Happy Birthday Daddy

 HaPpY bIrThDaY........ So what does the typical family do, to celebrate a birthday that falls on a National Holiday? Well, we celebrated ALL weekend long.  We started out with a Date Night on Saturday night. Yep, that's right we had a night out on the town (and Grandma wasn't even in town) we've got a little arrangement with a Mom in our playgroup, where she watches Hunter one night a month, and I watch her son one night a month. So it's been really nice, to get out and see a movie or two, have dinner where we're not worried about what the next item Hunter is going to throw and who it might hit. Love the little guy to pieces, but sometimes eating out is more work, than it's worth.  So as I was saying, Greg and I started the weekend with a date. The movie choices were horrible, so we just decided to go to dinner. Since it was Greg's birthday weekend, I let him pick the place.  A little scared before we even got there, and totally freaked out when we got there. I bet you can't say," you've eaten dinner in a restaurant all by yourselves" well, we can. The only people in the entire place, for most of our dinner. Scary thing is, dinner was really good. A little Greek hole in the wall (literally)

 Then on Sunday after church, Hunter took Daddy to Chuck E Cheese for lunch. It was such a great afternoon, watching Greg and Hunter interacting with the games.  The life sized Chuck E was alittle over whelming for Hunter, but overall I think both Daddy and Hunter had a great time.

 Not to sure of the moving ride we put Hunter on.......

 watch out Jeff Gordon, Hunter Garvey is coming for you.........

 Monday (Labor Day) was the "big" Birthday Day..... We spent the morning at the park. Unfortunately, I had a heart stopping fear that I lost the camera. Apparently, I took it out of the diaper bag the day before and stuck it on the dryer under some clothes. So at the park, I tore apart the bag, looking for the camera and was really thinking it had fallen out of the bag while we were at Chuck E Cheese. So no pictures of the park. However, Greg got a true taste of just how active and fearless our son has become. He was running laps around the park chasing after him. Hehehehehehehehe :)

 Daddy posing with his Birthday cake, that Hunter picked out from Baskin Robins. (he really did pick it out)

Yep, the cake and ice cream was good...... Happy Birthday Daddy, I love you !!!!

Fire Trucks

 What little boy doesn't love big fire trucks.... We had the opportunity to visit a local Fire Station with our Playgroup. Although, it was set up ahead of time, when 20 toddlers and their mom's show up- it's bound to throw a few stunned firemen into a frenzy of sorts. They started the tour with fire safety. yes, that is important to teach at some point. But all our little ones wanted to do, was climb on the truck. So after a few awkward moments, the guys gave up and inviting the kiddos to climb in and on the truck. It took Hunter a few minutes to warm up, but once he did it was on like Donkey Kong.  Again, No fear !!!!

 Hunter sees something rather interesting and is telling the fireman "look over there"

 The big thrill - driving the big truck. I think we climbing around in the cab a least a dozen times. Very interesting to see actually see the inside of the trucks and their living quarters. ( really nice station for the guys-they have a dream kitchen)

 Taking a rest on the back of the truck.... It was soo HOT that morning after the tour we had planned to go to the park for some play and a picnic. But after about 5 minutes at the station, we all voted No park or picnic. We are so looking forward to the days when we can actually get outside and play again. Several mornings, I thought maybe we'll go swimming, but it's even to hot to do that. Ugh.....

As we were finishing our tour of the inside of the station, a call came through and we had to rush out with the guys (rather comical moment watching 20 mom's rounding up their not so happy, screaming babies and running out of the garage to watch the truck leave) But a great way to end the tour, lights and sirens and few good honks of the horn as they drove off. Big Big hit for all that attended. 

Fun Times in The Garvey House...

 How did this happen..... Our Peanut is growing up way to fast. Before bath time each night, we've been putting Hunter on his "big" boy potty just to get him use to it. WE actually got a surprise pee pee moment (he went in the potty) we all did the happy dance, but know we are a long way from no more diapers. But on a positive note, if you say "Give mommy and minute to go potty" he runs to the bathroom door and bangs on it until you open it.

 Our big boy !!!!!

 100 % Boy, this little one has NO fear of anything (except when someone coughs or sneezes) Our first outing with the playgroup after being cooped up for a month and half was to a petting farm. Hunter had no fear of the animals or feeding them. Although, it was soooo stinking hot that morning we still had a great time there. This baby goat took a special liking to Hunter and followed him around the whole time we were in the pen.

 This is what a Texas Snow Bunny looks like......our little model is sporting a super cute winter coat, bright green shorts and mommies flip flops. Yep, this Texan is ready for some snow !!!!!

Peek-A-Boo, I see you....... (look at all those teeth)

17 Fun things about our 17th month old

Playing inside his toy box

1. Tips the scale at 23 pounds
2. Is 31 inches tall
3. Has 8 teeth ( 4 on top, and 4 on the bottom)
4. Loves his plastic spoons and Tupperware bowls (favorite toy, at least this week)
5. Has to watch Cat in The Hat while eating breakfast every morning
6. Favorite foods: Ham, mac and cheese, blueberries, strawberries, grapes,green beans,cream of wheat, mini wheat cereal
7. New foods: chicken, tomato's drizzled with vinegar, raw broccoli, mashed potato's and broccoli
8. Empty boxes will entertain for hours
9. Has become great friends with Shelby, and has a love/hate relationship with Sierra
10. Loves his musical toys (drum,shakers)
11. Washes his hands in the sink before meals
12. Loves Elmo and Big Bird
13. Can climb on the furniture
14. Can say " NO"
15. Loves Balloons
16. Likes to be outside
17. Can sign "please, milk and more"

Playing with his trains (notice the plastic spoon)

Sitting in the rocker, reading his favorite book while holding his plastic spoon 

Eating pudding is a dirty job, but someone has to do it !!!!!

10 Fun Photos

 1) Hunter and I stopped at a Garage Sale a couple of weeks ago and he went crazy when he saw the Popper. So for $1.00 I thought this is a good deal. What was I thinking????? He truly does love this toy, but the noise will drive you crazy in a matter of a few minutes. And now he loves to chase the dogs with it.

 2) Playing out in the water, Hunter discovered the dog's water bowl and had a blast splashing around in it,seemed he preferred it more than his water table.

 3) Wasn't sure what he would do with the hose, but he loved it... We all got soaked (me and the dogs) ... I guess we looked a little hot to Hunter. Thanks Baby for thinking of us

 4) And what's a toddler to do, when there is something that looks interesting. Climb up on it, and have a seat. That's right, he's sitting in his water table.

 5) Couldn't resist this picture. We were heading inside for lunch, when he got away from me and headed back for one more dunk in the dog's water bowl.

 6) The drawer under the stove, was a favorite place for Hunter to play. Until he started climbing inside the drawer. So I had to play "Mean Mommy" and duct tape the drawer closed during his nap. The picture above is Hunter's first attempt at opening the drawer after it had been taped.

 7) And this is the melt down that occurred  after several attempts of pulling the drawer open.

 8) Several weeks ago Hunter was exposed to Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. Our play group canceled most of the activities for a while, and those who were exposed were asked to stay home for a least a week.  We thought we were going to get lucky, as Hunter was the last one to actually get it. Above is a picture of the rash that he broke out with last week, since then he's gotten a few blisters, but doesn't seem to be bothered by it at all. Pretty sure this virus is worse on the parents than it is one the kids. We're going on week 3 of being cooped up.

 9) This is what 5 minutes alone in the playroom looks like. Our little "tornado" sure can do some pretty good damage in very little time. 

10) Went to put something in the fridge, and turned around to find this....... I guess he was done with lunch, and just chilling out before nap time.