Happy Birthday Grandpa C

We went to Grandma & Grandpa C's house for lunch today for papa's birthday (which isn't until Wednesday). Parker loves riding around on the lawn mower with Grandpa but unfortunately papa's back is out and couldn't take him. Daddy took him for a ride a few times around the yard instead.Parker was running around like an insane maniac in the yard, here is a sample of what he was doing.....

He must have jumped off this trailer 20 times!

Maple Maze

We decided to go to the Maple Maze today since it was Cousin Lee's last day with us.....Parker actually went up higher today than he has lately. Not sure what his problem is, when he was 2 he went to the top and down the huge slide. Now he will only go about half way up. Dawn and Alex met us at the maze and we met a little boy there that was in awe of Lee, and really enjoyed playing with the boys. Alex thinks Lee is pretty cool too, and of course as I've said a million times, Parker LOVES Lee. Lee is actually quite good with the boys too.
After the maze we went to McDonald's for lunch. Sure is gonna be quiet around here without Lee!! We've had a fun summer!

Clifford!!

Well, it's official, our baby is starting school next week. We went to an open house today for pre-school and saw his classroom and met his teacher. I'm excited because I know he will have fun, but at the same time I am sad because he really is growing up to fast! He did get to meet Clifford The Big Red Dog tonight and he was so excited! He couldn't get the smile off his face.You can see from the pictures how his love for Clifford progressed....
After this hug, and after we almost got out of the room, we had to go back and hug Clifford again and Parker said "I love you Clifford". Parks had everyone in the room in love with him by the time we left!
Parker is so excited for school to start!!

Last day at the beach.....

We headed to Elm Creek Park today for one last day of fun in the "lake". It was pretty cool this morning but the kids were in the water by 9:30 am. It did get a little warmer as the day went on and it was pretty nice in the sun. Cousin Lee was with us and we met Alex and Ivy and their mom's there.Warming up in the sun...as you can see, the beach was pretty deserted....
The boys did a lot of rough play today....running and jumping on each other in the warm sand.
Parker's new goggles, he needed fog free goggles to start swim lessons next week, at least he doesn't mind wearing them, that's the first step!

Can't believe summer is almost over and school starts next week!!

Superhero's!

Spiderman and Superman, fighting the bad guys together! We went to our friends Dawn & Alex's today. The boys did some dressing up....Parker wearing a Viking's helmet......
They did some painting, this is Parker's masterpiece!

Here is a video of the boys acting crazy!!

Minnehaha Falls

Today while mommy was at work daddy took Parker to Minnehaha Falls. They explored the area, looked at the falls, and had a picnic lunch. Our good friend "Uncle" Roger met them there and spent some time with them. It was the most beautiful day of the year, if you ask me. Here Parker is throwing a rock in the water.....and climbing up the many stairs...
They had such a good time that they want to go again...when I can go!!

Yes, the river.....

So, tonight while I was working Matt took the boys to the Mississippi River......only this time they went and explored an area they have never been to. Matt noticed this area when he took Parker to Boom Island so they went and checked it out. Looks like an area I might want to go see!These are just some cool pictures Matt took....

Farmer's Market, Sculpture Garden, Park, Oh My!

And that's all before noon, people! What a fun day! Here is Parker at the Farmer's Market, this was after we bought our stuff, he enjoyed watching all the trucks and cars go by and trying to get people to wave...He did however, find the Farmer's Market to be stinky. Kept his nose covered the whole time and kept quite loudly exclaiming "eewww".....Here the boys are looking at the cars below, we were on our way over to the park.
Here is a fountain that people throw pennies into, we met a lady with 2 little kids who had a bunch of pennies.....she was kind enough to give Parker and Alex some. We were not prepared for the fountain! Great, another thing I should always have on hand just in case!!
We went back to the Sculpture Garden and ate lunch and the boys played a little longer.
Parker's cute little footprint on the blocks....

Mississippi Park

Today while I was at work Matt took Parker to Boom Island. Right behind my son is the Mississippi River, yes, right over the little piece of cement that he is sitting on. It's a good thing I don't go on these little excursions.

Parker loves the Mississippi. Usually every weekend we go somewhere that involves the Mississippi. Last time they went they met a man that lives down by the river and has a little bench and tee pee. Parker calls him the Mississippi Hippie. He learned that from Lee. He asks every day to go see the Mississippi Hippie now.
Our friends the Knights invited us to go to N. Mississippi Park tonight. Today I was reminded why we shouldn't tell Parker 8 hours ahead of time what we are doing....every 5 minutes he would say "Mississippi water me?? Now? NOW!!" It was the first thing he said as I entered the door after work.
Alex and Parker had a blast playing in the wading pool and waterfall.

Matt and Joe carried the boys back to the car.....at this point a storm was coming. We were going to grill and play some more at the park but it started to rain so we went to Burger King and sat there for quite some time while the boys played.
Thanks for inviting us Dawn, Joe & Alex!! We had fun!!

Walk!

Walk! Walk!! Walk!!! Pretty much every night after dinner the boy asks to go for a walk.....we usually do. Daddy always takes him when I am working and sometimes if I am home I go too. Tonight just Parker and I went. He loves to stop at every rain drain thingy (what are they called?) and throw a rock in. He always stops and examines sand, leaves, rocks and gets mad when he sees garbage on the street (hmmm, wonder where he gets that!) Tonight he was particularly fascinated with this fire hydrant, he spent a great deal of time checking it out.
Gotta love that he is curious, and loves to get exercise!!

2 Parks and a 3 Year Check Up

Today daddy took Parker and Cousin Lee to the Stone Arch Bridge and they went walking around by the Mississippi while I stayed home and cleaned house for the showing we had today.Parker had his 3 year check up today and didn't get a nap.....He is 39 and 3/4 inches tall and 35.5 pounds. That puts him in the 95th % for height and 75th % for weight. Basically he is tall and skinny like his daddy! He had to get 1 shot and the poor boy screamed and cried, it was sad.
During our showing we went to Northport Park at the elementary school that I went to kindergarten at.
Parker also fell in the kitchen today because he was running on the wood floors with socks on. I'm expecting to have a picture tomorrow of his black and blue cheek. No nap, a shot, and crashing on the floor. He's having a tough day.

N. Mississippi Park

It was a gorgeous Sunday! We went to Home Depot and bought some more sod for the back yard. Parks is loving have nice grass to lay in! After dinner we met Dawn & Alex at N. Mississippi Park. Matt asked Parker what he wanted to do after dinner and he said "park", then Matt asked him what park he wanted to go to and he said "mississippi"......he didn't say it perfect, but I bet not a lot of 3 year olds can! He is coming along great with his speech, he can say "s" pretty well now and can say words like snack, sorry, spider, and school!! My camera went dead right after this picture, so it's the only one from the park.Last night at IKEA we bought these cool hooks for the end of Parker's bed....Amanda, if you are reading this, I think Mila needs some cool hooks!! But knowing how IKEA crazy you are, I bet she already has them!!
Parker loves the hooks and was excited to hang stuff on them.

Another Park

Today while I was at work daddy took Parker to a park in Plymouth. Look how green the water is....they actually saw some ducks that were standing on the sludge! Parker thought it smelled pretty bad. I absolutely LOVE this picture of Parker running ahead....it is so typical Parker.
Then he finally sat to take a break.
After nap we took Parker to Grandma & Grandpa O's house and Matt and I went to IKEA and had dinner and did some shopping. Woo Hoo! We were living it up, I know!

Parker got to meet his Great Uncle and his wife and kids who live in China.

This is what Parker looks like in Chinese characters.

Another day at the park.....

Thankfully our friends Dawn and Alex called and invited us to play at the park and have a picnic. We went to the park that Parker and Alex had ECFE at. Parker evidently isn't afraid of this slide!

Lee was such a good sport playing with Parker and Alex for 2 hours and taking their abuse! He completely buried Alex in the rocks and Parker claimed he wanted to do it too, about 6 different times but kept saying "NO MORE!" when it would get on his belly.

Thanks for saving us from a boring day guys!

Chalk & Bubbles & Spinning

3 of a toddlers favorite things! We colored on the driveway, blew bubbles and spun around in circles for over an hour in the heat and humidity!I posted a picture of Parker's chalk foot last year, who doesn't love little feet??


Here is a video of what Parker and daddy love to do....I'm always in the background yelling "Stop! That's enough! Stop Now!!"

Thank you Dawn, Joe and Alex!

We dropped Parker off at our friends Dawn, Joe and Alex's house this morning so we could clean the house for the Open House we had (that nobody showed up for). This was the first time anybody other than family has watched Parker....I know, he's 3....... and we need to live a little more!! He had a fabulous time and didn't want to leave when we got there. He kept saying "bye bye mommy and daddy" and "no go". Matt and I ended up staying there with him for another hour and a half! Dawn took pictures and video for me.Looks like he played "pirates" for a while....
I know they went swimming, Dawn said Parker jumped in with his clothes on at first, then took everything off and ran around naked until she could get some shorts on him!
Parker and Alex played some beautiful music....

Below is a video.....you can hear Dawn saying how Matt and I will never let her watch our kid again.....running in the street, playing in the freezing cold water, falling off bikes!! Sheesh! Actually Dawn, you are one of the few people we trust with our only child, the love of our lives.... He had such a fabulous time and LOVES you guys. That's all he talked about on the way to Grandma & Grandpa C's house!!

Thank you soooooo much!

Chuck E. Cheese

These are from about a month ago. Grandma Jenny took Parker and Lee to Chuck E. Cheese. She said it was the first and last time......I think the boys wore her out! Anyway, they both had a great time and every time Parker sees a commercial for Chuck E. Cheese he starts screaming "Me, Lee, Nana!!"
Sorry for the poorly scanned photo!