Here is a list that Anderson compiled of fun ways to end your summer. If you are ever looking for some fun activities, these have been researched and tested by Parrott, et al.
1. Be helpful! Cart pushing party
When we went to Sam's with Grammy, Anderson started to push the cart in the spirit of being helpful.
2. Find a passion!
Anderson found a love for the keyboard in his Grammy and Granddaddy's house! He enjoys playing and dancing to the sound of his own music!
3. Let loose! Flying Party
Richard throws Anderson up like a rag-doll and Anderson squeals with joy! My little thrill seeker.
4. Let something else loose! Toilet Paper Party
Anderson recently found the toilet paper in our half bath. He immediately realized that it could provide all kinds of fun!
5. Share accessories with friends!
We went to the splash park with Kristy and Charlotte. While Charlotte was disinterested in wearing her hat, Anderson was more than happy to keep it warm for her.
6. Build something!
We took a couple trips to IKEA this summer and bought new furniture. Anderson spent some time helping us put together our new dressers.
7. Dig something!
For his first birthday, Aunt Courtney bought Anderson a gardening set. As you can see, he is taking his responsibilities in yard work very seriously.
8. Treat yourself!
While Sue, Tim, and Drew visited from out of town, we got frozen yogurt. Anderson strongly believes that froyo is good to the last drop.
9. Spend time with family!
Anderson loved spending time with his Uncle D! He really liked the beard and that Uncle D let him ride the bird outside of Grammy's house.
Well, toward the end of the summer, we went to lunch with my mom (Anderson's Nana) at Tumbleweed on the River. We were excited to meet her and get to spend some time with her in the middle of her work day. As usual, when we arrived, we were all hungry (none more than Anderson). He took a short time to look at things from a different perspective.
Then, he required some sustenance. As dutiful parents, we grabbed the puffs!
As a dutiful server, the woman waiting on our table brought us salsa.
...And that is how salsa puffs were created! I'm telling you, I am calling Gerber tomorrow to pitch the idea. I'm pretty sure I will make millions!
The food arrived not a moment too soon and Anderson dug in (literally). He really liked the refried beans served by way of his fingers directly to his mouth. Good thing we had wipes in the bag. As much as he liked them though, our son (always thinking of those around him and their needs) offered to share.
Of course, when the bill arrived, Anderson was ready to fight to be the one to pay. Luckily, it didn't come to that as we were thrilled to allow him to foot the bill. He signed his name and we left to take Nana back to work.
I hope this trend of chivalry continues throughout his life and that he will always be this happy to share a meal with family!
Anderson is doing it all now and wants to do it on his own. We are trying to let him do as much as he can and are laughing from our bellies about it. Here are a couple of things that Anderson has been up to (mostly on his own).
Anderson has been very interested in independently eating. At Mitchell's the other night, we ordered Anderson a triple decker grilled cheese and he was so excited to get to eat it on his own!
Of course, eating a grilled cheese with your fingers is nothing compared to eating yogurt with a spoon by yourself!
He also got into the styrofoam pit at All About Kids on his own (well...sort of).
Anderson has always been a very happy sleeper. We can usually count on him waking up happy and giving us a show on the baby monitor. He has recently found the joy of jumping on his bed...SO FUN!!
For the longest time, Anderson would give kisses, but we totally forgot to teach him about hugs. As you can imagine, that just wouldn't do, so we got on the ball and made up for lost time. Now, he is giving hugs upon request!
Anderson also finished two summer reading programs: one for the South Oldham library and one for the Louisville Public Library. He loves to read and he received incentives for both. His favorite reward was this hat.
He is still playing with it at home and gets upset if it falls off his head. He will stop whatever it is that he is doing to replace it. Love that boy!
We are having so much fun this summer with this boy! He keeps us on our toes and keeps us laughing. Quick story on that note...Richard was eating soft pretzels and giving Anderson small bites. Anderson wanted more than Richard was willing to share. So, Anderson loved on Richard and, when he got close enough to the can, knocked over his Diet Coke. When Richard put Anderson down to go get something to clean it up with, Anderson took the opportunity to grab the soft pretzel and run. Upon his return, Richard noticed his soft pretzel missing and a little sneaky boy on the run, giddy with victory and pretzel in hand.
I do believe we are going to have to stay 3 steps ahead. Love him!
Anderson is becoming more independent by the minute. I both love it and hate it. It warms my heart to watch him learn and do new things, but at the same time I don't like how fast he is growing up. I know that it is my job as his mom to teach him, and give him opportunities to do, new things. With that being said, I just want him to stay my sweet baby boy forever - the one who gives "big hugs," and squeezes his dad, the one who gives me kisses without any requests in the middle of his goodnight song, the one who snuggles and smiles just because. Watching him grow up and become more independent is a blessing, but it is bittersweet.
So, you may ask, what is your proof that Anderson is becoming more independent? Well, my friends, here it is.
He has taken his first unassisted steps.
He dances whenever the mood strikes him. He dances to his own rhythm and with his own moves. I love that he doesn't yet have to worry about whether or not someone is watching or if he looks "cool"-he just goes for it!
He talks on the cell phone.
He makes how-to videos to post to the Internet. We believe this one to be a "how-to walk down the stairs on your own" video for other one-year-olds who may be curious.
He waters the flowers in the front and on the side of the house. The water out of the hose is COLD!
He checks the fountain to ensure it is in working order while maintaining the Japanese Maple tree. (On a side note, I am concerned that my son is already a better multi-tasker than myself or his father).
He feeds himself frozen yogurt at Orange Leaf, or at least tries to feed himself (if Dad would give up the spoon).
Everyday brings something new with Anderson and I could not be happier to be a part of it. I love waking up and living in the moment with him. He has taught me so much already that I had forgotten in my big hurry to get through life. He has reminded me to appreciate the little things in life and to find the magic in the ordinary. I love being this little independent boy's mom!
In early June, we left Kentucky on an airplane to go to California for Anderson's second vacation. We went to visit family, namely Tim, Sue, and Drew. We had such a good time and were very thankful for their hospitality. Below is an itinerary of our trip.
June 6: Arrive in San Jose, California at around 11:00 pm Kentucky time. After a 4 hour plane ride from Louisville to Las Vegas followed by a 1 hour plane ride from Vegas to San Jose, Anderson was still in a good mood and ready to start vacationing.
I feel that I should add, as a side note, that Anderson peed on me, but it was no ordinary pee. In the end, I had a warm wet spot on my knee and Anderson had a completely dry pair of shorts and a completely dry diaper. Watch out David Copperfield...Anderson Parrott is coming on the scene.
We stayed the night in San Jose and all three of us stayed in the same room. Richard got dinner that night and ate his burrito before Anderson went to sleep. He was too afraid to eat his chips and salsa after Anderson went to sleep for fear of waking him with the chomping...haha!
June 7: Drive from San Jose to Fresno, California (home of Tim, Sue, and Drew). Funny enough, when I called Sue to get directions, she informed me that the last place to use the restroom before a long stretch would be a little town called Los Banos - LOVE IT!!
When we arrived in Fresno, we took some time just to settle into Tim and Sue's house (where we stayed). We stretched a bit.
We explored the inside and out.
We moved some furniture so it was to our liking.
We finally took some time just to relax.
June 8 - June 17: Stayed in Fresno and spent time with Tim, Sue, and Drew. We very much enjoyed our time in Fresno. A couple days into our stay, they took us on a hike on a trail near a small town called Oakhurst. It was a nice hike and Anderson really pushed himself to the limit.
The trail was rocky and hilly, but it was along a creek that had running water and short little falls. It was so serene and pretty!
During the hike, Uncle Drew found a "walking stick" and gave it to Anderson in his stroller...obviously. Anderson loved it and held onto it for nearly half of the hike.
He also worked to "feel" how the trees were doing.
After the hike, Richard figured that we were about halfway between Fresno and Yosemite National Park, so we decided to go on up there and let Anderson take in the sites. He LOVED the waterfall! We pulled into the Bridalveil (that is the name of the waterfall) parking lot and Anderson noticed it right away.
On the way up, we played in the ice melt creek that was created by the waterfall.
Then, we walked up to the actual waterfall! Anderson loved it and we got wet from standing near it!
We stayed for quite a while to watch the waterfall!
After that, we went back to Fresno. While we were in Fresno, Anderson found out that he really enjoys corn on the cob. Tim bought some sweet corn from Fresno State University (they apparently have quite a talent with gardening) and we cooked it up. Anderson was grateful, to say the least.
We also found a little splash park a couple miles from Tim and Sue's house. Anderson really enjoyed the splash park and his favorite part was the small spout that he could sit in front of and manipulate. It was so fun to watch him play.
We went there several times.
On Father's Day, Anderson and Richard ran a Father's Day race in downtown Fresno. Anderson did most of the work, but he felt that was what Father's Day was all about so he didn't say anything.
June 18: Drive from Fresno, California to Monterey Bay, California.
When we arrived at Monterey Bay, we went to the pier and walked around a bit. We also ate lunch at a little spot that had yummy fish tacos. According to Anderson, however, their grilled cheese sandwiches could use some work.
Anderson, Sue, and I went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium while Richard, Tim, and Drew went to do some scuba diving and beach walking.
We had a great time at the aquarium! We saw lots of fun fish and underwater wildlife. Every animal seemed to be out and active.
Well, everyone needs a break from being active. Anderson took a short nap as we indulged in a snack from the aquarium cafe.
After we explored Monterey, we said goodbye to Tim, Sue, and Drew, and headed back to San Jose.
June 19: Drove from San Jose, California to San Francisco, California.
We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and did a self-guided tour through Sausalito.
We also spent some time exploring Fisherman's Wharf. We saw Alcatraz from the wharf, but seeing as how we had someone with us who was "too cute", we thought we better keep our distance.
After a long and fun day of exploring San Francisco, we stopped at the Ghirardelli Factory and had a sundae. It was worth every hill we had to walk. Okay, to be completely honest, we didn't climb any hills, but it would have been worth it if we did because of the yummy cookie bottom sundae we shared.
After our day in San Francisco, we drove back to San Jose to stay our last night in California.
June 20: Flew 1.5 hours from San Jose, California to Phoenix, Arizona and then 3.5 hours from Phoenix, Arizona to Louisville, Kentucky. We were very happy to get home, but we also had a great time on our trip! We will have lots of special memories from our time in California.
