Happy Mother's Day to Me

We were all sick with allergies and/or colds over Mother's Day weekend, so we opted not to attempt dining out until everyone felt better. Tonight we went to the Olive Garden for me, although Kenzie was pretty happy, too. (Ironically I asked her what she wanted to eat and she said, "French fries!") Parker took two breadsticks on his own! Being on the end in his highchair, the flow of traffic had to stop and admire him. He got several compliments!

The view I had of Kenzie most of dinner - her sucking down my frozen raspberry lemonade. Good thing there's refills, because she wouldn't give it back!

Parker decided to sword fight with his breadstick. We thought it was hilarious; he'd hold up his breadstick and grunt until someone held up their breadstick, too. (And yes, Kenzie got her french fries, so the meal was a success!)

I Like the Way She Thinks

Tonight I asked McKenzie, "So what should we do tomorrow? Should we go to the library?" She replied, "Um, no. We can go to the restaurant with the purple grapes!" I had to think for a minute, wondering what restaurant serves grapes. Finally it dawned on me: "You want to go to the Olive Garden, where the SIGN has purple grapes?" I asked. "Yeah! We can go tomorrow!" she exclaimed. (I wonder if she's paying?)

Daddy's Little Helper

Parker was very interested in the set-up of his new castle. He "helped" Daddy as much as he could, mainly by pulling everything out of the box for him.

He liked the dragons and started hissing at them!

No smiles, though - this was serious business!

An in-action shot. We took the cannon balls and small parts out, for obvious reasons, but Parker still had fun knocking down the bad guys. (Oh, and Kenzie tried to ride a horse through the gate and Parker shut it with a loud grunt! He knows what he's doing...)

The guys playing with their castle. Kenzie wanted to know where the princess was. (After looking at the scary skeletons, I wanted to know, too!)

Parker's Birthday Party

This evening we had a little party for Parker at the park. Kenzie played so hard she even managed to lose her socks somewhere along the line!

My good friend Laura made it, too. She's such a crack-up, and we had a good time laughing about our crazy old roommates back at BYU-Idaho my freshman year

The men at the grill

Uncle Mike giving Parker his first "gun" and a coon-skin hat. Someone left that hat on the table later and it scared me! haha

Nice pose there, Lacie

Can you guess who is up in the tree?*

Tatum and the watermelon - what a cute kid!

She plowed through that piece! Parker's birthday cake - can you tell I was excited he was turning one? That's two half-sheet cakes on top of each other. It's a lot of cake.

Parker attacking his own little cake

He growled at it, even!

Uncle Wes leading the charge for present time

Gathered around the birthday boy

Laura was a sweet cousin and helped Parker open his presents

It's too bad the poor kid didn't get a single thing for his birthday this year!! (That's sarcasm, by the way)

Paige and her purse

Just another photo of the fray

Parker and Paige with the bowling set

*Answer: Hayden is in the tree

Present Time, Present Time (Open the Presents, See What's Inside!)

Hooray for presents!

I wanted to get a picture of the two of them...

...but this is how that went!

Parker just wanted to play with his big present!

It was just the right size for him to stand against!

Kenzie got a new princess necklace from Grandma Susan. She was so happy to get a couple of presents, too, which helped with the jealousy factor. She even told Parker, "Happy Birthday, Bud!" a few times today.

This baseball from Great-Grandma crinkles, and is already dingy from being in Parker's mouth all night!

Daddy picked this castle out for Parker before he was even born. When it was unwrapped, Parker was quite enthralled and even made his interested noise. (Not sure how to write it, besides, "Uh," but we knew it meant he approved!)

He couldn't be bothered to turn around for me to take a picture with everything unwrapped, though. He was too busy! Just open the toys, Mom!

So we did. Happy Birthday to my little guy!

One Year Ago

It's time for Nostalgia Hour, and what better thing to remember than the birth of a sweet little baby? Look how cute he is! My little guy checking out his Daddy for the first time. ffffffffffff p ft ffty t f b(This post was edited by the Birthday Boy himself!)

The Countdown is On

Parker turns 1 tomorrow! Earlier today I was busy making up more frosting for Parker's cake, and I let him have the beater. At first he just waved it around, but eventually he caught on that there was frosting involved and licked it clean!

Of course I didn't leave Kenzie out. You might think I gave her frosting for breakfast based on the hair and pajamas, but no, just as bad, I hadn't bothered to dress her yet and it was 11:30. She eventually gets dressed on her own and combs her own hair, but she just needs the right motivation. (Usually, it's, "You can't play computer games until you're dressed.")

"I'm Just a Lucky Girl!"

Parker's box of birthday presents arrived today from his grandparents, and lucky Kenzie also got a few things. Kenzie changed into her new nightgown, slippers, and headband the second she saw them come out of the box. ("Glass slippers?" she gasped at the pink fabric - gotta love that imagination!) It looks like the plan is to wear the nightgown the rest of the day!

Kenzie's New [to Her] Scooter

It's almost sad that Kenzie's helmet fits her this year - she used to look just like Toad from Mario Bros. when she wore it! But she's growing up......and making good time on her new scooter. We found it at a yard sale. "Mom, it's just two bucks!" she told me, pointing to the sticker. I was very impressed (with her, I mean).

It even has a basket on the front to hold dandelions.

Kenzie and Daddy playing soccer. Kenzie wanted to keep her helmet on, by the way.

Our goofy little guy hanging out in the stroller. He's actually pretty good with a soccer ball, too. He can roll it back and gets really excited. Yup, there's our Saturday!

Look Out Miss Shirley

Well, it's official: I've registered Kenzie for preschool. I'm kind of sad about her growing up already, but Kenzie is SO excited. She got to meet one of her teachers and play for a bit today, and then she spent the rest of the afternoon asking to go back. "Can I go back to preschool NOW?" All too soon, little one, all too soon.

Did You Know?

The bathroom is the neatest room in the house - or at least, it is when Mommy's trying to get ready in the morning. All three of them (I'm including the cat in that tally) like to visit me in the shower; Parker has been opening the curtain, jabbering at me, and occasionally hucking a toy or two in at me while I try to wash up. Kenzie usually just comes in when she needs shoes put on her princess dolls.

Parker's latest stage is the pull-everything-out-of-any-cupboard-or-drawer phase. Not my favorite to clean up after! Seiko helped Kenzie brush her teeth this morning. :o)

My Little Hockey Fan

Parker knows his hockey. He should, since he started off his life as a good luck charm during last year's playoffs. This year, when the crowd cheers on TV, Parker will clap. Sometimes he yells.I just think it's so cute. My two favorite guys watching the game.

Parker's good luck must've worked, because the Penguins won!