I LOVE YOU, PAW PAW!

The past few weeks have been a strange combination of sadness, happiness and fun. Last Tuesday we had to make an unexpected trip home with Nana because my PawPaw got called up to heaven. We are all devastated because he was the best PawPaw in the whole wide world, and we love him very very much. He played with me anytime I wanted and would spend hours on the floor playing trains or outside hitting the baseball. He was always patient, always kind and did everything he could to make us happy. It makes me sad, but it helps to know that now he will be with me all the time. PawPaw, you were my hero and I love you!!!

In the midst of all the craziness, I got to spend lots of quality time with my ALL seven of my cousins. Nana even went with us to the Heritage Festival where I got to ride lots of rides! The four wheeler and helicopters were my favorite. Uncle Clint and Uncle Troy let me throw a few baseballs, and I won a sword. Then Daddy let me fish and I won a duck. Then nice fire woman even let me drive a REAL fire engine! Seeing us laugh and smile made Nana so happy! I had so much fun that I got to back the next day with Nannie and Uncle Daniel to ride some more. We rode all the rides again, and the Dizzy Dragons. They spun around and around, and I loved it. The "hairy vegetable" was great! During our visit, we got to celebrate PaPa Collins' birthday. I got to see him quite a bit, and I hunted for bugs in his backyard with Nannie.

Since we have been home, the weather has been beautiful. We worked and played outside all weekend long! I helped with the yard work and showed Mommy where to plant all the new flowers. Also during our clean-up, we found a burrow of 3 baby bunnies under my playhouse! We covered them back up so hopefully they can hop away on their own soon. I am so happy that spring is here, so let the outdoor adventures begin!

Weekends with Dad and Wilson!

Last Wednesday Mommy left for competition, so it was just Daddy and I for FIVE days! While it was fun living the bachelor life, we decided it was a good opportunity to go see family in Nederland. I had a blast playing with my cousins and seeing my grandparents.

I even got to do some recording at the radio station with Uncle Daniel, and he even recorded my voice and plays it on air. Awesome!We had plenty of adventures traveling on the road together, and I just had to stop and meet Mater. All those travels can wear a boy out. I was glad when Mommy finally came home, but it was hard getting back into my routine. I knew that Nana and Wilson were coming to stay at Kaly's, so that got me through the week. On Saturday Mommy and Daddy loaded Wilson and I up in the car for a special surprise: a trip to see Sesame Street Live! We were so excited to see all our favorite characters up close, especially Elmo, Big Bird and Cookie Monster! We got T-shirts, Elmo light up toys and awesome seats. I couldn't help but gasp and get a big grin on my face as each character came onto the stage. I was so excited, and Mommy was so happy that I was enjoying it. After the show, we stopped for Happy Meals and had an ice cream treat when we got home. Wilson got to spend the night, and it was my first ever sleep-over! Aunt Lori sent us matching Elmo pjs, so after our bath we moved a mattress into my room and had a slumber party. Daddy even made us Mickey Mouse pancakes for breakfast this morning. For hours we played in my kitchen, built train tracks, shot hoops, worked puzzles, read books, wrestled and had epic sword/light saber battles. I also spent a ton of time playing with the girls. We went to the park, and even walked Kaly home from school on Friday. This was one of the most fun weekends ever!

Happy Belated Valentine's Day & Hello Lubbock!

It has been quite a while since my last post, but I have been pretty busy. Last weekend Nana & PawPaw came to town and we had a belated birthday celebration. The girls came over and we played with our new instruments Nana gave us from their cruise. We put on a big parade throughout the house and could only stop briefly for a quick pic. I was happy I got to spend some time playing trains with PawPaw, and I had a blast entertaining everyone. In preparation for my Valentine's Day party at school, Mommy and I made some heart shaped candies. Once they cooled off in the fridge, I got to hammer them out of the molds. Awesome! On Valentine's Day I had a great party at school, and then Nannie and PaPa Vaughn came to see me. I got to stay home and play their entire visit. I love pj days in the middle of the week. This weekend we went up to Lubbock to see Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle John. They planned an action packed couple of days for us. Despite being sick most of the time, I was able to turn on the charm at the appropriate times. We went to Lakeridge Country Club to try out my clubs on the driving range and putting green. I got lots of coaching and did lots of observing. I can't wait to play with the big boys and girls one day. Then we got to eat dinner at the Tech Club inside the football stadium. There were Double T's everywhere! The manager even let me go out into the seats. I was the only person in the whole stadium! Everyone commented on how well behaved I was at dinner, but I found time to work in a few laughs along the way. I also got to meet lots of people at a party Liz and John hosted, and I got to have lunch at the Rawls course. It was quite the weekend, and we had a blast. Next weekend Mommy will be out of town and Daddy and I will be off on our own lad & dad adventure!!!

The Return of the Ice!

Bring on the ice! An arctic front rushed in overnight bringing sleet, ice, and a tiny bit of snow, and they had to cancel school again! I could get used to these crazy winter storms, and the pajama days that come with them. Daddy had to work from home, and Mommy and I stayed very busy. We did so many things last week, but she was prepared to keep us entertained all day long. We did a little yoga together. I enjoyed stretching at first, but then it was more fun to run crazy around the room trying to distract her. That relaxing yoga quickly turned into a rough and tumble game of football. Helmets on, five footballs at once, and lots of laughs! Once I got tired of chasing the football, I set up a mountain of pillows. I would start WAY down the hall, run toward them and dive on top. It was great!! Maybe I should have left my helmet on.After lunch and a quick rest, I was ready to DANCE! I asked Mommy to turn on some music, and we boogied down. I love showing off my awesome spin move! After playing with my trains and sculpting with Play-doh, Mommy suprised me with some crafts. I had so much fun decorating my new notepad with Valentine's Day stickers. Speaking of Valentine's Day, Daddy took me shopping for Mommy last night. I really wish it would get here so she can open her present. I haven't told her what it is yet, but I remind her over and over that she has a present waiting. It looks like I'll have to go back to school tomorrow, and I guess that will be ok. I have so much fun at home that I would really rather stay here, and I've been giving Mommy a VERY hard time in the mornings. Sometimes I even tell her how much I don't like school when she comes to pick me up, but I'm really just pushing her buttons. I always have a blast during the day, and I tell Daddy every night that I have fun and love playing with my friends. I just love Mommy so much that I want her with me ALL THE TIME. I love Daddy and we have tons of fun together, but I like for Mommy to take care of my every need. "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!!!" can be heard pretty often at our house right now. Maybe I'll go easy on her tomorrow....guess we'll have to wait and see!

Snow My Goodness!

If school being cancelled all week wasn't awesome enough, we woke up on Friday to SIX inches of snow! It was extremely cold, so I only stayed out long enough to take some measurements and go down the slide a few times. I even went head first into the huge pile of snow! I did get a little bit of outdoor exercise when I helped Daddy shovel the driveway so Mommy could get to the grocery store. All that snow was so bright, I had to put on my new shades. They are too cool! I did bring some snow inside to play. I tried to make a snowman, but the snow was too fluffy. Daddy helped me build a "Mr. Snowball Head" instead.....hehe! Other than that it was just more of the same, playing with my toys inside. We played trains, cars, cards, baseball, basketball, pirates and fought "monsters" in my tent. My favorite activity all week though was hanging out with Mommy in the kitchen. The oven was warm and toasty, and there was always something yummy in there. I LOVED baking brownies, and they were sooooo yummy. I always want to help Mommy cook, and licking the spoon is the best! It looks like all the snow and ice will finally be melted away tomorrow. It was a fun winter adventure while it lasted! Now to prepare for a pretty uneventful Superbowl tomorrow and then the big adjustment back to our normal schedule next week. Who knows what it will have in store!

The Great Freeze of 2011

It's the great freeze of 2011: record breaking lows in the single digits, wind chills below zero, icy roads and NO SCHOOL! We all got to stay home again today, and we just found out we get to stay home tomorrow too. Daddy tried to go outside earlier and even the garage door and back gate were frozen shut. We played in my tent, the playroom, and even did fingerpaints and crafts today. The majority of my time was spent playing Peter Pan and pirates since I got to watch the movie for the first time last night. It was great!Mommy and I each had swords to attack Captain Hook (aka Daddy!), and we made sure to protect the house. I swashbuckled around yelling "Arghhhhh" and "Yo-ho". At one point "I argh'd Rocco" because he had joined the enemy. After a long day full of exciting pirate adventures, I was worn out. I've got to rest up tonight so I can fight again tomorrow. Staying home is the best!

A Weekend with Dad

Daddy and I got to spend the whole weekend together without Mom! He took off work on Friday and let me skip school to play with him. We walked around the neighborhood, played soccer, climbed trees, and had a great time playing around at home. We even went to see Kaly's basketball game where she scored two baskets! Mommy was gone to her AcDec competition, so I didn't see her for almost three days. When she got back home, she treated me to some ice cream AND a 2nd place medal! Daddy and I had fun, but we sure miss her when she's gone. I went back to school yesterday, but this morning school was cancelled because of ice. There are lots of snow flurries, but not enough to make a snowman. It's 15 degrees outside and everything is frozen solid, but I don't see why a wind chill of zero is such a big deal. All you have to do is bundle up like me before you head out. I insisted on going out to check on my house and grill that were both frozen over. Even the basket on the back of my tricycle had turned into a giant ice cube! Daddy wouldn't let me stay out there very long, but everything seems to be in good condition. We have all really enjoyed the extra day at home, and it will be interesting to see what tomorrow morning holds. In the meantime, I LOVE SNOW DAYS!!!