This Is My Commute

Sure it's long but I'm driving through beautiful country with an entertaining carpool buddy. This definitely beats the alternate route -- the 14 -- which is lined with vehicles.

I know I'm near the city when I see the marine layer, which covers the city basin like a down comforter.

Disneyland

TRAM TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM
All aboard! Spirits are high as we ride the tram from the parking lot to the park. (L-R: Thommy, Parker, Aimee, Catherine, & Geoffrey)

TAKE THAT, AIMEE!
So, I ask again...what's with boys and the middle finger?

PUNK ROCKER!
Or, give the kid a pair of glasses and, I swear, he's a spitting image of Chicken Little.

PRINCE CHARMINGS
Or should I say, ''Suckers!''

ALL EARS
Parker doesn't initially take to the ears.

MATCHING BALLOON
Not sure if the matching balloon makes it any better. But it's pretty funny. The balloon is almost bigger than Parker.

ALL BETTER
It doesn't take Parker long to bounce back.

SLEEPY
''Yes Tigger, the line was so long, he fell asleep.'' On the bright side, Chris, the big Tigger fan, was wide away for the opportunity to meet his favorite tiger.

WE SURVIVED!
Parker's first trip to Disneyland and we all came out of the experience smiling. (L-R: Geoffrey, Thommy, Catherine, Parker, Chris, Aimee, and Jan)

Thank you all for making Parker's first trip a memorable one -- okay, Parker won't remember it but Chris and I will.

Strange Brew

Strange Brew
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Heading over to pick Parker up at daycare, I noticed the weird clouds in the sky and had to take a picture. Aimee...I'm waiting for your alien/robot conspiracy logic to explain all this.

Happy Birthday Geoffrey

Happy Birthday Geoffrey
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

With Gram watching Parker for the night, Chris and I were able to "escape" and celebrate Geoffrey's birthday at a local restaurant ("in town") called Minibar. It was very stylish tapas restaruant. Sort of like having a bunch of appetizers on the set of Sonny and Cher. :o) But no Cher. :o( Oh well, I guess that's something to strive for for next year.

Not Feelin' So Hot

Not Feelin' So Hot
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Sunday, Parker woke up early and followed his bottle with excessive spit-up. Later that morning, when he projected his breakfast, it occured to me...maybe this is not spit-up but rather vomit. Well, looked like Parker caught a bug, forcing him on a liquid diet for the last few days. Today, Parker's doing a bit better. But Gram's coming tomorrow so things are looking even better.

Welcome to the Lollipop Guild

I couldn't resist giving Parker's hair a flip after his bath. Now, if only I had one of those gigantic lollys.

The Whole 9 Yards

We took another step closer to completing Chris' storage sheds. Thank goodness we had plenty of help from Chris' Dad, Gerry, Thommy, Geoffrey, and our neighbors -- Robert and Ryan.

Awwwww!

I know he's sleeping but I had to take a picture. He's so cute...and still, for once. The only thing missing is the drone of his snoring.

Partridge Family Anyone?

Partridge Family Anyone?
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Here's Parker and his (almost) all chick band. (L-R) Carli on air tamporine, Josephine lead singer, Gram on keyboard, Parker supervising Gram on keyboard, and Jasmine on air keyboard. I know...it's a lot of keyboard but Parker thinks it creates a fuller sounds.

Grandpa and Me

Grandpa and Me
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker and Grandpa Jim hand out on the couch and watch the girls' impromptu ballet performance.

Jumping Jack

Jumping Jack
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker enjoys jumping on the bed with Gram and Josephine. Meanwhile, Jasmine stands read to catch anyone who falls (or she's getting ready for pillow fight).

So close you could touch it

So close you could touch it
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Here's a sky picture in honor of my sister (who's fascinated with them). We're on the road to Tehachepi (not sure if that's spelled correctly) to visit Chris' family. The town appears to be just at the snowline.

F&P

Frankie can't wait for the day when he can train him to throw a ball. In the meantime, he accepts the rough pats & grabs and allows Parker to use him as a climbing wall. Actually, day care made a perfect comment about Parker's latest stage of development. He curious and has to check everything out; now nothing stands in his way. If you stand/lie still too long, he'll use you like a crutch to pull himself up and over you. One day, they found him in a box with another kid at daycare. How they got there...they don't know. Knowing Parker, a little tumble won't stand in his way to explore a new environment.

Fish!

I put this up on the higher rung mainly because I had no where else to put it -- low and on the side, so he can enjoy it lying down, just got in the way everytime I had to change his sheets. But that doesnt' stop Parker. The artificial fish tank has now become his wake up toy, something to amuse himself while he waits for the 'rents to groggily wake up.

Standing Tall

Standing Tall
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Yes, that Parker...standing (with assistance). I thought our house was a mess before and now...well, I guess I should give up now.