Florida was Calling Our Names

In late October this year, we went on our second annual Fall Break trip to Dunedin, Florida.  Anderson's Grammy and Granddaddy own a condo there and have invited us to stay there with them the past two years.  We are truly blessed to have opportunities like that to spend with family!  While we were there, we stayed busy, just as Richard planned.  We began our stay at the park and we played while Dad and Granddaddy played tennis.  The park had a great playground and a splash park that we took advantage of on almost a daily basis.

Anderson also learned a new way of going down the slide.

We also spent quite a bit of time at the beach on Honeymoon Island playing in the sand.

Anderson was not a huge fan of the showering the sand off of him part.

The beach also had a playground, so we took full advantage of that as well!

Some days, we chose not to go to the beach, but just to play in the pool at the condo.  While there, Richard taught Anderson how to "play" with others in water.

After we had our beach/condo fun, we took a couple of days to do some traveling around Florida to "see the sights".  We started our adventure at the Clearwater Aquarium and Rescue Facility to see Winter, the dolphin.  (At this point, many of you may be saying, "Ruthie, who the heck is Winter?"  For those of you saying that, he is that dolphin who doesn't have a tail because it got caught in a crab trap and they made a movie about him called "A Dolphin's Tale - get it...ha!)  Anderson really enjoyed seeing the dolphins and watching the shows.

He also really liked the other parts of the aquarium.  Especially the part where he got to touch a ray.  He missed the first time...

But then he touched it and was very happy with himself.

There were all kinds of photo opportunities at the aquarium!

Next, we went to Busch Gardens thinking we could get discount tickets.  We didn't get past the front gate because they wouldn't let us get the discount at the gate, we had to get it online and print them.  Well, that wouldn't do, but we did get a couple pictures in the front of the park.

When we realized that Busch Gardens wasn't an option, we went, instead, to Tampa's Lowery Zoo.  If you haven't been, plan a trip.  It was fantastic!  Anderson got to pet a camel and got to see all kinds of fun animals!

Once our travels were done, we decided to carve a pumpkin back at the condo seeing how it was so close to Halloween.  Anderson loved the pumpkins and called them "nay nays", but was not a big fan once we cut them open.  Be sure to watch his reaction very carefully...I still laugh about this moment whenever I think about it.

We had a wonderful time and were able to experience so much with our sweet boy!  So blessed!

Recognizing Granddaddy!

Recently, Anderson's Granddaddy was recognized as the College of Arts and Sciences alumnus of the year at the University of Louisville.  It was a big deal and we are so proud of him!  They even made a table reserve sign with his picture on it!

We were so excited to celebrate with him that night, but there was also a mention of him at half time of the South Florida game.  Anderson went with us to cheer him on!  I am not going to lie, I was nervous. I was picturing Anderson being crazed and wanting to walk around the whole time.  I was picturing him walking in and out of people and me not being able to find him.  Boy did he ever prove me wrong.  He was amazing.  He was completely mesmerized by the football game and clapped with everyone when UL made a good play.  He was not a fan of the booing, but then again, neither am I.  He spent his time on our laps unless it was a break in the game when he sat in his own seat or went up on Richard's shoulders.  I think he is officially a football fan!

We appreciate Granddaddy inviting us to celebrate with him!  We had a fantastic time!

Anderson's first icee

Richard is one of the cross country coaches for Buckner Elementary's intramural program.  After all of their hard work and practices this year, they had a meet.  Anderson had a great time watching the runners and playing with the dogs who also attended.  After the kids ran, there was a Kona ice truck giving the runners a free treat.  Anderson got in on that fun and was very happy that he did!

Boo Through the Zoo

This was the Parrott Family's first year attending Boo Through the Zoo at the Louisville Zoo.  They decorate the zoo in a (not so) scary manner and then set up little kiosks throughout where kids can get candy.  As we entered the zoo that night, we were so excited about how Anderson would react to it all. He was not at all impressed by the candy, but there were a lot of things there to hold his attention.

The Embrys were kind enough to let us park in their driveway and walk to the zoo.  We tested out the parrot costume since it was the first time he wore it and walked together to the entrance.

When we arrived, Anderson wanted to sit on the bench and look through the fence at the rhino exhibit. (Not at all) shockingly, they were doing absolutely nothing.

As exciting as that was, we decided to go ahead and move forward.  We walked around quite a bit and Anderson realized that the feet of the costume could be challenging at times.

As we walked, we ran into a couple of our feathered friends and stopped for a quick conversation and a photo opportunity.

After that, Anderson started to get hungry, so we stopped at the soft pretzel stand.  He was a bit pre-occupied with said pretzel and couldn't truly appreciate the video game section of the decor.

Dad tried to make him an Oompa Loompa for a minute, but he seemed less than thrilled.

He was, however, very happy to see the polar bear and did some bonding with his new furry friend.

All in all, we had a good time.  I learned for next year that: 1. We should feed Anderson before we go and 2. We should bring a stroller.  Even with learning these lessons the hard way, it was a fun evening and Anderson was able to enjoy his first (of many) Boo Through the Zoo.

Making Rice Krispy Treats

Well, Anderson and his father decided to surprise me with Rice Krispy treats when I got home from the grocery.  I came home to a clean kitchen, a semi-clean toddler, and yummy treats made with love!  After I tried one of their delectables, Richard showed me what really happened to make this dream a reality.

Well first, they had to check to make sure the marshmallows were of the utmost quality for these treats.

Next, came the pouring of the Rice Krispies.

Then, of course, there was a lot of stirring involved.  Well, it was close enough to stirring to call it that.

Finally, they put the treats into a pan and pressed them down with their hands.  This, of course, cannot be done without getting sticky handed.

It was a fun night for Anderson and Richard and was a nice surprise for me when I got home.  I just love my little family!

More than just Fences

That's right...Anderson made a big step in his development this weekend.  At the zoo on Sunday morning, he actually paid attention to the animals and barely noticed the fences (which used to be the only thing he noticed when we took him to the zoo).  It was good timing because the weather was a bit cool and it was the morning before one night of the zoo's Halloween party so it was not at all crowded. We went because, according to Richard, there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.  I couldn't really argue with that, so we bundled up and headed to the Louisville Zoo.

When we arrived, Anderson was in his stroller and ready to get going.  He wore mittens for the first time in his life so that was where all his attention was focused for the first part of our trip.

The stroller lasted about...5 seconds.  We saw a zookeeper holding a bird and Anderson had to get a closer look. So, he was out and that was about the end of the stroller.

We then began our journey towards the rhinos and giraffes, we noticed a nursery rhyme theme.  Anderson really enjoyed the castle backdrop with the big thrones.

He knocked on the castle walls.

Several times.

But no one answered.

So, he turned his attention to the thrones.  He sat in them...

He stood in them...

He gave high fives in them...

He honked Richard's nose in them...

After all the nose honking they could handle, Anderson and Richard led the way to watch the giraffes.

We moved on, but before we could see anymore animals, Anderson's good friend "Melmo" made an appearance!  He was so excited to see "Melmo" that he gave him a high five, hugged him, and recited his name.

Then, he turned back to spend more time with his dear friend.

After we finally got passed "Melmo" we continued on and Anderson decided to climb some Legos.

After the Legos, we actually got to focus on some animals.  We got really close to a giraffe eating some leaves.

We also got to pet the goats in the petting zoo.  Our friend Jenny works there and gave us the inside scoop on the baby goats.

She also took us on a behind-the-scenes tour of the turtle cage.

We had a great day at the zoo and it is so fun to watch Anderson there now that he is learning all of his animal sounds!  We love the zoo!  He had a great time too and was ready to do it all again (you know...after a good long nap).

Morning Pictures

Richard is the parent in charge in the mornings.  He gets Anderson up, picks out his clothes, dresses him, feeds him the first half of his breakfast, gets everything packed up, gets Anderson in the car, and takes him into daycare.  Each morning, I anxiously wait to see whether or not I will get a picture texted to me.  Here are a couple of the pictures from the past few mornings with the messages that were sent with them.

He is a little kangaroo this morning.

He is decked out in all Under Armor, so he is ready to protect this house.

(I responded with "Nice.  It looks like he is protecting the bathroom.")

We love you this much.

I love my little family and am so thankful for all that Richard does and for mornings when I get to see pictures of that sweet little smile!