What a Wonderful Wednesday!!

Today has been an amazing day to spend it outside with Austin.  I love summer days where you can spend all your time outside enjoying the weather and getting your fill of Vit. D!  Some days are just unbearable to spend it outside without having some sort of pool - either it being an inground pool or a small $9.99 kiddie pool like the one we have!  So today starting at 9am, Austin and I suited up in our swimclothes and headed for a fun-filled day outside! 

filling up the pool

after adding some water - this is a MUST!! 

Jumping in the little puddles while the pool is filling up

We were outside ALL DAY LONG!  It was such a nice, relaxing day.  We were outside by 9am, came inside for bath and nap around 12:30 and then after our nap, which unfortunately was only 1 1/2 hrs due to other reasons,  we went right back outside for more swimming till 6:15pm!  Normally on Wednesdays I also watch my 2 1/2 yr old neice, Trista and my 8 mo old nephew Trevor, but today I didn't since they were sick.  Austin wanted to see Trista so bad - he loves his cousin! - so I was happy to see that there wasn't a rain cloud in the sky.  Austin loves being outside and especially after having almost 2 weeks of craptastic weather - It was very much appreciated!

He's getting better and better at laying down in the water and having the water go over his face.  He used to hate, and sometimes still does, having water on his face and in his eyes but he's getting over it quickly!  Austin even jumped in the pool  a few times - as best he could on his own. . . Mr Independent you know (!!)

We did have a great day, but of course that's not to say we didn't have a temper tantrum or two!  After all, we A.R.E. talking about a 2 year old!  HA!  He was playing around in the pool then went over to the slide and kneeled down.  He stayed there for about 5 FULL minutes.  I'm not sure if he was praying or if he was putting himself in a time out but he was pissed that I went over to him to talk! 

Closer up

"Hello, you okay". . . . and this is the face I get along with some yelling ::)

We had our lunch outside then went swinging on the swings before naptime.  OF COURSE, Red Car had to come along!  Notice Red Car on the seat with Austin in both pictures.  LOL!  (Yes he even shared his "sam itch" with Red Car)

After naptime, we went outside for more pool fun but this time Austin was much more mellowed out.  I'm not sure if it was his short nap or the sun was wearing him out but all he wanted to do was lounge around and play with his cars.

Seriously, all he did was chill and play with his cars.  He didn't want to get out of the pool, just wanted to sit and roll them back and forth.  He cracks me up!

Of course, after our dinner outside we indulged in some Oreos - Austin's favorite dessert! 

W.O.W.!!  He looks so tired in this picture

Another bath to get the germies off!

Then we settled down to watch some TV.  Austin grabbed all of his CARS cars that have been inside all day and settled down to watch . . . .  CARS (what you thought it would be something else?!?!?!) while I turned on the TV to watch one of my favorite summer shows So You Think You Can Dance!  Perfect day, Perfect night!

"A wee bit of heaven drifted down from above- A handful of happiness, a heart full of love. The mystery of life, so sacred and sweet- The giver of joy so deep and complete. Precious and priceless, so lovable, too- The world's sweetest miracle, baby, is you." Author: Helen Steiner Rice

"Oh, Take Me Out To The Ball Game!!!"

For Father's Day this year, I purchased tickets for our little family to attend the Texas Rangers baseball game. A while back Scott bought matching jerseys for Austin and himself and stated that one day he would like to take his son to the baseball game. So it was then that I knew this would be the perfect Father's Day gift!

Heading out to the game

Sunscreen on, Baseball Shades on, Jersey on: Ready to GO!!

After researching online I decided to purchase our tickets in the bleachers section. There are two locations that offer discounted prices for kids 13 years and younger - one being the bleacher section and the other being at the v.e.r.y. top. I was unsure of where to place our seats but in the end decided that the bleachers was the way to go! Man was I right. It was a great spot with an excellent view of the ballfield as well as being kid-friendly.

The area right outside of the bleacher section hosted the kids area with chances to hit a flyball, catch, play "baseball plinko" as well as other games. Of course, Austin was too young for this but just having the area near to walk around if need be to let loose some toddler energy was a great stress reliever for us. However, we didn't need it at all! Austin did phenominal and surpassed all of our expectations - although we had minimal expectations going into this - he amazed us!! 

This cloud deserves its own special mention in our blog.  This beautiful cloud stayed right where it was for the remainder of the time until the sun settled down past the stadium.  WHOOO HOOOO

We arrived around 5:30 so that we could walk around and check out the sites and stores prior to the game starting at 7:05. We also wanted to use this time to have Austin do as much running around and having the freedom all toddlers crave before having to sit in our seats for the game.  Prior to walking out we purchased a Rangers game cup which we filled up with Cherry & Soda ICEE.  OH MY GOSH  Austin attacked that thing!  Ideally it was purchased to share but Scott and I got a big kick out of him going to town that we let the lil man enjoy this moment LOL!

He drank this whole thing in less than 5 minutes!

After we checked out our seats we headed off to check out more sites before the game started.  Austin loved the freedom he had to run around like he did.  The best part and the #1 tip I'd reccommend for ANY PARENT is to go up the escalators - which of course is one of Austin's fav. things to do - and then after walking around go down the ramp to get back to the lower level.  Sounds basic and silly, but it's the perfect location for a two-year-old to run off some steam and get his craziness out before having to sit in one location for too long!!  It's a MUST!   

After running around and checking out the different view points we headed back to our seats for the National Anthem and then for the baseball game to start.  This picture was taken from my seat - WITHOUT using the zoom feature.  I'm pretty impressed!

After about 15 minutes into the game, Austin saw his CARS cars inside the bag I brought.  Upps guess I didn't do a good enough job of hiding them so he insisted on dumping all the ones I brought and positioned himself in his normal "CARS playing' position.  If you're wondering, yes my son is spoiled.  His Amma especially loves to buy him these cars at least once a week.  Lil Man has been hooked on the Movie CARS since Sept and insists we watch it daily - NO JOKE!! 

 He stayed in this position for about 30-45 minutes rolling each car back and forth.  We even had a sweet couple in front of us awe at him.  Apparently they have a grandson the same age as Austin who loves CARS as well!  She started naming off every single one of Austin's cars and he loved it.  After playing with his cars he started complaining about his head - yes Lil Man rubbed a spot on his forehead raw by rubbing it back and forth on the concrete watching his cars roll.  SILLY!  So he sat up and did a number of things while the game went on:  

Played with the water spritzer

Played a few games on my iphone* as well as watched a few scenes from CARS. 

 After all it IS a MUST! 

Had some snacks - Thanks for the tip Emily!!

I packed some raisins, a Strawberry SpecialK bar, Nutrigrain Bar,

 and a fruit snack to keep him occupied.  yes he ate them all LOL 

Watched the surrounding sites.  Yes, those are raisins in his mouth LOL

Observed the Ranger girls propel shirts into our section

People watched

And of course, he watched the game a few times. 

Lil Man especially loved watching the Baseball fly.

Overall Austin did fantastic.  We did leave around 9:45pm, not because Austin was acting out but because Scott needed to get home to take some med s (he hurt himself a few days before this and was on pain meds)  We can't wait to do this again!  I think Scott loved his Father's Day gift and Austin had a great time!  I know I did!

Of course, what's a family outing without going crazy on the camera.  Here are more pictures of the night.  Check them out:

Me and my Lil Man. 

I'm 'cheesin' for the camera and he's actually watching the game

Scott and Austin

I believe Scott was listening to Austin explain the rules to his dada LOL

The next two pictures are my favorites!  The first one was our family photo within the first 30 minutes of the game starting and the last was about 10 mintues before we left.     

Notice the water spritzer droplets on his shades!

*The iphone Apps that are Austin's Favs:

Giraffe's Matching Zoo

Sprout Player

Baby Cortex's Baby Piano Lite

DressChica - Sprout

ABC Phonics

Shapes by Toddler Teasers

All About Aviation

Today Austin and I joined my mom's group to visit the C.R. Smith Museum in Arlington. It is a museum solely dedicated to commercial aviation and in this instance is all about the American Airlines industry.  This museum is a hands-on, window-seat view of the airline world where you can see, touch, and hear all that goes on behind the scenes.   I loved that it was self-directed so we could go as fast or as slow as we wanted.  Here are a few pictures of our time there

When Austin saw these upon entering he screamed, "AIRPLANE!!"  LOL

We watched a 15 min movie about the AA industry from it's conception to present day.  It was actually very interesting!

Learning about aviation via the phones

Austin's favorite part of the museum is seeing the big airplane and being able to climb inside!

Inside the American Flagship: held 21 passengers

The Flagship's cockpit

Of course, it wouldn't be a museum tour with a 2-year-old without a little bit of running around LOL

Music Man, oh Music Man, will you play me a song?

Ever since Austin was first born - heck even in utero - he would LOVE music playing. He'd rock to the beat, sway or tap his feet. Yes even in utero he'd do this, he'd roll and kick especially while music was playing. Like I said in my previous post, Scott and I as well as his grandparents try to foster his love of music. We take him to our church when the Creekside Band is playing, Nonna and I take him to a few local Music playgroups geared towards the younger ages. There are loads of concerts-in-the-parks as well as just making music avaliable for him at home. For example, we play music, some of his toys are musical (ie: his ABC Baby, Fisherprice helicopter that sings songs, etc) and we let him explore the settings (scan button, volume control, etc) on the boombox.

Austin also owns his RockBand style drum set from fisher price that he plays all the time. It's even a MUST when Dada brings out the real RockBand.

We even found a 0.99 cent microphone like Sid The Science Kid , which is one of his favorite shows to watch. He'll even grab his microphone during the intro and dance along with Sid!

So when Scott and I came across a 'real' guitar at World Market a few weeks back we couldn't pass it up. We were impressed it was "ONLY" $19.99. Austin loves that thing!! Here are a few videos of Austin rockin' it out to the beat. Music Man, oh Music Man, will you play me a song?