A Day at the Races

A friend of ours was headed to Arlington Park on Monday, so we decided to join him. Joe had never been, and we thought Joey might enjoy watching the horses.

It was 90 degrees (or at least felt like it) on Monday. Joey hadn't napped all weekend and was exhausted before we got there. He didn't even want to feed the animals at the petting zoo. Daddy had fun, and won a little money. (Correctly guessing the trifecta on the fourth race, and consciously playing the same horses boxed, essentially playing the same trifecta twice.) But we didn't stay very long.

I got Joey to smile a little. Here we are at the Paddock, just after the horses for the fourth race entered the track. He had been using the video feature on my camera, watching himself on his tractor. At least I know how to keep him amused.

Fun in the Midwest

Our neighbors have been storing a Bobcat in their driveway for a colleague of theirs all spring. Yesterday, he offered to take Joey for a ride. There was no way Joey was sitting on his lap, but he had no problem sitting on Mommy's!

Bicycle (and Tricycle) Safety

Always wear a helmet.

We're practicing for when we have an actual bicycle. Thanks Pop-pop and Nana!

Hugs

Joey was so excited to see Pop-pop. And maybe I prompted him a bit, but he did love to give hugs!

Of course no one wanted to actually pose for me, but whatever. My super-ninja camera took this shot while I chilled on the porch. At least it's good in the sun!

When Joey had a little boo-boo on his finger, he was more than happy to let Pop-pop kiss and make it better. Pop-pop may have tickled him a little, too.

Worker Bees

Joey couldn't wait to help Pop-pop in the garden. Even after Pop-pop was done, Joey still went back to get the hoe and make sure everything was done properly.

Fortunately Pop-pop is used to having his work inspected.

He also has a little experience in supervising himself.

This one is for my friend Kara ... the hydrangeas will be blooming soon!

This one is for my mom. I've killed two rose bushes and almost killed another two. Somehow this bush has not only survived but thrived. Can't wait to see it blooming!

Head Shots

Here are a couple more good ones of Joey and his Pop-pop ...

Fun in the Car

Joey had a lot of fun with Pop-pop while he was in town. Pop-pop had a lot of fun, too.

 

More photos coming, but here are a couple of my favorites. Those smiles are priceless.

Little Deuce Coupe

Mommy's five-dollar yard sale find this weekend. Joey loves it!

New Stall Tactics

Last night I was working on the computer while Joey watched the Wonder Pets. When they were over, he knew he had to go to bed. Instead, he grabbed the camera, gave it to me, and said, "I want to say cheese, Mommy." And then he actually did.

Break in the Weather

This weekend was the pits. It was 80 and sunny (with a few afternoon thunderstorms) all week, and then Saturday rolls around and it's overcast and cold. It was supposed to rain all weekend, so Saturday morning Joe got out the tractor to do a quick trim of the lawn. His number one helper was right behind him!

I also took quick stock of some of my flowers. Believe it or not, I have buds on one rose bush already. And the lilacs are finally blooming.

This bush we planted the summer after we bought the house. It's filling in nicely this year, and the blooms are gorgeous. I couldn't help spotting this "mutation" on one of the blooms.

After all the hard work, Joey got to take a few laps with Daddy on the tractor. Once again, my camera couldn't keep up!

Daddy's Little Helper

There was another kids' concert at the bar on Sunday. Joey loves helping his Daddy!

He really likes being in the booth with Daddy, and shutting the pocket door.

He also gets to go up on stage at the end of the concert and help us break down the band. Usually, that means wrapping the cables and putting away the mikes and stands. (We leave the actual instruments to the band.) Joey runs around on the stage, which is the closest he gets to dancing the whole time. Sorry about the picture, but if he doesn't stop, my camera's not fast enough to keep up.

Hat and Mittens Weather

This is what Joey dressed like to go for our walk yesterday. Seriously. It went from the 80s on Friday to highs in the mid-50s with strong winds for Saturday and Sunday. Somebody has a sense of humor.

Dinner Time

It was so beautiful out all week, Joey wanted to take advantage. So one night we ate dinner out on the porch. His SpongeBob chair from Easter 2010 fit perfectly with our end table. Bon appetit!

The Constant Gardener

Joey loves to help out around the house and in the backyard. Cutting the grass, pulling the weeds, and watering the flowers.

(He especially loves his new shoes from Nana and Pop-pop!)

I absolutely love my gardens and took way too many pictures of flowers. Here's one of my bushes, which has beautiful pink and white flowers. (If anyone knows what it is, feel free to share!)

These are the tulips along our garage. If you look closely, you can see the clematis starting to come up, and the rose bush. (OK, you don't have to look too closely to see the rose bush.) I just love how all the colors mix together in spring!

Sunny Day ...

sweeping the clouds away. That's just what we've been needing. And we've gotten a few. Today was over 80! Woo-hoo!

Running, Running, Running

We had a wonderful Mother's Day. It started less-than-perfect, but by 9:30 I was making French toast and Joe was putting the bedroom furniture we purchased from IKEA together. After breakfast, we spent almost all of the day outside.

Joey is perpetually in motion. If not on his tractor, or tricycle, he's running around.

Occasionally, and usually with some help from Dad, I can get him to slow down long enough to take a picture.

But then he's off running again. Can we bottle that energy?

Happy Mother's Day

More smiles

My sister photoshopped a version of this picture without my husband in it, but since I can't find it right now, this is what you get. They were both having fun anyway.

Bobcat

If you talk to Joey at all, you may have heard that our neighbor has a bobcat in his driveway. Well, this weekend, we went over to see if he'd let Joey check it out. And he did us one better - he let Joey get in the bobcat! The boy was in heaven.

Joey's also sending special birthday wishes to one of his favorite aunts. Happy Birthday, Aunt Rachel!

Like Pop-Pop

I was wearing a hat this weekend, and Joey couldn't wait for his chance to wear it. And he only wanted to wear it backwards, like Pop-Pop does when he's being silly.

First Farmer's Tan

We spent the entire day outside yesterday. After breakfast, Joey, Ginny and I took a nice long walk. When we got home we "helped" Daddy change the blades on the riding mower so that he could cut the grass before it starts raining again. Joey couldn't wait to help Daddy!

I think Daddy enjoyed having a little helper out there, too. Maybe he got in the way a little, but what else does a two-year-old do?

Since it was still only April, I was not even thinking about sunscreen. Not sure how well it shows up here, but Joey's forearms are definitely red. I won't make that mistake again!