Wildlife World Zoo & Acquarium

Today was a fun-filled day looking at lots and lots of animals.  We had two happy little ones, they couldn't get enough. We saw a white alligator, spider monkeys and meercats, fed and got kissed by giraffes, were able to see zebras up close, admired peacocks, saw majestic lions, touched sting-rays and starfish, oooed and ahhed over the cutest baby porcupine and two baby warthogs, watched flamingos, fed the koi fish and had lunch with sharks.  It was a perfect day spent admiring and marveling at so many wonderful creatures.  Life is truly amazing!

 

Arizona

We are here in the Arizona desert and enjoying every minute of the beautiful sunshine.  It was a very long 2 hour and 18 minute flight...at times it seemed to last forever.  Maxy was not fond of sitting still so there was a lot of getting up and out of the seats, walking him around, shushing him and willing him to sit still and be quiet.  I was thankful when we touched down and that I won't have to think about flying with a busy 1 1/2 year old for at least another 1 1/2 weeks.  

Now that we're here, we've been loving time with Grandma and Papa, have spent time going for walks, splashing in the little backyard inflatable pool, going to the playground, riding in the golf cart, swimming in the big pool, eating lots of treats and snacks and exploring all of the wonders of the backyard--birds, orange and grapefruit trees, lots of rocks and pokies (cactus). 

We also spotted a coyote and a lizard friend with a long tail.  A good reminder to keep the screen door closed. 

Carmen is following Grandma around like a little shadow and can't get enough of being with Grandma and Papa.  Despite all of the toys and activities, Max's favorite thing to play with thus far has been the fly swatter.  Go figure.  He is also obsessed with the birds and Daddy has taken him around the yard more times than we can count to look for birds.  Jimmy is excited to golf and I'm just excited to be in some sunshine and do some reading.

So far lots of good times with more to come.

1 & 1/2

Not sure how I feel about you being 1 & 1/2 already.  It just doesn't seem possible.  It's all happening a little too quickly. Our little Maxy is growing up and is changing from a baby into a big boy right before our eyes.  You run, you talk, you play.  You have personality and more energy than I compete with sometimes.  You snuggle, you give 'loves' and always want to be held, especially when we are making dinner.  You love to eat.  Mostly fruit for the longest time; you gobble up fruit of every variety but have recently been branching out.  I even watched with amazement as you willingly put a carrot and a piece of broccoli into your mouth.  I almost fell out of my chair.  "Not my boy" I said.  This is the first time you actually ate a vegetable unprovoked.  You are particular.  Much like your sister, you like things just so and are very fond of following routine.  Of course, that make me both proud and happy.  You are mastering the use of a fork and when we broke down and gave you a metal fork, you surprised us.  I was convinced you'd end up injuring yourself in some way.  You seem to be a bit accident prone.  Always running into something.  You often have a cut, scrape or bruise that I have no idea where it came from.  You often run to me saying 'owe, owe, owe' and hold out your finger so I can kiss it.  I wonder how long that will last--not too much longer I'm guessing but the fact that I can make is seem all better warms my heart.

You have blonde, blonde hair and recently had your first hair cut.  You look so much older.  Gone are the little curls at the back of your neck.  You have rosy cheeks and quite possibly the runniest nose in the whole wide world.  We've used an endless amount of Kleenex with you and only recently have you embraced getting your nose wiped.  It was always a battle before.  You must be coming more accepting because diaper changes are much less dramatic than they were just weeks ago.  You actually tolerate them now along with getting dressed.  It was a battle for a while and I would chase you around the house while you tried to hide.  You are fast.

You are still loud, loud, loud.  You snort when you run which is no doubt funny to watch and listen to.  There is no denying where you are at any given time.  No quiet playing with you.  When you're not banging objects together to make the loudest noise possible, you are cooking and mixing in the play kitchen. You are a big fan of the real kitchen too.  You want nothing more than to pull everything out of the drawers and drag the contents to all corners of the house--usually the measuring cups, the salad tongs and of course, all of the coffee travel mugs so you can take the lids on and off, on and off.  Carmen's golf clubs are your favorite along with balls of any kind.  You love to chase your sister around the house and are desperately trying to follow and do whatever she is up to.  It's so fun to see you two interacting and play together.  Of course, with that comes learning to share, which you are not a fan of yet. 

You are starting to talk more and more and I'm amazed at the words and pace at which you are learning.  To this day you will still not sit still enough for us to read you a book.  Maybe a page or two and that's it, you are onto something else.  I'm looking forward to holding you in my lap and at least making it through a book.  I know it will happen someday but for now you apparently have better things to do and places to be.  All of this running around tuckers you out because you are one great sleeper.  Something we can't help but love.  When it's bed time, you don't protest.  You grab your blankie, give your 'loves' and are usually zzzing away in minutes. 

You make us smile and laugh and bring so much joy to our family.  We love you Maxy more than you will ever know.  Thank you for being our little boy.  We are truly blessed to have you as our own.  A very happy 1 & 1/2 to our beautiful boy!

Happy St. Patty's Day

Longer Days

We are taking advantage of it being lighter longer.  On the agenda for this evening, backyard time, raking to be exact.  What good little helpers.

First Hair Cut

Today Maxy had his very first hair cut.  Our little guy is growing up; he looks like such a big boy now.  Lets just say the cut went ok.  He refused to sit in the cute car and using the cape, forget about it.  He mostly sat on my lap for the cut, I stood with him for part of it, alternating between Jimmy and I.  But, what saved us was the snacks.  Surprise, surprise.  For the 10 minute haircut, Max consumed one squeezy pouch, a few bites of fruit leather, a bag of fruit snacks and 1/4 of a bag of Chex mix, the other 3/4 of the bag he dumped on the floor.  There weren't too many tears, just squirmy and he certainly wasn't jazzed about sitting still and having someone touch his golden locks.  The best part, after the cut was over he wanted nothing more than to sit in the car that he refused to even look at when we arrived.  He was happy by the end although all of us were covered with hair since he was adamant about not wearing the cape. 

Carmen on the other hand was a pro.  She sat in the car, put the cape on and watched Daddy's phone--an old episode of Tom & Jerry of all things. The only time she lifted her head up is when she got to choose her rubber band color for her braids and select her "sprinkle" color (a.k.a. sparkles).

We then went to the treat store for a reward and out to dinner to celebrate successfully making it through two haircuts at the same time!

A letter to Moms

Here's an article that's worth a read, actually they are two letters.  It sums up what I'm sure so many of us feel--at least it truly resonated with me, especially since I have my foot in both worlds of being a working mom and stay-at-home mom.  A challenge on it's best days but oh so rewarding.

Happy reading!