Spring Has Arrived!

The sun is shining, the temperature is up, and I am finally out of the house! I hate being cooped up in there all winter. Daddy has been taking me to the park to practice soccer, and I've been riding my bike and helping Mommy tend to the plants outside. I recently gathered my first full crop of strawberries. There were three ripe at one time, and they were delicious! Hopefully I will be able to grow more, and we are patiently watching the blackberries start to come in. YUMMY!! As always, sporting events are at the top of my to-do list, and over the past two weeks they have kept me very entertained. Daddy and I went with some new friends to watch the Allen Wranglers arena league football team. We had awesome seats, and all the tackling was great. We even got to see Roger Staubach throw a pass to Drew Pearson. Pretty cool.

Wakeland sports are keeping us busy as well. It's baseball time, and I've resumed my position back in the stands. After the game, Ms. Wendie took me down onto the field and I played catch with the boys. That was tooooooo cool!! At home, I've started hitting the ball all the way across the yard and over the fence when Daddy pitches it too me. I'm ready to play ball!!!

The girls soccer team is on a roll as well. Mommy and I have been to several playoff games, and this past weekend we watched them advance to the state tournament. You can't beat a corndog lunch out at the stadium. We also go to lots of Daddy's soccer and softball games. I'm a sports-aholic!In social happenings around town, I visited a lemonade stand in Kaly's neighborhood that was benefiting the earthquake survivors in Japan. I also went to a going away party for one of Mommy's coworkers. I love hanging out with the ladies!

When the weather hasn't been the best, we've found other ways to stay busy. Mommy and Daddy took me to my very first movie at the movie theater! We went to see Hop, a movie about the Easter Bunny (although I still insist on calling him the Easter Rabbit). I got to order a large popcorn, and we ate it all. I really enjoyed going and can't wait to go again. I also make sure we stay in shape by leading everyone in exercises. Stretch, jump and spin... it keeps you thin! A little jumping on (and off) the bed keeps me happy, too!We've also had a few celebrations around the house. First, Mommy got into a PhD program at UNT, and she got a scholarship, too! Aunt Jenny and the girls surprised her by decorating the back. There were signs, balloons, and a card. So much fun! Also, today was Rocco's 8th birthday! We bought Rocco some treats and celebrated with cupcakes. I helped him blow out his candle and make a wish.

I'm sure we will stay busy in the days to come, and I'll be working on my new life goal. When I grow up, I want to be an elephant!!! I told Daddy it would be cool to have a trunk and be really really big. My parents laugh, but it can't stop me from trying!

CHOO CHOO!!!

This past weekend, Nannie and PaPa Vaughn came up for a visit, and on Saturday we had Carter Day! We went out to Grapevine where I took my first shuttle bus ride to A Day Out with Thomas. Riding that bus was pretty cool, but when I saw Thomas the Train out my window I shouted "Mommy, we have to stop this bus. How do we get out of here?" Everybody else laughed, but I was serious! When we finally got out, I got to do all sorts of fun things. I went in a petting zoo, jumped in two bounce houses, got a Percy tattoo, played in the sandbox, and best of all.....I got to ride in a train pulled by Thomas!!! A real conductor punched my ticket and got us aboard the train. I got to sit by the window and wave to all the people as we passed by!During the ride, we got to sing and dance, and I even became a certified Jr. Engineer. What a fun trip! After all the excitement of the morning, we stopped by Rainforest Cafe for lunch. I loved seeing all the pretend monkeys, giraffes and elephants and the real fish tanks. I made sure to point everything out to Mommy, and I kept a close eye on a cheetah that was near our table.We topped off a great day and a great meal with a chocolate lava cake! It was delicious, and I ate it all!! (OK, maybe I had a little help.) Today was a very exciting day as well. This morning Daddy took me to my very first dentist appointment! The hygienist showed me everything she was going to do on this very nice dinosaur who quickly became my special friend. I got an A+ report and was extremely well behaved. I even got a new toothbrush! In other news, two weeks ago when we planted our spring flowers, Mommy bought me a strawberry plant. I've been watering it every night and checking the plant for berries. I have been very patient, and it finally paid off. Tonight one was ready for me to pick, and it was DELICIOUS!! Now I just have to wait for some more to ripen, and hopefully I'll get some blackberries too. I am always looking for an adventure...even if it is in my own backyard!

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!