Little Boots Rodeo

My lil' buckaroo and I went to a cute little festival called the Little Boots Rodeo over the weekend.  As soon as we drove up, he started yelling, "Monkey!" I have no idea what he thought was a monkey, but he got really excited!  We started out at the petting zoo where we played with the goats, a cow, a donkey and random other animals.

Connor ran right up to them, started petting their backs, and squealing.

The little baby goat was adorable!

As we walked around, we did all the activities that Connor was old enough for.  One of his favorites was riding the "horsie."

We also stopped at the Oscar Mayer weinermobile for a few photos.  Mommy had never seen the weinermobile either, so it was a first for both of us!

We watched some older children go on the carousel and it was clear that Connor wanted to go on as well after he tried to run in the exit door.  I bought us a ticket and we got on for the next ride.  This was his second carousel ride, but he still seemed a little nervous about it.

About halfway through, he started saying, "All done!" but the ride wasn't over.  I got on the horse behind him to try to make him feel better and we made it through the rest of the ride.

Silly selfies while we had a snack!

We went back to the petting zoo 3 more times because he loved it so much!

This event was so much fun for both of us and I hope we go again next year!

Picnic in the Park

Our neighborhood does a Picnic in the Park every summer with activities and fun for the families that live there.  I used to go when I was younger, so I was excited to take Connor this year.  The activities have evolved and gotten much more fun since I was a kid, so they even had a bounce house and giant slide for them.  Last year, Connor was too young to play, so he just crawled around on the grass and people-watched.

This year, he got to join in the fun!  He was a little nervous to get in the bounce house, but I went with him and he quickly figured out how fun it could be.

No matter how often I tell him to "sit like a big boy" on the slide, he goes down like this.

His favorite activity was the giant slide that we went on together.  It's quite a workout for Mommy to climb up while carrying a heavy little kid, but his smiles were worth it!

A special park

Sunday was the perfect day to drive over to a very special park.  This park is important to Mommy because it was one of my favorite parks when I was growing up.

Although the playground equipment has changed several times throughout the years...

...one little landmark has stayed the same!  

The lion fountain!

I made a point to take a lot of pictures next to it because it was such a great memory for me.  Surprisingly, Connor knew just what to do when we walked over to it.  No water came out, but who cares? It's too cute!

After a tiring & hot morning at the park, we stopped for lunch at a little bagel deli where Connor pigged out on his grilled cheese, fries, and cold milk.

Our Week

Just hanging out in my Bumbo and eating applesauce...

Trying on Daddy's shoes...

Playing with bubbles on a warm evening...

...and spilling the entire bottle 3 seconds later!

Playing at the park!

Hand-in-hand with Daddy on the walk home...

Eating a granola bar and wearing mis-matched clothes! (This bugs Mommy, but he got his shorts dirty at daycare that day.)

His first ride in the "car" in the shopping cart~

Silly selfies!

Mini Ice Cream Cone

This new dessert from Trader Joe's was a huge hit!  It's the perfect size for Connor's little hands!

He ate the whole thing and left a cute chocolate mustache on his face!

22 months!

Mr. Connor is quite the big boy!

22 Month Stats:
Weight: ?  Height: ?

22 Month Milestones:

• Trying to be more independent by wanting to buckle his own car seat, buckling his highchair, sitting on the (closed) toilet, helping to carry things around the house, etc.

• His weekday morning routine consists of:
woken up by Mommy, play in Mommy & Daddy's bed until Daddy wakes up, run to bathroom and yell, "Teeth! Teeth!," makes Daddy brush his teeth at the same time, give one of us his toothbrush when he's done, play around while Mommy chases him to get dressed, when Daddy gets out of the shower, put on deodorant and cologne with Daddy, give Mommy a kiss and hug, say "I love you" to Mommy, wave bye-bye to Mommy.

• Loves helping with cleaning in any way he can!  He loves to push brooms around and use rags or paper towels to wipe up.  He says, "Messy!" when something spills.

• Favorite foods right now: cheese, banana (nana), grapes, pouches, granola bars, yogurt

• Fascinated with fans and loves to point out all the ones in our house

• Will sometimes get our attention and bring us over to a light because he wants us to turn it on

• Talking up a storm!  New words he's been using include: inside, fan, messy, cereal, snake sound (sssss), cup (bup), elephant (emfant), mee mah (mine?)

• Went on our second family vacation to New Buffalo, Michigan where he took his first train ride and played on the beach for the first time

• Recognizes foods that are hot and will say, "Hot!" and blow on them

• Went for his check-up at the ENT and hasn't had an ear infection in 4 months!

• It took 6 months, but he has finally warmed up to the giant sock monkey and rapping Mickey toy.  He asks to see them and will kiss them, give them hugs, and dance with them.

• When anyone gets undressed, he yells, "Nakey time!"

• Begs to go outside before and after dinner every night.  He will go get Mommy and Daddy's shoes from the hall and bring them to us so we take him out.

• Loves baths and will run to the bathtub for his "bath dance."  He tries to pull on his clothes to get them off and then will "put them away" in the closet laundry basket after we take them off. 

• Plays outside twice a day at daycare and is getting a little tan from all the sun!