Sadness

Sadness,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker's sad that after all these years Kailie still doesn't trust him. Granted, in trying to pet her he did end up chasing her around the house...but still, where's the love?

6 Month Checkup

Well, time for Piper's 6 month check-up. Have no fear...no limbs have been lost in the last couple of months. All parts still seem to be in the right place.

For those keeping track, here are her stats:

• Height: 27''
• Weight: 15.11 pounds

For the most part, she's tracking like Parker -- light weight, average height, and HUGE head. (Yes. I'm not a baby factory. Instead, I seem to be Willy Wonka with a bunch of lollipop shaped kids.)

As you can see from the pics, like Parker at her age, her favorite thing in the doctor's office is the paper that covers the examination table.

Puppet Show

This evening, Piper was treated to a special puppet show put on by Parker. As she watched, she couldn't help but wave her pacifier excitedly in the air. Then Parker came out and brought the excitement right into the audience. Finally, the cast came out for their final bow. Bravo! Encore!

On A Roll

On A Roll
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl

Check out Piper as she demonstrates her new moves that get her left and right and up and down.

Power Moves

Parker has never watched Power Ranger but I guess it's inevitable -- when you mix a Red Ranger costume and karate classes...you get the moves. I must say...he looks pretty good. And I'm not just talking about the prepackaged six-pack abs. :o)

25 Cent Mustache

25 Cent Mustache,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

That's right. For only a quarter, you can easily alter your appearance with this awesome mustache. Something of this quality normally takes weeks to cultivate but if you act now you can get one for yourself in a matter of seconds at Albertsons. Quantities are limited so act now!

Sadness

Sadness,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker misses Luxi and Niko. He wishes he could go back to their house. He's gonna write them a letter but it won't be the same.

Fourth of July

This Fourth of July we headed up north to visit Luxi and Niko and check out some bay area fireworks. But before that, we stopped at a picnic hosted by one of Joanie's friends. The food...awesome! Especially the Dr. Pepper chicken wings! (Yes, I will eventually post the recipe.)

Parker, of course, ignored the food and made a beeline for the toys. I got a kick out of the toy vespa. I'm sure all you Eddie Izzard fans are thinking of one word...Chao!

I have no great pictures but the fireworks for the evening were AWESOME! Joanie got got us into the Fort Mason Officer's Club where we watched them shoot fireworks over the bay. Probably one of our top 5 fireworks experiences. (Number one being Roswell, NM...in my book, that is.)

NOTE: The wing recipe was basically a bottle of Dr. Pepper and a bottle of BBQ sauce (Trader Joes Kansas City BBQ Sauce). Mix with wings and bake. I also found this recipe at Dr. Pepper Museum...

Dr Pepper Wings

• 2 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. White Pepper
• 1 tsp. Black Pepper
• 2 tsp. Salt
• 2 tsp. Garlic Powder 
• 2 tsp. Onion Powder
• 2 tsp. Paprika
• 1 tsp. Dried Thyme
• 2 tsp. Dark Soy Sauce
• ½ Onion, finely diced
• ¼ cup Dr Pepper
• 3 lbs. Chicken Wing Sections (about 24)

The day before: In large zippered bag, combine all seasonings, the Dr Pepper and onion, mixing well. Add chicken and expel air from bag. Mush chicken around in the bag to distribute the spices and liquid. Marinate overnight in refrigerator.

To bake, turn on broiler. Line a raised cookie sheet with foil.

Place wings on foil and broil about 10 to 12 minutes on each side until crisped and well done, with no pink juices.

Serve hot. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Buy the Dublin (Dublin, Texas) hot spices for the wings, you can notch the “heat” up. 

PS: I finally downloaded my camera to my computer and discovered a bunch of photos from Fort Mason. Here they are...

Talk About Professional

Talk About Professional,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Screw those coupons in your Sears bill or that fancy store in the mall. Want a professional family photo? Find a nice comfy chair in Starbucks and have someone catch the moment on your camera phone. The lighting's great. The poses are natural. And I actually look good. I think we'll be hitting Starbucks again around November for the Christmas card photo.

All Grown Up

All Grown Up,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

I'm sure it's not his first but Dean proudly delivered a dead bird to the doorstep today. They grow up so soon! Now the question is whether or not I'm brave enough to dispose of the prize. Hmmm...I wonder when Chris is getting home.

Just Chillin'

Here's Parker and Piper hanging out at home. I'm really happy that Parker has accepted Piper so readily. Aside from the occasional nibble, he does seem genuinely happy to have her around. But as I'm sure Aimee would say...she so cute, how could he not sneak a little nibble. ;o)

Now if I could just figure out this backbend thing. There's definitely something genetic about this because Parker didn't teach Piper this but she is for some reason compelled to do it. Hmmmm...very curious.

Kisses!

Kisses!,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

This picture was so cute there really wasn't much more for me to say about it.

Happy Dad's Day

So Father's Day started out with a huge trust ceremony between Chris and Parker. At least that's what I guess it was. Otherwise, I'm not sure why Chris allowed a 4 year old to shave his face with a real razor. Luckily, no major vessels were severe. Chris finished the task as Parker used a tongue scraper to ''shave'' his face. Yeah, not sure it that will be going back in my mouth.

Later, we headed over to Tehachapi to celebrate Father's Day with Chris' father and the rest of his family. That means paved roads and sidewalks! Time to break out the scooter. Whoa! Whoa! Whoa there buddy! Don't forget the helmet and the padding. You can't be too careful...even with a scooter. (I know. I know. We didn't have any of this safety stuff when we were kids. But when we were kids, slides were made of shiny metal that headed to 100+ degrees in the daytime. And then think of our parents, they rode in cars without carseats. All I'm saying is can you imaging what our grandkids are going to look like while they're having fun? Pretty freaking awesome -- with an emphasis on ''freak''!)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Boy in the Box

Boy in the Box
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl

Yes. My kid is in a room filled with train track and he's playing with the empty box. Not sure if I should be worried that he's still small enough to fit completely in the box or if I should get him enrolled in a magician/illusionist class. Magic Castle...here comes Parker!

Singing in the Rain

So I love it that while watching ''Singing in the Rain'' Parker's compelled to get up and start dancing with the movie.

Then again, it could just be a way for him to get away with playing with his umbrella in the house.

By the end of the movie, though, he gave up on dancing and decided he wanted to ''draw the music.''

Stretching Piper, Snoozing Dog

Piper makes the most of her workout today -- arching her back, touching her toes. Just watching her wipes Frankie out.

Essence of Ranger

Essence of Ranger,
originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Parker demonstrates that to be a Power Ranger you don't need a mask
or tights...you just need the gloves.