Two weeks ago, was definitely a guys weekend, but luckily, the men in my life let me join in the fun too, since they know I can hang with the boys.
Houston was hosting the Final Four NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, so in downtown Houston there were lots of basketball expos and things going on for families to attend. Since Connor is mildly obsessed with basketball lately (that is sometimes the first thing I hear on the monitor when he wakes up in the morning), we figured we should take him to something while we had this cool opportunity. Jeff thought it'd be fun for it to be a father-son thing, and it gave me some time in the morning to relax (the first and last free morning in probably a month) so they ventured off to Houston together. Connor was a little overwhelmed by the crowds and there wasn't that much for a little guy to do, but Jeff said they had a really good time, because Connor is pretty happy anywhere he can access that many basketballs.
Unfortunately, he fell asleep in the car and didn't go back to sleep at home, so he only got in a 30 minute nap that day. Ugh oh. We had a BBQ to go to with some of my playgroup Moms and their families that afternoon, so Connor had to power through, but luckily he did just fine. Even with a tired boy, he still had a lot of fun and when it was time to go, we all hated to leave. We were at my friend Jessica's house, and she's got such a great backyard for the kids. Plus, her husband made ribs which were soooo good. Yummy.
On Sunday, we headed off to the Shell Houston Open for some professional golf at Redstone Country Club. It was pretty crowded since Phil Mickelson was leading the tournament. We walked around and watched a lot of golf. Phil did end up winning and even though it was a hot day, it was pretty cloudy, so it was actually pretty comfortable. Connor powered through a nap yet again, but as soon as we got in the car he fell right to sleep. When we got home, I had planned on feeding him dinner, but he was so sleepy that we ended up just putting him in his bath and putting him to bed. He was fast asleep by 6:45pm. Poor little guy. What a weekend.
Then last week, Daddy left on Wednesday to go to the Masters golf tournament so Connor and I had some Mommy and me time, but it was actually pretty short lived since on Thursday afternoon, Gigi and Aunt Stacey came for a quick visit. Since Aunt Stacey has been on a cruise ship, she hadn't seen Connor in nearly 10 months. As you can imagine, he's done a lot of growing since then. She hadn't even seen him walk!
Of course Connor was very shy with Aunt Stacey and even Gigi at first, but it didn't take long for him to warm up. It also helped that they brought him a fun new toy...his very own lawnmower. He loved it of course. It was really fun, because after Connor went to bed Thursday night, we got a babysitter so we could go out to dinner at a new sushi place. It was ladies night. We had a great time and even closed down the place, chatting and chatting.
Gigi and Aunt Stacey got more time to bond with Connor on Friday morning, because I had a MOPs meeting so they got to babysit. They played and played. After my meeting we all met for lunch at Chili's. When it was nap time, Aunt Stacey and Gigi headed into Houston to attend the Lady Gaga concert.
By Saturday, just before lunch, Daddy came back home and it was a fun reunion. He had some good stories to tell about the Masters. After naps, we went to a crawfish bowl with some of the families from my church MOPs group. It was really fun and Connor had a blast. I think his favorite toy there was this scooter that Jeff would let him ride. He would laugh as he was going down the driveway. He also actually ventured into the bounce house, but not for long.
On Sunday, we attended the Houston Children's Festival, which is a huge festival located in downtown Houston that actually benefits my old organization, Child Advocates. Like most things, there wasn't that much for a really little guy to do, but we still had a lot of fun. The Child Advocates area was really fun. He got to get his face painted, get a temporary tattoo, play with bubbles, shoot some hoops, and play a little golf. In other areas he also got to watch a clown juggle, ride some kiddy rides, and pet some animals in a petting zoo. It was another fun filled day and we supported a great cause.
The heat is really on in Houston and so after naps on Sunday, Jeff filled up the kiddy pool and splashed around with Connor. It was really funny to watch them playing around. Afterward, Connor had a blast rolling around and snuggling with the towel we laid out on the ground. It was really cute, because he'd snuggle up with it and just roll around.
We've had so much fun and it's only the beginning. Our April is jammed packed with more action. Stay tuned.
What's better than pushing one truck...pushing two trucks. When he actually gets this to work, he is so proud of himself.
Friday night, we babysat our neighbor's 6 month old daughter Camilla. It was funny, because I had to refresh some of my baby care skills, because although they told us she would fall asleep no problem, as soon as we put her down, she started crying very hard. I left her for a bit and then tried rocking her and putting her back down. She calmed down, but as soon as I put her back down she cried again. So I busted out the big guns. I went into our bathroom, turned on the fan, in the dark, and swayed, rocked, and shooshed until she was out like a light. It only took about 5 minutes. I guess I've still got it. Of course I was terrified to put her back down, but luckily, I gently rested her down and she stayed asleep.
Saturday morning, Jeff and Connor attended Bracket Town in Houston as part of the NCAA Final Four festivities. Here Connor is posing with his favorite ball.
Connor is ready to cut down the nets. We hoped this photo wouldn't jinx the women's Aggie team, who played in the Championship game, but they won anyway. Maybe it gave them good luck.
Yay basketball.
So many basketballs, so little time.
Eating lunch court side. They got to see a battle of the bands, which I guess he really liked. He liked the VCU band best.
On Saturday afternoon, at our playgroup BBQ, Connor immediately found a truck.
Now he's having fun in the sandbox.
He loved their car swings.
Connor playing with his buddy Liam and one of the neighbors.
On Sunday, we went to Ragin Cagun for lunch before we drove to the Shell Houston Open.
At the entrance to the Shell Houston Open there were a few bluebonnets. As you can see, Connor was not thrilled at the idea of posing with bluebonnets again.
On the grounds at the Shell Houston Open, Connor was free to roam around. Of course we had to keep him quiet at some moments and not let him run into anyone's shot.
It was cute, we found a golf ball in some bushes and on one of the holes that was no longer being used, Connor had a blast dropping the ball in the hole. When he landed it in the hole he'd jump and giggle. It got great big laughs from those who watched as they passed by.
Connor needed a little break from walking around, so Daddy gave him a lift.
After two days of no naps, Connor was especially snuggly and happy to cozy up with Daddy after a long day. It was very sweet.
When we got home, Connor was not interested in dinner. He just wanted to go back to bed. What a trooper.
The following Thursday, Aunt Stacey and Gigi came for a visit. As you can see, Connor is finally tall enough to shoot baskets without his ramps. It's still a bit of a stretch, but he can do it if he reaches up.
Connor was very excited, because Aunt Stacey and Gigi brought him a super cool lawn mower. He's got pretty good form. Daddy can't wait until Connor can take over this dreaded job. 13 more years Jeff.
Aunt Stacey and Connor playing together and reconnecting.
Connor is such a big boy. He can climb up on the big chairs all by himself now.
On Thursday night, Connor and Stacey watched some Yo Gabba Gabba together.
On Friday morning, Gigi and Aunt Stacey got to babysit little Connor while I went off to my meeting. They said they had a ball playing.
After my meeting, we met at Chili's for lunch. Connor is showing off his dipping skills with chips and salsa.
On Saturday evening, we attended a crawfish boil with families from my MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at church. There were lots of kids and lots of good food.
Connor is usually pretty scared of bounce houses, but he actually bounced for a little.
Playing with sidewalk chalk and making a mess.
Man, he had so many sweets. He had a juice box, some snow cone, part of a cookie, and some cotton candy. What a lucky little boy.
Always a ladies man.
On Sunday morning we went to the Houston Children's Festival. Of course Connor found the basketball area first. Nice dunk buddy.
Connor got to ride his first carousel. It wasn't really his thing. He wanted off most of the ride. I wasn't really surprised by that reaction, but we had to try.
Connor loved the "Bubble Box" in the Child Advocates area.
He was a pro with the bean bag toss.
Happily getting his face painted with Ms. Kendall, since he also got a ring pop. Of course he got a basketball.
"Basketball" temporary tattoo. On a side note, at the end of the day when he went to bed he started crying. This is not normal so when I went to check on him I noticed he was pointing to his tattoo and saying "draw" and "basketball." He didn't know why the "sticker" didn't come off in the bath and he didn't want to go to bed with it still on his arm. I got the memo pretty quickly, so I ran off, got some rubbing alcohol, came back and took it right off. Of course he fell right to sleep once it was gone. It was just so cute that he could communicate what he wanted. I felt so bad though that it must have really been bugging him. Poor guy.
Connor and Jeff watching the clown show at the festival. You may have noticed that I had to change Connor's shirt. It was covered in blue ring pop juice.
Walking the streets of the festival.
Riding the "exciting" dinosaur ride.
We went to the petting zoo and had a good time petting the animals.
Connor showing off his cool facepaint.
Getting an aerial view of the animals.
There was this big tortoise in the petting zoo, which I have never seen before. Connor liked to pet it.
On Sunday afternoon, it was in the upper 80's so we blew up the kiddy pool and splashed around outside. Connor and Daddy had fun throwing his pool toys around.
More pool time fun.
After pool time, Connor had a blast rolling around on his pool towel. It was cuddly and warm. It was so sweet.
No rest for the weary. It was time to mow.
Connor continues to practice more and more words and phrases. One of his cutest phrases is "love you." He usually says this before bed. It's stinking adorable.
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