Ready to Teach

In a little over a week I will once again be in the routine of sporting a white shirt and tie in front of spiritually famished youth. Fortunately Parker is excited and apparently is liking the tie aspect of it. Atleast it would appear so as he recently wants me to tie some ties for him to wear around. Personally I think it fits him, in fact, he just may come in handy in about a week or so!

Pollywog

When I took swimming lessons in Ohio we would advance to different levels based on our swimming abilities. For some reason becoming a dolphin or a whale was highly sought after. Unfortunately I seemed to never advance to far and can only remember my days as a "pollywog". After spending a Saturday with Parker at the swimming pool and watching him "dive" into the swimming pool it was clear to me that we don't have a "pollywog" in our midst but a budding dolphin. Keep your eye on the olympics and hope that "cannonballs" become an Olympic event and know that it all started as a mere "pollywog".

2nd Home

Fully equipped with water slides and fountains, the Emery Aquatic Center has become Parker's second home this summer. Mom has been good to take Parker for a "splash" and the frequent visits have resulted in a mean farmers tan that makes his father proud.

Parker Parade

As we sat on South Temple in Salt Lake City this weekend watching one of the greatest parades in the nation, it was great to remember the legacy we have and that we are indebted to the pioneers who sacrificed so much for us. Though we admired the creativity of the floats and awed at the many dignitaries that waved their way past us, it was all for Parker and his birthday. Atleast, that is what Parker must be thinking.

In Parker's mind he was able to wave to President Uchtdorf of the First presidency. For Parker, the many horses who galloped past were merely putting on a show for him. The floats with the royalties? Just future prospects for marriage who strutted their stuff for future pursuit of him. Parker had the pleasure of band after band providing live music for his dancing skills. Even a BYU float snuck in despite the divisive tension that exists in family.

And so we beg the question, was the parade for Parker? Not to the thousands of others who stayed the previous night in order to get a good seat, nor was it just for Parker. Not for the people across from us who celebrated every participant in it, even the pooper scoopers. Even those who squirmed at the sight of a "Y" going down the heart of Salt Lake would claim it was for the pioneers. But for Parker? Yes, it was a surely a parade for Parker. A parade I believe even the Pioneers would approve of.

President Uchtdorf gives us a wave

Parker giving waves to dignitaries and floats as they pass by

The parade had its fair share of horses which were always a hit

Parker with his uncle Dustin and cousin Carter

Rodeo and Woody

Last years birthday at the baseball game

This years birthday at the Rodeo

For last years birthday party we took Parker to a baseball game and fireworks. This year we "cowboy'd up" and took him to the Days of 47 Rodeo in Salt Lake with family. Parker was in horse heaven as he saw horse after horse pass in front of him. It was an enjoyable time for all and we were able to leave with a greater appreciation for the "game of Rodeo" as they call it. Parker came away with a little more as he was riding off into the sunset with his new stick horse that he affectionately named "Coco" and was later modified by his cousin Carter as "Loco Coco". The only thing missing was Woody, but who needs Woody when you got Buzz and trust me Parker got his "Buzz" experience!

Parker's First Job

Parker is now officially employed and making income. Perhaps he is breaking a few child labor laws but Parker made his first $1.50 over the past few days for making sure "Coco" (a neighbor's horse) had water every day. This "work" resulted in more play than anything as Parker loved going over to see "Coco" the horse. Who knows, maybe a horse trainer or a jockey may be in his future, and who knows maybe $1.50 is just the beginning of many a winning's at the race track. In the meantime we will put it in the bank and take him over to see Coco more often if this is how he is going to be rewarded

A new discovery

Feeling like a neglectful mom today, I decided to try something new. I hopped on the computer and pulled up some recipes for homemade play dough. As you would guess, many sites came up, so I just grabbed the first one and went for it. Parker was excited even though he didn't know why, but I was excited so I guess it rubbed off. Anyway, I let him pour in the ingredients and we started mixing. We added a little too much water and the consistency was a little too sticky. As you can tell.

I cleaned up what he had flung around everywhere, washed him off and then added a bit more flour to make it a little less sticky. That is when the fun began. I hid some dice and let him find them. He thought that was pretty cool once he found them, and then he would have to hide them again. After being a little bored with that I started making balls for snowmen, and then rolling them out to make snakes. Once he heard snake, that is what he was stuck on from then on. He wanted me to keep making snakes of all sizes.

I am glad we could have a little fun and liven things up a bit for once in the house. I need to not be so boring all the time and let things go to spend more time like this with Parker before this time is gone. I had fun and I know he did too! If you have any fun/creative ideas to do with a two year old send them my way. I will gladly take more suggestions!

Worth Every Penny

There are moments in life that are worth every penny. It doesn't matter what the cost, what the sacrifice, for "that moment" is to be treasured. I just had one of those "moments" as I was finishing up mowing my lawn when to my excitement I heard the enlightening tunes of the ice cream truck. I scooped Parker off the lawn and made for the piggy bank inside the house. Having successfully secured sufficient coinage we went to the "music trukkk" and purchased summer's sweetest treat and together ate our popsicles on the front porch. The brief conversation that ensued was pleasant:

"Parker, how old are you going to be?"

"Tuu"

"Are you going to see some horses for your birthday?"

As if there were no doubt in his mind he replied, "Horses!!!!"

Having completed our popsicles and bonded as father and son, we went back to work in the yard, looking forward to another summer moment such as this, a moment that not even pictures can do justice to (but here are some pictures anyway)

Birthday Blowing Practice

With just under a month away from Parker's second birthday we thought we would give him some candle blowing practice (courtesy of Melissa's birthday muffins a few days ago). From what you will see we might be calling the Fire Department over for his birthday.

Buzz on Bigscreen

For Parker Buzz is already larger than life, so it was time for Parker to see him that way. With Buzz hat proudly in place we ventured to the Price theater for Parker's premier big screen experience. Rolling out the red carpet for the occasion was myself, Melissa, and Grandma Vicki.

Not exactly Siskel and Ebbert but here is Parker's review of his first movie:

* Enjoyed when "Bullseye" made an appearance as he yelled out "horsie"

*You got to have someone to hold on to. He spent the whole movie from one person to the next.

*Clearly Buzz lightyear should be up for an oscar as he loved everything Buzz did

*The credits were great to dance to.

All in all, two thumbs way up - to infinity and beyond actually!

Who Ever Said Loose Skin Was Bad?

From the time Parker was a tiny baby he has seemed to find some skin to soothe him.  When he would nurse, he played with the skin on my neck.  As he has grown he has found new spots to soothe him.  The first was the loose skin on the elbow, then it became the ear, and the most frequent is the knuckle skin.  It is crazy to me how this fetish has evolved.  I think it is time to put it to a halt.  It has been something we thought was cute and laughed at quite a bit at as he found even perfect strangers knuckles soothing.  I think he is becoming a little too dependent and the skin thing.  It is cute though as he sucks his tongue and rubs the knucks or the ears, but I really don't want it to last forever!  

He's a goer, but when he falls, he falls hard!

Parker is so busy and constantly into everything! And I mean everything.  He is definitely testing his limits and mine!  He is so fun to watch and see what new object or maneuver he might discover.  The other day I heard him whining and yelling for me.  I was in the middle of doing something and took my time to get to him.  As I followed the sound of his whining, I found him just like this in the kitchen.  I couldn't stop laughing, despite his crying, and ran to get my camera. This is the only shot I could get before he figured out how to climb out. 

As hard as he goes, he falls harder when he is tired.  He wants to be up and into everyone's business so much that it wipes him out.  Recently, we have been able to capture a few sweet sleeping moments and remember how precious he truly is!

You know he's tired when Parker picks sleep over food!

I guess I crash just as hard!

Comfy place with Grandpa Carl