Eleven is Heaven!

I love to make up silly songs and rhymes for Peanut as we play.  They are not fancy and almost always to the tune of "London Bridges", but he loves it and that's what matters.  I was just thinking as I was singing the other day that even when I'm concentrating on something else like bathing him, I can always fall back on my trusty rhyme pair: "JOY/BOY".  Im glad those words rhyme because they sum up exactly how I feel. I am quite confident he is full of joy too!  Here is some evidence of that:

"I will be unloading this drawer shortly"

"I have been walking for awhile, but now I'm good at it, and fast!"

"Just playin'. I'm a lover, not a fighter!"

   Peanut is growing by leaps and bounds!  He loves to play and has never met a stranger.  I mean, when we go to the grocery store it takes forever because he leans out of the basket and squawks at anyone who will listen.  And they do.  They come over and talk to him and tell me how cute he is.  He LOVES the attention, and I love seeing him spread his joy.

   He is so curious about his world and if he is not outside you are likely to catch him standing on a pillow to look out the window.  I'm glad summer is almost here.  We love to sit outside in the grass in the evenings and throw the ball for Furry Pants while we wait for Best to get home.  Peanut gets so excited when he sees his Daddy...and so do I. 

   He is learning new words and can go collect items (like hat and book) when asked...if he feels like it.  Smile.

  He has a big appetite and loves mac n' cheese, hamburgers, chicken casserole, sweet potatoes, apples, pumpkin, pasta, broccoli, squash, and strawberries to name a few! 

   He has moved to a "big boy" carseat and we love it.  He has more room now.  I have also noticed he rarely sleeps in the car anymore.  He is usually busy talking, singing, or just looking out the window.  Still takes two good naps and sleeps 13 hours a night so this Mama has no complaints in the sleep dept.!!! 

 (Watching to make sure Furry Pants comes back inside.)

Hands down this has been the best Eleven months of my life.  Looking forward to more fun with my "little boy that brings me joy"... hey! that rhymes!  SMILE



The "Best" Zoo trip!

  Ever since we took our first trip to the zoo, Peanut and I have been anxious to get back to see what we missed and to do it with Best.  Early in the week we planned to go Sunday, but when the forecast predicted rain we switched the day to Saturday which was supposed to be much nicer.  Ahem... cooperation from Mother Nature just didn't happen, but we didn't let that stop us from enjoying our day and all the wonderful indoor exhibits at the zoo.

 "I'll show you around Daddy, I've been here before."

Mama was hungry so the first stop was the zoo cafe.  My family will tell you that I do not like to start an adventure on an empty stomach.  Just another thing I love about my Best: when suggesting we stop for a snack, he always happily obliges...what a guy... (BIG SMILE)

 Peanut had actually had a full lunch at home before we left, but here he is happily sharing some of Mama's hot dog bun.  He has quite the appetite.  Sign of a happy, healthy, active boy.  Love it!

"Look at those monkeys, we should get one."

Low light is tricky with a little boy who doesn't stop moving...but Im ok with a few blurry pictures.  Peanut  was so intrigued with the fish, talking to them and trying to catch them as they swam by.

The Minnesota trail included lots of interesting wildlife such as a wolverine, timberwolfs, mountain lions, and beavers.  We missed the bald eagle though.  His sign told us that he was gone "due to construction".  What a talented eagle...wonder what kind of construction he does?  Smile.

I love this look of facination.  Seeing him watch the animals in action was so much fun. 

 Not quite ready to dip our hands in the pool yet.

This is not the greatest picture "photographically speaking" but I love it because it captures the mood:
Family fun!
Hope you had some of that this weekend too!