Rice Festival

This past Saturday I read on facebook how some of my friends were going to various festivals around Houston and thought, "hey, Dexter is old enough now, we should go to a few this fall too. Hey, why not even go to one today?"

Since it was 4pm, we needed someplace close.  The closest festival was Katy's Rice Festival.  We packed up the boys, forgot to stop for cash (that's ok, I just stood for 20min outside the festival while Sander went in to find an ATM...), and away we went.  It was really fun to do something spontaneous and Dexter had a wonderful time.

 As you can tell from his smile, the bus/shuttle ride was the best part of the festival for Dexter.

 Dinner...on a stick

 First carnival ride!  I wasn't really a fan, but he watched the cars for so long and really, really wanted to go...

How could I say no?

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Keeping Dexter Occupied

Going out to eat with a small one isn't always the easiest, especially when that small one is Dexter. We went out to brunch for Sander's birthday a few weeks ago and actually had a really great time. Here is the list of what makes for a successful time out with our little guy:

• Sitting outside, preferably near a busy street so he can watch the cars drive by
• Bringing the sippy cup that allows him add a straw extension...lots of time spent opening the straw from the wrapper, figuring out how to get it into the sippy cup's straw, etc

• Small cookies that come with your coffee, so you can reveal a "special treat" as you wait on the real meal to come

 

• Hope someone brings a dog with them and that they sit really close 

Ta DA!  A fun and somewhat leisurely brunch will ensue. 

*by the way, if you are in the Houston area and want to try a great brunch, go to Empire Cafe on Westheimer inside the loop.  Afterward you can run by the Guild Shop...I can't think of a more perfect way to spend a leisurely morning.

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Happy Birthday!

Sander had his birthday this past week. I can't say we really had a great chance to celebrate (I love to make a big deal out of family birthdays!) due to the move, but we did the best we could. Sander was exhausted as he was up till 1:30am the night(morning?) before his birthday moving all the final things out of our old house, then had to sit in the 2nd day of a tedious meeting. He finally got home at 7:30 after a few more runs by the old house. Plus, we had the painter that day and he decided he wanted to paint the kitchen right as I was trying to finish the elaborate cake I was making. It was a race against the painter to get it done.

If you're interested in the cake, it is from the cookbook Baked Explorations.  It is the pistachio cake with honey buttercream icing.  The icing is made with a cooked flour and milk mixture that makes the buttercream much more stable and oh so delicious!  Honey and pistachios are both some of Sander's favorite foods, so it was fun to try a new cake.

We had a simple meal since all my time went into the cake, but it was a nice and relaxing end to a busy day for both of us.

Dexter was really into the birthday this year since he just had his.  He wanted to open all the presents himself and blow out Sander's candle.  I ended up wrapping one of his current toys in a bag and that did the trick -- he was thrilled and thought he had his own present!

My first three layer cake.  It wouldn't fit under the cake saver so we had to smush a little...oh well.  Still tastes great!

Jumping in and enjoying all the post-present wrapping paper.

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Happy 2nd Birthday, Dexter!

Day 1

Day 365

Day 730



Dexter, I can't believe it has been 730 days since you were born. To be honest, it is hard to remember a day you weren't a part of our family.  We love you dearly and can't wait to see what this next year brings.

Right now here are a few of your favorites:

Favorite animal: Dog/Penguin (Tacky to be exact)
Favorite food: Hummus!
Favorite drink: Milk
Favorite thing to do with Daddy: "Hook" -- swing from his arms
Favorite thing to do with Mommy: Play with toys on the floor or read
Newest words: Whatever word was said last
Newest skill: Putting more complicated puzzles together/ making 2 and 3 word sentences
Favorite comfort item(s): Blanket and pacifier
Favorite outdoor activity: Playing in a bucket of water
Favorite Song: Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts, or Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Favorite Book: Where the Wild Things Are/His baby book/Tootle/Ooops!
Movie: Cars
TV Show: Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends

You are changing and learning new things all the time.  Each day we get to know you a little better.  One thing you constantly amaze us with is your growing sense of humor.  You seem to want to entertain us, anyone you meet, and of course yourself, at every turn.  The one thing you do now that always makes mommy laugh, even though she never lets you know, is take a drink and then let it dribble out of your mouth as you look around and laugh really loud. 

Sometimes you are still shy around new children, other times you decide to entertain them all and make fast friends with everyone. 

You love your time with Ms. Donna at the church nursery and Ms. Janice at Clay Road Mother's Day Out.  You usually just strut right into class without looking back and have even cried when I came early because you still wanted to play.

You have changed so much over this past year.  You took your first steps at your 1 year birthday party, and now you run, jump with both feet, walk backward, and climb the ladders at the playground.  You can even ride a scooter!

We love you Dexter!!  We are so happy you are part of our family.

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