First Joke

Driving in the car today, Garrett asked me if I like "boo-boo gum". At first I thought he was asking about bubblegum; I've been known to chew it and blow bubbles unintentionally while I'm driving. But I wasn't chewing it. Then I thought he might be asking about the boo-boo on his knee for earlier in the week. "No" he told me "BOO - BOO GUM!" so I asked him "what's boo-boo gum". He answered "you know, the kind that the little ghost likes!"

I laughed out loud for a solid minute. He was surprised and asked why. I explained that he had told a joke. We laughed together.

This afternoon we went to a baseball themed birthday at a park in Claremont. Garrett played very well, including standing in line to bat three times. The only problem was that the birthday boy's dad wanted to make the bases easier to run, but Garrett insisted on running all the way to the regular bases. The group posed for a "team picture"

Day Out with Thomas 2

We're back in Perris, CA for the Day Out with Thomas Event! This time we brought our friend Eric.

The Big 3! Oh

Garrett turned three with a party at John's Incredible Pizza Company with family. We had an excellent time, spending the whole day playing games and visiting. Highlights included the miniature golf (9 holes x 6 rounds for Garrett), the football game (somehow I managed to get my only bullseye stuck in the goal), and whack the alligators!

Since so many people were winning tickets and giving them to Garrett (Deal or No Deal was mostly Deal!) Garrett had his pick of just about any of the prizes offered. In addition to the gifts he received (not sure where they are going to go, but we are very thankful to have such generous people in our life) he picked out a car track with loops!

We spent all of Sunday playing with his new stuff, especially his Nascar track that takes over the living room and his Gator Golf. Plus we read lots of new stories and played with new puzzles. So much fun stuff to play with!

Spring Funward

Last Tuesday Garrett completed his first session of little kickers soccer. He is having a blast playing and his favorite game is "Hungry Hippos" where each goal is a hippopotomus and he has to remember their names to know which goal to score the ball in.

We just signed Garrett up for another session of soccer and a new activity, T-ball. We have been playing at home, but now we'll try it with a coach and teammates.

Garrett had a wonderful time in Pasadena at the Kids Museum. He got soaking wet while playing with the water toys and enjoyed climbing to the top of a giant stairway.

FYI, Andrea is in the latest Edition of Scripps Magazine. The issue features a long article about the Dance Department which mentions Andrea and her current endeavours.

Weekend with Duncan

After attending the Ice Cream Social at Tutor Time on Friday evening, we took Duncan home to be with Dada and the parakeet, Tommy Bahama, we are bird sitting. We went outside to play with our favorite toys, including the slide, tricycle, scooter and roller coaster. Then, we went for a walk in the "bus". Sophia, our neighbors' pug hoped in to join us on the walk. We spent some time in the patio playing cars with our neighbors, who Garrett calls "Yaya", and their two pugs, "Fafa and "Dala". We made dinner - Garrett's favorite - meatball pizza, which he calls "zaza", and ravioli too. After dinner, we took Garrett to the video store for the first time and let him pick a movie. Duncan and Garrett chose "Happy Feet". When we got home, we put on our pajamas and snuggled on the couch. A few minutes into the movie we decided it was a little scary and fell asleep cuddling instead. We transfered Garrett and Duncan into his new "Cars" toddler bed.



On saturday morning we all snuggled together and then went downstairs to play with "Hama". That is what Garrett calls the bird. After breakfast, we packed up the car and drive down to Orange County. GarreBear (as we call him) and Duncan sat nestled in their car seats and watched Garrett's favorite movie, "Cars". We arrived in Fountain Valley at the classic car show and meet up with Aunt "Dasu" and Uncle "Snuffy". Duncan and Garrett strolled around as we walked through the aisles of well manicured cars. Our favorites were the old fashioned firetruck and police car.

We played in the park - climbing up the jungle gym and sliding down the slide as well as swinging on the swing set. Then, Garrett and Duncan took a nap as we drove farther south to have lunch at Taco Mesa. Aunt "Dasu" treated us to "fro-yo". We went to "Dasu" & "Snuffy's" house to play hockey and introduce Duncan to Daisy, their dalmatian. We went down to the barn to ride the horses - "heheheheeeeee" Garrett says imitating a neigh. Duncan rode "Mai" - short for Mairaush. Garrett fed "Bebe" - short for Briget Bardot. We also had fun chasing after the bunnies and watching the tractors! As we were leaving, we said "Ba-bye" to all of the ants. "Dasu" let us play in her off-roading jeep. Garrett loves to inspect the tires, which are taller than he is!

We drove down the street to "Mormor" and "Papa's" house to go swimming. After lots of splashing and a trip around backyard in the wagon, we took a bath and had dinner. We introduced Duncan to Bella, their italian greyhound, who loves to give kisses. After dinner, Duncan and Garrett played chess and played with the artwork. We love to play with the little glass panda bears and ladybugs. Our favorite was to sit on the statues - "Mormor" says its okay. In fact, it was her idea! Before bed, we introduced Duncan to "Papa's" bear collection. We felt right at home with Papui and the other teddy bears, so he spent the night snuggled with them. "Papa" was ready to adopt Duncan forever, but Garrett firmly told him "No, mine".

On Sunday, we played the piano as a morning wake-up call to the house. We also played with Garrett's "Choo-choo" and relaxed with "Mormor" and "Papa". After breakfast, Garrett took a nap with Duncan and we packed up the car. We drove home to meet "Dasu", "Snuffy", "Daci" and "Nat". We went to "Dada's" martial arts studio and played in the game room (which is filled with trucks) while Sensei taught "Mama", "Dasu", "Daci" and "Nat" self-defense techniques. Garrett took another nap while we drove to Victoria Gardens. We all went out to dinner. Duncan liked that we got to grill our own food at the restaurant. After a delicious Japanese meal, we went to Pink Berry for shaved ice and fresh fruit. It was refreshing! Once we arrived home, we said "Ba-bye" to "Hama". "Dasu" was taking him to his new home. After everyone left, Duncan and Garrett got ready for bed and and we read a few stories. "Ny-nyte!"

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Garrett's a Prodigy (like we didn't know that)

This is ridiculously late! However, a story about Garrett was featured on one of my favorite podcasts Buzz Out Loud, Episode 403 on February 2nd. Despite my tardiness, the episode is still in the RSS Feed if that means anything to you. If you download the file, jump to 32:31 to hear them discussing the email that I sent in about Garrett (I left his name out, but it is him). Or you can click HERE to listen to the section featuring our little prodigy on Podzinger.