Easter

What does Easter mean to Parker?

Well, Easter bonnets, of course. And the best ones in his book are balloon bonnets.

And while you've got the balloons going, you can't forget the traditional Easter balloon fight, especially when it's 4 cousins against one uncle.You're going down, Uncle Gerry!

And in honor of the man of the hour...the Easter Bunny...ou've got to hop around, especially if you have a trampoline on hand. Just be careful of unexpected pile-ups, which could leaving you with the giggles.

Now you can't have Easter without flowers. All the cool kids are wearing them. Here take one. There's plenty to go around.

Kites are cool to flying on Easter. But if you ask Frankie, a brisk game of fetch is the most important thing to do on Easter…and the day after that…and the day after that. Actually, Frankie feels it's best to play fetch everyday.

Above all, though, hanging out with family is the thing Parker loves most about Easter.

Rockin' It Real Old School

Sure, anyone can rock it old school by using a vintage tennis racket for a guitar…but do you also take it real old school and use that racket as a violin…Parker Can.

Daycare Anecdote

Parker really enjoyed singing during group time this morning. He got very excited while singing "If you're happy." He started dancing real fast while laughing out loud. It was darling.

Chalk It Up

So we had this weird event at work called "Chalk It Up" where you can (during work time) go out in front of the GC3 buildings (where Consumer Products live) and create chalk art on the ground.


At first, I was was just going to check out what everyone else was doing and eat some of the free ice cream. Then, I couldn't help it. I figured I could do a quick 5 minute drawing, especially of my favorite subject...Parker.

Daycare Anecdote

We took Parker and the rest of the class to visit room 102 [another classroom at daycare]. He really enjoyed exploring the room. This might be the room he will be going to end of June.

Captain Parker

Ahoy! Captain Parker's behind the wheel.

Okay, I guess it's time for me to start to list all of Parker's riding accessories:

• Well, we have this pirate hat/mickey glasses combo
• The Thanksgiving centerpiece featured last week
• The panda hat
• Mickey ears and black mittens

And those are just the ones that I caught on film.

Maraka

Okay, if you didn't see this on SNL, here's your chance. What a great take on the Dora cartoons!

Dora isn't one of Parker's Tivo selections but we watch it on occasion. That's kind how we got him to say "Aw Man!"

In a classic (my) mommism...My mom commented (in amazement)how everytime Dora and Boots foil Swiper he says, "Aw Man!". We're watching Dora, they start saying "Swiper, no swiping! Swiper, no swiping!" And then my mom, in full anticipation, is like "wait for it..." just before Swiper declares, "Aw Man!", which totally filled my mom with glee. I guess it's amazing how he does that consistantly everytime they say "Swiper, no swiping!" (Seriously, as if it weren't script that way.) If only everything were that easy. Parker, no puking (in the car)! Doggie, no pooping! Policeman, no ticket! (Yes, I recently got a speeding ticket.) :o(

Anyway, so we just kept saying over "Swiper, no swiping!" and "Aw man!" and, well, I guess the "Aw man!" (which Parker actually pronounces "Aw mam!") stuck in the little guys head. Now when ever something disappointed happens, he says "Aw mam!" It's absolutely adorable. :o) I feel I need to train him to say other things. I've been working on getting to say "Hurrah!" when I say "Hip! Hip!" But I know there are other choice catch phrases for him. Maybe a White House talking point like "blame game" or "sectarian violence." (Am I the only person who visualizes Carol Burnett from a Conway/Tudball sketch throwing a nail file?) What phrases do you suggest?

SNL - Peyton Manning

Okay, when I saw that an athlete was hosting I thought this episode was going to blow. Boy, was I wrong! It was absolutely hilarious and Manning did a better job than some of the real actors that host the show. Maybe he was more open to having someone poke fun at him. Maybe he was more willing to look ridiculous. Maybe he just lucked out with more inspired writing. Whatever it was, it worked. I don't follow sports (I've heard of the guy's name before but that's about it.) but I think he came across very well.

Daycare Anecdote

All Aboard!
Parker was helping me pull the outdoor wagon with three children inside of it by pushing the rear of it. We walked around the courtyard in circles for about 10 minutes. He enjoyed helping me.

Behind The Wheel

There's nothing like driving with last Thanksgiving's centerpiece on your head.

I guess the artist of the original turkey Centerpiece is reinterpreting his work into a modern, multimedia performance thing.

Watch out Frankie! The driver in the turkey hat is backing up.

Or maybe that's part of the art show.

Acton Ink

Who needs paper when you have hands, sleeves, cheeks, forehead...

Yeah, it's not a good idea to leave ink or paint products lying around the house. No matter how harmless it may seem.

Well, I guess I should start leaving bars of soap lying around the house. Maybe, like particles and antiparticles, the two will negate themselves. Hmmmmm....

Disneyland Again, But For A Good Cause

Two years old and Parker's at Disneyland…again. But not just because. This time we're celebrating a special occasion. Thommy and Geoffrey had been together for 10 years and we're celebrating with a scrumptious dinner at The Napa Rose. Woo hoo!

But before we celebrate, being two, it's about time our lil' P get behind the wheel and test those reflexes.

Parker couldn't wait to get into one of those little hot rods. And actually, I haven't been on the ride since they revamped it so deep down in side...I couldn't wait either.

I guess this is a good sign of how things were to go for the rest of the night. The plan was to leave the park around 4pm to get some naptime in before we head over to the restaurant. But as we headed out of the park we we're surprised to discover that Parker had fallen asleep...and while sitting on Chris' shoulders, ta' boot.

Things looked a bit dicey when a well rested Parker decided to take a lap around the restaurant during the pre-dinner cocktail.

However, just after the first course…zonk. Out like a light. Awesome! And we had the coolest waiter. He brought out a spare table cloth to cover Parker and even a stack of cloth napkins for a pillow. (We passed on the napkins becuase he seemed to be doing so well without them.)

But with the little guy down, we had a chance to focus on the important stuff...the food, which ROCKED! Actually, we were luckily seated at the same table with the men of honor...Thommy and Geoffrey. So great food and great company ta boot.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY GUYS!

How to Get to Sesame Street

As you can see, one day later and Elmo and Parker are fast friends. Parker even lets Elmo take the wheel of the car for a while.

Now that's trust!

But it doesn't last for long.

Soon Parker is back behind the wheel.

But this time…Squeeze over Elmo!…the car is build for two as Elmo and Parker tool around the kitchen. Hopefully, Frankie doesn't find out or he'll be jealous. Combined with the trust issues from last night...yeah, that won't be good.

The Birthday Fun Continues

...and technically Parker, it isn't even your birthday yet. Yes, it's good to be two!

A friend sent Parker a couple of birthday goodies in the mail -- the season one soundtrack from Jack's Big Music Show (HOORAY! Or as Jack and Mary would say, "WHOOPIE!") and a TMX Elmo (WOW!). Talk about a big haul!

Parker's all too familiar with Jack (and Mel and Mary) but, as you can see from the picture, this Elmo guy in the box...hmmmm.

So, with the help of a few tools (Should I even start with how securly toys are packaged these days. Geez! And I thought that "security wrap" on CD's and DVD's was annoying. You need a full tool box to free toys from their packaging these days. Who would think someone getting 50 cents an hour in a Chinese government sponsored sweatshop would be so motivated? Then again, f#*@ing with people who can afford these toys may be just how they get through their days. But I digress...), I free Elmo and set him on the floor.

Yeah, we're going to have to work on some trust issues here. The first run caused Parker to jump in my arms and cry on my shoulder in fear. But he soon warmed up to the guy after he got to know him.

As for Frankie...well, as you can see in the picture, he doesn't trust the little guy. Careful Elmo, one wrong giggle and Frankie will make the laughter go away for good.

All in all, so long as Frankie stays in line, Elmo should make a good addition to the family.

A New Car!

Parker received a new car for his birthday from Gram and Grandpa. As you'll notice, like with his trike, Parker feels he needs to be fully accessorized when behind the wheel.

Sorry, Frankie. There's no room for you to hang your head out of the window and let the wind comb your fur. Nope. You'll have to find your own ride.

Parker's 2nd Birthday

So we celebrated Parker's 2nd birthday at Grandpa's house. All the cool kids were there…Josephine, Jasmine, Carly…and they showed Parker how to party like a big kid.

Hmmm...birthday with a bunch of girls. What's that going to be like?

Yeah. Yeah. Balloons. I got it. (Actually, not only did Gram bring balloons...so did Gerry and Esther. There was definitely plenty of balloons.)

And hugs. Lots of hugs.

Hey wait, this could be my opportunity to escape.

But checkout all the fun they're having. I guess, all in all, it's not so bad.

Especially when there's cupcakes...FOR ME! Someone, help me blow out these candles.

Parker doesn't eat many things (like meat...for some reason, not big on the meat). But, along with mac & cheese and yogurt, cake's definitely on the must eat list.

Grandpa's always good for a story and Gram's always good for toys.

But it's not a party until you break out the bubbles.

Thank you all for making Parker's birthday extra special.

Accessorized

Ears...check! Mittens...check! Bottom lip pout...check. LET'S ROLL!

When it's time to take a ride around the house on the trike, Parker's got to have on all his gear -- hats, mittens (or socks on the hands), the works. And no matter the task, you know Parker's fully committed when the bottom lip's invested in the activity.

Monkey

Oh yeah! Someone's now eatting bananas like a big boy...er, monkey. Or would that be a gorilla. Do gorillas eat bananas? Hmmmm...

Happy Chinese New Year!

Last time we went to the zoo, I wanted to avoid the long line at the box office. So, I bought an annual family pass, which was a much short line. That said, I've got to make the most of my investment and with Chinese New Year I figured, what better place to visit in celebration of the year of the pig than the zoo!

The songs and dances were fine but what Parker really enjoyed was the petting zoo where he got to go head-to-head with a goat.

Not to mention, check out the flamingos…Those crazy birds!

Wait, what was that Parker?

Oh yeah! Josephine and Carly joined us later that day. And they weren't alone. They brought Uncle Eric and Aunt Amy with them. Together we walked all over the place and saw the seals, otters, orangutans, and other animals…including pigs -- not the farm kind, but real boars! YAWN! HA! (Sorry, I had to put that joke into play eventually.)

Two Lips

Two Lips,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is my favorite flower to receive from Chris, mainly because it's the punch line of a corny joke.

What's perfect about Chris is that he know I don't wan't a bunch of dead cut flowers. No, I want the opportunity to do the killing on my own. :o)

Just kidding. Actually, I save the bulbs and we'll see if they sprout next year. (Either that, or the moles will get a chance to partake in a buffet of delicious flower bulbs.)

First Birthday Party

Parker attended his first birthday party. It was Hailey's birthday…or as Parker calls her…"Lailey". Also in attendance was his fellow daycare pal, Lucas ("Lukee").

As usual, it took Parker a few moments to warm up to the event but soon he was playing with the best of them.

Uh, two candles on a cake isn't much of a fire, Parker.

Ah wait, I see. An opportunity to save the damsel in distress…a.k.a., the birthday girl.

What's a birthday without a few trust falls with daddy!

All in all, it was a great day. Happy Birthday, Hailey!

Body Fusion

Take it to the limit! I just had to post this because I know it'll make Geoffrey laugh out loud. :o)

I guess I should write about trying to lose the baby fat. Two years after Parker's birth and I'm still 10lb over what I weighed before I got pregnant, which was 10lb over what I preferred to weigh. Hey, I spend all day typing at a computer. With deadlines and other obligations, it's hard to find the time (or at least remember) to get off my butt and walk around. That became blatantly clear when I bought a pedometer.

It all started when we were in Tahoe and I saw this Frontline epside on losing weight called "Diet Wars". It was surprisingly pretty interesting and boiled it down to this...no matter the diet, if you want to lose weight you need to limit your calories and exercise. DUH! Simple. And yet people spend millions of dollars to do just that. You'd think if you ate less you'd spend less and more.

And exercise...all we need to do is, yes, get off our butts and walk. Basicly, we need to count our steps. People who have lost weight (and have kept it off) take at least 10,000 steps a day. The average person takes 4,000 steps. Me...and this is where the pedometer comes into play...less than a 1,000. EEK! I'm a slug!

So my inital goal is to just match the couch potato 2,000. That's tougher than it sounds but walking to my food (aka, lunch) helps. Another thing is relying less on IM to ask questions and take a walk. I guess I'll eventually have to use the gym membership (yes, part of the millions of dollars spent).

I guess this is where I layout goals for myself. Hmmmm... Well, how about this. Let's be generous and say I'm at 1000 steps a day right now. I aim at upping those numbers by 500 steps a month and by July I should be on par with the average 4,000. I pledge to check in with you guys again in a couple of months to let you know how I'm doing. In the meantime, you should trying counting your steps. The results could be a surprising wakeup call.

Well, in the meantime, I just happen to have a couple of pencils here so I guess I can throw in a quick low impact workout.

WOO!