The Funniest Thing I've Ever Seen

'member how I told you about Caden's love affair with all things Barney?

Well, it's still going strong. He still loves his Barney stuffed animal, but now he also loves Barney videos and TV shows. I think we may have created a monster! He will ONLY watch Barney and he's pretty sure that the car should always have it playing. He gets in the car, points to the DVD player and says, "On!" Yikes! Anyway, here he is trying to get Barney to play on the TV. Seriously, one of the funniest things I've seen. Ever.

And here's the happy boy after I got it going for him

It's so hard to tell him no when he asks for is so nicely. I hope I'll get over that soon!

Decorating Dilemma

You may be asking yourself, "How does one decorate for Christmas with an active 18 month old running around?" Well, I don't know the correct way to do it, but here's what we did...

First have him "help" you move furniture

Second, let him play in the Christmas tree box

Next, allow said 18 month old to sit on the couch and eat crackers while watching "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"

Instead of putting up a breakable nativity set, put up a plastic Little People one

Last, don't forget to gate off the tree

That oughta' keep him out. Happy Holidays!

Thankful Thanksgiving Thursday

There is so much to be thankful for today! I am thankful for my friends, my family, my health, and my salvation. But, more than anything, I am thankful for these two

And heaters, hats, gloves, blankets, and coats - it's cold here!

Happy Thanksgiving! I promise to post about our Thanksgiving fun soon!

The Beach

Oh, the fun of the beach! I have tried to phonetically spell the way that Caden says, "beach," but I can't quite get it. You'll have to trust me that it's cute. Anyway, we spent a lot of time at the beach this trip. Caden LOVED the world's largest sandbox and swimming pool.

He spent most of his time digging in the sand

and running

and splashing
and playing at the playground
All in a day's work for this little guy!

WDW

It's the most magical, happiest place on Earth!

We said we wouldn't take him until he was older, but we were swayed by the free entrance fee. I didn't have high expectations for the day. I only wanted to do a few things - ride Dumbo and It's a Small World and get Caden a set of Mickey ears. We took two cars just in case of disaster.

We parked and rode the tram to the monorail

We walked into the park just as a parade was finishing up. We did get to see a little of it, however.

Even though it was the first week of November, Disney had already decorated for Christmas!

We stopped at Cinderella's Castle for a few pictures and to watch a show

The first ride we went on was the carousel. Caden is an old pro at carousels, and he loved this one too

Next, was the Dumbo rideHe's waiting in line, not in jail

Then we got Caden some ears and had some lunchAfter a very late lunch, we got in line for It's a Small World. Caden was have none of it. He was over tired and ready for a nap. I tried pushing him around in the stroller, hoping he'd fall asleep. No luck. He was wailing his head off. Grammy and Papa were on the way out with him, when I picked up the screaming baby. Within 30 seconds, he was out cold.

While JZ and Papa rode Space Mountain, Caden, Grammy, and I sat on a bench like this. I was in mommy heaven!After he woke up, we went to Toon Town. To play in their kiddie area and go to Mickey's house. We didn't wait in line to see Mickey because C couldn't have cared less about him. He just wanted to stand at the fence and throw acorns over it.

At least Toon Town had ice cream!

About that time we all decided Caden was DONE with Disney. G & P took him home and let JZ and I stay a few more hours. We rode some "big people" rides, had dinner on the way home, and arrived home to a sleeping baby.

Maybe next time we'll be able to ride It's a Small World - we don't have to pay for him until he's 3!

Fun Fun in the Florida Sun

A few weeks ago we spent two glorious weeks in sunny Florida. We had the BEST time there! We left on Monday, 11/1 for our LONG flight to Tampa. Previous flights have not been super successful, so we were a little apprehensive for this one. No need - Caden P was AWESOME! I had packed a bag of toys and food, and anytime he started to fuss we pulled something new out of our bag of tricks. By the time we arrived (3 1/2 hours after we left and over an hour past his nap time!) he was sleepy and looking a little glassy eyed, but still happy. People even commented about what a good boy he was. Yeah, Caden! Grammy and Papa met us at the airport and were so happy to see us

We spent the first few days just hanging out at Grammy and Papa's house. We spent a lot of time swimming...

Caden P has no fear of the water! Luckily, G & P recently put up a fence around the pool because he would just walk straight in and hope someone was there to catch him. We put on some (hand me down, pink) water wings to give us a *little* more security while he was in there.

He really loved the hot tub. Nice and warm and just his size.

We also did a lot of wresting...

Chasing...

Playing Hide-and-Seek...

Having tea parties (boy versions, that is)

Eating (he was having a growth spurt after all!)...

Working...

And some snuggling...

The day after we arrived, JZ had to fly to Charleston for a conference. On Thursday, we went to the airport to wait for him to arrive

Then we went over to Orlando to see the rest of our extended family. We drove straight to my Grandma's apartment to visit with her and have dinner. Caden had a great time running around Mimi's apartment, opening all of her cabinet doors, and throwing things onto her balcony. He even said, "Mimi" while we were there!

On Friday we went to Disney World (so much fun it gets its own post!), and Saturday we went to visit my aunts at a local craft show.

That evening, we had a big, family spaghetti dinner.

Since we live so far from them, we don't get to all be together, crammed (and I mean crammed!) around one table very often. It was so wonderful to be together and watch everyone interact and play with play with Caden. last time we were there, Caden was so sick and was not a whole lot of fun. This time, they really got to see how much fun he is.

On Sunday, we all went to Mimi's Cafe for brunch before we drove back to the west coast.

I think it was a perfect visit. We really got to spend some quality time with everyone and Caden was in a great mood. It sure wasn't a real long visit, but it was wonderful one.

After we got back to Weeki Wachee, Jeremy and I got to have a date! On Monday, we drove to Tarpon Springs, a Greek village about 40 min. away. When we were in Greece a few years ago, we fell in love with Greek food. I had been to Tarpon Springs with my mom a few trips back (pre-Caden) and I knew JZ would love it. We ate at the best restaurant and had traditional Greek cuisine - yummo!

We even had Greek drinks - a Mythos for JZ and a Greek mojito (made with ouzo instead of rum, wowza!) for me

That evening, we went to Pizza Hut for a fundraiser for the Hernando Harmonizers, Dad's barbershop group. Caden loved the pizza

and the harmonizingThey were so good they even got tips!
Caden even got to sing with them

On Tuesday, G & P hosted a Sip and See at their house in Caden's honor - sip some wine and see the cute baby! Many of their friends and neighbors came by to visit.

Caden got to play with his BFF "Mustang" Sally too

On Wednesday, JZ had to go back home for work :( We spent the rest of the week laying low and spending a lot of time at the beach (that's another post!).

Monday afternoon, Caden and I few home. Alone. I was scared to death to fly with him by myself. We did it, and Caden was great. G & P let us borrow their portable DVD player, and we had done a little training

This kid is crazy about Barney! Anyway, it certainly is easier to have two people and one kid, but we made it. He was very content to sit in my seat and watch Barney while I stood in the aisle. He only cried once (when he stuck himself in the eye with a sucker stick), giggled at everyone around us, but, despite my best efforts, never did sleep. Oh well, he was great anyway!

Whew, one post down, two more to go. Stay tuned for posts on Disney World and the beach!