Car Wash

Matt decided to wash his truck this afternoon and lets just say that was the highlight of Ryder's day! I have never seen somebody so excited to be soaking wet! He is such a boy!

New Washer and Dryer!

I am super excited to be washing clothes this afternoon! I got a brand new washing machine and dryer that front loads! Our first new set ever and we have been married almost 9 Years! Thanks so much, Babe!!!

Little Engineer

Either an Engineer or a Pool Repair Man...not sure which! Ryder is very technical and always interested in how things work. Totally opposite from his Mama! This morning he was intrigued by all of the pipes that make up the Pool Pump in the backyard. I was letting him investigate until I saw a tag that said something about electrocution. Yikes! He also discovered that yes, there is water under that big black screen, in our backyard! Even with all of the protection we have for the pool..it is still scary when you see how interested your little one is in figuring out how he could possibly get into the water! The Easter Bunny is going to bring him a Sand and Water Table that will hopefully provide some distractions from the swimming pool, the toilet, the dog's water bowl, etc...!

We had rain every day last week, but the sun came back and it has been beautiful this week! I can't get enough of it! We went to the park yesterday and even had a picnic lunch...just the two of us...but lots of fun! Hope you guys are enjoying your week!
PS...the Worst thing about going outside is that you eventually have to come inside...not fun in this guys opinion! I love Black and White pictures, but I promise to put some color ones up in my next post!

Ever wish there was a Drive-Through Window at the Grocery Store?

I do! Especially when you are trying to plan dinner and there are only two missing ingredients! I think there should be some limitations...like you can only request a set number of items and they have to be the basics. Milk, Onions, Tomatoes, Diapers...things like that! Two years ago I probably would have thought that was a crazy idea, but the thought of lugging a kid into the car,then out of the car and into the store, then back out of the store and into the car...it is enough to make me tired just thinking about it. What the heck will I do in in 7 months when I have to multiply the above by two?? YIKES!

Bubbles and Handprints....

It is rainy, wet and cold here today. Playing with toys didn't last long this morning....apparently they are all very boring. I need to do the ole' switcharoo with some I put up in the attic at Christmas time. Ryder was not in the best mood, he woke up before 6 a.m. because of the rain and thunder, I guess. I then toted him along with me to the Doctor this morning...which was oh so much fun for him! We got home and he didn't want to read any books or do any of the usual. Matt sent me a link with some ideas of fun indoor things to do with your 18 month old...one was great...one not so great!

1. Blow Bubbles! Great for the hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills so the website says. I happened (not sure how) to have a big bottle of bubbles in the house. We got them out and Ryder went to town trying to catch all of the bubbles. He laughed a lot and didn't want to put them away, so that was a win!

2. Make Handprints! Not a win. I think it definitely would have been, had I been more prepared. I had the temper paints and we did it in his bathroom so we'd have close access to a bathtub if needed. If you are going to try this, be sure you have lots of newspaper and that your toddler doesn't have the instinct to put everything that touches his hands into his mouth. We managed to get two "sort of" prints on the paper prior to green paint going in his mouth, all over his face and then all over my shirt. Lessons learned here: Wear clothes you don't mind throwing away, let the little one wear as few clothes as possible, lay the floor with lots of newspaper and be ready to hose them down!

This got us through to lunch and we went down for an early nap since he was up before dawn...we'll see what the afternoon brings!

A trip to the Country

Ryder and I took a trip to the Country on Friday. Actually, it was just my parent's house...but they very much live in the country. It is where I grew up. If you ever listen to country music and hear a song about a small town with dirt roads, where everybody knows everybody and the quarterback dates the cheerleader...you will have the perfect visualization of where I grew up. My parents have about 10-acres that are perfect for a little boy to roam and get into TROUBLE! He had fun yesterday, even though it was so freakin' windy! My sister's little girl was there to be his partner in crime. The two of them got so dirty that I had to turn most of the pictures to black and white to cover up the dirt!

Sweet Signs of Spring

I love all of the sweet signs that let us know Spring is rapidly on its way. We have a little Magnolia Tree in our backyard that gets pretty pink flowers this time of year...thought you might enjoy seeing its beauty in case things aren't warm enough to bloom out yet in your part of the country!