Out and About

Richard, Anderson, and I get a bit stir crazy when we are in the house too long, so we try to get out every once in a while and see what the rest of Louisville is up to.

We went to the spaghetti dinner that the boy scouts put on in Crestwood.  We met Anderson's Grandma and Grandpa there as well as his Nana and Grammy, Aunt Janice, Uncle Matt, and Lily, and Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Captain Awesome and we had a blast!  Richard was in the dunk tank for the first half hour we were there.  My 86-year-old Grammy dunked him because she is amazing!  Anderson played in the bouncy house with the big kids and loved it!

We ate some spaghetti and then our family took over the cake walk!  We did win some cupcakes and Anderson got in on that action as quickly as he could!

We went to Tom Sawyer Park and played on the equipment there.  It was fun for Anderson to climb the wall and go down the slide independently.

We met some of the Goshen teachers out at Drakes in the Summit and had fun talking and eating with them.  Anderson decided to tease them with his tricks.  He can be such a flirt!

We went to Aunt Jackie's house and showed her Anderson's impressions.
First, there was E.T.

Then, there was a bat.

Finally, there was...okay, well this wasn't as much of an impression as it was just a really cute picture.

Anderson also snuck into Aunt Jackie's kitchen, where we had previously rubber banded her cabinets closed to do this...

I don't have an explanation.  I just smile and roll my eyes at how cute and strange he can be all at the same time!

I love taking Anderson out and giving him lots of new experiences!  I was prepared for that part.  I was not as prepared for him to give me new experiences!  LOVE HIM!

Growing Up

People kept telling me how fast life flew by once you start having children.  I blew them off with a "yeah, yeah" and went on with my life.  Once I had Anderson, I couldn't help but notice, they were totally RIGHT!  I cannot believe how fast time is moving...I just want to slow everything down.  Anderson, it seems, feels the opposite.  He wants to grow up and move forward.

He wants to be one with animals (am I sensing veterinary school in his future?).

He wants to drive.  He is already practicing in Richard's car.

He is spending more time in the bathtub and just wants some company while he is in there.  Someone to bounce ideas off of.

He is joining book clubs!  He and Grammy are in one together and are already having hilarious conversations about what they have read.

He is gathering his equipment to play tennis and making sure it is all up to code.

He is building wagons to pull his friends along in so he doesn't have to carry them all the time.  (That can wreak havoc on your back you know).

He is eating pudding without a spoon right there in the grocery store aisles.  He doesn't even need a spoon people!

He is drinking from McDonald's cups (You know he gets the large size because, why would you get a smaller size if they are all a dollar?  He is no financial dummy!).

I cannot believe he is growing up so fast and that he wants to get big so soon.  I just want him to do this again.  Just sometimes!

Even though he is getting too big too fast, I am loving every single minute of being his mom.  I say at every new phase, "This is my favorite stage so far" and I mean it, every time!  I am so lucky to be able to call myself Anderson's mom!  What a great kid I have!

A Trip to the Mall

Who knew the mall could be so much fun for a toddler?  They have all kinds of things that kept Anderson busy while we were there to pick up a couple of things.  We came upon a couple of kids playing with the giant chess set and Anderson seemed interested.  We put him down in the middle of it all and he picked it right up.  He may not have a strategy, but he definitely had a purpose.

After a mean game of chess (I'm pretty sure Anderson won, but I can't be sure), we went to the fountains.  Anderson was very impressed with the horses spitting water and really wanted to get in.  Richard compromised by letting him splash around!

Mall Fountain Party

I think we may go back on a rainy day in the near future.  Fun at the mall...who knew?!

A List of Fun Ways to End your Summer

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.

Chivalry Lives On

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!

Let ME do it

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!

Big Steps

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!