"We Eat All We Can..."

Earlier in the month, Dad took a day off work and took me and Mom to the Blue Bell Factory in Brenham, Texas. Mom and Dad had taken the tour once before and said that now it was my time to see how the delicious ice cream is made.

I had a better time than I thought I would. The ice cream was yummy and there were some cutie pies on the tour with us. They were totally flirting with me. Sure, I may have batted my eyes at them and made a few baby shrieks, and they responded! Of course, who could resist a charming fellow like myself?

It was a few minutes before our tour was to start, so we strolled around the gift shop for a bit. Rents got me a cool t-shirt that said, "I get cranky when I don't get me Blue Bell ice cream". Get it, "crank"y? They also got me a koozie to keep my drinks cool in my sippy cups.

We passed some more time in the lobby. That's where I met some of those other toddlers. I think it was the cool cap and shades I was wearing that first drew them to me.

Those that have been on the tour know that the best part is saved for last. Everyone gets a cup of ice cream of their choice. Dad got cookies-n-cream, Mom got mint chocolate chip, and I got pralines-n-cream, but as you can see, we all shared with each other.

Mom and Dad were impressed with how well-behaved I was. Yes, even during the 5-minute video and my socializing with the ladies. They were also convinced that I would be so wore out from all the fun that I would sleep on the way back. And, I did. About 30 minutes away from the house. ; )

Yum, Yum

The trick is to move very quietly... so, so quietly... as a mouse... she'll be none the wiser...

Trust me...

"Oh, Mom... I didn't know you were right behind me, you sneaky thing!"

"Well don't just stand there gawking. Let's eat!"

Dishes and Doors

Tonight Mom and Dad prepared a scrumptious meal of cheesburgers, potatoe wedges and carrots, but then it was time to clean up. Mom was clearing the table and Dad was loading the dishwasher. Me??? Why, I was UN-loading the dishwasher!

As you can see, I know exactly where the silverware goes. I've seen Mom do it plenty of times in the morning when I'm eating my frozen waffle!

I understand directions pretty well for my age (I'll be 15 months old next week), so I'm able to do things the Rents need me to do. Sometimes I'm not totally sure of what they want, but I like to act like a big boy, so I try my best....like in this video, Mom wants me to close the dishwasher door, but I thought she meant the pantry door! Hey Mom---specify what door next time, would ya?!?! haha! Love you Mom!!

PALS!

It kinda looks like I'm taking this picture, doesn't it?

Me just playing around with my pal, Beamer!!

Me and My Buddy

Mom is already making a list of chores I can do when I get older. Because of how well I handeled Beamer today at the park, I think she's going to put this at the top of the list! I'm not even 15 months old yet!

I'm really into holding things when I walk and let's face it, I love to help out whenever I can, so Mom let me take Beamer for a walk at the park! The video is short, but trust me, we walked ALL over the place!

Saturday Breakfast

I love to do things that excite my parents (in a good way, of course). And today I really made their faces light up!

I've grabbed the spoon and put food my mouth before, but I've never loaded the spoon myself. Taa Daa!!

Mom's been signing to me FOREVER and not that long ago I did it back. Boy, did she flip!! Now I do it every so often (like today) just to see her smile!

Newest Hobby

Mom is all about the outdoors and so am I! The Rents got me this cool seat so that I can ride with Mom on her bike. It's totally awesome. We go around the neighborhood a couple of times a week.

A couple of weeks ago we went to Bear Creek Park. Beamer joined us, and we had our Burger King picnic, saw the emus and buffalos, and rode around the park. I was the coolest kid around in my Spiderman helmet!

Earn Your Keep

Here's a video of me helping Mom. She says that I'm a big help. I know that as a 14 month old, I can be a handful, but I try to make up for it when I can. Sometimes it's in kisses, hugs, smiles, or...laundry!

Nevermind the method to my work. It's all a process too complicated to explain. The important thing is that the job gets done.

Read, Read, Read

I love books. I love to read. I love to be read to. I love to looks at pictures, especially of animals. Mom loves to read and loves to read to me, but I love it more than her. How do I know? She hides my books. I've caught her in the act and I've found her stash one more than one occasion.

My favorite is "Ten Little Monkeys" (although I haven't seen it in months). So, I take a book that I happen to find before she does, and I take it to her. Sometimes she acts like she is so engrossed in her work or whoever Ellen is talking to to see me there with the book. I'll slap it on her lap, shove it in her face. Eventually she gets the point and reads to me.

Repetition is the way to learn things, and I'm sure Mom has all the books just about memorized, but I enjoy them way too much to stop reading. And besides, she's the one that got me hooked!

TRAVELING

December was a traveling month for us. Dad had some vacation time to use and Mom, well, she makes her own schedule, so off we were! Our first trip was to my Grandparents farm in Engel, TX (about 100 miles west of Houston). Mom and Dad put a lot of thought into when we would leave so that my nap time would not be disturbed.....hahaha! Silly creatures they are! Oh yeah, I slept...for an hour, then it was "HELLOOO, I'M BACK HERE BORED, PEOPLE!!"

After what seemed like an eternity, we had finally arrived. It takes me some time to warm up to people I don't see every day, so I was my usual shy-self at first. Oma made some mouth-watering chicken potpie that we all ate up! Then Grandpa, Oma, Mom, Dad, and I went for a little drive out on the Model T Centerdoor circa 1900s. We drove on paved roads and pastures Right up to some cows too! Boy were they a sight!

Once we got back to the house we opened presents and I enjoyed all the attention and lovin I got from UncleLuke.

Our next excursion took us to Alamo City, San Antonio, that is. I had no idea actually, where I was, I just knew I was with Mom and Dad and that was all I needed. Mom was really surprised how quickly I made myself at home in the hotel. Boy, that place was cool! It had everything-- a kitchen, bed (of course), a little bed just for me, a couch, bathroom and TONS of drawers!! The best hotel ever! Whenever Mom and Dad couldn't find something they knew where to look--the drawers!

So we did the whole thing of the Riverwalk (so pretty at night, but they never took me out of the stroller!), it was really pretty with all the lights, but really cold too.

We had fun at the Children's Museum, but it was a different story at Fiesta, Texas. It was super cold on that day and we had to go at night too. I was already so tired from the whole trip and it's just not the same sleeping in someone else's bed. We had been out all day at the mall waiting for the amusement park to open. There was a lot of stuff for older kids, so I really didn't see the point of my being there.

The Rents thought I would fall asleep in the stroller, but no way people, too much stimulation! Eventually, they found some stuff for me to do. I had a blast on my first Merry-Go-Round and in The Wiggles Land--Nathan (that's me) + slide = Super happy baby!!
Once we were home after that adventure (oh yeah, I cried and cried and cried on the way back home. I was having too much fun and didn't want to leave. The Rents didn't pick up on that though), we went to Discovery Green. Mom was right, this place was great! I got to stretch out my legs really for the first time in a while. What seemed like miles and miles of land to roam. I didn't even need to hold Mom or Dad's hands---I was freeeeeeee!! People walking by thought I was just so adorable. I'm like, "Yeah, I know."