Bookworm, or should I say, Gorilla

This little 17 month old loves him some books.  This stack here shows his absolute favorites, the ones we read almost every day.  

Starting with the most important, "Goodnight, Gorilla."

During which he usually points at the stuffed Gorilla Chase gave him as a newborn, which happens to look just like the character in the book.

Love the Gorilla, 

Then back to reading.

He loves to point at each animal in this book and make the noise they make.  This is him making the elephant noise, trunk arm included.

Just making sure all his stuffed friends are still here, Mr. Fox being the newest addition to the group, a souvenir from Uncle Carl from his trip to NYC.

Then it's off to the book box, 

to read a little Thomas the Train board book.

Mommy got tired of reading "Goodnight Moon" over and over again, so when I found, "Goodnight Goon," a Halloween parody, I jumped on the opportunity to vary our reading selection a bit.  It's pretty funny actually, and has a sequel, "The Runaway Mummy."  I will be looking for that one as well.  

In the meantime, keep reading little man!

Kick Ball!

Chase is in a kick ball league that plays every Thursday after work.  R and I decided to go cheer him on during his first game.  

Raughley wanted to do more that just cheer though.  He wanted in on the huddle, 

And the beverages.

Don't forget the snacks!

When Dad ran, 

Raughley ran, and when Dad waited on the sidelines, 

So did Raughley! (or the dugout)

Only a few more years until tee-ball we told him, but I think he'd play now if he could!

Last night the Wise family had dinner together, and I took this as my one last shot to get R man in a summer outfit.  Fall starts on the 21st, right?  So I worked all day to finish this one... it's a tad big, but I'm afraid he won't be able to wear it next summer.  He seems to like it...?

What he did not like were his shoes.  In five minutes they were off his feet- the child actually unbuckled them and threw them off.  

A nice view of his first skinned knees.  First of many, I'm sure.  

Lookin' Good, Hollywood!

It's back to school this week, someone is getting used to his new schedule, and has now gone FOUR DAYS without a p.a.c.i.  What a Big Boy!

Alabama v Penn State

Alabama played Penn State this Saturday and we trecked in down to T-town for the game.  

Our tailgate keeps getting bigger, with an extra tent and tables, plus a TV, which we finally got to work by hooking up to a neighbors satellite- who knew they were so difficult to make work?

It was fun to hang out with friends and family, eat and drink and enjoy the hot hot Southern weather.  I'm sure the Penn State fans loved our deep South humidity.

All the Pennsylvanians were polite and friendly, genuinely excited to be there, as we were with them (It seems according to this article).  It was a fun match up. 

It seemed like Chase's whole fraternity came, and between ours and the Elliot's tailgate we had almost 50 people hanging out.

Once game time came around we were exhausted, and still had another 5 hours to go (or so we thought).

But in truth, it took us almost 3 hours to get home.  The extra 12,000 people in the stadium sure makes for extra traffic.  

But I thought it was worth it to see a game such as this, a coach like this one, and to be with family and friends.  Roll Tide, Roll!

Meeska, Mooska

Mickey Mouse!

I found this costume at a consignment sale last Friday, and Raughley was so star struck at seeing himself as "Mickey".  Halloween we are ready for you!

Wee Dance

Raughley and Wyatt participated in Wee Dance at Steeple Arts this morning, a mommy and me movement class in Crestline Village.  It was a riot, watching all these little one and two year olds try to dance and move about to the music.  Raughley was a whipped puppy by the end of the 45 minute class, so I guess mission accomplished in the exercise arena.  I loved watching him bounce and march, and was so proud when he completed the balance beam only holding one of my hands!

Two Best Buds...  

R in his cute John John his Aunt Jenny gave him for his birthday!