Mischief

Blip has to be one of the best behaved children ever born.  He rarely cried as a baby…he didn't even need a pacifier.  He hasn't been a problem ever…he rarely got into mischief…until that one day.  And I got pictures to prove that he isn't perfect.  

Twice.

This was the two marks I missed when I cleaned up all the others.  And this was also long after the bright blue sidewalk chalk incident.  Sidewalk chalk was not…is not washable.  Just for future reference.

Mess maker.

Now he seems to have turned into a pretty normal toddler.  Very, very curious.  And enjoys his mischief.

Fun Friday #3 - Children's Museum

For our third Fun Friday we ventured out to the Children's Museum.  We had a great time exploring the museum…and left there with a year membership.  It's pretty cool…Either one of us can take Blip, so it works perfectly for our opposite schedules.  

We both climbed up a huge climbing structure on the first floor.  I am a little excited for the day when Blip is able to go up on his own…and I don't have to squeeze up anywhere with him.

He LOVED the noodle forest, the pizza kitchen, the area with the balls and the tracks (not sure what that's called), the part with the cars (not the car wash…it was too busy), the car races, and then we found the perfect spot for my two year old.  The 3 & Under area.  I didn't get any pictures in this perfect area for the littles.  

After we finished at the museum we picked up Uncle Rob and ate some lunch…in the car.  We didn't have a lot of time, but it was fun to see him.  I absolutely love my Fridays with Blip.

Fun Friday #2 - Water Park

For our second Fun Friday adventure…Blip and I lathered up in sun screen and headed out to Wet & Wild.  We only live a few miles from the park, so earlier this year, when season passes were about 1/2 price, I bought one for me.  Blip is still free (because he's 2), and Mike said he didn't want one.  I should have bought one for him anyway.  Oh well…next year.

When I pulled in the parking lot I saw a sign that said $8 for parking…or something like that.  I was baffled at the thought of paying $8 for parking with the cost of the tickets, food, etc…how could they charge to park in an OLD parking lot?  Luckily I had $8 on me…so I paid the girl and found one of the last available spots…nowhere near the entrance.  And it was HOT.  We parked and walked to the season pass office (read: trailer) to get my pass…and then we set out to find us a seat.  

Inside I was having my normal first time going somewhere alone social anxiety attack…and then on top of that the wearing my swim suit in public anxiety attack…and then the I can't find us a chair or anywhere to put our stuff and everyone is staring at us social anxiety attack…and then I saw two off-duty officers working at the water park and began questioning my reasoning for needing to be at a public place in a swim suit with people I don't know, but work with…without a chair…with my toddler clinging to me with his own anxiety about what the hell we were doing.

A very nice lady saw me searching for a chair, so she told me we could use hers while she went to find one of her kids.  They were leaving, so we could pretty much have the chair after that…she was so sweet and the chair was in the shade, so we were very appreciative.  I made sure Blip was ready and then opened the bag to grab out my water shoes and my swim suit cover…so I could at least be partially covered/comfortable.  Found my shoes, but not my cover.  It must have fallen out of the bag in the car, or something, but it was NOT in my bag.  I debated going to look for it, but decided walking with the baby that far in the heat again…for something that might not even be there…probably not my best idea. So I begrudgingly stripped down to just my bathing suit and we headed for the slides.

Blip seemed very excited and pointed out one little slide he wanted to go on.  So we climbed up the couple of stairs…and I immediately heard my boy's anxiety come out of him in a nearly silent whimper.  He was not comfortable.  Part of me wanted to force him down the slide…knowing that once he goes down once he will LOVE it…and fight me when it's time to leave, like a normal kid.  But that's not me, so we held hands and wandered around the park in our swimsuits and water shoes.  

I thought Blip would LOVE the water slides, but I think he was a little intimidated by them.  He didn't want to go on any slides.  The slides he did want to go on…he changed his mind before it was our turn to go.  I may have been more forceful about trying a dang slide if I had been more comfortable in my own damn half-naked skin, but I'm not, so we continued to wander.  Finally, after what seemed like five life times, we decided to head for home.

I was disappointed.  I know Blip will absolutely LOVE the water park once he is comfortable (read: we bring Jake and Carsen or Daddy with us).  We got changed and headed for the car.

I planned to head to the water park after work a few times a month with Blip, but with parking being $8…I changed my mind.  I did find out, however, that for a $15 upgrade I can get a parking pass.  Totally worth it…and I will bring my receipt to see if that can go towards it.  Luckily, my boss is a water park expert thanks to her cute six year old.

Anywho…we headed to Lemar's for a treat with sprinkles (my boy's favorite) to 'celebrate' National Donut Day, but they were sold out!  So he had to settle for a Safeway donut with sprinkles.  When we got home he napped, we made broonies (brownies), and we played with toys…all while wearing boots.

p.s. We were supposed to have our Frozen Embryo Transfer today, but it was cancelled and postponed until Friday June 27th.  Rough time at our house for me emotionally, but trying not to let it bother me.

90th Birthday Celebration

Growing up we spent every holiday (at least the big holidays) at Grandma Joyce's house (the little holidays we cleaned the garage…no joke).  She *always* had THE best food…and always made it super fancy with her nicest dishes and silverware.  Even at the kids' table.  Everything she cooked or baked was delicious.  We were lucky that my grandparents moved to Gilbert when I was little…we didn't have to travel far to visit, so we got to visit often (that also meant I got to hang out with Carol Ann!!).

Grandma Joyce got a big fancy party for her 90th birthday.  Complete with all her kids in town, a lot of grandkids, food, and a pool party.  There were supposed to be festivities on Friday night with the cousins/family that came into town, so I cleared my calendar, but then I never heard from anyone about any plans…so I hung out with Blip.  Like pretty much every Friday night.  I live an exciting life.

I used to think my grandma was old…that was way back when…ya know…30 seemed ancient.  And only after finishing my twenties (several years ago) did I realize that 30 is just the beginning.  And as my grandma turned 90 in May…I realized that life won't always be the way it has been.  When I was a little girl, she was younger than my dad is now.  I hate change.

My family has been blessed to have my Grandma as the family Matriarch for all these years.  She is a wonderful woman who has been through enough in one lifetime to have lived five.

I was even lucky enough to give my Great-Aunt Renae a hug!  I was named after her…and going to stay at her house (near Disneyland) with the huge front door was always a special treat.  I haven't seen her in a long time, so it was a fun surprise.

We didn't get our family picture taken, because we never think of it in time…especially when we all look nice.  Especially Blip.  He looked super handsome, but I didn't even get one picture of him in his cuteness.

Hayden is one of Blip's favorite cousins!  Hayden is always up for hanging with Blip when he's around.  He never seems annoyed by spending time with a toddler…and you can tell he really loves his cousin.  Makes my heart smile.  Those two danced and danced…and when Blip ran like crazy, Hayden chased him down.

After the big fancy party at the church, we all headed to my Grandma's for food.  My dad made my Grandpa Fred's enchiladas and we snacked on left over treats from the church.  And of course all the little ones wanted to be in the pool…so Grandma broke out the change and treated a lot of the great-grandkids to a special treat of diving for pennies.  This was one of my favorite activities back in the day.  

Grandma would toss money in the pool…we would all collect as much as possible…and then the next day we'd load up in the car (way too many of us?) and head to Pic n' Save to spend our change on new loot. 

I didn't bring Blip's swimsuit (or mine) in from the car.  I just assumed there were too many kiddos in the pool for my learning toddler…and we are one of the few people I know that don't believe in using floaties, so if he goes in…I go in.  I didn't want to go in.  We stood on the sideline (with Blip taking selfies) for a ling time just watching…until the pennies started being tossed in by Grandma Joyce.  

I had a slight rush of panic in my heart that it *might* be my son's only chance to dive for pennies thrown by Grandma Joyce.  And although he will never remember, I know it's something I will remember, so in we went.  Just on the steps.  He scooped up a couple coins and then tossed them back in and scooped them out again.  I loved it.

No pictures, though.  By that point it was just me and the Blipster from my family…and we were on our own.

While in the pool one of my second cousins hurt his foot.  Luckily we have an amazingly brilliant doctor in the family…and he was coming to my Grandma's after work.  Turns our my second cousin needed his foot stitched up…and we got to watch.  Well…I chased Blip around Grandma's basement and peeked in when he wasn't trying to destroy something.