VA Beach Trip (part one)

Here we were on our first mini-vacation during Memorial Day longweekend at Virginia Beach. Caleb had a ball and just LOVED playing in the sand. Whenever we left the hotel, he would try to steer us towards the beach and say "There! Beach!....Go There!" and then we would have to tell him that we're not going there (again) and that were were going for dinner....or some touristy activity.

We stayed at the Sheraton on the oceanfront (thanks to residual hotel points from my PwC employment) and we got to enjoy some very much needed R&R with the whole family. Those of you who know us know that Jay works many nights and most weekends so time together is a rare and precious thing. We loved our vacation and we are hoping to be able to plan more as time (and finances) permit.

Caleb's so Smart ;)

Caleb and I were reading yesterday right before bed and he surprised me! He was able to tell me what all the things in the pictures were doing and was able to name a whole bunch of stuff that I wasn't aware that he knew! Jay and I just sat there with our mouths open...it's such a great feeling when your kids exceed your expectations! I know that it may not seem impressive to you, but it was the level of detail that shocked us. Either we're doing something we weren't aware we were doing or watching all that 'Noggin' tv has really expanded is repertoire.

We went out for Kristen's birthday yesterday to Bisque Art paint-your-own-pots pottery studio. He was soooo good (and all without a nap) he played by himself for almost 3 hours without throwing a fuss! I'll post the pics as soon as Aylin sends them to me.

Jay & I are really excited for our upcoming Virginia Beach holiday this weekend. It'll be our first (mini) vacation since Caleb and thanks to PwC's hotel points, we will be staying at the Sheraton right on the beach!

Random Family Pics

This was just me and Caleb goofing around in the garden after I got off work and picked him up from daycare.

The picture below was taken right before we went out to dinner (for our 5 year anniversary) and left Caleb with Kristen to babysit for us.

Caleb the Ham

Caleb has become quite the ham now when the camera comes out.

This age is SOOO much fun for me. Everyday he surprises me with new words and I'm always astonished and how much he picks up. Parenting just gets more and more fun as he grows up....maybe I'll read this later when I'm pulling my hair out and remind myself how sweet he is. :)

Playing with Daddy

Caleb and Daddy were in the yard playing (see Michelle? The bike!) and I thought it was so cute...

Caleb's favorite thing lately is "Blues Clues!"....I went on ebay to get him some VHS tapes and some board books. It's so cute when their personalities come out and they start deciding for themselves what they like and don't like.

Like: Blues Clues, Rice, Elmo & Ernie

Dislike: Mommy giving kisses when she has a facemask on....he starts backing away and says "no!....No kisses!"

Look At My Converse!

Doesn't Caleb look like he's just all grown in this photo??? We got him a set of these little chairs and he drags them all over the house to sit on them. For some reason with the outfit, the short hair and the converse sneaks he just looks all grown up! Where did my baby go???

And his words and sentences are just multiplying exponentially daily. It'll surprise me when he's talking to me and understanding that I'll have to do a double take after he's walked past me satisfied that the conversation was complete and done and then I'll realize that it was!

Strutting....

This photo makes me laugh....I guess all kids love to play dress up and try on shoes...but it just makes me laugh when he's wearing my heels and walking around all proud of himself.

He even had that little 'strut' going...Daddy will love this one ;)

Caleb on the 'Rides'

Here's Caleb on the 'rides' at the mall....he cried when I had to finally drag him away. If you look closely, you'll see Elmo....he still likes to drag Elmo around with us wherever we go...

Heather's Birthday

This was taken at Heather's birthday lunch. It was so great to be able to see the girls and catch up with everybody's news.

Mommy Kisses

I just can't resist those cheeks.

Group Shot

We are forever trying to get a good family photo...no matter what we do, somebody's face always looks funny....we'll just have to wait till my photographer sister comes down to get some good ones of us....until then, this was as good as it got.

I'm thinking of getting some family portraits done for Father's Day....(this will show me how often Jay reads this blog) ;)

Quiches & Oranges

So I made this Paula Deen recipe (Easy Bacon Quiche) and I was so proud of it....I presented it to Caleb and he wasn't even curious about it....instead, he was amazed at how you cut up an orange and he sat on the counter and munched away on a whole orange while my quiche sat untouched.....:( I still think that my quiche turned out beautiful if I do say so myself. ;)

I have become quite the Paula Deen fan. Jay's favourite is her butter cakes which we make anytime somebody comes over. My internet recipe search go to is first Paula Deen on food network.

Easter Egg Hunt

On Easter we had Caleb's first Easter Egg Hunt. He had a ball with his little basket and we 'hid' the eggs all over our patchy green lawn. We were doggie sitting Daisy so she was helping Caleb find the eggs as well.

Caleb's First Truck Ride

Here's Caleb riding around on his truck for the first time. He knows how to push the 'gas' pedal down but doesn't know how to steer quite yet so Daddy just turns the wheel so that he ends up going around in one big circle. It's quite cute....and no Michelle, he hasn't learned how to ride his tricycle yet....

Michelle's Fandango Bucks

Thanks to some Fandago bucks that Michelle got from one of her medical conferences, we were able to take Caleb to the movies (for only $2 for all three of us after the fandago bucks were applied) and I think that it was a success.....in that we got to stay and watch the entire film. :) He got a little distracted about halfway through but he made it. The chairs were a distraction for him....and spilling popcorn all over the floor. The drink was almost bigger than he was!

I'm excited because we have the $1.50 theatres that shows movies that are already on DVDs and they often run kids movies for a long time....so now, when Daddy's at work, we can go to the movies for $3!!

Building the Raised Flower Bed

We got our raised flower bed built this past weekend!!! Without the help of Stan & Kristen, we would never have been able to do this!! The plan it to have this bed be a learning tool for Caleb. We've already planted some squash, cucumber and bush beans in the garden. (I'll take some more photos later) and Caleb had a hand in holding the nails and was diligently giving them out one by one.

We found this great place to get 'cheap' compost mixed dirt and now that we know a truckload costs about $20, I have many more projects in mind (not so sure if Jay knows this yet or not ;) )...

Caleb also helped me put some seed down in our existing bed....we've just dropped the seeds down for some forget-me-nots, marigolds, poppies and some sunflowers....hopefully we won't have another cold spell. If so, we'll just have to put even more seeds down. The lawn is just coming out of dormancy. We'll just have to pray for rain this summer season.

Update on the Giftwars

This past weekend was one of the first where Caleb was able to actually 'drive' his truck (part of the giftwars between Toon & Michelle since she bought him his first tricycle, he decided to one up her and got her this truck). He doesn't know how to steer it or put it into reverse yet but he can step on the gas and we just have the wheels turned so that he goes around in a big circle around the yard. Aren't kids spoiled nowadays?

By the way, Michelle....Toon's already plotting for the next birthday so that he can 'win' in giftwars....

Another GF?

While we at Dana's party, Caleb was sitting in this little toddler camp chair playing with his toy and our other neighbor's daughter just toddled over there on her cute unsteady but firm steps and plunked herself down right next to Caleb.

He took a quick look at her as if to say "whoa!....ok....you're cool" and they continued to sit there together for quite awhile.

Quietly Eating Cake

We were at our neighbor Dana's birthday and as they were handing out cupcakes, I noticed that Caleb had already gotten one from somebody. He had seated himself on the little step ladder and proceeded to dive into this cupcake....not once making eye contact with me and not even cracking a smile....he was so intent on devouring this cupcake before I could tell him no...

And of course I wouldn't have told him no anyways....

Enjoying a Warm Day

One day last week it was unseasonably warm so we sat outside and we have been excitedly starting to work on our garden. We have planted two evergreen type shrubs and two butterfly bushes which the nursery says are drought tolerant and easy to grow. Caleb has a ball playing in the dirt.

In that first picture, Caleb always tells on Max if he sees the kitty trying to sneak outside.