Third Birthday, Part 2

Life is a bit hectic with Dave in graduate school. I sometimes feel like a single parent. We joke that Gavin probably sometimes feels like he has two single parents who switch out duties, since my job often calls for evenings supervising high school athletic events. But, we know this is short lived and will have a pay off. I mention all of this because the blog is being neglected while we live our life. Sorry.


Following are some pictures from Gavin's big day. We had asked him if he wanted a party; of course he replied in the affirmative, but whenever we asked him who he wanted to come, we got the same list: Dean, Matt, Lindsey, Glenda, and Bill. Who are we to argue? Whenever we considered a larger guest list it consisted of our friends, not his. Since he may understand birthday parties next year, we decided to take advantage of another low key birthday. After breakfast, I kept Gavin occupied, while Dave brought out the kitchen. As you can see, Gavin is tickled to have his own kitchen.


We let him explore the kitchen before moving on to gifts.

Thanks for the cool (and surprisingly quiet) drumset, Uncle Matthew.

We asked Gavin if he wanted to go on a train ride or go see Monster trucks for his birthday. In his almost 3-year-old wisdom, he told us, "Monster trucks are loud." Knowing he made that statement makes the photo below sweet; Gavin had to cover his ears whenever the train blew its whistle.

Big buddies out for a train ride.

We must keep a tight grip on our ticket so it can get punched.

One of the engineers was kind enough to talk with the boys.

Since it was February 25, the glass was in the windows. Lindsey and I said not having the windows in would be a bit nerve-wrecking.

Because the Trinity River Express, which arrives and departs in Ft Worth wasn't running, we rode the train one-way to Ft Worth. Glenda and Bill were sweet to pick us up. The party moved to our house. Dave and I spent some time Friday night hanging streamers and decorating the dining room for Gavin's birthday. His smile was worth the work.

Waiting patiently for cake.

Mmmmm. Chocolate, Gavin's favorite. It isn't my favorite, so it's a good thing Dave ordered the cake. I would have ordered white, which really isn't right since it is his birthday, afterall. And, I must admit, it was a moist, yummy chocolate cake. Sometimes they can be dry, but not this one.

After cake, we opened gifts. A cool bubble blower from RJ and Kerry.

An awesome car hauler from Glenda and Bill. (And some cars to haul.)

Dean was very excited about the garbage truck that he picked out fro Gavin's birthday gift.

Chef Gavin is ready to cook, thanks to Norma Jean's gift of a chef's hat and apron.

Now, I need to do some serious purging in the toy room and re-arranging.

Earning His Keep

It isn't all work and no play around here. Gavin loves to help me put laundry in the washer. (Well, he loves to carry in his step and watch the "waterfall" in the washer, but he does help me put clothes in.)

My favorite part is that he pushes all the clothes into the dryer for me. I didn't get a picture of that this time. Maybe later. (I'm doing laundry now.)

Quick Gavin Birthday Post

I'm pretty sure that we have many other photos to put up from Gavin's big day, but this is a start.

We started out with breakfast out at Dove Creek Cafe. Gavin eats more than I do when we go here. He is the one that insists on wearing his hat backward....

Then we went back home and opened presents - those pictures are coming. After that it was nap time, then we met Dean and family to go on a train ride to the Stockyards (at Gavin's request)

There was plenty to do at the Stockyards for fun seeking little boys. Lots of coin operated rides, they both LOVED this one. And balloon longhorn helmets too.

The boys found a Shetland pony in the corral next to the longhorns. The pony liked all the attention (or maybe it was the pieces of hay that they were picking up and feeding him) from Gavin and Dean.

After the Stockyards fun, Glenda and Bill were awesome and picked all of us up and drove us back home. We then had cake, ice cream and opened even more presents. More pictures to come...the majority of pictures are on the other camera.

The Cat in the Hat Visits Gavin's Class

Gavin has been on a Lorax kick lately since we read him the book several weeks ago - he can "read" you the book, and doesn't a pretty good job telling the story too. So a visit by The Cat in the Hat was a special treat. I think that G and Miranda are going to go see the Lorax over spring break.

Gavin's 3 Year Pictures

It's hard to believe that it's been three years already....unreal. Our cute little toddler is no more. But he still is a pretty cute little boy.

A quick game of hide and go seek.

He does take after his father in some ways....



Serious Gavin is serious.
Here's to wherever life's journey will take us from here. Whatever it holds, I'm sure that it will be an adventure.

"Meeting" Barry Sanders

I again requested an autograph for my birthday this year. Barry Sanders was my choice of athlete that was signing at the Tristar Houston Autograph Show in January. We had fun, Gavin was really good considering he was a super tired little boy who didn't have a nap that day. Gavin got a smile from Barry as we went through the line to have him sign my football.

No pictures allowed with the players this year....you can now have your picture taken with the players for something crazy like $100! This might be my last year doing getting autographs at this show. It has just become a huge money grab for Tristar - everything from charging $6 to mail tickets to me, to charging for parking, to less and less personal interaction with the players has left a bad taste in my mouth about the whole thing.

Best Friends

Gavin and Dean have always been best buds. We recently switched out Valentine's babysitting with the Hopkins'. Dean came over the Saturday before Valentine's Day, and Gavin went to visit Dean last Saturday. It worked out great for the adults and the boys. A shared bubble bath and wrestling were highlights of the two nights.

Gavin Pictures

Things have been extra hectic since the start of the year. Between grad school, and work we have both been constantly trying to catch our breath lately. Here are a few of the things that we have been up to lately.

Like mother like son....Gavin LOVES playing on the ipod touch. Watching youtube videos of trains, monster trucks, etc is his favorite activity.

Bass Pro is always a fun trip with 4 wheelers and boats to ride.

G scored some popcorn on a recent trip to the mall.
Daddy had a moment of weakness one day at the mall and actually put some quarters in so that Gavin could have a "real" ride. Miranda isn't too happy that I may have ruined a perfectly good thing.
Gavin and I discovered the hockey rinks in Grapevine Mills one day. The Zamboni was making new ice, and then some boys started playing hockey. Gavin loved watching.

An unexpected treat on a trip to the park - BACKHOE'S!!! G liked 'em once he got over being afraid of the "big backhoe".

The "new" park is now his favorite....it's the park near Miranda's school. Lots of cool stuff

A turtle wrist balloon was our best friend for a few days.

Bubble Baths

About a year ago, I attempted to introduce Gavin to the fun of a bubble bath; it didn't go so well. Gavin was scared of the bubbles. Over Christmas break, we introduced him to our big jacuzzi tub and bubbles. He loves the big tub and the bubbles. So I bought him some Lightening McQueen bubble bath and have transferred the bubble to his bath tub. He has a great time scooping the bubbles. And, man has bubble bath improved. A little bit goes a long way these days. I remember having to use lots of extra bubble bath to get the bubbles we're getting from just a squirt of bubble bath.
Hmmm. Now when do I get to soak in a bath?

Way to go, Daddy!

Last night I had to attend a soccer game for work. There was a chance of storms as a front moved through replacing yesterday's high of 72, with a seasonable high of 54 today. Since the weather was iffy, Dave and Gavin didn't attend with me.
During the game, Dave sent me a picture of the dinner he made. I am so impressed. I wish I'd been here to have a yummy cheesy pig in a blanket.