Monday, February 25, 2013

Elmo's House

I scored two free second row tickets and a parking pass to the biggest concert in Dallas last weekend.  At least, the biggest concert in my son's world....Sesame Street Live!
Before the show, I had no idea if Palmer would be old enough to sit still for the production.  But since I got the tickets for free, I figured we had nothing to lose.

All day Saturday, we talked about how we were going to go to "Elmo's house" after nap time.  On the drive to the theater, Palmer was so excited.  He kept asking, "Where's Elmo's house?"
 Palmer wanted to hold Elmo's hand...
Every show needs cotton candy.
To my delight, Palmer adored the show.
I think it helped that we were in the second row and the characters were practically in his lap. I wonder if he would have been as enamored if we were in one of the upper balconies.

Nevertheless, Palmer kept waving, "Hi Elmo! Hi Big Bird! Hi Abby!" as the characters walked by.
 In this photo, you can kinda see Palmer waving:
Me and my hot date:

Special thanks to my new blogging friend, Arena, for the tickets.  You can check out her entertaining adventures at The Nerd's Wife.

-Bethany

Thursday, February 21, 2013

My Son Is Very Religious

Every night before Palmer goes to bed, we say a prayer that I grew up saying.  It starts like this, "Now I lay me down to sleep..."

Palmer is at the point where he might mumble a few words throughout the prayer but we mostly focus on putting his hands together and closing his eyes.  Palmer's favorite part is the end where he is always sure to give a rousing "AAAAMMMEN!!"

Palmer typically doesn't go to church because he hasn't quite mastered the "sitting down and being quiet" skillset needed for sitting in a pew.  But on Ash Wednesday, our church held a special family service for the wee kids.

When it came time to pray, I told Palmer, "Okay, it's time to pray.  Remember, we close our eyes and put our hands together like this."

Well, I think Palmer thought the prayer was going on for too long because Palmer interrupted the pastor and the rest of the congregation mid-prayer with a loud, "AAAAMMMEN!!"


That's okay, Palmer.  I kinda agreed it was time to wrap it up, too.

-Bethany

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Neighborhood Meal Exchange

I know I've talked here about what a couple of friends and I do to share dinner responsibilities.  Check out my first blog with the Dallas Moms Blog to learn more about how you can make it work, too!

-Bethany

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Happy Valentine's Day

Here's what Valentine's Day looked like when Rick and I were in our dating years:
This photo was taken before a hot night on the town.

Here is Valentine's Day 2013 with a toddler:
We ordered Palmer's favorite food these days, pizza, and had a wild game of "wheel me around in mom and dad's suitcase".

Honestly, I'm just as happy with our crazy night in.

And I must say, the boys came home with flowers.
So, I think I will keep them.

-Bethany

Monday, February 11, 2013

Wordless Wednesday

-Bethany

Boston the Celebrity

About a year ago, my wedding photographer (the amazing Heather Banks from Eclectic Images) contacted me about an author who was putting together a coffee table book on dogs in weddings.  She asked if the author could reach out to me about using the image above.

The author emailed me a photo release form and questionnaire and I didn't give the book another thought.

Until...my college roommate, Jill, emailed me on Friday and said, "Um, why didn't you tell me you were going to be in People Magazine?"

Well, that would be because I HAD NO IDEA.

Check out this week's issue of People Magazine to catch a glimpse of Boston in all of his glory.
Sorry, no pawtographs.  Boston has a pretty busy book signing schedule coming up.

-Bethany

Monday, February 4, 2013

Sweet Cousins

We had the pleasure of keeping our delightful niece, Elle, over the weekend so that Palmer and Elle could have some cousin bonding time.

We went to the lake to celebrate Pops' 60th birthday and the two kids were inseparable during their outdoors exploration.
First stop: the tree house swing.  The kids are oblivious to the amazing tree house above the swing, but I have no doubt that they will discover it in a very few short years.
Rick and I were remarking at how much the two kids interact with each other now that they are older.  They are 15 months apart and there couldn't be a sweeter sound than the two of them giggling together.

They found this old air hose and thought it was such a fun toy with which to run around. Some kids like cardboard boxes.  Mine likes an air hose.  I'll make sure to pack those expensive toys and send them back to the stores.
Checking out the dock.
 Back in Dallas, we took the kids to the Perot museum.
By the way, I highly recommend the museum membership for the sole privilege of attendance during the "members-only" hours on the weekends.  The museum's popularity is plagued by terribly packed crowds, but during the "members-only" time slot we practically had the place to ourselves.  So so worth it.

Just Palmer and Elle and the Alamosaurus hanging out.  Good thing that dinosaur is a vegetarian or the kids would so be a snack.
When there is nobody at the museum, you can plop down in the hallway and watch one of the videos.
We had a ball with Elle during her visit and can't wait to have her again.  The difference between the two personalities is hilarious.   We ate churros for dessert and Palmer went all in and relished every minute of his sugar and caramel covered face and hands.  Elle wanted me to wipe her hands the minute she had a speck of sugar on them. 
 I love that girl.