Zowie!

Update: The video was originally set as private but I fixed it. Sorry!

Connor has a set of Batman jammies that I bought when I bought his Superman jammies.  Every time he wears them I sing him the Batman theme (from the 60's sitcom).  He's recently began singing along with me.  In fact, the Batman theme is the one and only song he can sing.  He calls it "na na na" and likes everyone to get in on the singing.  I took a video of the performance on a recent car trip.  Check it out.

Ice Cream Social

My friend and sorority sister Katie and her daughter, Emma, recently visited from Minnesota.  Emma is two months older than Connor so we were excited to introduce them. Katie and her family hosted an ice cream social at a park so many of us could catch up at once.  

I loved seeing my sorority sisters and their kiddos.  Connor (and Thomas) had a great time playing with Teresa's son Mateo.  Mateo wanted Connor to be faster and stronger but they still had a good time running and playing in dirt.

The rest of the girls sat around and chatted.  Teresa's sweet baby girl Mikaela was content to listen to us talk. 

I tried to hold her but Connor would run over and claim me ("my Mama") when ever I got near Mikaela.  

Connor and Emma did have fun together, although it's not exactly evident in these pictures. 

 At least you can tell that their mamas were having a great time!

Go Dada!

Thomas has played on a recreational league basketball team for a few years.  Connor finally made it to a game two weeks ago.  They usually play past bedtime so we seized the opportunity to watch an early game.  We were the only spectators but we had fun cheering the team on.  Connor learned to say "Go Dada" and "Go Blue".  He did some clapping and cheering but usually because the spectators on the court next to us were cheering.  He sat relatively still for much of the game and was enthralled with the action. 

He did take some breaks from spectating to try to unplug the score board.  

We picked a great game to attend.  It was a nail biter.  The score was 43-41 (other team) with 17.5 seconds to spare. 

Sadly, Thomas's team (Airball) was not able to rally for a last second win.  Connor was still proud of his Dada and we both had a great time.

Uncle Cliff's

You can tell how long someone has lived in Albuquerque by what they call our local amusement park.  Long timers like me remember when it was Uncle Cliff's, where newcomers know it as it's new,  less creepy name - plain old "Cliff's".  Every year my company hosts a picnic at Cliff's for all employees and our families.  Sometimes they even spring for t-shirts.  This year was exciting for us because we knew Connor would like some of the rides.  As usual, we were surprised and amused by his reactions to things.

We started with the little train or "choo-choo".  It took Connor a while to warm up but he was soon delighted.

Jaimee and Lily rode with us and also had a good time. 

It was really warm so we took a break from rides to enjoy the mist fans.  Almost as fun as a ride!

Connor seemed skeptical of the Merry Go Round at first but asked for "more" as soon as it stopped.  

After two spins around on the horsey, we went to wait for the big kids to ride the log ride.  It was a perfect opportunity for Connor and Lily to be adorable. 

On our way to dinner, we stopped to chat with some coworkers.  Connor insisted on fist bumping (knuckles) each person we spoke with...twice.   Then came the highlight of the evening.  A barbecue dinner. Or, if you're Connor, a watermelon feast with a side of hot dog bun.

He ate three or four of these watermelon slices. I  lost count.  He would have also eaten the rind, but Lily told him "you no eat the green part". The upswing of this feast was the sugar from the fruit reenergized him.   The first after dinner activity was walking with the boys. 

Then as JJ rode the most terrifying ride ever, Connor showed off his "splits" and Lily followed suit. I'm pretty sure I was told to "Mama splits" and was doing my splits while taking this shot. 

We headed back to the merry-go-round for three more rides.  Connor was such a pro by this point, we let him ride solo.  I love Lily watching with interest in the background. 

The last ride of the evening was the helicopter.  Connor was too short to go alone so Thomas crammed himself in there rode along with Connor. 

On our way out of the park, the kids burned off what was left of their energy by chasing each other around this tree.  

It was a fun night and we're all looking forward to going back soon. In the meantime, do you know where I can get a good deal on some watermelon?

Botanic Garden Trip

We took a trip to the Botanic Garden last weekend.  Our first stop was the farm.  It was really hot so the cow was not exactly active.  Connor knows that a cow says "moo". We'd hope he could see it in person but this cow wasn't doing anything but laying in the shade. 

After visiting the farm we took a break by the duck pond.

We were excited for our first visit to the Butterfly Pavilion.  At first Connor was interested in the butterflies...

But then he found the hose.  Connor loves hoses only second to vacuums.  

The pavilion was really lovely.

Connor's favorite spot at the Botanic Garden is the model railroad.  These bird house looking things are buttons kids can push to make the trains move.  This picture would make more sense if I had taken one of the trains, too. 

Our last stop was the Moorish Garden.  Connor loved splashing in the "agua".

We had a lot of fun and were still home by noon!

Water Babies

 We bought a water table to distract Connor while me moved.  We've used it many times since to cool down on hot summer days. We brought it out the first time Jaimee and Lily came to visit.  Connor and Lily had a GREAT time.

Connor and Lily make a great combo.  Lily likes to wet Connor's hair and tell him what to do.  Connor is happy to oblige...

...most of the time. 

Connor's become quite the copy cat.  Lily dunked her hair and he immediately followed suit.

It's lots of fun to watch them actually play together.  They've come a long way since the first time they hung out.  

You can read more about their summer fun and water table adventures here.

Connor's tricks

I took this video in mid-June (almost caught up to the present).  Thomas was worried our home transition would limit us from documenting Connor as he was in late spring 2011.  Luckily, he performed all his best tricks in this car ride - dancing, pointing out Dada and Mama, animal sounds, and saying "buh bye".

Huntah!

We've had the opportunity to babysit our friends' son Hunter a few times recently.  He's two months younger than Connor.  They have a great time together.  Every time the doorbell rings Connor runs to the door shouting "Huntah!  Huntah!"


Here are some pics of the boys having fun.

Memorial Day Weekend

I know I'm way behind on posting.  We've been pretty busy with moving, renovating, and unpacking.  I'll be trying to catch up now that we're mostly settled.  Now all I have to do is find my camera cable. 

We spent Memorial Day weekend in Phoenix celebrating the wedding of our friends Laura and Mike. We had an amazing time. Thomas and Connor spent lots of quality time together while I fulfilled my bridesmaid duties (having fun with my girlfriends mostly).  

Connor looked great for the wedding.  He didn't exactly make it through the ceremony but he was ready to go for the reception. 

I had lots of fun catching up with my sorority sisters.

We all enjoyed the dancing.  

Connor spent most of the reception hanging with the other kids but later he came out to dance.  Here he is watching the flower girls with rapt attention.  The one finger up was his signature dance move in late May. 

He really hit his stride when Daddy got in on the act.

It was a wonderful weekend.  Thank you Laura and Mike for including us all in your special day!