Some summer time fun!

Kieran chose this look for play time on the deck- note the Thomas undies and sock-gloves-  Rick thought he was looking rather "super"!

A favorite treat this summer- frozen yogurt pouches- mmmm and surprisingly a lot more tidy than a traditional Popsicle!

Fridays this summer the Flipz gymnasium is open a couple hours in the morning for free play for the toddler set. Kieran and I met Julie and her boys for an impromptu play-date. Kieran really liked the place and who wouldn't?! They have mats galore, balls of all sizes, multiple trampolines and a HUGE bouncy pit filled with foam cubes- what could be better?!

Kieran in the "cube pit"!

Julie, Jacob and Evan hanging out in a wheel mat.

All the boys together and still- this didn't happen again ;)

I took Kieran to the Parks and Rec Family Fun Fest at Flat Branch Park. Although he wasn't all that interested in the activities they had (probably for older kids really) he did LOVE the "tunnel" and creek.

He spent at least half an hour running up and down the creek throwing in leaves and rocks and yelling "TUNNEL!" Here Kieran takes a break to gaze thoughtfully into the creek- looks as though he might break into song Disney style at any moment- don't you think?

One activity Kieran was interested in was a chance to explore a firetruck- very cool! He kept yelling in his deep, serious voice, "Stop the breaks!"

Checking out stuff on the firetruck

Even though it was getting late and past Kieran's bedtime, we were both hungry so we had a little dinner at the new International Cafe- we split the vegi dinner and Kieran seemed to really like the feta, humus and spanokopitas- a boy after my own heart ;)

Mmmm- filo due stuffed with cheese is sooooo good!

Of course since the best ice cream place in town is right across the street from International cafe, we couldn't help ourselves :) Kieran had a cake batter cone and pet Sparky while he ate!

Kieran with his ice cream face- so sweet :)

We took a rest on the benches and planter at the corner of Broadway and 9th- Kieran seemed to really like sitting not near the planter- but actually in it!

A truly mischievous face!

"Who- me?"

So far our summer has been great. We have traveled a little and spent a lot of time together enjoying the beautiful weather. Kieran loves his new "swimmy-swim"- that's swimming pool for those of you who don't speak toddlerese- although he mostly just gets in and out of it and pours water all over the deck and his toys. He is enjoying the newly fenced yard as are the dogs. Yesterday he helped me pick rocks out of the ground- I had to explain that rocks are typically grey or white and hard- rather then the softish brown ones he had been finding- ewww! Darned dogs!
We have spent some time at the Arc for the Little Swimmer's hour and after multiple trips Kieran is finally warming up to the "big pool" again. We did hit a little bump in the road yesterday though when Kieran decided he was ready to go down the slide in the kiddie section of the pool. He wanted to go it alone and I was glad since the slide, although short, is a tube and I wasn't too sure I would fit. So I let him go- thought what's the worse that can happen- the water is less than three feet deep and we had been playing in it for the past half hour? Well- apparently Kieran has no sense of self preservation because when he went down the slide he landed, rolled over and then just floated belly down and my panic set it. I tried to go back down the stair but there were children blocking the way so that was it- I had to find out if I fit down the slide because Kieran was still just floating there- face down. Turns out I do fit in the toddler tube- thankfully! I grabbed him and he coughed up some water and his lips were a disturbing shade of blue- but otherwise he was fine. He told me, "I scared mommy" and with that we packed up, dried off and drove straight to McDonalds for a guilt-soothing Happy Meal which we had to eat in the Shelter Gardens since Mommy was still in her swimming attire ;)
On another note, napping has been a struggle ever since we took Kieran out of daycare. I guess he slept hours every day for Tori but for me- nothing- not even a five minute power nap- unless of course we are in the car. Followingthe  advice of friends and of course the all knowing internet, I put him is room, read him some books, took out all toys and other distractions, laid him on his bed (the same one he sleeps 12 hours on at night) and left the room. He usually will fuss and maybe bang on the door at first but then he just plays and talks to himself the ENTIRE time- no laying down to rest no getting so bored he fell asleep- no real rest at all. Three weeks into our summer and this no napping thing has become a major headache. Yesterday, Rick was home early because he only is teaching classes for the morning this week, and he said he'd try- "good luck!" I hear a lot of crying and protesting and go out on the deck for some peace and quiet with my new Nook and not five minutes later Rick joins me- solo- sans Kieran. Turns out the trick to getting this wild boy to nap is to force him to stay in his bed and eventually he tires out and sleeps. Wow- father of the year as far as I am concerned! Of course that has only worked for one day and we still have a lot of summer left- but from here on out Rick is on nap duty!

Kansas City Weekend!

Kieran getting his shoes in preparation for his "Day Out With Thomas!"

There were a number of different activities at the Thomas event- one of which was a large tent filled with various train tables, tracks and trains. We were a bit worried how Kieran would do with the over stimulation, heat and extreme sharing but surprisingly he handled it pretty well and never melted down once.

The entire weekend was sunny and in the mid 90's with high humidity but thanks to a lot of shade opportunities, a light breeze and the odd frozen treat, we managed just fine without becoming overheated or too crabby ;)

Here's Kieran on Daddy's lap enjoying his ride on Thomas the Train. He was a bit overwhelmed when we first boarded, but once the train got going he was fine and loved every minute of it!

A wild hair-do thanks to sunscreen and a lot of sweat! His mouth is covered in frosting from the melted animal cookies we brought along as snacks- not the best choice on my part ;)

A sweaty little conductor in the "video tent" resting after his big train ride.

I don't fully understand a little boy who would rather watch a Thomas video (that he could see at home) rather than jump in a bounce house or just run around.

Kieran and daddy in front of the life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine!

We left the train event around 12:30ish and Kieran slept for the next hour and half in the car very soundly- he was wiped! We had a late lunch at the T-Rex Cafe in the Legends Shopping center on the KS side of KC. Kieran was a bit unsure of the GIANT moving and roaring dinosaur that greets guests at the entrance, but once he was seated at a booth with mommy and daddy he started to really enjoy the ambiance!

Mommy and Kieran waiting for our late lunch at the T Rex Cafe.

One very cool little dude!

Dad looks pretty sporty in Kieran's conductor's hat!

One of the coolest parts of the T Rex Cafe was the interactive bit in which children can play at being a paleontologist and dig for bones in the sand!

In the play area of T-Rex Cafe there were these neat little sand-filled tunnels that Kieran absolutely LOVED! He spent over and hour running back and forth in the tunnels pretending bats were after him and trying to get the "safe" cave room- too funny and so sweet!

Of course Kieran wanted mommy to truly experience all the sand cave had to offer so I crawled around as he led the way ;)

In addition to lots of great sand and fake bats, there were beautiful rocks and crystals decorating the walls and ceilings.

After our exciting Friday with Thomas and at the T-Rex cafe, we spent the evening and night with Julia and her daughter Hannah. Julia was a very gracious host and we enjoyed our time visiting and snacking! I was so surprised that Kieran actually slept through the night in a new house on a pallet on the floor- what a little trooper! The next day we all went to the KC Zoo. Here the kids are playing puzzles and running around in a kid area, waiting for the zoo to open.

A yummy yogurt-pop before going to see the animals!

Kieran was pretty impressed with the polar bear exhibit :)

Kieran ran right over to this little window ledge and hopped right up- so cute with mommy's favorite animal- the red panda!

The kids enjoying the rocks overlooking the free-range kangaroos!

If you look in the background, you will see a kangaroo- they had the run of the zoo like the squirrels only much bigger and stranger!

A sweaty little boy enjoys his second "train' ride on the zoo tram.

After much deliberation and switching around, Kiearn finally decided on the giraffe for his carousel ride.

There was a very cool children's area with climbing stations, slides and lots of fun animals- KP really loved the slide- as long as daddy went along for the ride ;)

Daddy barely fit in the tunnel!

Kieran playing on an outdoor jungle gym at the zoo.

Kieran on the way back home playing with his T-Rex toy and a Kung Fu Panda action figure from McDonalds- yes, mommy finally relented and let him get a happy meal!

Memorial weekend 2011

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!