Movie anyone?

Hunter loves Barney. They're BFFs. Every morning, he runs into the guest bedroom, points at the tv and says "ba!", which is Hunter-speak for Barney.

Although tv isn't the most healthy, educational option for entertaining my kid in the morning, I'm not going to complain because at least I don't have to deal trash spread out all over the house or hairbrushes in the toilet or tiny little ripped up pieces of toilet paper all over my bedroom while I'm getting ready for work. Nope. None of that. I have been freed of those kinds of messes. Hunter's so high tech now...

and when he was finished with the VHS tapes, he moved into the living room where the Brooks family keeps all things 21st century...

Although the toilet paper towers were a lot easier to clean up than re-assembling parts of furniture (notice the drawer was pulled out), I love these messes just as much! Hunter's curiosity of all things is so fun to watch!

Love

Well we are definitely in the throws of toddler tantrumdom. Personally I think I'm handling it pretty well. I thought I'd be a little more worried about what people think about me when my child throws himself face down on the ground in the middle of Northpark mall...or the Cheesecake factory...or my place of employment (gasp!), but I know the people with kids completely understand and the ones without are going to judge me anyway, so there's no point in wasting my energy caring what they think.


Although I don't obsess (okay maybe I obsess a little) about what onlookers think, I'm not above trying to deter the tantrum throwing through bribes. READ: Heck yeah I'll give my kid his very own smoothie from Thirsty's if it means I get to walk five steps without screaming or body flailing. (And believe me when I tell you that Hunter left that smoothie cup in his cup holder and leaned forward to suck from the sraw for like 5 minutes WITHOUT COMING UP FOR AIR. I think this got more judgement than the actual tantrum throwing.)


Even with the hourly tantrums, Hunter has so many more fun, cute things he's doing right now. Here's a list of some of the things I love to watch him do...


1. play with his friends - it's so cute to watch them play and laugh and chase and copy each other

2. flirt with girls/women

3. make the shy face - there are no words to express the cuteness of this

4. try (although at times unsuccessfully) to communicate with me more everyday

5. RUN toward me with the biggest smile ever when I pick him up from school/church

6. laugh hysterically...for no reason at all

7. help me with the chores - he loves to throw things in the trash (unfortunately sometimes non-trash items get thrown in while I'm looking away...we've lost several pieces of the fridge farm to the trash can)

8. LEARN! Hunter's so into intently observing his environment that I can just see his little brain learning so many new things every day.


But my favorite thing by far is seeing the joy in living that God has already given my son. I love his happiness and innocence and love for his family and friends...and even favorite toys. It really can't be captured in words. This is as close to expressing it as I can get...

If that doesn't give you the warm, fuzzy feeling, what will?

Playground Junkie

Since the weather is so pretty right now, Hunter and I have been spending a little more time outside than usual. I know this is a bit shocking considering my hatred of the outside smell (especially once said smell is transfered to me), but once you become a parent, life is full of sacrifices...and that is one big sacrifice:)

If you've been following my blog or if you had a single conversation with me during my son's first year of life, you're probably not surprised that Hunter doesn't have a history of loving the playground. He had a very timid first 18 months in this world. But now that he has a whole slew of tough guys to keep up with at school everyday, he's a climbing machine. The kid LOVES the playground, mostly just the slides. The higher, the better. He'd probably go down head first if we let him.

I first started noticing his love for them a couple of weeks ago when we went on a walk to feed the ducks with Hunter's friend, Jackson. On the way back to the house we stopped at this tiny little playground that I usually have to really hype up for Hunter to have a good time. I know they don't look too excited, but they really did have fun:)

Since this day we've been going to the big playground across the street because the slides are way taller and so much cooler.

Hunter even likes tunnel slides now, which he was terrified of just a few short months ago.

My favorite part about this is of course the einstein hair...

I know...scary, but cute:)

The Office...just not as funny

Hunter and I went to visit James at his office last Thursday, and Hunter had so much fun eating Daddy's snacks and sitting in his chair.
He even got to experience his first escalator ride, which was pretty fun until it was time to get off. That was more scary than fun, so Daddy came to the rescue and carried him.

There's a beautiful fountain downstairs in the lobby at James's work, but unfortunately this is the only picture I got before security hunted me down...Apparently cameras and the infomart don't mix.

Busy Little Bee

Happy Halloween everyone! We've had a great, busy day! Hunter's teacher told me on Monday that the kids could wear their costumes to school today, so I loaded up the little bumble bee and we headed to school all decked out this morning.

When we walked into the building, the director and music teacher stopped us and made a big fuss over Hunter. This should've been my first clue, but I just thought they were gushing over him because, hey, he really is dang cute.

...

As we were walking to the kitchen I noticed that none of the big kids in the hallway had their costumes on. Then we passed the 2 baby rooms, and you guessed it...none of the babies had costumes on. I was getting a little nervous at this point, and when we opened the kitchen door, just as I'd feared, there was only 1 kid who had his costume on...and that kid, my friends, was my son.

...

I don't know whether it was that he could sense my panic or if it was the teachers gushing over him or if it was that he actually noticed that he was the only kid IN THE BUILDING in a costume, but Hunter stopped in his tracks and I had to lure him over to his high chair.

...

I love telling embarrassing stories. I have many, and apparently, thanks to me, my poor son has already started his tally at the ripe age of 19 months.

...

When James got home, we got the bumble bee ready to go visit the fam.

First we went over to Nana's house where Hunter got his very own treat bag that he was really excited about. (He's actually squeeling with delight and shaking his fists in excitement in this picture)...

So cute.

We met cousin Zack and cousin Vanesa at Nana's house, and then all headed over to Nanny and Grandad's....

where Hunter got more treats. (Notice the Kit Kat in his hand...that's his second one.)

Hunter even did a little trick or treating at Nanny's neighbor's house. This was exciting for him for exactly 1 stop, after which he started to scream. So we left, and headed to our last stop...Grandee and Poppy's.

I didn't get any pictures there, but it was pretty similar to the other stops. Lots of oohing and aahing and lots of chocolate. It's amazing my kid is asleep right now and not bouncing off the walls from the sugar high. We'll start detox in the morning.

Hope y'all had a great, embarrassment-free day!

We're more than great coats.

Here's my son yesterday morning on the way to school....
Yes, he's wearing a lightweight rain jacket...in 40 degree weather. I should receive an award for being the overachieving parent that I am.

At least I brought a blanket along. A blanket has sooo many more positives than a coat. The most important being, it will make your kid laugh the entire way to school with all of the creative games he will think to play with it.

Here's Hunter on the way to school today...

Not as exciting or nearly as fun as the blanket, but much warmer. Thank you Burlington Coat Factory. Thank you.

Oh! And the funniest thing ever about that coat...Hunter's teachers told me that when they took the kids out to play this morning, Hunter kept bending over and he couldn't stand up on his own because of the bulkiness and weight of his new coat. They had to keep helping him up. What I wouldn't give to see some video of this. I'm sure he was furious. Can't you just see those fists shaking and teeth clenching? Love it. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

Super Dad

I was at Lake Texoma this weekend for my church's women's retreat, and y'all...I DIDN'T BRING MY CAMERA. Who is believing this? Let's guess how many times I said to my roomie, "I wish I had my camera so we could take a picture of us." One? Two? Nope. Probably more like 3 or 4, which is a little out of control for a 2 day time period.

When I called James Saturday night, and he told me Hunter was in his new Curious George pajamas, I told him he better remember to take a picture the next morning. You know, since that camera never gets any use.

He didn't fail me.

Front and back shots. Is he trained well or is he trained well?

I had so much fun with the women at my church this weekend. It was a great getaway, but I was so ready to come home to my two favorite people...

I heart them:)