We visted a couple parks on Memorial Day Sunday, including the Ashland park. Kieran was very excited to discover a toad- his first toad experience ;)
I spy, with my little eye...
A great big toad!
This is the same rocking-rocket that was at the park when I was a kid- with a new paint job
Dad and Kieran in the sandbox
Hanging out in the log fort
My failed attempt to take a picture of the two of us in the log fort!
We also visited the Hartsburg Katy Trail to try out Kieran's Radio Flyer.
As you can see, Kieran didn't stay on his tricycle- he prefers to push it or have one of us push it while he explores!
Walking down the trail, exploring...
This is Kieran Memorial Day Monday morning at breakfast- as you can see he decided he needed a yogurt facial ;)
So sweet- literally!
Trying to get his sticky hands on Grace- she was having none of it.
"Choo-choo!!"
I love him in these sleeping pants- so cute!
This is Kieran at the Memorial Day parade- he wasn't too impressed and so we didn't stay too long.
Koshka enjoying our newly fenced back yard
The dogs checking out Kieran's wading pool- sadly they were a lot more interested in it than he was... he wouldn't step foot in it!
Mommy and Kieran in Jeff City at the train station. We went to see the historical #844 train which stopped a couple days here in mid-MO.
Daddy and Kieran admiring the enormous steam engine.
Kieran was in awe of the this monstrous train- he could barley take his eyes off of it!
This picture gives you an idea of just how big this train is- HUGE!
One of Kieran's favorite parts of the visit- watching a DVD of the train running on the tracks! We bought Kieran a wooden train whistle, like the one his dad used to have and then we all went to Hot Millions Bistro to try out Jeff City's new Indian restaurant.
Here is Kieran in his highchair after an early dinner. You can see he is in his swimming attire, which never was put to its intended use ;) This is what happens when Kieran refuses to nap and mommy refuses to drive him around so he will sleep- he passes out!
Daddy transfered KP to the couch so he could grab a few evening z's- but not too many- as nite-nite time was just around the corner!
The world didn't end this month (as was predicted but some religious fanatic), but school did! May 27th marked the end of our school year and the beginning of summer break- hoo ray! It was a busy month, filled with year-end activities at work and lots of mini-adventures for Kieran and family. We visited local parks, played in puddles (there have been a lot this spring on account of all the rain), took shelter in basements from the threat of tornadoes, (this has been a nasty weather spring), hung out at Grandma/Grandpa's house with cousin Presley and auntie Shannon, watched lots of cartoons (Ratatouille and Toy Story 3 are the favorites at the moment) and generally had a lot of fun despite all the hustle-bustle and yucky weather!
Kieran had a first today, which happens to be Rick's 33rd birthday, he pooped in the potty (Kieran, not Rick ;)! It was really a fluke and I am not sure we will be able to repeat this success any time soon- but it was exciting none the less! So the story goes like this... Kieran and I were driving back home from a busy morning spent playing at nana/papa's house and then shopping downtown for daddy's birthday. We were nearing the house when Kieran began his tell-tale grunting and straining, followed by, "Poo-poo stinks!" I figured he had already gone, he was sort of stinky too, and so changed him as soon as we got in the door. I was surprised to find a clean diaper but noticed something coming down the pike, so to speak. I asked Kieran if he would like to go poo-poo on his potty and he said, "yes!" He sat there a few moments and wanted to get up so I distracted him with a cup of water and he stayed and just as he was getting ready to get up again- Viola! Splash down! He seemed a little surprised and made a big mess too standing up too soon- but he did it and we made a big deal about it too! Too soon to say if we will be able to convince him to do it again- but at least we have taken one step in the right direction towards potty-training! Way to go Kiearn!
For mother's day, Kieran got a gift! We decided he's ready for a tricycle- at least the type that can be powered by mom or dad. The handle can push and steer but can also be removed when Kieran is ready to pedal it for himself. He loves to ride and push it equally well!
The mom's on mother's day with the kiddos- here we see the beginnings of would prove to be quite a toddler-show-down over who should be able to ride the tricycle. Kieran is not too keen on sharing just yet- but who can blame him? That Radio Flyer is a pretty sweet ride!
"Where should we go first?!"
After a lovely mother's day dinner the kids had a bath and then played some more. Kieran has designated my parent's stone hearth as his offical train/race track and so all of my mother's decorations have to be removed in order for him to be able to freely play. Here you see Kieran trying to convince Grandpa to sit on the floor so he can be closer to the train action!
Argh! Train monster!
This was a hilarious discovery on Papa's part. We know the dogs and cats love to chase the laser dot... but who knew it could be so much fun for toddlers too?!
I managed to snap a quick pic of Rick passed out next to Kiearn's bed after he put him down for a nap- aren't they both so sweet sleeping together?
This is how Kieran sleeps some nights and how I found him one morning- I love how his legs are crossed... this can't be comfortable and yet he's sound asleep!
Here's Kiearn post nap playing trains with George and Neko- this is a favorite activity and is how he spends a lot of his time at home.
Rick took Kieran to a couple local parks one Saturday I was out of town with my mother (we went to St. Louis to see Jersey Boys at the Fox with mom's good friend Linda and a friend of my mine from Chicago, Irene). Here you can see Kieran looking pretty cool in his monkey shades and super hero t-shirt on the Stephen's Lake bridge.
I love this picture because it shows how Kieran likes to point at us as he bosses and gives directions- too cute!
Kieran smiling after he has thrown a handful of rocks into the lake- always a fun activity!
Cool dude in shades- btw he calls sunglasses his "eyes"
Running towards the puddles...
splash down!!
Rick was so happy to capture evidence that Kieran can actually share and play nice with another child! Kieran made friends with a boy around his age at Stephen's Park in the sand pit. Apparently the trucks did not belong to either of them- this may account for the mellowness of both boys ;)
The "boulders" around the sand pit make for excellent off-roading!
I am sure Kieran was making his, "Ahhhh!!!" sound which precipitates a big, dramatic fall off what is undoubtedly a very treacherous drop in his mind!
Taking a break from monster truck action in the swing!
Nothing like starting one's morning off with a little naked train ride ;)
This past weekend marked the end of April and beginning of May. Saturday was a beautiful, sunny and warm day which we spent at Rock Bridge park- Kieran's first time there! He loved all the "tracks" a.k.a. trails and paths. We ran up and down the paths for over an hour, following strangers, picking up rocks, looking at the water and most of all pretending to be a train- so in other words a wonderful way to spend a day at the park!
Kieran decided to share his breakfast with his "deet-deet" a.k.a squirrel which isn't actually a child's stuffed animal, but rather a dog toy that Kieran has adopted.
More time spent loving and feeding the squirrel and watching Thomas before we leave for the park.
Mommy and Kieran going up some of the many, many, many stairs at RB park. Kieran did great with all the walking and stairs, but he did request to be carried from time to time which of course I was happy to oblige.
Kieran checking out a construction area on a landing that looks into the natural rock bridge, the park's namesake.
Conductor Kieran inspecting the tracks and making recommendations... Kieran discovered a crack in the track (a rotten spot on one of the wooden landings) that he thought needed to be repaired. He inspected and then decided to call for Sir TopHat (Sir Topemhat from the Thomas books) to help him with the task. He run up and down the boardwalk calling and looking for help- it was so funny!
