Little Fit Thrower (little in stature - his fits aren't always little) is living up to his name. It's pretty hilarious to watch him when he doesn't get his way. Often he will lay on the floor and pout, banging his little hands in fury (after he throws his pacifier if he has one) and letting out a big scream. I think maybe he learned the screaming from Collin.
Caden, we love your little fits.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
On Vacation
It's nearing the end of our vacation and I've got a lot of catching up to do. Unfortunately I won't be able to post pictures until we get home.
The plane ride out was a mixture of frustrution and struggle for the first half while trying to contain Caden, followed by relative peace after he fell asleep. A last minute pit-stop by Madison as the plane was descending to land (we were seated less than a minute before wheels touched down) was our final trial.
Everyone had a great time at Legoland. For kids this age it really is better than Disneyland. Madison and Collin can ride most of the rides, and they have a play area for kids Caden's age and older. Madison and Collin both liked driving the cars around the oval lap, and received a driver's license at the end. Caden was a trooper as always and rode quietly in the stroller when he wasn't playing on the slides.
We've had a lot of free time. The kids enjoy swimming at the pool, and twice now Collin has fallen asleep on a chair in the shade due to exhaustion. This is probably because he is taking advantage of California time to stay up until after 8:00 pm, but keeping his Dallas morning schedule and waking up anywhere from 5:15 to 6:15. Caden is also following suit, so we often take morning walks so the rest of the house can sleep.
It has been nice to watch the Tour de France live every morning. Team Discovery is doing great and I am really rooting for Alberto Contador.
Just a couple of days left, and I'm dreading going back to work already.
The plane ride out was a mixture of frustrution and struggle for the first half while trying to contain Caden, followed by relative peace after he fell asleep. A last minute pit-stop by Madison as the plane was descending to land (we were seated less than a minute before wheels touched down) was our final trial.
Everyone had a great time at Legoland. For kids this age it really is better than Disneyland. Madison and Collin can ride most of the rides, and they have a play area for kids Caden's age and older. Madison and Collin both liked driving the cars around the oval lap, and received a driver's license at the end. Caden was a trooper as always and rode quietly in the stroller when he wasn't playing on the slides.
We've had a lot of free time. The kids enjoy swimming at the pool, and twice now Collin has fallen asleep on a chair in the shade due to exhaustion. This is probably because he is taking advantage of California time to stay up until after 8:00 pm, but keeping his Dallas morning schedule and waking up anywhere from 5:15 to 6:15. Caden is also following suit, so we often take morning walks so the rest of the house can sleep.
It has been nice to watch the Tour de France live every morning. Team Discovery is doing great and I am really rooting for Alberto Contador.
Just a couple of days left, and I'm dreading going back to work already.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Tour de France
The Tour de France started this weekend - it's one of my favorite sporting events. There is something oddly exciting about the race - the team strategy, the breakaways, the sprints, the fact that is such a long a grueling race.
For those of you who don't keep up with the Tour, here is a quick rundown.
Reasons to watch:
(1) The sprints are fantastic. These riders usually travel over 130 miles per day. The pace starts relatively slow then gains speed as the peleton (the big pack of riders) nears the finish. The sprinters teams jockey for position as they hope to lead out their rider, ie slingshot them, into a stage victory. The tactics are wonderful, and you often see the same riders at the front: Robbie McEwen, Tom Boonen, Eric Decker, Thor Hushovd, and others. It's amazing how much energy these guys have after riding for so long, and how fast they go as they propel towards theh finish line.
(2) The mountain stages. Near the end of the race every year the race heads into the mountains for the long steep climbs. This is usually where the race is won or lost. In years past this has been Lance's feeding ground, eating away at his rivals til they break. Once again the tactics are fascinating, as teams try to protect their contender. Usually the best teams only have one or two riders as these stages near the end, and at the finish most of these domestiques, or work horses, have dropped back and struggle to finish, having done their work for the greater good.
(3) Borat: 2,200 Miles of France for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. This years odd's on fav to win, Alexander Vinakourov, is from Kazakhstan. Chances are he grew up near Borat and they were probably friends - maybe even training partners. Wouldn't it be a sight to see Borat celebrating a win by Vino at this years tour.
For those of you who don't keep up with the Tour, here is a quick rundown.
Reasons to watch:
(1) The sprints are fantastic. These riders usually travel over 130 miles per day. The pace starts relatively slow then gains speed as the peleton (the big pack of riders) nears the finish. The sprinters teams jockey for position as they hope to lead out their rider, ie slingshot them, into a stage victory. The tactics are wonderful, and you often see the same riders at the front: Robbie McEwen, Tom Boonen, Eric Decker, Thor Hushovd, and others. It's amazing how much energy these guys have after riding for so long, and how fast they go as they propel towards theh finish line.
(2) The mountain stages. Near the end of the race every year the race heads into the mountains for the long steep climbs. This is usually where the race is won or lost. In years past this has been Lance's feeding ground, eating away at his rivals til they break. Once again the tactics are fascinating, as teams try to protect their contender. Usually the best teams only have one or two riders as these stages near the end, and at the finish most of these domestiques, or work horses, have dropped back and struggle to finish, having done their work for the greater good.
(3) Borat: 2,200 Miles of France for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. This years odd's on fav to win, Alexander Vinakourov, is from Kazakhstan. Chances are he grew up near Borat and they were probably friends - maybe even training partners. Wouldn't it be a sight to see Borat celebrating a win by Vino at this years tour.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Happy Birthday America
Fourth of July is always a lot of fun in Texas. This year we had three big events - Kaboomtown (the fireworks show in Addison), a neighborhood Parade, and party next door. All that before 1:00 on July 4th.
Kaboomtown
Every year we get to watch the Addison fireworks from a hanger on the runway at the Addison airport. The fireworks are shot off at the end of the runway, so we really have first row seats. This year the weather cooperated nicely - it was cloudy and moderately cool. The rain stopped late afternoon. The kids got to watch a movie in the back of our office on a big projector in between eating dinner and playing in the bounce house.
This year was nice because Madison and Collin are old enough that we trust them to wander around on their own some. It sure makes our lives easier.
Before the fireworks there was an air show with a great collection of older (mostly WWII) airplanes. There was a plane doing tricks that made several people nervous. He would fly straight up, top out in a flat spin, all before zooming back down to just a hundred feet or so above the runway. There were 2 or 3 groups of paracheters that landed on the runway, the last with sparklers trailing them on their way down.
The fireworks started around 9:30 and all three kids enjoyed them. Caden sat with Kerry and stayed glued to the big explosions without so much as a peep. After the fireworks we went back to our office for dessert, and didn't get on the road till 10:30. That put us home around 11:30 with three sleeping kids.
Neighborhood Parade
The neighborhood parade had about 200 people this year. The parade was led by a police car and fire engine. We did a big lap around the neighborhood, dropping tired kids and sweaty parants at every turn. What started as a pretty tight group ended up in a long string of bikes, wagons, and scooters. We held on til the very end, at which time we hopped on the tailgate of the truck bringing up the rear. Madison rode most of the way with her good friend Morgan, pictured above.
The Party
Our neighbor next door Lisa planned a big party this year for about 30 or so people. Hot dogs. Chips. Pools. Sandbox. Cupcakes with blue and red frosting. And a big waterslide. Madison and Collin had a great time on the slide. Caden tried it a couple of times (not his choice) but never fussed. Mostly he liked to play in the sandbox and in the waterfall at the end of the slide.
With everything we had done over the last 12 hours, everyone was exhausted and we weren't able to stay til the end, but had a great time.
Tonight, we'll catch another round of fireworks...
Kaboomtown
Every year we get to watch the Addison fireworks from a hanger on the runway at the Addison airport. The fireworks are shot off at the end of the runway, so we really have first row seats. This year the weather cooperated nicely - it was cloudy and moderately cool. The rain stopped late afternoon. The kids got to watch a movie in the back of our office on a big projector in between eating dinner and playing in the bounce house.
This year was nice because Madison and Collin are old enough that we trust them to wander around on their own some. It sure makes our lives easier.
Before the fireworks there was an air show with a great collection of older (mostly WWII) airplanes. There was a plane doing tricks that made several people nervous. He would fly straight up, top out in a flat spin, all before zooming back down to just a hundred feet or so above the runway. There were 2 or 3 groups of paracheters that landed on the runway, the last with sparklers trailing them on their way down.
The fireworks started around 9:30 and all three kids enjoyed them. Caden sat with Kerry and stayed glued to the big explosions without so much as a peep. After the fireworks we went back to our office for dessert, and didn't get on the road till 10:30. That put us home around 11:30 with three sleeping kids.
Neighborhood Parade
The neighborhood parade had about 200 people this year. The parade was led by a police car and fire engine. We did a big lap around the neighborhood, dropping tired kids and sweaty parants at every turn. What started as a pretty tight group ended up in a long string of bikes, wagons, and scooters. We held on til the very end, at which time we hopped on the tailgate of the truck bringing up the rear. Madison rode most of the way with her good friend Morgan, pictured above.
The Party
Our neighbor next door Lisa planned a big party this year for about 30 or so people. Hot dogs. Chips. Pools. Sandbox. Cupcakes with blue and red frosting. And a big waterslide. Madison and Collin had a great time on the slide. Caden tried it a couple of times (not his choice) but never fussed. Mostly he liked to play in the sandbox and in the waterfall at the end of the slide.
With everything we had done over the last 12 hours, everyone was exhausted and we weren't able to stay til the end, but had a great time.
Tonight, we'll catch another round of fireworks...
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Happy Birthday Mom
Can you believe my mom turned 60! She looks better than ever. I think she and my dad are really enjoying life - especially now that he is retired.
So the Texas Roses went to visit the Oklahoma Roses to celebrate. The picture above includes my brother Mike and one of his two daughters - Paris. My uncle Dave, aunt Jan, and grandmother Marty were also in attendance, as was Kaitlin. Caden took to everyone right away - especially my Dad and Mike. Madison had a lot of fun playing with Paris, although we found out Paris is too good at hide and seek - she would hide and Madison and Collin would get frustrated because they couldn't find her. Kaitlin helped run Madison and Collin into the ground outside, so the kids were worn out by the end of the day (of course not as much as their parents).
\
Tonight Kerry is taking Madison to see Shrek 3, so it will just be the boys at home. I found out this was happening a few days ago from Madison, then Kerry told me a day or two later. Not that I mind, but it was one of those things that your wife tells you about like she is asking if she can go, even though she has already made plans and told Madison they are going. Then I find out they are going to dinner before the movie. The information keeps coming in bits and pieces.
Tonight Kerry is taking Madison to see Shrek 3, so it will just be the boys at home. I found out this was happening a few days ago from Madison, then Kerry told me a day or two later. Not that I mind, but it was one of those things that your wife tells you about like she is asking if she can go, even though she has already made plans and told Madison they are going. Then I find out they are going to dinner before the movie. The information keeps coming in bits and pieces.
Tuesday is Kaboomtown, the fireworks display in Addison that our company attends every year, so look for a new post on Wed.
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