Life's A Beach

I have had the distinct pleasure of spending the last 5 days at Perdido Key with my parents, and for a few days, Patrick.  We got to dive right into beach life with a 13 month old.  Boy has this been an adventure.  He absolutely loves the sand and has no fear when it comes to the ocean.  Such a boy- he gets totally covered in sand, from his ears to his toes, and then runs straight for the water.  Dad took over the job of dunking him in the ocean to get the sand out of his eyes, because I couldn't handle making him upset, but it turned out he liked it!

Little footprints in the sand!

R loved to sit in my lap and watch the water.

and dig holes with my dad.  The best would be when water would wash into them, creating a mini pool.  

Dumping sand on himself was the best!

Time with May May and Pop!

May May and Pop had to leave this morning, and Raughley was sad, but the good news is that his daddy will be here in a few hours for even more fun in the sun!!!

Buster Brown

Somebody is going places in life.  

To the golf course that is.  

Move over Phil, Raughley Wise is in the house!

In Which R man Visits the Air Museum

All those who visit the panhandle of Florida know you have to take a time out on a hot day to trek through the awesomeness that is the Blue Angel Air Museum.  Today was that day for the little man. 

Where else can you sit in a real fighter jet and pretend to fly?  Kids of all ages love to experience the thrill of pretending to be Ice Man from Top Gun, as seen above.  

Hmmm, what is under this huge pile of metal?

I think Ill take a jog through the planes, no one will mind...

Stopping to show the world how cute I am, right in front of this humungous engine!

Off again!

Look at this enormous fighter jet!  I think I'll just run past these chains and under it to the other side!

Finally, someone stopped the crazy baby from running amock through the WWII fighter jets!

Until he spotted the missles- it was all over after that.  Love at first sight!

Hmm, where to next?  Tokyo?  Midway?  I think we'll stay right here thanks.

What does it mean when R man starts pulling on his ears?

It means it's time to go home- someone finally wore himself out after all that running around the airplanes!  

Where was his mother this whole time you ask?  Staying away from the camera because she seriously needs a shower and some make-up... 

But next to this space man I guess I don't look too bad right?

Until next time!

Zoo time, again!

R man and I headed to the Zoo on Tuesday with his Uncle Carl and cousin Cameron.  Every time we head to the zoo Raughley is more and more aware of the animals.  This visit he made noises as we passed, them, mostly he "barked" at each animal as if they were a dog, but still, he recognizes that they are animals like Bryant and make noises of their own. So smart.  I loved watching him interact at each stop.  The zoo is really coming along and I can't wait for the new exhibits to open!

Riding the train

First stop, monkeys!

The zoo has two new gorillas!  

Checking out the Rhinos

They were so fat they had to lean on each other for support to stand up.  

At the Alabama Wilds section, looking at all the farm animals!

Checking out the pig

Petting the goat- we'd say "love the goat" and he would pat them like he does Bryant.  

Finally, the mother of them all, the tiger!  R barked at this one a lot.  He must think it's related to his big brother.  

Little Drummer Boy

May Comings and Goings

One minute it seems like Life is trickling by at such a slow pace, and then what do you know- it's May!  Chase and I have been pretty busy this month and we're only a third of the way through.  

It's made me realize you have to stop and smell the roses from time to time. 

 I feel like little scooter (as chase has taken to calling him) is growing up before my eyes.  It's happening way too fast.  I wanted to write some things down that I don't want to forget like....

The noises he makes when the Baby Einstein puppets come on the TV screen

Or how he barks at every animal and vehicle

How his favorite thing to do in the bag yard it dig in the flower beds and try to hand you dirt.

How his face crinkles up when he smiles or laughs

How he "loves" on Bryant by patting him hard on the rump

And especially how when I think he is napping, I walk by his room only to hear him cooing to himself, and when I sneak a peak I see him talking to his stuffed animals or looking at books.

All these precious memories are so special and I hope I never take for granted what an incredible little being he truly is!

Happy Mother's Day

To all the special mothers in our lives.  Thank you for all you do! 

Splash Pad Time!