Gavin Reid likes to Read :)

Last Sunday, we indulged in one of Dave's favorite lunches--pizza. (I'm so blessed that Dave is so easy to please.) Just like his daddy, Gavin loves pizza. Knowing lunch would be messy, we took his shirt and shorts off and let the boy enjoy his lunch.And enjoy it, he did. It's great to see such a great smile through the tomato sauce.

A love for pizza is not the only common interest between boy and dad. Gavin has turned into a little TV-aholic. I shouldn't say that. He doesn't sit in front of the TV, 24-7, but when he's involved, boy is he involved. Usually, he sits up like this.

But last weekend, he discovered that he could lay down like this.

Or this to watch TV.

You'll no doubt note the strawberries on his knees. Dave taught him to say "boo-boo" last week. We put Band-Aids and Neosporin on all week, so his knees are looking better for the time being. But, the next stumble is just around the bend, I'm sure.

But, Gavin doesn't just share interests with Dada. He also shares one of Mama's favorite interest (really the only real interest that Mama is concerned with)--the boy LOVES to read. We can sit and look at books for hours. When we were in Minnesota in July, Gavin brought us Go Dog, Go!--calling it "Go Go." I'm not sure why he doesn't say "dog" in the middle, because he certainly knows how to say "dog." "Go Go" is one of Gavin's favorite books. If we're down stairs looking at books, and the book is upstairs, we have to go find it.

Gavin also loves a Sesame Street Search and Find book. He looks and points to Cookie Monster. I've taught him that Count Von Count says, "one ah-ah-ah." So, whenever, he points to Count he says, "ah-ah-ah." Or, when he hears, "count" he says "ah-ah-ah." (I suppose I need to tell his teachers at school that.) Yesterday we were reading The Big Red Barn. There's a line that says, "count them there are ten." He started saying "ah-ah-ah."

Back to Sesame Street, Gavin has been so enamored with Cookie Monster that we ordered one from Amazon. It came Thursday night. We unpackaged it and had it ready for him Friday morning. He had a big smile when he saw him, but not quite the reaction we hoped. Unable to say Cookie Monster, Gavin instead calls him "Co-Co."

Last Sunday when we went to the Nursery at church to pick Gavin up, I peeked in the room, but didn't immediately see him. When, I peered closer, I found him sitting in the book corner by himself looking at books. Imagine that!

But, all of Gavin's time isn't spent with his nose in a book. He spends his fair share of time playing and asking for "Dean-Dean."

Lindsey posted a cute video of them at her house here on her blog.

Dean came home with us Thursday night because Lindsey had to stay late for a Freshman Parent Meeting, that I, thankfully, did not have to attend.

We fed the boys dinner, which neither of them ate very well. Then it was time to play. While they were sitting at the little table, we continued to shovel banana pieces in while they were unconsciously opening their mouths. You can see they both need to swallow.

Dada hoovers with the bananas.

Saturday night we went to the annual Panther Pride before school Pep Rally. Gavin had fun watching Buster and Babs (the mascots) and all of the action. We arrived late, so we didn't get a picture with Buster and Babs this time. But, I'll get one soon.

For some reason there were stacks of big tires in the gym. I think they're probably part of the dance team's props. Dave stuffed Gavin inside and took a picture. Gavin was not happy when Dave pulled him out.

Whew. I'm tired just remembering what we did last week. Kids come back to school this week. I know I'll be tired . . .

Busy, Busy, Busy

We don't know where the week has gone. It has been a busy one; that's for sure. Monday evening, I cooked so I could provide lunch to a group of teachers for a meeting on Tuesday. Tuesday and Wednesday were schedule pick-up days at school, so Gavin and I were there until 7:30 each night. Thursday night, we went to a pool party at my boss's house and didn't leave until a little after 8.

Today was supposed to be my last Friday off for the summer, but I ended up working for a few hours. This posed a problem given the district daycare was closed for the day. But thankfully, Lindsey, Matt, and Dean came to the rescue. Gavin went over played, had lunch, napped, had a snack, and played while I had to be away. Gavin feels very comfortable over there and had no problem taking a good nap--it was almost 2 hours! Now, we've just got to work on Dean feeling comfortable enough here to take a nap.

For a week or so, Gavin has been saying Dean's name. It started out as "DN"--no vowels. It's starting to sound like, "den den." For some reason he doesn't say just Dean; it's Dean-Dean. It's cute. I've got to get a picture of the two of them to post on our fridge. That way Gavin can point to his BFF. Whenever I have both car seats in, Gavin points to the empty one and says, Dean. He knows that's where Dean rides.

Gavin working on assimilation of sounds and words. All automobiles are cars. All animals are dogs. All birds go, "caw-caw" (like a crow). He knows that a cow says, "Moo." Sometimes the sound doesn't come out, but he shapes his mouth. He says, "shooos" and knows that shoes and socks go on our feet. He knows which shoes are Dave's and which are mine and will bring shoes to the appropriate person, whether we want them or not.

So let's make a list of words:
Mama
Dada
Dean
shoes
this
that
dog
car
ball
caw-caw
gobble-gobble
boat
more
moo
baa
night-night
uh-oh

Signs:
more
milk
help
airplane (his own sign--point to the sky)
bye-bye

We did find out this week that Gavin is going to be in the older toddler room at school with Dean starting next week. All the teachers will be back next week, so the ECDC will be in full swing. It's been nice since June for there to be such small numbers of kids there.

After I picked Gavin up this afternoon, he and I went to Cool Cuts for Kids to get another haircut. It was time. I might have requested that it be cut too short for Dave's taste, but it'll grow back. Dave says he doesn't look the same with his hair cut and that some of his cuteness has diminished with his shorter hair. Oh well, at least he'll be cool.

Gavin is exhausted after a big day of playing with Dean. He's yawning behind the wheel.

Happy Birthday, Abby

Today, Gavin went to his first amusement park for Abby's birthday. We rode the carousel.

Megan rode a pony.

Gavin and I rode the train.

Then, Gavin got to ride in the boats. All by himself. I was fine with this until I realized that I had to step out of the fence while he rode. And, even more fearful when I read the warning that children riding in the boat should understand that they were to remain seated throughout the ride.

Thankfully, Gavin did.

He enjoyed going around and around.

So much so that when it was time to get out, he didn't want to. So, I let him ride again. This time with Ethan and Aaron, who were also celebrating Abby's birthday party.

Then it was time for lunch. So, Gavin was pulled kicking and screaming from the boat.

Gavin and Sara share some lunchtime conversation.

Then, we sang "Happy Birthday" to Abby, whose mom made these cute carousel cupcakes.

William smiles before digging in to his.

Then, we got all the kids together for a picture. There were three or four of us snapping shots. This is the best one I got. (Best is relative. I'll send mine to April, so she can pick the best for her scrapbook.)

After a diaper change, it was time for the ride home. Gavin was asleep about 5 minutes into the ride. I was able to put him into his crib around 1:10; he slept there until 3:20. It's tough doing all that playing when it's 90 degrees before noon.

We had a great time at Sandy Lake and will have to go back when Gavin is just a little bigger.

Week in Review

It has been a crazy week back to work.

Saturday, July 31st, Dave paddled 40 miles, as he continues to get ready for the Colorado River 100 race on September 4th. Gavin and I played that day. My stomach didn't feel great, so I called Dave to stop and get a 7Up or Sprite for me. Being stinky and wet after paddling for 8+ hours, he opted for Sonic. He picked up a corn dog for Gavin for dinner. It was a hit. I can't wait to take him to the fair for a real corny dog.

"Mmmm. When's the fair, Mama?"
Sunday afternoon, Gavin and I hit the splash pad with Lindsey, Dean, and Glenda. It was a great way to spend the last day of my summer vacation.

Monday, it was back to work for me and school for Gavin. When I picked Gavin up that afternoon, Dean cried because he wasn't leaving with us. I would have taken him with me, but didn't have the extra carseat in my car.

Dave got a huge project dumped in his lap Tuesday. So he came home that evening, had dinner, and went back to work. He came in around 3. At 4:30, I awoke with a terrible crick in my neck. So I quietly got an icepack to sleep on. I was super stiff necked Wednesday. Gavin and I picked up dinner and took it to Dave at the office and ate with him there. I'm not sure when Dave got home.

Thursday, Dean came home with us, because Lindsey had to work until 6:30 for registration.

"Thanks so much for bringing me home with you."

"Hey, Dean. This Honey Wagon isn't moving."

"Hmmm. Maybe this is the problem."

"See ya, G. I'm off on the four-wheeler."

Beep. Beep.

"Hey, Dean. How's dinner down on your end of the table?"

"Delicious grilled cheese. Why doesn't your mom scoot us closer together?"

"I'm not sure, man. I feel like some aristocratic baby in a movie."

"Oh well, the milk is good."

And, it's always fun to play with friends. I did start to let them eat at the little table, but Dave wasn't home yet, and I didn't want to chase two boys if they decided to bolt. Next time, though, I will let them eat at the table.

"Hey, G. What's that?"

"Dude. Why is your mom taking so many pictures?"

Dean: "Cheese."

Gavin: "Vrroooom."

Friday, I had the day off. So, Gavin and I met Dave at Grapevine Mills for lunch.

Dave got up at 4am Saturday to drive to the Neches River near Palestine for the Neches River Wilderness Adventure. It's an 18 mile race billed as "toughest little canoe race in Texas." We'll give a full report on that later, when pictures are posted. But, the short news is Dave won GOLD for his class. We're not sure if winning gold in his first race is a good thing or not.

Whew. That's what we've been doing.

Thanks for the Table, Grandma Sandra

A big box came. Mama knew what was inside. Gavin had no clue.

The box was fun to climb on.

And, Gavin was happy to smile while sitting atop the big box.

Oh, yeah, here's my belly button. In case you're wondering where it is . . .

During nap time, the box was opened and Mama transformed the contents into a table and four chairs.
It's great to put toys on to play.

(And thanks for the outfit, too, Grandma Sandra.)

And, when Dean comes over, we can sit at it to play, too!