South Plains Fair 2009

We have made our annual trip to the fair. This was Hunter's second year to go. I left the good camera at home in my rush out the door. We were so excited to get there! Seriously, you can't beat free tickets. I took a few pictures with my phone so the pictures aren't great quality.

My first stop as we walk in the gate is always the fried pie booth. I get two apricot fried pies. It is best to eat one immediately and save one for breakfast the next day. It was delicious this morning, by the way. Our next stop was corn dogs. Hunter and Momma shared a corn dog. We consider South Plains Fair corn dogs our warm-up for Fletchers corn dogs at the State Fair, which we will be going to on Saturday! Lemonades (regular for me, strawberry for Jimmy), roasted corn for Jimmy (and a cup of roasted corn for Hunter, see, I'm a good momma and make sure he has veggies, even at the fair.), finally, carmel apples for dessert. We were stuffed to the core.

Our two goals, besides eating, were seeing the tractors and horses. We visited the tractors three times and let Hunter "drive" them. Hunter has become fascinated with keys, but only keys with remotes on them. No baby keys for my boy. He held Jimmy's keys and tried to start the tractors. He turned all of the knobs and levers and steering wheels. He "drove" probably a dozen tractors.

As you know, horses are one of Hunter's favorite things in the world, except last night. He was not a happy camper in the petting zoo, which we figured he would love. His little lip started trembling and he was holding tight to mom and dad. He wasn't even happy looking at the chickens. We couldn't even walk into the cow's and horses' barn. Oh well. Hopefully this fear will pass before Saturday. I will not forget my camera then and will share that experience with you in my next post.

Thank you God for time with my boys and for yummy yummy food.

Horses and Hunter

This picture pretty much sums up our Saturday. What a fun day we had, despite the rain.

Jimmy went to Wyoming/South Dakota for a Texas football game and some incredible sightseeing. Hunter and I stayed at Granna and Poppa's house Friday night. Saturday morning, we got up early and took Hunter to see one of his favorite things in the entire world. . . horses. Since going to the races last Memorial Day, H has loved the "sorce" or, more recently, the "ho-wus". The Cowboy Symposium was in town and they were doing a horse parade. We just couldn't pass up the chance to take H to see the horses. We weren't exactly sure where to go, so we drove through downtown. Just as I was about to turn onto Main Street, we looked to our left and the horses were about a block away. We parked and jumped out of the car. We had the whole parade almost to ourselves. The cowboys and cowgirls all waved at Hunter and said, "good morning!" He smiled and waved the whole time. I love that he held onto his little horse the whole time. What a blessing to share this time with my kid seeing the excitement and joy on his tiny face!

After the parade, we drove to the Civic Center and ran into the parade again. We watched it for a second time. He loved it just as much then! My silly goose found a coil of bright orange tube that was running near the street we were sitting on. He climbed on it and started riding it like a horse. So smart! That picture will have to come later. I didn't get it on my camera. I think Granna got it though. There is nothing like seeing my kiddo smile and laugh and enjoy the world!

Sitting on the curb watching the horses.

H holding his ho-wus and watching all of the big horses. He looks too big here!

I love the look on his face!

Momma, Hunter, and Granna at the horse parade. (Look carefully at Hunter's face. What a clown!)

After the horse parade, we headed out to Idalou for the Apple Butter Festival. It rained on the drive out, but we hoped the rain was heading away from us. As we paid and walked it, in started pouring!! Not just a little sprinkle, but the sky opened up. We made our way over the petting zoo, umbrellas in hand. There were rabbits and sheep. Hunter had no fear as he stuck his little hand in the pen. We ate a yummy lunch of BBQ sandwiches, potato salad, and beans. We had some apple turnovers, which would have been better warm, but were still "num" as Hunter says. As the rain stopped, we walked around a little more. There wasn't just a ton to see, but we got to experience it, mud and all. Again, Granna got some good pictures that I didn't get. I've already drowned one camera this year. I kept mine in a nice dry place this time it rained!

We headed home after a full morning of fun and took a nice long nap. Granna, Poppa, and I headed to the Tech game while our sweet Aunt Jody watched Hunter. She thinks he is pretty smart. She said he talked all night, which is no surprises to any of us! (I think he gets it from his daddy!) They had a fun time!

Jimmy is home now and we have had a restful Sunday. All three of us took 2 naps today. That doesn't happen very often! We are glad to be back together again for many many more adventures.

Kisses

Hunter's new thing: kisses for his ouchy bobos. He has just recently started pointing to his ouchies and making his kissy face. After I kiss the place that hurts many many times, he switches arms, legs, hands, etc. and asks for kisses again. Then, back to the first ouchy for some more loving. Have I mentioned that I love this kid?

Big Boy Potty

When I got home from work today, Hunter's Granna had some big news for this Momma. Not only did Mr. H get a big boy potty this morning that he got to pick out, but he also used the potty. He skipped the easy part and went straight for a #2 in the potty. According to Granna, H woke up from his nap and asked to use the potty. She wasn't sure which word he had used (it sometimes happens. His words sound a little bit alike at times) so she took off his diaper and put him on the potty. They discussed things while he sat and lo and behold, he stood up and Granna had a surprise! Way to go kiddo! Proud of you!

First Day of "School"

Today, my sweet Hunter started his first day of "school" in the Early 2's class. He is too big! He woke up early and had breakfast, put on his new shirt with his name on it ("H is for Hunter" with a "sorse" (horse) on it. So very Hunter!) We packed his lunch, backpack, and nap mat and headed to school. Momma and Daddy walked H in. Daddy had to carry his backpack because it was too big and heavy for H. It knocked him over when he tried to walk in the building. We helped him put his things under his choo-choo name badge. Then we took the beloved first day of school pictures with the new supplies, and the very proud Momma and Daddy. We walked him down to his early class, since mom has to be there early for Bible study. He wanted to fuss a little, but one of his teachers from last year grabbed him up and he did great! The teachers at his school LOVE him and think, just like we all do, that he is just the greatest thing alive! (Okay, maybe that's a small exaggeration!)

I checked on H about 9:00. He was playing and happy and cute as can be. His class was getting ready to go to the playroom, so I sat at the top of the stairs so I could watch him go without being seen. Yes, I am the obsessive mom! His class walks through the building on a rope with plastic bracelets/rings tied to it for the kids to hold on to. H did not want to hold his ring. His teachers kept gently reminding him to hold on. I think he finally figured it out. I loved the look he gave them. It looked like he was telling them that he was just fine walking on his own and he didn't need a rope. So silly!

All of my worries about the napmat were worthless, just like everyone said they would be. I went by during my lunch break and he was sacked out, lying crooked on top of his mat. I asked if it took much to get him down. Apparently, his teachers just reminded him he had to stay on his mat and he fell asleep on his own. Yea! I'm so impressed. I really wanted a picture through the window, but I didn't dare wake him. No more lunch dates with momma, I guess. It's okay though because I can sneak peeks at him whenever I can. I love it!

Hunter had a great first day at school! Thank you God!! He came home in a great mood!!

Daddy and Hunter before school.

Hunter and Momma

Hunter's super cool backpack


On a completely unrelated note, I have graduated from my cake decorating class. Tonight was our last night. Hunter's Granna and I had a fun time learning from this funny little lady at Hobby Lobby. Here's the final cake I did. Jimmy said it was tasty.

Close your Eyes

Friday night, we headed to Arlington. Hunter talked non-stop for the first 3 hours of the trip. He got louder and louder. After we put in "Na-No" (Nemo) he settled down but did not want to go to sleep, even though it was getting late. One of us suggested that H close his eyes for a little bit. Well, Mr. Smarty-pants, dropped his head to the side, closed his eyes, then popped right back up and started laughing his head off. Of course, Jimmy and I were laughing just as hard! He did the same thing every time we asked him to close his eyes! This kid cracks us up! His laugh is so contagious! I want to get a bottle and grab some of it up and just open it when I need a smile. I wish I had my camera in my hand so I could have gotten video. Maybe he will do it again soon.

Thank you God for my kiddo's laughter and smiles!

Big Enough for Nap Mat

I truly can't believe that Hunter is big enough to sleep on a nap mat when he goes to "school" in a few weeks. Hunter is a super busy kid who has a hard time sitting still for a few seconds. He only sleeps in his crib, not in bed with mom and dad for a nap or anything, only in his bed. This momma got a little anxious when I found out that we needed to buy our big boy a nap mat for nap time. There is no way that my child will sleep on the floor! Everyone assures me that peer pressure is a great thing, even in Hunter's class. His teacher tells me she will sit on the floor next to him to help him, but I'm still a little nervous. He is such an amazing, great kid! Super flexible, surely he will catch on to this quickly too. He does love his nap mat. He gets very upset when it is put away (I have to keep it nice and new for school, of course!). I love the mat too! I think it is great! Nice and thick and cute as can be! I really can't believe how big Mr. H is getting!

I go back to work on Friday so blog posts may not come as often! I apologize in advance.

Thank you God for health and growth for my sweet baby boy and for a great "school" for him to go to on Tuesdays/Thursdays so he can be close to Momma.

***I need to give credit where credit is due. I found this mat at www.napmatsandmore.com. I'm very impressed with their stuff!!