Popsicle Night

Friday was Popsicle Night after the Ricebirds finished practice. Beau had a big time seeing all the players and eating 3 popsicles! He gave a lot of the guys "knuckles" and said "Go Birds!" for everyone. He loves to go to the field house. If we drive by the street, he starts saying, "I wanna throw ball."

Quarterback in training...he loves to throw,

but is not much on catching yet!

Eating a popsicle with Hunter Harris - a Sophomore Ricebird and Beau's buddy. Hunter's parents are great friends of ours!

Sneaking a bite of Hunter's popsicle while Coach Barnes talks to the team.

He might be Coach Barnes to most of the world, but he's my Da! Beau couldn't wait until Todd finished talking before running up to him. When Todd finished, Beau said "Go Birds!" for the crowd.

Come on with my bite, Da!

2nd annual picture of Beau and Da in his office.
Check out the next one for comparison.

Beau's grown a lot in a year, but Da hasn't changed much!

It's Da's Birthday!

Tomorrow is Todd's Birthday! Happy Birthday to Da! He'll celebrate in the usual way with football practice. Two-a-days started Monday. Beau and I caught the end of practice Tuesday and he got to see all the players. We have to go back because he tells me "I wanna see Da throw ball." His speech is incredible. In the last month, he has really started talking in full sentences. He repeats everything and can say pretty much anything he wants. He says "I love you" now, which is the greatest thing in the world to hear! I just thought "Hi, Mama!" never got old..."I love you, Mama" is waaayy better! :)

He sings all the time, too. Sometimes you can tell it's Rock a Bye Baby, Happy and You Know It, or Yummy Yummy Yummy Good for my Tummy. He even comes out with Home Again Home Again Jiggety Jog when we pull in the garage. Other times we have no idea what he's singing...just making up his own lyrics I guess. GiGi celebrated her birthday last week and he sang her a VERY entertaining rendition of Happy Birthday.

He is a smart little boy, if I say so myself. He started counting to 10 about a month ago -- 21 months old and counts to 10, spells his name aloud, and can identify and name tons of pictures in his books. He even gets Xylophone right! He impressed his Daddy last night by telling him while looking at the "opposites" page of the book that one train was a long train and one was a short train. Todd thought he would say "Choo Choo," but we're way past that now! We've got some work to do on colors. Everything is red.

He loves tractors, big trucks, and trains. He's all about playing ball and gets very serious when playing "catch" with Da. He climbs on everything and tries to "jump big" off anything. I have to watch him like a hawk or he'll be climbing up the bar stool, onto the counter, and trying to jump off.

We read every night before bed and as rambunctious and busy as he is all day, he still wants to rock and read before bed. I cherish that time. Beau is definitely all boy and he can be so wild and ornery, but he is so sweet and lovable at times, too. I wouldn't have it any other way!

Hot stuff!

Eating one of Da's Birthday cupcakes, compliments of Nee Nee (Whitney) Strawberry cupcake with strawberry icing...Da's favorite!
Yum! Icing mustache!

Swimming with GiGi

Anna Kate came to visit at the lake! She was the big girl at Teesee's when Baby Beau first started going there.


Reading with Papa and TomTom (so lucky to have great-grandparents!)

Fun in the Sun

Summer is my favorite time of year. We have had so much fun playing in the water with Beau. His first swimming excursion of the summer was Memorial Day weekend at the lake. He was a bit timid at first. The no fear baby from last summer was replaced by a very aware 20 month old. After the long weekend at the lake and a few afternoons in the pool, he is jumping off the side and going down the slide. He loves it!

Kick, kick, kick!

Mama's lil fish
Beau and Da

1st ride on the Sea-Doo

He was serious about riding...never cracked a smile.

But we know he likes it because he walked over to it on his own last weekend and said "I wanna ride." I said go tell Da and he did! Needless to say, Dad took him for ride.

Driving Daddy D's boat

Beau and Nee Nee check out the new slide

Beau's turn to slide

What a mess!

Springtime Adventures

Beau went on his first fishing trip recently. He wasn't that excited about the fish, but he did think it was very fun running around the Harris' farm and throwing rocks in the water with Mrs. Amy and Grace. All was well until he fell in a mud puddle. He didn't like mud caked shoes too much. And me, being a novice mom new to the world of boys, didn't even have extra clothes and shoes packed. Lesson learned!

Lesson with Daddy



The "big" catch of the day!
(We ended up with Craig's BBQ for supper instead of a fish fry. Not a bad trade!)

Throwing rocks with Grace

MUD!

Since the time has changed and the weather is nice, we are outside nearly every minute that we are home. Here are a few pics of Beau's favorite things.

Swinging - love that big grin! (He has molars now on top and bottom!)

The serious side of Beau

Mowing with his shades on - check out his bright green crocs...he LUVS these shoes!

Helping Daddy

My cute guys

(Note to all you worriers: the mower was not on.)

Riding his motorcycle in Hot Springs

Fish Tales

Todd got in a couple good fishing trips over Spring Break. Beau and DeeDee got to see the spread!

Blessed Easter

We had a wonderful Easter! The weather was beautiful in Hot Springs for our long weekend. We enjoyed being outside by the lake and even took the first boat ride of the year. The Easter Bunny came to see Beau. He was super excited with his new balls, choo choo book, and musical toothbrush. He found all the Easter eggs and got to have snacks out of each one even though it was before breakfast!

Papa and TomTom came for the day Saturday and dyed Easter eggs with Beau. I have to admit we took the easy route this year with an innovative little egg spinner. Beau thought it was cool and I avoided the big mess!

We went to church in Hot Springs...Piney Grove United Methodist is a very friendly church with an uplifting contemporary service. Beau liked the band! We'll definitely visit there again when we're away from First Church Stuttgart. After church, it was homemade pizzas compliments of Whitney and Gigi (I did chop a few things, but I'm usually on clean up crew). The food all weekend was spectacular. Todd and Brad grilled steaks for us Sat. night and Beau literally ate 1/2 of a filet. Kid's got good taste when it comes to food! haha!

Beau was a delight all weekend. I don't know what we did before him! Must have been very bored.

1st time to eat corn on the cob

A little practice session on hunting Easter eggs

Easter Bunny was good to Beau!

Trying out his new musical toothbrush

Da Ball!

Eskimo kiss with Daddy

My favorite guys

Dying this egg is serious business

TomTom helps out

Ready for church...and, yes,

he has green crocs on (Easter shoes didn't arrive as planned)

Trying out his new mower. He loved it! Thanks Gigi and DaddyD!