Family Night Out

Our town held a National Night Out earlier this week at a local park right down the street from us. It gave Goose a chance to look at police cars and ambulances close-up. And also allowed the Geek, AKA “Safety Man,” to give Goose yet another safety lesson. Here they are watching the rollover simulator, which will surely make even the most anti-seatbelt wearing person reach for theirs the next time they get in the car.

The crash-test-dummies came flying out of the car when they weren’t wearing their seatbelts. Yikes!

Goose had another brush with celebrity. Here he is meeting McGruff, the Crime Dog. (Say it with me now–you know you want to: “Take a bite out of crime!”)

We also got a free bike helmet for Goose. Granted, it’s huge, but he’ll grow into it.

Goose was shy about saying “Hello” to the nice police officer–but he didn’t hesitate a second when asked what color helmet he’d like! And after he got the helmet, the office “deputized” Goose.

He spent the rest of the night making sure his “badge” was still on his shirt.

The fun night was capped off by a train ride. Our Favorite Neighbor climbed aboard with Goose.

Super Goose!

Way back in April, my friend apple cyder sent Goose the fantabulous cape he’s sporting in the above picture. She even included a tutorial on how to make said cape on her blog. (I wish I were as crafty as she. She’s promised me a sewing lesson–we just have to find the time!) Why did I wait so long to post a photo, you ask? Well this past weekend was the first time that Goose actually wore the cape! For some reason, he was completely anti wearing it. He’d twirl it in the air, fling it around, and even force Alistair to wear it, but he just wouldn’t… until now.

Here he is from the front. In Goose’s world, the cape is best worn without pants–and with your shirt covered in blue ice cream. Heck, that’s been his wardrobe choice most days this summer!

Thank you, apple cyder, for the clever little cape!

Best Wishes!

All good wishes to my fellow blogger and good friend for more than 20 years now (oh, my!), apple cyder… who announced on her blog that she’s expecting apple dumpling #2 in January. Yay!

And I’ll forgive her for the snarky comment about me wanting to know the baby’s gender while he/she is still in the womb. But… as punishment, don’t expect any gifts from me until said dumpling arrives. I refuse to buy anything yellow or green!

Holiday Weekend in Review

Thankfully, the Bounce House Bug lasted a mere 24-ish hours. We started our Independence Day festivities early by having lunch with some special friends on Thursday. My Lil Sis (as in my sorority), her husband, and her Big Baby M live in Virginia and were up north for a vacation. And when I say Big Baby, I mean Big Baby! At just over 10 months, Big Baby weighs more than Goose! (Granted, that’s not too hard, considering Goose is a squirt… but still!)

I’m still laughing at the story my Lil told about the kid who admired Big Baby’s “muscles.” Maybe that’s what I should start calling my fleshier spots…

Friday we headed to Goose’s Future Wife’s house for a 4th of July party. Lots of fun was had by all. And maybe a few of the adults, maybe even the one writing this post, had a little too much fun… and maybe even got a little sick in every single bathroom of the house… Well, maybe…

Goose especially loved playing in the water table. And, yeah, he stuck his whole head in there!

Here’s the Geek looking awfully festive in a fancy, blinged-out patriotic tie!

Later that night, our friends broke out a karaoke game, which quickly became the focal point of the party. Sadly, the photos of Yours Truly at the mike got deleted somehow. The following movie, from the next morning, survived…

That’s Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose” that the guys are singing (badly!). [And go me for figuring out how to post a video--woo-hoo!]

We finished off the long weekend back at home. Goose and the Geek stole picked blueberries from our Favorite Neighbor’s yard to make pancakes.

Finally, Mueller left us a gift to cap off a wonderful holiday weekend…

Dinner with Elmo

Yesterday afternoon, we went to a local park to have “dinner” with Elmo. (Dinner consisted of a pile of fries and some stolen grapes from the Godchild’s stash.) Goose was a little stunned by the big, furry guy, and it took a while for him to get up the nerve to go greet him.

“There he is! I’m a little starstruck!”

Goose’s Sitter came along with us. She insisted she doesn’t like Elmo… though I don’t buy it. She wanted to meet him just as much as Goose!

Finally, they exchanged a high-five.

Sugar and Spice…

Yesterday I spent the day with my College friend M and her new baby girl. The Geek was kind enough to watch Goose, so the visit could be toddler-free. That gave me ample time to devote all my attention to adorable Baby L. It was all I could do not to eat up–or even outright steal!–her. She is just delicious and super-cute, and a very good baby!

That made it easy to forgive her for peeing on me while I held her. Funny enough, M had just said how she never had a blowout! I feel special knowing I was her first leak-victim. I’m quite sure there will be others!

Here’s another shot of Baby L with her big brother Moose. He is a gentle giant and so sweet to his baby sister.

Summer Fun!

Goose and I spent the day with the Geek’s Godchild, her Mom, and baby brother. We visited a local park, then ate and played in the Godchild’s pool at their house.

Goose is showing off the “amp” he found in the pool. That means ant, though he has trouble saying the word. Moments later, the ant was dropped and drowned in the pool. Ah, c’est la vie!

Later, the two snacked on some Goldfish. The Godchild’s Mommy and I commented that we should do an ad for Goldfish–they always seem to be with us everywhere we go, and they tend to figure prominently in our photos. Below is no exception!

Hugs and Kisses

The Geek’s Godchild and her family came over for dinner last night. And Goose and the Godchild got a little frisky (in the most G-rated sense of the word, that is)…

So sweet!

Havin’ a Ball!

I’m on a mission to get this house cleared of clutter by the end of the summer. I had our Surly… I mean, Favorite… Sitter, come over today so I could tackle the garage. At least a year ago–maybe 2?–a woman from one of my Mommy groups gave me her kids’ fire truck ball pit. It’s been sitting in the garage since then. Well, we dug it out today. And with the help of one of the Geek’s many weird gadgets, and a little womanpower on the bike pump, we got it blown up and assembled.

And Goose had a blast!

My hardworking husband even took a break to jump on in!

A Tree Grows in Goose-ville

The Geek planted a tree this past weekend. The tree was purchased to honor the memory of his father.

Oddly enough, it wasn’t until I was at a church service on Sunday that it occurred to me that the planting coincided with Memorial Day. My good friend J delivered a beautiful homily that discussed how the Egyptians and Victorians memorialized death and dying. The entire service was practically cathartic for me. I wasn’t able to attend any of the funeral services for Ong Noi, since Goose was behaving like a typical 2-year-old and needed my attention. Sunday’s church service gave me a chance to reflect on him and think about how we’ll memorialize him for Goose.

The tree is a fantastically tangible way, but I also want to tell Goose some of the everyday things I loved about Ong Noi: his hearty laugh, his gusto for eating my cooking (only on holidays, but still…), and the depth of his love for Goose, which you could see on his face each time they were together. Even as Ong Noi lay in his hospital bed, his eyes sparkled when Goose came into the room. It was one of those amazing moments when you can actually see love.

Now the tree will serve as a constant reminder of that love…