Memory-ial Day Weekend

We had a fun-filled, busy, exhausting Memorial Day weekend. It began on Friday, with our drive down to Phoenix. Cael was sporting his fishing hat as we got drinks at Bride's on the way out of town. He enjoys taking the hat on and off and on and off his head and using it to hide items, playing peek-a-boo tricks. What a handsome brown-eyed little guy!

After we checked into our hotel and rested for a minute, we got back into the car to travel to Wickenburg for Cael's cousin Kelsey's graduation from high school. Prior to the graduation, Uncle Gunnar and Aunt Kristi hosted a fabulous barbecue for friends and family. We got to spend a nice time there with the family. I forgot to take in the camera, so there are no pictures of that part of the weekend. Suffice it to say that Cael had a great time and still needs to work on playing nice with other kids.

On Saturday, we went with Grandma, Aunt Sarah, and Aunt Julie to the new aquarium at Arizona Mills Mall.

Note to self: Do not take Cael anywhere anymore that he thinks he can dive into tanks to swim with fish and other aquatic creatures. He gets extremely cranky and does not understand why he cannot jump in there with them.

Cael got to go up on a plank-type area to overlook this particular tank. He is desperately trying to break through the rope to cannonball in with the fish and rays.

When we FINALLY arrived at the part of the aquarium where Cael could not jump in, nor could he shed his alligator tears because we wouldn't let him try to drown, he immediately flopped down on the ground in frog position to see the ocean life beneath him. We were surrounded by fish, sharks, etc. - above us, beneath, and to the sides. It was amazingly cool. However, we were more thoroughly entertained by the little boy on the ground. When frog position was no longer allowing for a good enough view, Cael completely sprawled out. Luckily, the people waiting behind us thought it was funny and nicely stepped over and around him.

In another part of the aquarium, there was a tube to crawl under and go inside. Dad went in with Cael to see more sea-life.

At the end of the encounter, there was an interactive learning area. Cael got down again to check it out.

Explain this to me, please. Cael, who moments ago wanted to dive into a huge tank of water, got nervous to get on the carousel horse. Mama had to ride with him (Admission: Mama secretly wanted to ride, anyway, so it worked out for both of us).

We did a little shopping at the mall after all the excitement. Cael donned his cool-dude sunglasses in one store and strutted his stuff.

We got back to the hotel and went swimming (sorry, no pictures of the too-white Hancocks), which Cael loved. After seeing all that water today, he finally got to get into some. He splashed and threw his Dora ball and had a wonderful time.

On Sunday, because the ignorant first-time parents had already forgotten about the previous day, we stopped by Bass Pro on our way out of town. "Cael will love to see the fish and water and animals," said his Mama excitedly. Um. Really? More water that these mean parents would not allow Cael in. We left there with one of us screaming and crying as if he were beaten, but not before we got one calm picture of the rascal gazing at the fish.

What a fabulous time of making memories we had!

It sure is nice to be home, though.

It's the Climb.

Miley Cyrus sings it.

Cael lives it.

I went to find him in his room a few days ago and discovered that he scaled the changing table to be atop it. He threw down some items and here is pulling out the wipes to erect his flag of conquer.

HELP!

Mmm...Coke

Cael sure loves his Aunt Kirsti.

Here they are sharing a Coke at Trapper's.

Water, Water, Everywhere...

Cael loves the water. When we went swimming at our hotel in Phoenix a couple of weeks ago, he almost ran into the pool by himself, nearly giving us heart attacks. He watches in awe as the water comes out of the bathtub faucet each night for his bath. If a sink faucet is on, he is there to see the water emerge from it. He will even get my bottle of water and carry it around with him.

Due to his love of all things H2O, it was no surprise to us that last night he was in heaven with the sprinkler on to nourish our lawn.

Linus

Our little Linus has his blanket with him almost constantly at home. He would have it all the time, but I don't take it with us everywhere. This morning, he decided he needed two pieces of security. When he got out of bed, he handed me his regular quilt made by Grandma and his dad's baby quilt as well. He cuddled with them both on the couch.

What is the verdict?

Cael's May visitation weekend to Holbrook was full of fun, as usual. I don't think he hears the word no from Aunt Kirsti, Aunt Sarah, and Grandma for a few days. They claim he is not spoiled but well-loved.

Well, let's explore the facts as supported by the pictures above: Cael is loving the slide at the park; He is eating an ice cream cone moments later; He all of a sudden appears in the next photo with new Nike sandals; He is just worn out in the next picture after being at the ranch for a few hours, with many fans; Cael is playing with the water coming out of the hose at Great-grandpa and grandma's house; After he tired of the H2O, he got to go on the swing, also there in Woodruff; When Cael returns to us, the last photo shows what he does for the next day or two. I wonder why he is so worn out. It is certainly not from being spoiled, is it? It must be all that love.

Relax much?

If Cael has any stress in his life, it certainly is not visible in any of these pictures. This past weekend, he got to hang out at Aunt Julie's and watch Finding Nemo, get pushed around in the stroller at the mall, and make himself comfortable on the bed in the hotel room.

Taking the Monkey to the Zoo

Today was Cael's first trip to the zoo. We picked a warm day in Phoenix, but we went early to try to avoid the blistering heat that will be the bane of our existence in a couple of hours for baseball and softball state games.

Since Cael is our little monkey, among other things that I won't mention here for posterity, we knew he would fit right in with the other animals. We saw elephants, giraffes, a monkey, a lion, a tiger, a giant tortoise, and many other species heretofore unknown to Cael.

Photo info.: Paul and Cael posed for a picture by the tractor, as Cael did not want to sit on it. Cael enjoyed the goats at the petting zoo. He even tried to break into one of the stalls (notice the mischievous grin). Another boy decided to pet the same goat as Cael and got pushed down for it about two seconds after the picture was taken (Um ... Whose kid is that making the other kid cry?). He also enjoyed the Little People play area - driving Mama in the tractor, sliding down the slide, and posing in the farmhouse window.

Kentucky Derby

The triple crown horse races have been a Baca family tradition for quite some time. We pick our horses, first through third, for the Kentucky Derby. Whoever wins, if anyone does, gets a Sonic gift card. Some of us, I won't mention names, actually have been seen yelling at the television as the horses circle the track, jumping up and down, and falling to knees in anticipation. For the latter two races, we cheer on the Derby winner in hopes of a Triple Crown.

This year, we spiced things up a bit by making hats for the big race day. Cael laughed at Gramma and Mama in their creative hats. Gramma put all the contenders' names on her hat, with her picks on a special pink ribbon. Mama used a 24-pack Coke box and decorated it with shiny tinfoil and ribbons galore. Don't we look smashing? We would fit right in at Churchill Downs, I think.

We also added another new tradition of decorating horse sugar cookies. The pictures show Parker with his red horse, Kiki with her pink one, Aunt Nicoke with her horse - she is holding up number one because her horse, Super Saver, won-, Uncle Shane with his horse that Kiki decorated for him, Gramma with her white horse with pink hooves and a pink tail, and Mama with her horse that is the colors of her jockey's jersey. Decorating and eating the horses was great fun.

Next year, we want to add Mint Juleps, virgin, of course:), to our celebration.

Traditions like these make memories that last forever.

Here is what you were doing, Cael, while all the excitement was going on.

You preferred to be in a room by yourself, sipping your root beer. Cheers to you, buddy! Maybe next year you will be more sociable with a mint julep or two in you;)