The Ones We Got Framed

A funny thing happened on the way to a frameable picture.

Moments were captured.

My First...

...peek-a-boo from Mom's closet.

...taste of scissors.

P.S. He didn't even cry, although his lip was bleeding profusely, and his Mama wanted to cry. This look is purely for the camera and reactionary purposes, so that those seeing it will shake their heads in disbelief and buy him his own Coke the next time they see him. Yes, the scissors have been moved to a safer spot (if that is possible with a Cael), lest peradventure any of you are on the phone to CPS.

On a happier note, Cael says stuck in the cutest way, and this bandage was "tuck" on him.

...Al Bundy pose.

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.