first trip to the ER

On Sunday, a woman at church gave me, what I believed to be sound advice.  Make a deal with your kids to not sustain any serious injuries unless Dad is home.  I thought that sounded brilliant, and Sunday night sat down with Garrett and made the deal.  Monday, Adam was off work, and Garrett thought that was license to convince Bobby to eat his face.  I am starting to think our deal was a poor decision.

We took our first trip to the ER with Garrett yesterday.  Our dog bit him in the face. 

[Now, keep your dog bite comments to yourself.  This was an isolated incident, Garrett and Bobby share in the responsibility and we are keeping a VERY close watch on the dog.]

Yes, that is a blood stain on his shirt.  Thank you Melaluca spot remover- it is gone.

Garrett was a real trooper and bounced back way faster than I did. (Adam was fine.  He was laughing about it by dinnertime.  I went to bed with a stress headache.)  Adam correctly diagnosed me with an inability to shut off the mama bear instinct.

Anyway.  We had a great expreience at the ER.  They checked for any damage to his eyes (super cool procedure by the way!  The doctor put special liquid in and around his eyes, then shone a black light on his face.  Everywhere there was a cut, it glowed neon green.  He looked like an x-man.)  There was none.  They indicated that he didn't need stitches (unless we wanted them done for cosmetic reasons, which we didn't because they would have to sedate G and that sounded way more traumatic).  A snack and Garrett was ready to play.

We just thought you might want to know how our Memorial Day went.

here fishy fishy

Friday was a special day.  Adam took the day off of work, just to be with us.  So, to mark the ocassion, we went to the Long Beach aquarium. 

Garrett seemed to really enjoy it.  He loved watching the fish swim by, although he prefered the tanks that were in well-lit areas.  I think the dark areas were a little much for him to process.  At one point, I walked with him into a little alcove and he had a little freak out.

He loved watching the seals and sea lions play. 

And of course, he loved the petting tanks.  Good thing we have been working on "touch with just one finger" so that Garrett was not the child that grabbed the star fish out of the tank.

a boy and his dog

Garrett and Bobby have a strongly forged friendship based mostly on the sharing of food.  However, they are slowly discovering how to play together.  Garrett LOVES playing with Bobby.  So far, Bobby only humors him for so long.  Beware: cute baby giggles included free of charge.

Tell me what's better

What's better than a night out with the family?

A night out with the family at Downtown Disney!

What't better than a night out with the family at Downtown Disney?

A night out with the family at Downtown Disney and FREE Haagen Dazs ice cream!

Garrett even got his own free cup of Strawberry ice cream.  Needless to say, he loved this evening out!  Who am I kidding?  We all did.

in and out

I do believe that Garrett is in that stage of development where there is literally something new every single day.  He is on the verge of using a whole slew of words, I can feel it. 
He is waving and clapping up a storm.  But, his newest trick is one we probably should not encourage... using the doggy door.
It started innocent enough.  Putting a toy outside, reaching through and pulling it back in.  Maybe a sippy cup.  In and out, in and out.  Wednesday, he figured out how to put himself in and out. 



We had our first traffic jam at the door yesterday.  Garrett was halfway in and halfway out and Bobby was insistent that he be able to go out.  Bobby stood at the sliding door and grunted and huffed until Garrett maneuvered back in the house.

Spring Break family style

I am not one to use the word epic lightly.  Epic is an amazing word, tiny, yet packs a very powerful punch.  You won't find me talking with others and saying things like "That Wendy's frosty was epic!" or "Dude, what an epic car!"  I just can't do it.  To use epic in such a way robs it of its beauty and power.

So when I say this Spring Break was epic, you better believe that it went well beyond a normal week and into an area where legends are from!

Monday

• Story time at the library- Garrett sat quietly and listened to a story and we sang songs and then played with the other kids and a whole bunch of new toys.  It was awesome.

• Massive bump on the head (see previous post).

Tuesday

• Went to kindergym- a raucous romp with kids, play sets, balls, tunnels, bubbles, more songs, rolling down mats, and crawling through rings!  A total blast.

This might just be the cutest video we've ever taken of G.

• In the evening the Halversons came over for a visit.  Garrett and Bryce played.  The parents tried to keep up.

Wednesday

Santa Ana Zoo!

Thursday

• recovery day - I went to swim practice but otherwise we just stayed home and relaxed a little bit.  In the afternoon we went to the park.

Friday

• The best laid plans of mice and men often go askew- and so it went with Friday's plans.  However, we still were able to spend a lovely day with Laina, Josh, and cousin/niece Kaylin. 

Saturday

• Cousin Kay, Aunt Lain, and Uncle Josh left this morning leaving Mom and Dad to relax, clean up, and enjoy remaining hours of workless peace.  Mom and Garrett went to the park and took a walk while Daddy (that's me!) worked, and then fixed the busted sprinkler pipe.  I felt very accomplished buying, cutting, cementing, and completely fixing the pipe that I broke!

And now there is just one more day left before work/school starts back up.  I'm thinking I might call in sick Monday.

First major bump

and it sure was a big one!

The other day, while playing in the front yard, our adventurous son took his first big spill.  He's fallen plenty of times, but this spill left the biggest bump and mark by far. 

Since then he's learned to be much more cautious.  NOT!  The other morning he tried to go head first over the foot railing of our bed.  We have such a wild littel man.