No Rainy Day Blues Here!

Although we have gotten a lot of rain over the last couple of weeks, I have found ways to have just as much fun inside as I do outside. Don't get me wrong though: I still prefer to be outside. Last Saturday was a really stormy day. Mom, Dad, and I went to lunch, where I drove what I call the "Beep, Beep", otherwise known as the arcade race car. Dad wanted me to drive while sitting on his lap so that he could press the pedals, but of course, I was not having it! As we all know, I am a big girl, and I don't need help...with anything. I insisted on climbing off of his lap, and in the process, I fell and hit my cheek on the car next to us. Usually, I am beyond tough, but this bump really hurt, and I am sure that everyone, all 5 of them, in the restaurant knew it, especially since Mom got a little freaked out and quietly yelled at Dad as she was picking me up off of the floor. After lunch, we headed to Monkey Joe's, which was right next door, and due to the rain, it was a madhouse. I immediately got plowed over by some older boy, which put a bad taste in my mouth. I refused to go in the little kids' jump, jump, so Dad took me down the slides in the big jump, jumps. I wasn't overly enthused with the whole experience; although, I've been to Monkey Joe's before and loved it; I guess it was just a little too crowded for me. I need "wide open spaces..."; that was for you country fans out there. However, I did get to play in the little police car, which was definitely the highlight for me. Cars are my current obssession, especially cars I can drive. It only took about 30 minutes inside Monkey Joe's before I was literally asking to go home; when I want to go home, I just ask for Opie. After nap, I had to get a little creative since it was still pouring. I drug every single one of my diapers out of the basket and made Mom and Dad wear diapers on their heads; making Mom and Dad look silly is pure entertainment in my book. That evening, Dad put together my slide; Grandma is letting me borrow it for the time being. It is the same slide that Mom, Aunt Stephanie, and Aunt Mallory used when they were little. I was so excited that I couldn't even wait until Dad finished putting it together before I was climbing up and sliding down. Pooh and baby have also really enjoyed it; they go down the slide and sit in the fort with me. I'm not sure baby is as thrilled when I hang her off of the side, but I think that it is pretty funny, and that's all that matters. I also like to put my juice cup, diapers, and anything else I can find down the slide. Every other word out of my mouth when I am at home now is either slide or fort. Thanks, Grandma! The rain did keep us from our Boulder Dash 5k this past Saturday, so poop on that, but I'm sure I'll get to stroll in my first 5k very soon - get on it, 'rents!

Come rain or shine, Thursdays are always "happy days", which is one of my new favorite sayings, because I get to go to Gymboree with Lucas. I definitely know what Gymboree is all about now, and I can describe all of the fun activities to Mom whenever she asks; although, when asked what my favorite thing about Gymboree is, I usually say, "Lu-". I do like the choo choo part too. These last two weeks at Gymboree have been awesome; I have willingly and enthusiastically participated in everything! It just takes me a little while to get used to new things; I'm always unsure the first few times I do anything I just need some time to be won over because I pride myself on not being easy. Whenever Ms. Michelle shakes the tambourine now, which signals activity time, I come running. I am usually the first one to do every activity, - waiting in line is not my thing - and when we play with the parachute, blow bubbles, or sing songs, I am always right in the middle doing all of the moves. I especially like popping the bubbles, calling Baby Gymbo with my hands cupped around my mouth, and pretending to ride the goodbye train. All in all, I really like Gymboree now! I even talk about the concepts at home: up and down, high and low, over and under. Two Thursdays ago, Mr. Ben, Lucas' daddy, joined us for Gymboree, and I was just as excited as Luke. I followed Mr. Ben around while frantically waving to him and saying, "Hi, hi." He even took Lucas and me for a ride on the sled and helped me do down the slide on the fur rug. Although seeing Mr. Ben was exciting, the icing on my Gymboree cake is definitely Lu. I talk about him the entire car ride to Gymboree, and we tend to stick pretty close to each other while at Gymboree. We even rocked in the boat while laying our heads on one another this week. Life is much better with my best friend by my side. This week and last week's concept was high and low; we got to go up high on some things and down low underneath others. I played so hard that my cheeks were rosy by the time we left. After Gymboree this past Thursday, Lu and I went to lunch at Taco Mac. We had so much fun sitting in the booster seats and laughing at one another. Lucas made me laugh so hard when he started dipping his Oreo in cheese sauce and eating it - Ewww! I did have a small meltdown when Mom wouldn't let me play with the 'Beep-Beep' in the middle of lunch; however, Luke and I made our way over as soon as we had finished eating to get in some drive time. You can never start practicing too early. In every restaurant with an arcade, we now have to sit as far away from the games as possible because I am obsessed with the 'Beep-Beep'. Sixteen and a license, here I come!

At playgroup this week, which was at our house, baby Jace played in my old excersaucer. Although I never pay any attention to that old thing, I insisted on getting in it and even tried to climb underneath it while he was playing. Every time I see it upstairs now, I beg to get in and play. No one gets to be the baby in my house except for me!

Mom and I have found a great running trail that is not far from the house. Some days we walk with Mrs. Tina and Mrs. Sindy, and on other days, we run the trail just the two of us. We are starting to get pretty fast. I love eating my cereal bar while waving to all of the walkers and dogs we pass. While we were running this past week, Mom looked down to see that I was feeding my cereal bar to my baby; I'm a good mommy. I also really like when Dad runs with us on the weekends.

Last Friday, Mom and Dad were craving sushi, so we drove up to a sushi restaurant off of exit 17 that got some great reviews. I loved it! I ate calamari for the first time, which Mom totally thought I was going to spit out, but instead, I kept asking for more. I also ate a spring roll, a cooked piece of sushi, and some fried rice. Mom even had to order my own Miso soup because I loved it so much. The people next to us were very impressed with my extensive palate. I am starting to get the hang of chopsticks, which I use to spear my food; I'm actually more proficient with them than Mom. During breaks in eating, I like to use my chopsticks to brush mine and Dad's hair. Everyone kept complimenting my cuteness, which might have something to do with the fact that I was the only toddler in the whole place. I even did a cheers with the people behind us when they shouted and drank their sake bombs. I'm totally down with the sushi bar!

This week, Mom and I met Aunt Mallory at the mall for some ladies' shopping time and lunch. Aunt Mal found me a fabulous hat in Lucky; I make everything look great. Then I refused to eat at the food court because of the incredibly distracting carousel, at which I spent 30 minutes pointing and staring instead of eating. After lunch, Aunt Mallory took me on the carousel. There was no way I was going to ride one of those scary horses, so she sat on one of the benches with me. At first, I thought it was awesome, but as it started moving faster, I became more unsure. By the time we were done riding, Aunt Mal had marks on her arm from where I was clinging to her the whole time. Those carousels can be pretty scary! By the way, Mom went out Saturday night to celebrate Aunt Mallory's birthday, and they had a blast. Happy Birthday, Aunt Mal! I hope you got my "Happy Day, Mal" message.

A Few Side Items:
As a quick add-on to my last blog, the balloon you got for me, Aunt Steph, makes a great footrest in the car, so thanks!

I have a new favorite game; I like to get up on Mom and Dad's bed, lay my head on Dad's pillow, pull the covers up to my chin, and snore, like I am asleep. I think I'm pretty funny. Mom cannot keep the bed made nowadays; just give up already, Mom.

I've decided that I prefer bubble baths; I love to make a bubble beard and wipe bubbles on Mom's face. I also really like to drink the bath water so that Mom will say, "Ewww, gross!"

So, we finally got out the potty, which I think is my own personal chair. I sit on it like I am reclining in a Lazy Boy. Our first attempt at using the potty didn't quite go as planned. I sat on the potty for quite sometime before standing up and peeing on the floor right in front of it; I don't want to dirty my new throne! Thanks for NOT taking pictures, Mom.

Did you know that I am Luke's sweetheart and that we are going to sail away in his boat? Just watch...

One last thing, I talk constantly now, and I mimic everything Mom says. Life has definitely gotten interesting; oh, and, "Ewww! Pee-U!"