Cuddlebugs Christmas

Michael and I went to the Cuddlebugs holiday party at the Library. The surprise guest was Santa Claus!

Pretty much every kid there showed some level of apprehension about talking to the Big Guy. Michael was shy at first and said he didn't want to talk to him...

...but Santa had little presents that he was giving, and Michael did want that. (It was books!) So, Michael decided to go up and talk to Santa. He got right on Santa's lap, and just started saying what he wanted. Michael said he wants a skateboard, Ninja Turtles, a light saber...not sure what else. 

My precious boy and S.C.!

 The kids got to decorate sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles.

This is definitely my kid!

The library has a pretty Christmas tree. Michael sat down for a minute and was just oh-so-adorable! After this, we went to the kids' area. Michael started playing computer games and picking out books.

That is until Santa Claus came into the main area of the library. Michael took off like a mad man, went running towards Santa, and then he plopped down on Santa's chair when Santa wasn't looking. Be careful, MDC3! You don't want to be on Santa's naughty list!

Michael loves going to the library! So glad for this great public service!! (And I love how the library has many books that I want to read too!)

Train Ride

This is MDC3 on a train ride at the mall in Beaumont. He was so happy and having fun! He was waving at people walking and in stores. I think he put a smile on a few faces.

They Called Him Tortilla Face Coleman

Just hanging out with the family at a Mexican restaurant...

National Night Out in Port Neches

I took Michael to Port Neches's "National Night Out" program a few weeks ago. The program promotes safety and partnership with the community's first responders.

There were vehicles like the S.W.A.T. truck, a fire truck, an ambulance, and a helicopter.

Michael enjoyed trying on the Coast Guard helmet and trying out the mock guns.

We got to watch (and feel) the helicopter take off.

I'd say this is one happy kid:

Cuddlebugs Halloween

Michael and I go to "Cuddlebugs" at the Groves Public Library. The program is every other week, and there are crafts, storytime, songs, and snacks.

This past week, they celebrated Halloween. The craft was a cat mask. There were also games this week, like bowling with gourds and apple bobbing. The apple bobbing was pretty difficult. Eventually, Michael just grabbed the apple with his hands and bit it. He also had fun holding the apple for me to try to bite without the use of my hands.

The library is a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful place. I love the programming for kids (and me), and I also love browsing books. The local library seems to have plenty of recent releases available to check out.

Michael loves going to pick out books and DVDs when we go to the library. He really loves getting to play in their children's area. He knows what toys they have by heart (dinosaurs, Bob the Builder, Noah's Ark, and food). This past summer, I took Michael to another local library for a summer movie. It was kind of a test run to see how he would do in the theater. The library showed "Mars Needs Moms," and we got popcorn.

Hide-and-Seek

Wanna play hide-and-seek with Michael?

Okay...where's Michael?

Hmmm...not a bad hiding spot. But, he gets easier to spot if you change angles...

Ahhhh! You found me!

Look at this big kid!

Forced hikes

I took Michael out to the Big Thicket National Preserve near Kountze, Texas. It's a little under an hour to drive there.

As I was strapping Michael into his seat, I asked Michael, "Are you ready for a little adventure?"

He responded, "No. A BIG adventure!" That's my boy!

We visited the Visitor Center, and we got a map of the park. The ranger suggested a "short" hike for us.

It was a great hike! A mile-and-a-half. A long trip for a little guy. I heard multiple times, "Mommy pick me up." But, he walked it all himself. (Of course we rested as needed and took water breaks.)

A big adventure indeed.

At the Visitor Center

Starting our hike

One of our water breaks

Curiosity--I love it! We saw some frogs and lizards.

On the trail

Dinos at the Zoo!

Last week, David, Michael, and I met David's grandma and her husband (Linda and Ken) for a morning at the Houston Zoo. The zoo has a dinosaur exhibit right now.

That was our first stop. There was a love/hate thing going on for Michael and the animatronic dinos. Yes, they were cool. Very cool. But, they also moved, and that was scary. He was both fascinated and horrified. He made it through the entire exhibit, and he happily talked about the dinosaurs for the rest of the day. He says he wants to go back, so we haven't scarred him for life. Plus, later on in the day, he "rode" a dinosaur that was out for children to play on. (It didn't move.)

Afterwards, we all met Jill (David's aunt) for lunch at Barnaby's.

Michael's favorite dinosaur of the moment, Bracchiosaurus. That terrified look is because the T-Rex is right around the corner!

An Elmo Party

I took Michael to the #2 Birthday Party of one of his preschool mates.

The theme was "Elmo."

There was a kiddie pool set up, which Michael had lots of fun splashing around in.

Also, there was a piñata. Now, Michael has never done one before, but he caught on quickly. You whack the thing. (Even better if it has a picture of Elmo on it. I think parents wouldn't have minded taking a hit.)

Lots of fun for MDC3! (And birthday boy too, of course!!)

Pool fun

Pointing out to the birthday kid how to hit the piñata

Taking a whack

Worth the effort!

Playing with Talia in KC

In June, we went on a trip to Omaha and Kansas City. I was able to do research, but we were also able to visit family and friends.

David has a life goal of seeing the MLB stadiums, and we got to cross the KC Royals' Kauffman Stadium off his list.

We met Michelle & Dillon for the game. They have a three-year-old girl, Talia. Michael and Talia were fast friends. They enjoyed playing and running together, watching the game, and sharing some frozen lemonade.

Vacuuming is Fun, Apparently

David was watching the TV in the living room, when Michael and I came through. Michael was acting really happy.

David asked, "Why is he so excited?"

"We're vacuuming," I responded.

Again, David wondered why he was acting so excited.

I got the vacuum, and sure enough...Michael loves to help.

He also likes to sweep, although at any moment a broom in Michael's hands can become a sword or baseball bat.

4th of July

Here's Michael on Independence Day...

We're watching fireworks on TV. The mosquitoes were bad outside; the bugs drove the rest of the family indoors. But, my little patriot was willing to watch some fireworks with me...from the comfort of our house, that is.

MDC3 Check-Up

 
Michael had his three-year check-up on Tuesday.

He is 31 pounds and exactly three feet tall. Still on the small side as far as the percentages go. Well, we've got some tall men and some not-so-tall men in the family...we'll see where Michael ends up!

The doctor confirmed that he heard a heart murmur. When Michael had a sinus infection a little while back, the nurse practitioner we saw said she thought she heard one.

It's likely nothing serious, but Michael will be scheduled for a echocardiogram to check it out.

On a related note, if asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Michael will answer, "A doctor." His uncle Pritesh should be proud! 

MDC3 Turns Three

Michael turned three on June 17.

He's an expressive and athletic boy. He's really good with words and telling stories. We're still working on talking through disappointments instead of throwing a fit...but...overall, I just love all the things he has to say! (Of course, I think he's intelligent!) For other times, he knows "mountain pose," which helps him calm down. He knows to take a deep breath.

He likes to run and play, and he seems to have a natural athleticism. Sometimes, it seems he never runs out of energy. He keeps going and going and going........

He's also very friendly and loves his family. He willingly gives hugs. He has "buddies," his very best friends.

Some fun things about him--

Likes:

• Green--his favorite color
• Baseball
• especially Astros and Nederland Bulldogs
• likes to play
• Dinosaurs
• Can name a lot of them
• Football
• likes the Eagles--ugh--because they're green. Recognizes that the Saints are my favorite team and Texans are David's. He also knows, "Go Big Red!" and recognizes Texas A&M logo
• Trains--especially driving by them in the car
• Cars (the Movie)
• Favorite character seems to be Mack the semi
• Avengers--a recent development
• The zoo
• favorite animal is Giraffe
• Books
• Favorites: Eric Carle--Brown Bear, Brown Bear & From Head to Toe; Fiddle-i-Fee; books about dinosaurs; Look & Find books; Sesame Street Books
• Toy Story
• Music
• You have got to see this kid dance!
• TV
• Dino Dan
• Dora the Explorer
• Dinosaur Train
• Fresh Beat Band
• I think this show contributes to his  love of instruments and music.
• Yo Gabba Gabba
• Foofa seems to be the fave
• Likes Plex, the robot
• Favorite at Christmas--Yes, Virginia
• Playing outside
• Parks
• Favorite foods
• cheeseburgers, pancakes, waffles, macaroni and cheese
• Fruits--apples, cantaloupe, mandarin oranges
• Yogurt
• Fruit snacks
• "Candy"--especially star burst
• "golfing" with his kid-sized clubs
• Sesame Street--it's waning, but he likes Cookie, Elmo, and Abby
• Playing on David's ipad or my Nook color
• Wearing band-aids (even with no Bo-bo)

Dislikes

• Getting wet or too dirty (like on wet grass, dirt)
• Having his hair washed
• Having to go to bed or to take a nap

Just Hanging Out

After a trip to the library, Michael and I went to a nearby park. This is his new trick. He climbed up, slipped through, and gave me a heart attack hung there for awhile. He'll be ready for monkey bars soon...he'll have to reach them first though!

Two Paw-Paws

David's grandpa, Leon, is a twin. Leon and LeVon look alike, and when they're together they dress alike.

LeVon was in town recently, and the boys celebrated their 78th birthday. This is not the first time that Michael has seen him, but it's the first time since he's been talking so much.

When asked who was Paw-Paw (which is the name the grandkids call Leon), Michael responded, "I have two Paw-Paws." Apparently, when they were younger, all the grandkids did something similar, and they called LaVon "Uncle Paw-Paw."

Memorial Day Swim

Michael is getting more comfortable with the water, but he is understandably nervous about it too. Healthy fear of the water is a good thing.

On Memorial Day, we went for a family swim in Marti & Rodney's awesome saltwater pool. Michael loved wearing his goggles, and he looked pretty cute in them.

SO

Fun fact: one of Michael's new words is "so."

As in, "I'm so hungry" and "I'm so thirsty."

Some MDC3 bonus pics from the Southeast Texas State Fair:

Austin Trip--Buddy Reunion

Michael and I had a great week in Austin. I got a lot of research done, and hopefully it'll find a home in my dissertation.

As an added treat, we met Sarah and James, our good friends from College Station. 

On Friday night, we shared a hotel room and the boys had a blast catching up. Catching up  means that they found common ground--Cars--and started playing.

Getting both boys down for bed was a challenge. Michael is quite resistant to the idea of going to bed without a fight. James even told Michael, "Close your eyes!"

On Saturday, we Michelle and Eli--more friends from CS!--at the Austin Children's Museum. Baby Club reunion! 

After lunch, Sarah and I took the boys to Zephyr Park and for a ride on the Zilker Zephry miniature train.

Parting was rough, but we both enjoyed seeing our friends!

Michael the Photographer

Michael and I are in Austin, Texas right now. I am doing dissertation research at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History. 

Michael's "souvenir" on this trip is a kid-friendly "Cars" camera. He is happily snapping pictures. Maybe we have another budding photographer in the family.

Here are some of MDC3's photos:

At a bookstore, Michael gave me this firefighter hat and said, "Wear it, Mommy!"

Airplane

An interesting book

We ate at Shoal Creek, a Saints-themed restaurant with a giant Saints helmet in the front.

Picnic table

Easter 2012

At an Easter Egg Hunt

Dyeing Easter Eggs...real ones...that they crack

The Easter Bunny brought a dinosaur!

Easter boy

Mess made by confetti filled eggs...fun, fun, fun!

We are blessed!  I am not, however, blessed with a lot of time, but I am not going to stress about not updating the blog with photos and such. I like to share our adventures when I can!