped by cousin Mary's and I enjoyed her dogs who have "great names". Then we went to Panama City to hang with the Hardmans. They aren't our biological family, but I still call them Uncle Pete and Aunt Debbie because they are like family to me. We went to the beach and just had all kinds of fun. Daddy and Mommy had a hard time leaving them and rearranged a few things to stay a few hours more with them. Finally we went to see Grandma, Tata, Uncle Michael, Aunt Jan, Heather, Granna, Pappaw, and Aunt Jamie. I always have a good time there. All in all it was a fantastic trip, but I'm glad to be home for a little while.

I helped build the new pool.

Daddy and mommy finally got a chance to build the new pool. We had fun taking the old one down the other night and then we put the new one up on Sat and Sun. I was a big help using my tools and playing in the sand. I tried to nap Sat but the excitement was too much. I finally ran out of steam Sat evening and fashioned an outside bed with a chair cushion for a pillow and a cardboard box as a blanket. The pool is going to be a lot of fun. I was able to slip and slide in it when we began filling it. I got pretty bored after about an hour in there as mommy was smoothing winkles and daddy was screwing in the sides. But it will all be worth it when my friends can come over and swim!

Great Grandparent Visit

I was really happy to wake up from my nap yesterday to my twin cousins Kaeily and Chelsea (Daddy's first cousins) by my bed. They are so cool because they are 9. And then I saw my buddy Grandpa Rod and Grandma! They visited us for a night and morning on their way to camp for the summer. I really wanted to go with them, but daddy said he didn't have 2 months of vacation time. I poked my bottom lip out as they pulled off this morning.

Also - check out my haircut in the picture. I was told that I was the best behaved and most still kid in the salon yesterday. Mommy was so proud of me!

The Month of May

Well as you can tell by the lack of posts that mommy had a rough month. She was gone a lot to the doctor and always came back sadder. I told her to cheer up and she's doing better. But I finally convinced her that we can't let the month pass without posting the fun stuff we did this month.

On May 12th, my uncle John walked across a stage in a silly hat and got "hooded". I'm still unsure if he is now the member of a gang or just a doctor of philosophy. He did get a piece of paper that is apparently worth a lot of money. Not sure about that. I did go fishing for the first time at Mr. Foster's pond and as you can tell by the picture I was not afraid of holding the fish. We did go to our family home in Toxey too. We had that strange church service at the cemetery where great grandma Speed was only worried about the fake flowers near these big stones. She wasn't happy either because Tata didn't get to come up there.

Then for Memorial Day weekend, we went to see Pappaw, Granna, Aunt Jamie, Great Grandma Speed, Tata, Uncle Michael, Aunt Jan, Jared, Jenny, Landon, and Heather (the Beagles too, got to meet a pretty girl named Jada). What a blast! Mom and Dad left me alone with Granna, Pappaw, and Aunt Jamie and anything I wanted, they bought for me. Then the next day we went to the beach. Daddy made me a pool of water. We put 2 fish in there and I swam with them. Mommy keep building sandcastles and I jumped on them repeatedly. We also went to Great Grandma Speed's house for lunch twice and played a lot in Pappaw's office with magnets that I named "Pats".

Mommy painted my room yesterday! I told her it is beautiful. Blue for the sky and green for the grass. Mommy was nice and let me pick out the colors. She tells me that I'm getting a decorated room for my 3rd birthday.

That was pretty much all to remember of the month of May. The trips were good and I'm looking forward to seeing cousin Austen in June with Nanny!

Strawberry Picking

Mommy took me strawberry picking yesterday with the playgroup from church. We got to ride in Ethan's cool van to the farm. Then we got a bucket and looked for red strawberries. I ate a few while I was picking. And then one of my favorite things - a picnic with my friends. I'm over eating the strawberries now, but mommy and daddy sure like them.

Finally Got a Haircut

Mommy finally convinced daddy that I should get a haircut. I'm so glad because it was getting in my eyes in the bath. Mommy took me to a magical place where I sat in a car, watched the movie Cars, played with a train table, got a lollipop, and a prize from the treasure box. Now I keep asking mommy for another haircut, but she's yet to take me again. I guess I'll just have to keep asking.

Easter with Austen

I had the coolest Easter because my cousin Austen came to see me. He brought along Nanny, Papa, Aunt Mimi, and Uncle Billy. The Easter Bunny came and brought me lots of fun stuff and my favorite was the Thomas Aquadoodle I'd been drooling over for weeks. Of course the egg hunt with Austen was a lot of fun too. We went to the Braves baseball game, but I couldn't watch it because I was so cold. I finally convinced mom to leave and go to Toys R Us. It was much warmer in the car although I really liked seeing the baseball players warm up (as if it was really all that warm). My least favorite part of the weekend was when Austen left. But I know I'll see him again soon. Man, I love that guy. Oh and we did go see friends at a pot luck where the Easter Bunny made his final appearance to me. I asked for another Easter party but I'm told Easter is over for another year.

This morning on the way to the library to get new books and then on to Gymboree music class we saw snow flurries in our neighborhood! That was so cool. It was in the 40s and it snowed at my house in April!

Dancing in my car seat

Today on the way to Gymboree music class, mommy cranked the Chili Peppers and I danced in my car seat. I love it when Flea plays bass, he's the best. I ran into Gymboree and told everyone, "I listen to Chili Peppers in the truck!" The music at music class wasn't as cool, so I just looked at myself in the mirror wall most of the class.

Easter Bunny All Day Long

This morning I woke up my mommy and daddy so that we could get to the MOG (Mall of GA) to have Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. I had a doughnut and made an umbrella craft. Then the Easter Bunny arrived. I went up to him and gave him knuckles and a little manly kiss on the cheek. Mommy took lots of pictures. Personally I think she is too cheap to take me for actual professional pictures with the Easter Bunny and she kept telling daddy that it was way cooler to see the Easter Bunny that way than to stand in line to see him. My bud Ethan came along which made the whole breakfast even more special. Plus we got to go the Kidgets Klubhouse and play afterwards. On the way out I splashed daddy with water at the fountation. I thought it was extremely funny as did mommy, but daddy didn't.

This afternoon Gavin had his annual Easter egg hunt. Last year I didn't get it at all. I mean I just didn't put together the whole candy is in the egg concept until this year. But man, I went wild this year. I walked up to the house and there were all these eggs in the yard. I wanted to start then, but the parental units made me refrain. I started crying but that didn't work for a long while. Then when I was allowed to hunt, I filled my Lightning McQueen basket up to the top. I kept putting eggs in and they were falling out, it was so full. I'm a little perturbed at mommy and daddy as they are making me wait for my eggs. I can only have one at a time which is extremely disappointing. They tell me they are teaching me patience.

I had a blast of a day. Thanks mommy and daddy!

Starting My Blog

Mommy is writing this blog starting today to document my activities and things that I do so that I will know more about myself when I get older. Isn't she cool? I think personally she was feeling guilty that she doesn't scrapbook and needed to keep track of my growth because everyone else does. Personally I think I'll like looking at my blog because it is about me! And I hope that you enjoy the blog too.

Too bad this starts when I'm 2.5 years old, but I have asked mommy to include things I've done in the past if she can as we go along.