California trip - Days 1 & 2

We set off for what has become our annual trip to Cali the second week of March. Garrett was excited about getting on an airplane again, and I was praying Scout would love it, too. G loved it, as usual, particularly having so many new conversation partners. He noticed a man with a long ponytail when we got on the plane, and just had to talk to him when we saw him later on the way to the bathroom. He always notices alternative looks (long hair on guys, colored hair, tattoos) and is compelled to give compliments. The man was nice enough to say nice things about G's hair, too. We did everything we could think of to help Scout sleep, but she fought it like a heavy weight champ. She finally fell asleep 30 min. before we landed, completely spralled out across both of us, forcing us to remain in what became quite uncomfortable positions.

T (what G calls their aunt) met us curbside, and immediately bonded once again with the kids. L.A. traffic was unusually light, so we took a little detour and stopped at our old house, which was Garrett's first house. When we finally got to the cousins' house, it was a grand reunion for the kids. G and Scout wasted no time getting acquainted with new toys and a new backyard. Scout loved Emerson's stuffed animals, and G had fun racing his aunt on Parker's zip line. Both kids were super excited to see Big Al (what G calls Ryan's brother) when he came home, too.

Garrett's first house

Racing T on the zip line

Mommy tried the zip line, too.

Scout and T on the slide


Fun with spy glasses



Cousin bath time

The next day, we had a fun morning with the cousins, and then set out for Anaheim. The condo we rented was really cute, with Mickey everywhere. The Ridgells, who were meeting us there, got in around dinner time. Anna and G were so excited to see each other, and Andrew and Scout were sweet. I'm pretty sure Scout was treating Andrew like a baby, although he's only three weeks younger. She kept bending down and cocking her head to the side when she'd look at him. It was a great reunion with our good friends, especially for the guys, who I think miss each other between visits a little too much. We then tried to get some good sleep, so that we'd be ready to attack Disneyland the next day.

Morning hair

Too much partying for Parker and G last night

Baby bath time with Scout and Andrew

Busy Scout

It is true that your children, though they came from the same two parents, will most likely be very different. This is already apparent with G and Scout. G has always been my calm, compliant one. Though he talks incessantly, he is generally content to sit and play one game for a good amount of time. He requires a playmate, but sticks to one task at a time. Scout, on the other hand, can best be described as busy. Her verbal skills have not developed as quickly as Garrett's, but what she lacks in words, she makes up for in volume, expression, and physical skills. She would definitely out-climb Garrett when he was this age. My sister-in-law noted how amazing it is that she doesn't talk much, but you know exactly what she wants and what she's trying to express. That's because she will make herself heard at all costs. She's our independent player, which is great, but she moves quickly from one thing to the next, and is very rarely still. She never wanders aimlessly, but is always on a mission. She waddles from one thing to the next with speed and purpose. She's creative and a little bit sneaky. And with an older brother who'd like nothing more than to help her have fun, she can get into just about anything at 17 months. Here are some photos of Scout entertaining herself.

The next few were taken within a span of about 5-10 minutes.

Construction with big brother

She'll always pause to give you her sweetest smile

Going for a drive

Electric guitar with a plush audience


Calling China

Tennis, anyone?

I turn around for two seconds, and she's got the drawer to the armoire pulled out to make a stepstool to reach the t.v. She really scared herself when she turned it on and nearly fell off.

The next couple are of a recent injury and our homemade remedy. Scout is constantly climbing and trying to keep up with G, so she's had her share of bumps and bruises. This time, she fell in the living room when no one but Garrett was watching. He claims he saw nothing strange, but something had to have happened. When I got there within seconds (I was in the next room), Scout was face down on the carpet with nothing and no one around her. She fussed for a minute, and not until I took her upstairs for Ryan to bathe them, did I know she was really hurt. Ryan noticed the huge bruise and bump on her forehead. Typical. She's one tough cookie and rarely cries about injuries. Anyway, she wouldn't let me hold a cold pack to her forehead, so I slid it under one of my running headbands and put it on her. She tolerated it!

The bump - clearly devastated

The fix

Kite Festival

Every year since we moved to Austin, we've gone to the Zilker Kite Festival in March. They have lots of kite flying competitions, free kite-making and food. Garrett still has his little kites from past years, so we had to go again this year. The only difference this year was that Garrett is now calling it the "Kite Fiestival". Yup, just like it's a big party. I guess it is. We grabbed a little P. Terry's after church, like always, and headed to the park this year with Jonna, Hudson, Jake and Cole Nobles. G and I made another kite while Ryan helped Jonna get her boys set up with their kites. We all did our best to fly them, though we were lacking a little wind some of the time. We saw some great kites out there, and very unique, as usual. Two of our favorites were the Wright brothers' plane and a pirate ship. Jonna's boys were very sweet with Scout, especially for not having a little sister. She ate up all the attention. We walked back to our cars together, with Ryan having to push the stroller with Scout, Cole and G in it. So cute. We came home with two very dirty, very sleepy, and very happy little ones that afternoon.

Lunch

Flirting with Cole

Putting the kites together

First flight

G makes his kite

It flies!

No, that's not Brooke Shields, but a very dirty Scout

Popcorn pals

Every once in a while, we let Garrett pick a DVD and have movie night. We are required to all get in our pj's and watch a movie together while eating popcorn. Garrett helps me make it with the popcorn maker Santa brought him. We used to put Scout down a little early and let G stay up late, but that really cuts into Mommy and Daddy time, so we've started doing it a little earlier and including Scout. I mean, who am I kidding? She's the second kid, and it's just too much work to keep her from the t.v. until she's two. So, I guess G will be brilliant, and she'll be our sports scholarship kid. Well, not only does she get to watch movies earlier than Garrett did, but she also gets to chomp down on a choking hazard - popcorn. And if you're going to choke, let's admit it, it's a yummy way to go. Anyway, she's totally into it, and I just had to share some pictures I snapped while they were entranced.

Valentine's fun

I know this is really late, but I've got to catch up on my blogging, and I really don't want to skip some of the fun things that have happened the last few months. So, here's my Valentine's post.

Ryan and I usually don't do a whole lot for Valentine's Day, but it's a lot more fun with kids. Garrett had a party at school and gave his friends Lightning McQueen and Sally valentines. He loved all of the ones he got, even the princess ones from the girls, though he had no idea who they were. He brought them home in a cute bag with a Hershey's kiss on the outside. Of course, he had no idea what it was. Yes, he's very deprived. The kids also got a package from their cousins, Parker and Emerson, and loved everything inside.

Sweet Valentines

"Reading" her new book

Going bananas with a new punch balloon

Ryan reading G's valentine for us that he made at school

Stretch visit

We made another visit to the TDS Ranch with some friends in early March. This time we took Raegan, Caroline and Owen to feed Stretch the giraffe and Rowdy the rhino and to see the other animals. Ryan met us and gave us the tour. Owen and G liked feeding Stretch more than Caroline and Scout, so maybe being licked by a giraffe is a boy thing. We had a really fun time, as we always do. Here are some photos from the day.

Raegan, Caroline and Stretch

Giving in and feeding him



Raegan, Owen and Stretch


Scout hiding her face from Stretch

Owen giving Stretch a little pat

Owen, Caroline and G

Rowdy and Caroline

Scout, Owen and Rowdy

Dinner prayer

This evening, Garrett said the prayer before dinner. This is how it went:

Dear Lord,
Thank you for our day. Please help everyone to be good and healthy. Please help Jesus to die on the cross, so David can become the next king.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

I didn't even know where to begin.

Ryan and I just smiled and said, "Good prayer, baby."