Park Fun

We took the two cutie boys to the park on Saturday.  Caleb enjoyed running, climbing, and sliding.  Matthew preferred sitting in the Club House.  Caleb tried it out for a minute or two.

Caleb giving his cousin kisses.
Matthew giving his cousin kisses.

Anniversary Message

Big Boy Haircut

Matt and I went out shopping this morning and went for an impulse buy.  There was a children's haircut store next door with fun car chairs and bubbles. So we went in.  Matt had fun for about 10 seconds and then she started to touch his head.  He then proceeded to scream his little head off and attempt to cling to me while she worked her magic.  I don't know about the style for his hair - it kinda just sticks up since he has so much body.  And it probably wasn't worth the $15 I paid, but hey, he looks handsome anyway.  Oh yeah, the Harry Potter-like scar on his nose is from a face plant into the table at IHOP a few days ago.  Nice.

Disneyland!

We decided to splurge this year and take the fam to Disneyland.  It's a pretty special place for us since Joshua and I spent many fun times there while we were dating and our first apartment was all of about four miles from there.  We have been back once since moving to WA but thought this time Matty might enjoy the park with us.  He was actually not such a happy camper all day.  After the plane ride and drive to the hotel he decided midnight was a great time to play.  And then cry.  And cry some more.  He ended up sleeping from about 2-5 (that means half the hotel only slept from 2-5 ...).  He was tired and mostly ambivalent toward all things Disney.  Oh well, we got three for the price of one tickets so I suppose it was ok. 
Jackie got her favorite Disney beverage - the mint julep.
Daddy and Matty rode the carousel and Dumbo together.  Matt still thinks horses say "moo". Whatever.
Once he was out, he was out.  He snoozed through the very loud fireworks show and the long walk back through the crowds to the hotel.  

My mom came and picked up Matt and Jackie so Joshua and I could enjoy an early anniversary night together.  We headed straight for the hot tub to soak our tired tootsies.  Then, we went for a late night bite and another old favorite, Mimi's Cafe.  It wasn't the same as we remembered.  Boo.  After sleeping in and having breakfast in the Circle of Orange (another popular date spot) we came to rescue my mom from the littlest Hardwick.  

It was a lovely birthday with the most birthday wishes I have ever had (thanks to the Disneyland pin).  Although I still say I am 29 and holding.

CA Fun

(This picture is supposed to be at the bottom, so read the captions there.)
Joshua left us this morning to head back home.  Here are a few (and only a few because lately I stink at remembering to use the camera) pictures of our weekend.  We went to visit our old church, Rock Harbor.  Service was awesome ... I always leave there feeling convicted and encouraged.  Here is Ua with his long time pals Tracy and Kaitlyn.
Hanging out with the Graham Fam at Mom's house.  
Matthew took a short break from screaming and slapping his Grandma to "help" her with her studies.  He had to put his glasses on to look studious while scribbling in her book.  

Tonight we met up with the Hedley's for their weekly pizza night.  Matthew had a tremendous amount of fun driving the video game car and picking the olives off of everyone's pizza.  He must have been seriously worn out because he was fast asleep before we pulled out of the parking lot at about a quarter to seven.  I better hit the hay too since he will likely be up half the night ...

Toys toys toys

I bought some glove puppets for my class at school and Matt loves to play with them when he visits my classroom. He made his own glove puppets at home. :)

Nothing like a cup of coffee in the morning ... Ok, so I had to be creative with his cups because his protein powder is supposed to mix with 8-10 ounces of liquid and our sippy cups just aren't big enough.

Matthew spent a day with a new friend and she passed along his two new favorite toys - a vacuum and a phone. He can't get enough of either one!

If gloves make good puppets, why not shoes?

When little boys play in the laundry

They choose Mommy's underclothes to walk around the house with and then sit and play peekaboo!
Nap time today had an interesting pose ...

Matt loves reading his books.  I wish I had kept my big mouth shut and let you enjoy his reading in silence.  Sorry, no do overs this time.

Goodbye Summer

My mom has been begging for current pictures, so here is yet another batch from our summer of fun.  Matthew has got the walking thing down and has moved on to climbing.  He just hoisted his little leg up onto the fireplace ledge and carried on with one of his favorite activities (still) - drumming.  He only has on one shoe because he brought it to me just moments before his climb and lifted his foot for me to oblige.
Another shot of my dirt-eating darling.
I decided it was high time we "moved in" to our house and hung up a few pictures and decorations.  This one is my favorite antique store/Goodwill/linen closet combination.
I also crocheted something I wanted to keep.  Matty likes it too. :)
Joshua got a new attachment for his yard tool and hacked away at our monstrously overgrown yard.  This picture does not do justice to the mammoth pile of tree limbs that he lopped off with that bad boy.

So that's it for summer, I guess.  We will be spending the first few days of fall back in so Cal (just can't get enough of my family!).  Joshua is taking one last getaway before he starts back to school.  I started back to work teaching kindergarten one day a week.  It's a pretty unique situation and I am so thankful that it worked out.  I am also teaching dance classes this year, starting with ballet.  I am anxious to see what this old body can do!

Big Day

What a day! My little man has discovered that he can walk all by himself (although he prefers to crawl if he is already on the floor). He also made a big step toward potty training - he signaled to me that he needed to go, so I put the potty in front of him. After a bit of hesitation, he aimed and fired! No luck for #2 yet. I think he is holding it in. We'll get there soon I'm sure.

Summer Fun

Here's a quick update on the happenings around the Hardwick house this summer. Matt is such a boy and adores playing in the dirt. He must also enjoy eating it, because he always does.

Kitchen "toys" are still a big hit. Here is my little guy cooking up some fun.

We started the early steps to potty training. He is kind of freaked out by going pee in the potty, so he covered himself with his diaper and that helped a bit.

I found this drum at the Goodwill which is just perfect for Matt. He plays way too rough for a toy drum. He also practices his standing and squats while playing, although no walking yet. Sheesh. What a slow poke!

Tricks at the breakfast table

Matt is learning so many things it's hard to keep up.  Here are a few tricks after a nice oatmeal breakfast.  Can you tell he fed himself?  The background noise is our fans working overtime to keep the 102 out of the house.  So far so good! 

Keeping Cool

In our crazy 100+ weather we have had to find ways to keep cool. Matthew has enjoyed playing in the bay.  
His favorite thing to do is pick up a rock, lick it, then throw (rather, drop) it into the water.
Even Six the cat has found ways to stay out of the heat.

Story Time

This morning's story was inspired by Shannon ...

Happy Friday!

What is he trying to say?

Matthew has a lot on his mind these days, what with all the reading, toys, music, and walks we've been doing.  He tries to communicate his thoughts with me, but sometimes I just don't understand.  

Dogs Go

Matthew has a new favorite book: Dogs go...  It's a riveting story about the different sounds dogs make.  Here is Matt reading along with me - he actually does very well knowing the sound each page describes.  Since this one is a library book, we may have to break down and buy a copy because he is so cute wanting to hear it again and again and again and again ...

Eating Oatmeal

Did I mention that Matt turned 1?!

My sweet baby boy turned one last month.  ONE!  I cannot believe how fast the year went.  Time really does fly when you are having fun!  We celebrated Matt's birthday at the beach with my extended family.  Nothing special, just a round of "Happy Birthday" around the campfire.  We did let him sample some Rice Dream (rice-based ice cream) the night before (no dairy or wheat yet, so cake was out ...).  He stuck his face in it and then cried because he was cold.  Happy birthday Matthew!  We love you!

Beach Fun

While we were in CA we had the privilege of staying with my cousin and her family at a beach house in Huntington.  Matthew enjoyed reading with Grandma,
napping on Grandma, 
digging with Grandma,
and hanging out with Mom!

Giggles with Grandma

Visiting the Greats and Great Greats

Matt has had the opportunity to get to know some of his great and even great great aunts this summer.  Aunt Beth is quite the entertainer as you can see!
Today we had lunch with my mom's Aunt Donnie and Aunt Stella.  Matt absolutely adored them both and flirted with them all afternoon.
The royal treatment:  Lunch spoon fed while kicking back at the table!
Aunt Beth gave Matty a new hairdo today.  He doesn't look too happy about it!

Busy

Matt has been very busy while on vacation.  One of his favorite things to do has been emptying Grandma's pantry.  Each object gets a "shake test" before being thrown to the floor.
He also really enjoys getting the computer accessories like the keyboard, mouse, and speakers.  He decided yesterday to rip his diaper off, but couldn't finish the task before racing over to the computer desk.
Patty and her girls came over for a swim day.  All three kiddos were busy "swimming" in the boats.
Last but not least, Grandma's recycling bin has provided hours of entertainment.  Yesterday's treasure was a coffee creamer lid/clown nose.  Who needs toys?