Sous Chef

I'm loving the stage Gavin is in right now. Thankfully the terrible twos have not reared its ugly head too much and our days are filled with lots of play, reading and even some cooking. I think three days in a row last week, D came home to the sight of Gavin sitting on the kitchen counter helping me cook.

One night he helped me tear all of the lettuce and had a blast with the salad spinner. Oh, and any time I get out the hand mixer, he starts spinning in circles. He loves to help me mix anything. Don't worry grandparents, I make sure to keep my hand firmly on top of his.

Here are some pictures of Gavin helping me make homemade pizzas. He pretty much did every step from putting out the dough, to spreading each of the 10 or so toppings. D likes to have his bursting with flavor.


You can tell Gavin is in concentration mode in that last picture. His help has inspired me to make him an apron. Don't worry it will be a very manly apron- I'm thinking Super Cook or something along those lines.

Destination Vacation

The week flew by and I realized that I haven't even posted about the little trip D and I took for our anniversary last weekend. Gavin was packed and ready to spend four days with his grandparents.
Now that you know where he went, can you guess our destination?



We went west, first through Austin where I don't have any pictures because we were just driving through. Then we made our way to Fredericksburg to spend a few hours in their town square. We ate at our favorite German restaurant (can't remember the name) and strolled the streets.

We were back on the road that evening to San Antonio where the pictures from our guessing game took place.

Since D and I have both strolled the River Walk and visited the Alamo numerous times, we did what any parents do who don't have their two year old with them- we saw two animated movies. Granted Gavin isn't old enough to sit through anything longer than twenty minutes. Of Despicable Me and Toy Story 3, I would say my favorite was Toy Story, but the other one was pretty good as well.

We also visited all three locations of one of our favorite places...
We'll just consider the purchases we made from Half Price Books our souvenir gifts.

We had Sunday brunch at the Madhatter's Tea House. We just might have to open one in the Montrose or Rice Village area. I had yummy french toast and D chose cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches as well as jalapeno infused tuna sandwiches.


On Monday night, we had our pre-anniversary dinner at a romantic vineyard. Dinner was incredible (in fact we ate too good all weekend) and the scenery was gorgeous.
We managed to take a few photos outside before the mosquitoes carried us off.



On our way home Tuesday, which was the actual day of our anniversary, we stopped and ate at Taste of Texas where they graciously gave us a delicious Snickers cake to share. I've been doing two miles every day on the elliptical just to work that baby off. We had a great time and it was nice to have a few days as just a couple. But we sure did miss our little boy.

Eight Years

This picture is a moment frozen in time, but I think it perfectly captures the relationship D and I have. The photo obviously portrays affection and sincerity, but there's more that may not be seen by the naked eye. See, in the past eight years D and I have been married, I have had the absolute privilege of being in a partnership that embodies friendship, compassion, helpfulness, thoughtfulness, sacrifice, listening skills, patience, truthfulness, grace, and lots of love. There's no doubt we have had hard times or have been frustrated with each other, but I've learned that even those times have helped us become a better couple. Although nothing could help us more than God's grace. I love this man more than life itself. Thank you my dear husband for making each day so special. I love you.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow, to share with each other in all gladness, to be one with each other in the silent unspoken memories? - George Eliot

Catch Up

I'm in a little bit of a blogging funk mainly because our computer crashed which contained Photoshop and we don't know where the disk is to load it back up. I know the grandparents think, "What's a blog without pictures of our grandson?" and so I hate to disappoint by putting up icky pictures with dark backgrounds and boring color. I just might have to start reading the camera book D bought me so that I can actually use the camera properly.

We've mostly been rained in the past few days. That has meant lots of play time and organizing both of which are needed. I did get to have lunch with my dear friend Priscilla yesterday at the cutest tea room. It's the same place I had my bridal luncheon and I had not been back there in eight years. Speaking of eight years, next week will mark mine and D's eight year anniversary. To say time has flown by is an understatement. We've planned a little getaway sans Gavin. Don't feed him too much ice cream while we are gone Me Me. You know how that kid can wolf down the creamy stuff. He can work for his keep too, just like when he helped you paint the fence.
This is a look of concentration.
For a summer that started out with no plans, it has shaped up to be a lot of fun. I'm thoroughly loving being with Gavin every day and I don't think we have tired of each other. Although he did have a little meltdown this morning. I also realize that I have a mockingbird on my hands. He's repeating things like "Yea, turtle and please, please, please." He's also been helping me unload the dishwasher and put up his clothes. I might has well start the chores off early since he's so willing.

He's also started something else early. Potty training! Yep, that's right, and all on his own. You wouldn't believe the shock on my face when he pulled me to the bathroom and actually went. As soon as he gets up from his nap, we are heading out for a pint size potty. He'll thank me when he's older knowing that I posted this for all of the world to see.

And speaking of waking up, I hear him now.

Happy Independence Day

I'm so glad one of our friends has insisted that today is called Independence Day because every time I say that instead of 4th of July, I'm reminded of what the day truly is about. Yes, we did eat scrumptious food - hamburger and hot dog style - twice and yes, we did shoot a few child friendly fireworks (does that exist?), but we also took time to think about our American freedom as well as our freedom in Christ. I think as I get older I'm reminded more and more not to take either of those for granted.

Happy Independence Day!

Pretending

Gavin may have tried to run away from home for the first and hopefully last time today. Actually, I think he was just exerting some independence through a pretend scenario. He was carrying around a bucket of toys while waving and saying bye to everything. Then I'd hear him walk to the back door and knock on it. I finally told him he couldn't leave until I had a kiss goodbye.

Someone recently asked if Gavin was always hyper. To be honest, I didn't know how to answer because I had never thought of him that way. I mean, I teach kindergarten, I should know hyper. Granted, at the time the question was proposed he was having a great time, therefore, a little more excitable than usual, but not far from his usual self. I'm realizing more and more that this kid has loads of personality and it just shines through, mainly through that smile, but also in how quickly he warms up to people and especially in how he knows how to have a good time whether he is playing with one person or scores of people/animals in his pretend world.

Since being home for the summer, I have come to embrace that stepping into the pretend world via the mind of a two-year old can be liberating. In this world it's okay to build a cage made of blocks where a tiger, dinosaur and a hermit crab can live happily together. It's also acceptable to dance to a song about fruit like no one over three feet tall is watching. I may have to close that gym membership since we danced furiously for thirty minutes, part of that was merely running around the house. Then we later played chase while I vacuumed. Good times.

And that's exactly what it's been- good times. From making chocolate dipped strawberries filled with cream cheese to reading books sitting side by side, my shadow has not been lonely. Today was full of the little moments that added up to much.

A Very Manly Birthday

For Gavin's Second Birthday we went with a Mr. Man theme.
We've called Gavin Mr. Man since he was an infant and he loves hats so we thought it would be fun to see what we could come up with.

This was a sign D made that went along with the invitations.
He also made all of the tags for the candy buffet.
Candy buffets have become increasingly popular for weddings and birthdays. I decided to go with a blue and green theme as well as try to stick to old fashioned kinds of candy.
We also had a few other desserts and cold drinks.
I have seen the tissue pom poms used for decorations and decided to make some. After a few tries you start to get the hang of it. I think the smaller ones came out best.

And I just so happened to have scrapbook paper in similar color schemes to make his banner.

My sweet husband spent four months growing out a really thick, hot beard just so he could shave most of it off into this stylish mustache.
One of my favorite parts about the party was the game. I divided the kiddos into two groups and with the help of some volunteers, we had them race in their red wagon down the yard where some more helpful volunteers dressed them up in hats, ties and suspenders and then race back for the next set of kids. The kids were great and looked so incredibly cute!

As prizes for the game, everyone went home with fake mustaches. Aren't they adorable?!
There wasn't much to go on for the theme except for one other blog where they had these dashing chocolate mustaches and tie napkins. I explored the internet until I found the chocolate molds and ordered the napkins. Our families were willing participants to try them out.
In addition to the napkins, I also found these hilarious cups. You can literally pick which kind of nose you want.
We know this little boy had a great time and we hope everyone else did too.
I sent home these goodie bags hopefully filled with things to keep the fun going.
Happy Birthday Mr. Man!