Big Red Ball

 we've been spending every waking moment possible outdoors, visiting parks and playgrounds and farmer's markets.   When we're out G never fails to spot the one other child with a ball and attempts to make friends (purely for getting his hands on that ball).  So we decided to let him be the envy of the playground and got him his own big red ball. 

ooooo ishhh!

after watching a few nature documentaries and seeing G's excitement over fish, we decided to take him to the aquarium and let him see them up close.....

 pettin the sharks

 petting stingrays (aka splashing in the water)

eating his own fish in the elevator

Mega Missile

this is what happens when daddy orders the popsicles..........

First Biff on the Sidewalk

England Highlights Thus Far

As usual, our trip to England has been a whirlwind of family events, visiting friends, getting over jet-lag, and cramming in a bit of sightseeing on top of it all.  We leave tomorrow for Dublin for two nights and then finally back home to the good ol' USA.  I'm definitely not looking forward to a jet-lagged 15 month old, so I'm hoping G recovers as well as he did coming over to England. 

Because its late and I still have to pack I'll let you enjoy our England experience through the media I love best....pictures!

at a cousin's wedding, and yes my husband is wearing a kilt (skirt)

Ivan and I at the top of the 

Cathedral in Liverpool

the spot where Anne Boleyn lost her head in the tower of london

G, walking along the canal, with his grandma

we spent hours on the beach with G and his nana

The beautiful countryside of North Wales

the ruins of Conwy Castle

G vs. the Watermelon

G - 1     Watermelon - 0

Random Thoughts from Today

• G is walking now, started about two weeks ago and everyday he's getting more and more confident.  There is nothing better than having him walk across the room to me with a big cheesy grin on his face.  What amuses me now is that a few weeks ago I never thought he'd walk, now I'm just worried that with all this walking his little thigh chub will melt away :(  I've taken to kissing and blowing raspberries on the back of his chubby little knees every chance I can get.

• For the first time today I actually seriously considered getting a tattoo, I've always been open to the idea but never had anything worthwhile to permanently ink my skin.  I'll have to ponder it a bit more and see what the husband thinks :)

• My brother and sister in law introduced us to a new addiction while we were down in Indiana "Shaun the sheep"  a cartoon made by the creators of Wallace and Gromit, great for both kids and adults and G is completely addicted.  He recognizes Shaun (the sheep) on the computer screen from a mile away and will start bouncing and dancing the second he hears the theme song (which by the way has been stuck in my head for the last two weeks!) I highly recommend you take a peek :)   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBVSMReUXJ4&feature=grec_index

• G had a complete meltdown in the grocery store today, I was totally "that mom" with the crying wailing child in her cart.  Darn kid cried all the way from the dairy aisle to the checkout and through the parking lot, I was ready fight him tooth and nail to get into his car seat but he went in peacefully and promptly stopped shrieking, apparently he just didn't like sitting in the cart.  sigh 

• aaaand because I can't seem to post without putting up some pictures, here are a few of our trip to the beach this last week. 

 G's 1st time in the ocean

he loved it! (despite that look on his face)

off to play in the sand