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;)

To the Moon and Back

Cael loves to read. He has many books, and he reads them alone and with us. We read to him each night before we put him to bed. Goodnight Moon is the last book we read, signaling to him that it is time to go to the crib, which he does with surprising consistency. Usually, Cael will crawl onto my lap to have me read to him, and Paul will just sit/lie there and listen supportively.

A couple of nights ago, I pulled out the book Guess How Much I Love You, one of the first children's books we had, thanks to my mom giving it to me years ago. This book contains the cute and touching story about a son rabbit trying to prove to his dad rabbit that he loves him more. They go back and forth until the end, when the son falls asleep and the dad gets the last words in: "I love you to the moon and back."

Paul has read this book to Cael since he was teeny tiny, and Cael never really paid much attention to it, as it lacks the bright colors and catchy rhymes of most of his other books. Well, this night was different. I've always felt that this was their book, Paul's and Cael's, father's and son's, because it demonstrates that bond between them. Thus, when I pulled it out to read, I handed it to Paul and told Cael to go read it with Dad. The pictures illustrate what happened next.

(Apologies for having to show Paul's white hairy stomach)

What happened to that baby of mine?

Cael is changing and growing so fast that it is hard for me to keep up with all that he is doing now. He is my little shadow, following me and finding me wherever I may be. He also shadows his dad when he is home, and Paul loves it. Cael still has his monthly weekend in Holbrook with Paul's family, where he is given love and attention beyond measure.

The first picture is of Cael at home, listening to Mama's IPod earphones with her. The other pictures are of Cael enjoying his time in Holbrook: carrying water to Aunt Sarah's alpacas, posing for Aunt Kirsti the morning he climbed out of the portable crib, going in and out of the doggie door at Aunt Kirsti's house, trying to climb on and ride the truck, and mowing the lawn at Grandma's house.

You are the best, Cael, and you continue to bring rays of sunshine into our lives that make our hearts and our home warm.

Happy Birthday, Gramma!

For Gramma's sixtieth birthday, on April 19, 2010, we took her out to eat in Greer at the Greer Lodge. We had a fun time with Aunt Nicoke, Uncle Shane, Kiki, Parker, Uncle Brad, and Aunt Amber all there with the three of us and Gramma. Great food, great company, and Gramma and Cael enjoying a book at the table.

Aw...

Hold Me, Mama

When I go to deliver cookies to people, Cael becomes very shy and clingy. In this picture, I was delivering and singing to my friend, Mary Jo, for her birthday, and Cael just had to be held.

Easter Time

The Easter Bunny comes to our home on Saturday, so that Easter Sunday we can focus on our Savior. This year, the furry long-eared fellow brought Cael funny-faced plastic eggs filled with jelly beans and chocolate candy. He also gave him two new books for his book collection and a couple of Peeps. Cael was excited about all of it except the Peeps, so we just blew them up in the microwave, a tradition of Mama's. The Easter Bunny left a jelly bean trail from Cael's room to his Easter loot. Cael loved eating the trail. Every day since Easter, Cael has enjoyed opening all the eggs to see if anything is still in them. Mama enjoys picking them all up multiple times a day:) On Saturday, we also went on a lunchtime picnic at the park with Gramma. We had a great time that day and on Sunday as well.

Happy 2nd Easter, buddy.