It's HOT outside!

Pops and Nana Christine drove all the way from Silverton to visit last weekend. We were all happy to sit, rest, munch and visit indoors as the temperature outside was over 100 degrees. We watched several episodes of "How it's Made" and the Cars movie multiple times. IP spent his time playing Thomas train with Nana Christine and reading lots of books with Pops. IP was spoiled rotten for attention all weekend. While playing with Thomas train, IP continuously sang the same verse of "Life is a Highway" (a song from Cars) over and over and over and over again. "Wife is a hi-whay, I want to whide it all night wong." It's very amusing; I just wish I could move him along to the next werse... I mean verse. We did sneak out to eat at Chuy's for Saturday lunch and I made a quick dash to the after hours clinic to have my ear examined. (I ended up with antibiotics.) Dad and I went out Saturday night to see the new Batman movie. I really enjoyed the flick and highly recommend it. Grandma came over for Sunday dinner with her yummy carrot cake to celebrate Dad's birthday a second time.

Happy 35th Birthday Daddy

Hope you have a happy day celebrating; let's eat lots of cake.
We love you.

UPDATE: IP baked Dad the "best birthday cake" and decorated with pink and green frosting and yummy candies. This style of cake was actually on the back of the cake mix box and IP insisted we copy it. We didn't have the correct food coloring or same type candies, so we improvised. I'm trying to attach my amateur video of IP singing "Happy Birthday" and then blowing the candle out before Dad could pucker up. No luck so far. I love how IP and Dad have the same frazzled hair-do. Dad has helmet head and IP has wash & go hair.

Anyway you slice it

On Friday, Grandma and IP bought an "egg machine" because IP likes hard boiled eggs (again) after trying them last Monday at Grandma's house. After reading Bread and Jam for Frances, IP started eating jam sandwiches and hard boiled eggs for breakfast and has done so for the past 8 mornings. This little kitchen gadget is marvelous and tons of fun for a three year old. Not only does it make even little slices, it can slice your egg into 6 equal wedges. IP does NOT like mushrooms, however, he loves to slice them. He helped prepare Sunday's dinner. First, he helped pound the pork fillets flat with a meat hammer. He washed all the mushrooms for Grandma's creamed mushroom sauce. Then he stood at the counter and cut every mushroom in the egg slicer. I wish I would have taken a picture. IP poured the peas in a serving dish and helped me press the microwave buttons. IP is an excellent cook!

Big Boy Sleepover

IP's friend, LS, has been begging for a sleepover for months and finally the date was set for this past Saturday. LS will be 5 in September, so there's a year and a half gap, but the boys don't seem to mind. LS's mom provided the following summary of the evening's events. IP and LS enjoyed pizza, played outside on the slip and slide and played with other splash toys including water guns. (IP so enjoys guns lately. I've tried everything to redirect him to something else, so now I'm just ignoring him when he "bang-bangs" at objects.) LS also introduced IP to Batman and a suction cup dart gun. IP tormented their new kitten, Stripie, with the suction cup dart gun and luckily the gun was confiscated early in the evening. The boys had a ball! IP couldn't fall asleep partially due to excitement and partially due to the fact they he had a three hour nap in the afternoon. (I'm very sorry N & D) At 10PM, LS was so exhausted he escaped IP and went to sleep in the guestroom. IP finally fell asleep after 11PM and only called for his mommy once during the night. IP woke up at 6AM and watched Sesame Street until LS woke up. LS's parents jokingly said IP is "mischievous" and behaves differently when we're not around. UGH! At least, IP received one compliment on his manners when he asked to be excused from the dinner table. Guess IP was testing all the boundaries of the household. It's our turn next.

When we came home, IP read books in bed and slept through the afternoon. I spent the afternoon constructing a plastic play kitchen from 200 pieces. It only took me two hours. No, I'm not exaggerating. Even Dad was impressed at the magnitude of the project.

Nana and Grandma were over for Sunday dinner. IP spent Monday morning with Nana and the afternoon with Grandma. Hopefully, IP will be back on schedule today and won't be a "grumpy grump" at school.

2nd Trip to the Dentist: 1st Cleaning

IP held still and the hygienist was finished cleaning in less than 15 minutes. He especially loved wearing headphones and watching TV. IP wasn't as chatty and didn't make any grand statements this trip because he had dental tools in his mouth. He he. IP says he likes Ms. Julie, our hygienist, so it looks like future visits will be a breeze!

1st Cinema Experience: WALL-E

IP went to the movie theatre on Sunday morning to view his first film on the big screen. We saw WALL-E. He loved it, but was a little bored in some places and asked if we could "skip it." Sorry, there are no fast forward options in a theatre. The show was entertaining, but didn't live up to all the hype. Sunday afternoon, IP started a conversation about the little plant WALL-E and EVE saved from Earth. He explained the plant was planted in a old boot with dirt and commented, "that was silly." He also told me that WALL-E's house looked just like Daddy's garage. I tried not to laugh too much! After a long weekend of DVDs and movies, I decided to cut IP off. Instead, we read 10 library books last night.

Is it me, or does WALL-E look similar to likable ET (a record ticket box hit)? Disney/Pixar didn't gamble too much, did they?

Happy Independence Day!

Hopefully if things go as planned, we will be sitting on the patio of Josh's office building located on Congress and 2nd with a fantastic view of Auditorium Shores. In the photo, look for the building with neon blue lights. The building is located at the bottom of the stem of the firework display. That's where we'll be sitting! IP is VERY excited about fireworks this year. I'll report back.

UPDATE: Now I know why we had the balcony all to ourselves. The building located West on the other side of Congress Avenue blocks the entire firework show. We still were able to view the top third of each explosion. IP thought it was fabulous and that's all that matters. In the parking garage elevator, IP told our fellow passengers how "beautiful" the fireworks were. He was very excited!