I'm totally freaked out!!!

This scary scorpion walked down the hall and into my bedroom last night shortly after I had just walked that same path barefoot. I'm not kidding in the title of my post, I am totally freaked out. Apparently they are not that common in this area of Texas, but still, there it was, in my bedroom, at 8:30 at night, right after I had just put Oliver to bed. CRAZY!

By the way, I am totally rethinking that "no shoes in the house" rule. I think we are going to have to have inside shoes if these are the types of visitors we will be getting.

Good morning sunshine!

Does Oliver look kind of dazed in the picture??? It could have something to do with the fact that this picture was taken at about 6:30 in the morning and this child doesn't usually wake up until around 9:00. Why in the world would Oliver be up, dressed, and outside at 6:30 am on a Sunday morning you might be wondering. Well, to see the spectacular Plano Balloon Festival, that's why.

We had an amazing time at the festival. We had hoped to go on Saturday evening and see the balloon glow, but Oliver had been feeling a bit under the weather, in addition to cutting the 2nd of his 3rd year molars, and I promised that we wouldn't go if he didn't take a nap. Well, he wouldn't nap, so we couldn't go. This was one time I really wanted to back out of the consequences I set forth. I was so looking forward to seeing the balloon glow, but I knew we had to be responsible parents and keep our promises as well as look out for his health, since he really needed to go to bed early. So Saturday he was in bed nice and early, and then bright and early up the next morning.

We arrived while it was still pitch dark and we lucked out as we were able to see a bit of balloon glow anyway. The Dawn Patrol (night flight balloons) was unable to fly in the dark because of unstable winds, so they gave us a bit of dawn glow. It was awesome! The launch time was scheduled for 7:00 am and it was so amazing to have front row seats to watch these huge balloons inflate, launch, fly and then land again. I can't believe I have lived here for six years and this is the first time I have been to the festival. Surely, we won't miss it again!

Oliver is a little more awake in this one with his cheesy grin that I love so much!

Dawn Patrol Balloon all lit up...so cool!

Last light up before the sun rises

Oliver didn't want his jacket, he just wanted to snuggle with me while watching the balloons. I'm so lucky!

The majority had launched at this point...there were at least 20 balloons that took off around 7am. What a spectacular sight to see!

Oliver at the festival

The festival was like a small fair with tents set up for food and vendors. It was fun to walk around after all the balloons launched. We tried funnel cake for the first time: Oliver didn't like it, and Clayton and I thought it was just okay...so not worth the calories in my opinion.

As we were getting ready to leave, the balloons started landing. The funny thing was that they didn't necessarily land in the original launch field. They were landing at totally random places. This one landed in the parking lot very close to where we parked.

It was a cool experience to see the Remax Balloon deflate and be put away. It is amazing how something so huge, can fit in that small red bag.

We had such a fun family time. I'd love to make this one of our traditions in the years to come.

Oliver loves his "pretend" hot air balloon and I thought this picture was SO SWEET!

some sadness, some happiness, and some love at first sight!

We were so happy when the sun finally came out on Tuesday, that we just had to go outside to enjoy it. We were travelling to the park and I stopped to take some pictures of Oliver.

Our trip was cut short.

I feel really bad about this picture because he is telling me that he doesn't want me to take anymore pictures of him all the while standing on Fire Ant mound. I put my camera away and we start our trek to the park again and Oliver stays behind and says look Mommy. I turn around and he is looking at the writhing ant mound. As I am rushing over, I tell him to hurry and back away because he is going to get bit. And he tells me that they are already biting him. Sure enough they were all over his Crocs and some had gone through the holes. Poor guy. He has three bites on the top of his left foot, one on his middle toe and another on his right leg. Fire ant bites are awful: they sting, they swell, they get a puss head, and then itch for days. Oliver was so sad we ran right home to soak his feet in cold water and put some sting relief stuff on them. Fire Ants are a huge hazard of living in this area!

You can actually see one of the bites on his right leg in this picture. He is wearing his Boomer Sooner socks to distract him from scratching the bites.

On a much happier note, Oliver turned 35 months old today. Only one month left until this little guy is three. Doesn't seem possible!

On a totally unrelated note to this post, Oliver's Halloween costume arrived Tuesday night. I honestly don't know if it will make it to Halloween because it was LOVE at first sight!. It really wasn't made very well and this little guy wants to wear it ALL the time. He loves to make deliveries and really who could resist him when he is the cutest little UPS driver anyone has ever seen?!? :)

Puddle Jumpin'

We have received about four inches of rain over the last four days. Oliver enjoyed jumping in the puddles this morning!

Ace's birthday party at the Ft. Worth Zoo

Despite all the rain we have been receiving, we made it to the Ft. Worth Zoo this morning to celebrate Ace's 4th birthday. He had a fun Batman themed birthday party and the zoo keepers put on a great show with four animals. Unfortunately, we were unable to make it to the zoo afterwards as planned due to all the rain, but it didn't matter; It was still a great party. Happy Birthday Ace!

First the animals...

A real baby Alligator, how cool is that??? We learned that they can grow new teeth to replace broken teeth, over and over and over again.

Parrot. This was Oliver's favorite. Unfortunately I don't remember anything cool about it.

An opossum. Did you know they can't really hang by their tails? Their tail can curl around things and kind of acts like an extra finger, but it can't support their body weight.

Meet Jack, a South African Penguin. It makes sense now, but I had no idea that 60% of the worlds penguins are warm weather penguins.

A video of Jack making his sound

Oliver playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey, unfortunately the Birthday Boy didn't want to play

Oliver counting

Ace opening his presents

Darling baby boy in the balloons

The birthday boy and his awesome Batman cake

Getting set to blow

mmmm, this cake is so yummy!

My fave picture all day...Batman...aka Oliver

Batman Ace

Ace and one of his friends Jaxon. Cute!

What is he doing with that dirt???

Can you see what Oliver has in his dirt?

Take a look. Do you see anything?

Look closer.

It's a worm. Does this gross me out? Not at all. I encouraged it. It took him a while to want to hold it, but soon enough he was playing with it like it was his pet for the next hour.

First free Sat at the Nasher Sculpture Museum

The first Saturday of every month in 2009 is free at the Nashar Sculpture Museum in Dallas. We have wanted to go for a while now, so last Saturday we made our way to it. The event was sponsored by Target and they had some fun things for little kids to keep them interested including: an art scavenger hunt, an artist sculpting, kids crafts, story time in the garden, yoga, etc. We had a nice time.

Got my Daddy. Yep, I'm happy.

The Picasso we liked most.

Seriously, where are these people going? Reminds me of the story "Hope for the Butterflies".

Kind of a morbid piece of art

It was too hot, and way too humid to be outside for long. Oliver didn't want me to leave him on this rock chair to take his picture.

Making his way through some bamboo

Oliver throwing change in the fountain at a building across the street

from above

Do Re Me...

No mistaking this child is mine. I love the Sound of Music. And even though Oliver has only seen clips of the songs on YouTube, I just know he will love it too! Here is the video evidence:

Sugar high = an inevitable sugar LOW!

A few weeks ago, I received a coupon for a free candy bar in the mail. Oliver carried it around and said it was his. So today, after gymnastics, we procured our free candy bar at the grocery store. Oliver was ravenous and against my better judgement, I let him eat almost the entire full size candy bar rounding it off with some banana and whole grain goldfish. Mind you, Oliver does not eat candy except for an occasional M&M. Sweets yes, but I sneak lots of whole grains and vegetables into those when I bake them at home. For the next hour and a half this child was driving me crazy on a sugar high. And if I thought that was bad...the inevitable sugar low rendered him nearly unrecognizable.

The video is near the end of his sugar low. After I stopped recording I fed him a nice healthy lunch while holding him and then he took a much needed nap. Poor guy! We will stick with bite size this Halloween!

Happy Birthday ACE!

Ace invited us to celebrate his birthday with him at the Magic Time Machine this year. The place was huge and was filled with themed booths (we were in a crayon box) and had character waiters (Aladdin waited on us). A good time was had by all.

The cute birthday boy. Hard to believe he is four! Happy birthday Ace! We look forward to his party on the 12th!

Ace, Aunt Tricia & Oliver

I don't know what, but I think I caught Oliver doing something...probably coveting Ace's birthday cookie! :)

Here is a darling one of my little guy!

Why is it that my absolutely not shy in person little guy, is sometimes camera shy??? He would not look at the camera. There are, however, some cute ones of Ace.

He finally looked at me and Ace was done.

Steven & Tricia purchased this picture of our group. I thought it turned out well! Thanks for a great time guys!

______________________________________________________

The restaurant was in Addison, and we decided to check out a popular area nearby called Addison Circle. Right in the heart of a bunch of businesses, restaurants and apartments, there was this awesome little park with a fountain. Bosque Park is absolutely gorgeous and such a nice reprieve from the concrete! :)

Later that same night, I was washing Oliver up after a walk outside and he started singing the ABC's in a really strange/sad voice. I had to get it on video. This guy cracks me up!