What's Cookin?

Recently, I've discovered the joys of cooking. Well, it's not actually cooking but I'm heading in that direction. Everytime Mommy starts doing something in the kitchen, I push the chair over so I can watch what she's doing and find a way to help. My favorite activity is to play with the water (or bubbles as I call it) in the sink. Mommy gives me lots of different spoons and utensils that I can use with the water.
I often want to sample whatever Mommy is preparing. Tonight it was zuccini. I think I like it better raw because I usually spit it out when Mommy gives it to me cooked.
Mommy says I sometimes make her a little nervous. I tell her, "Don't worry, Mommy. A few bruises won't hurt me."
Here I am measuring and scooping some dried pasta. Watch out Martha Stewart 'cause here I come!

Neighborhood Buddies

I love going to my neighborhood playgroup. There are about 9 other boys and girls about my age that come to the group. The mommies have fun talking and the kids have fun playing with each other's toys. Today, we decorated sugar cookies for Valentine's Day. Yum, yum!

A Little Sister for Hiroto

My little buddy's sister was born yesterday. Sato is her name, and she's really tiny and really cute. We went to visit her today at the hospital. Hiroto and I had lots of fun running around the hospital room, but we were both very gentle around the baby. I was very interested in Sato, and Hiroto was already helping out by bringing her the pacifier.

The baby shower came just at the right time because Sato was born the very next day. I'm happy for Hiroto and his family, and maybe I can learn about being a good brother from him.

A Playgroup without the Kids?

Tonight, Mommy went to dinner with the other mommies from our neighborhood playgroup. Why would they want to get together without the kids? Anyway, after dinner and after I went to sleep, Mommy and the ladies came back to our house to have a baby shower for Hiroto's mommy. Hiroto is my good buddy from Japan, and he's going to have a baby sister very soon. In Japan, baby showers aren't the custom, so Saho, Hiroto's mommy, was very surprised by the shower. How come they can have all this fun and eat cake after I go to bed?

By the way, have you heard I'm going to be a big brother? Do you think I'm going to have a baby brother or sister? Mommy and Daddy will find out very soon-in about three weeks! I'll keep you updated!

Snow!

Last year, I saw a lot more snow than I have this year. Unfortunately, I was too little to really play in it. So, I was pretty excited to look at the window this morning and see all of the snow outside.
At first, I tried to play in the snow without my mittens. Normally, I don't like wearing them, but today I quickly learned I would need to have them on to play in the snow.
Mommy and I went sledding on a small hill in our neighborhood. I liked it so much that I kept telling Mommy "more".

I tried to mow the grass in the snow, but that didn't work too well. After a long morning of playing outside, Mommy and I were both ready to go inside and warm up.
Thank you, God, for making snow!

Pump It Up!

Mommy and I met our new friends, Miss Kimba and her son Caden, at a very fun place called Pump It Up today. It has lots of inflatable jumpy things and slides. Caden and I got out lots of energy, but I think we made our mommies a little tired.

Miss Kimba and her family moved here this summer like we did. We met her through Mommy's good friend, Christine. Kimba and my mommy were both in Christine's wedding. I'm glad to have a new friend!

My New Cousin

I am happy to announce that I have a new baby cousin, and guess what? She's my first girl cousin! Her name is Hayley Morgan Dreyer and she was born on Friday morning. Her Mommy is Aunt Melanie, my Daddy's sister. Uncle Doug is her daddy, and Davis is her big brother.

Welcome, Hayley! I can't wait to meet you!

Rain, rain, go away! (pease-That's how I say please.)

It has been raining here a lot lately which puts a damper on my outdoor play. I really like being outside and Mommy says we can't go out when it's raining. We did stay dry on our way to church and the store today with our raincoats.

The Rest of My Time in Texas

Nana took me to the Discovery Science Center which had all kinds of neat things to examine. Nana and I are playing at the sand table here.
The science center had different centers that you could play in like this veterinarian clinic. I'm helping the kitty take some medicine.

Nana, Grandpa Sam, and Mommy took me to the zoo on Friday. Even though the weather was cloudy and a little cool, I enjoyed seeing the animals and doing one of my most favorite things-running around like a crazy man! We were all tired after that trip.

Still in Texas

Nana took me to a really neat wildlife museum today. We saw all kinds of animals and got to play on a playground that had a real tractor, train, and fire truck that you could climb into.
My cousin, Will, and his parents were in Tyler for part of our visit. Will and I hadn't seen each other in a few weeks, so we were very excited to get to play together.
having fun in Nana's backyard

Visiting Old Friends

While in Texas, we visited several old friends. Actually, they were all Mommy and Daddy's friends before I came along.

Daddy's college roommate, Shane, and his wife, Holly, now have three little boys. Matthew, their 2 1/2 year old wasn't at home when we visited, but I had fun playing with their 4 month old twins. Daddy and Shane both agree life has changed a lot since they were in college.

We also got to see the Hargraves. Daddy and Mommy knew them from a church they were a part of in Texas. I had lots of fun at their house. Mommy and Daddy said it's very nice to see old friends.

Traveling to TX

We went to Dallas to visit my Aunt Melanie, Uncle Doug, and cousin, Davis. They will have a new baby in their home in about a month. I had lots of fun playing with Davis and teaching him how to make lots of waves in the bath tub.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

When Daddy was little, he and his sister would make a birthday cake for Jesus every Christmas. This year, I got to do the same thing at Perpy's house. We sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and I helped Daddy blow at the candles.
Perpy gave me this cool cop car for Christmas. Thanks, Perpy! I will have lots of fun catching the bad guys in this.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland!

A few weeks ago, Daddy and Mommy took me to a special mall where they had lots of Christmas decorations. I had fun looking at all of the sights. Since then, we've all gotten sick at our house. First, Mommy and Daddy got a stomach bug and then I got a cold which turned into a ear infection. I think Mommy and Daddy might have gotten my cold. Hopefully, we'll be feeling better by Christmas.

Jesus is the Sweetest Gift of All!

Is this a cookie hanging on the tree? It looks like one, but it doesn't taste like one.

O Come Let Us Adore Him!

A Blast from the Past

What do you think of my stylish attire? This was Daddy's suit when he was a little boy a long time ago. Perpy saved it and brought it to me. I really liked wearing it. I think my Daddy was one stylish little guy just like me. What do you think, Perpy? Do I look as cute as my Daddy did?

Trolley Ride

My friend, Hiroto, and I rode the trolley with our mommies around the city of Franklin. The trolley picked us up at a hospital near our houses, took us through downtown, and dropped us off at the library. We were going to go to storytime but after my mommy saw how much energy I had, she opted for the park near the library. Hiroto and I had lots of fun chasing each other around the park. On the way home, I sat next to Hiroto and his mommy, and my mommy sat behind us. He is a good friend that I met in my neighborhood. He speaks Japanese and a little English. Maybe he can teach me some Japanese and I can teach him some English. I think I will start with the important words: tractor, puppy, and more. I miss my old friends from Michigan, but I'm glad I'm making new ones in Tennessee.

A Thankful Heart

Thank you, God, for family, friends, lawn mowers, and cranberry ice. We had a full house this year as we celebrated Thanksgiving. There were many wonderful things to eat that day, but I decided cranberry ice was the best (and only thing to eat). The recipe came from my great great grandmother.

Perpy (I call her Du-Jee) and Daddy
Andrew, Mommy's cousin, Mommy, Nana (I call her Nanny), and Uncle Tim
Grandpa Sam (Pa Pa) and Nana

Aunt Kimberly, Will, and Uncle Tim
One of my favorite activites lately is to push my lawn mower around the block. (Thanks, Jenn, for a great toy!) Nana joined me on my stroll down the street.

Grandpa...A.K.A. Pa Pa

Grandpa and MA came to visit the week after Thanksgiving. Since I've started giving everyone names I have made up, I called Grandpa "Pa Pa". It's much easier to say and everyone thinks it sounds cute. We had lots of fun together. One day Grandpa and Mommy took me to Pump it Up, a cool place with lots of inflatable slides and jumpy things. After Grandpa took me down a very big slide, I kept saying "mo" (more) and grabbing his hand so he would take me back up. He also took me on walks to look at the Christmas lights, let me practice driving his minivan (it actually didn't get out of park for those of you who are concerned), and read lots of books to me. Thanks, Grandpa, for all of the fun.