Cars and Friends

The past few weeks we've been enjoying the nicer weather, trips to the lake and catching up with friends. Unfortunately, Ryan also got influenza A this month - despite having had a flu shot - but Todd also got strep and Callie got very sick all at the same time, so we just went ahead and got it all out of our system and now we're feeling good.

After being busy recluses the past couple months, we're getting caught up with friends and saw the Gingriches and the Fitzgeralds last week. Abby Fitz and Ryan had a ball playing together and she's a great sharer and very well-behaved so she sets a stellar example for Ryan who is rocking the whining stage right now. My mom also came for a visit so Ryan got in some good Nana time while Todd and I celebrated St. Patty's with our friends.

This morning a coworker mentioned that there was a Cars exhibit outside our office at Crown Center today and sure enough, the Cars 2 promotion was in town with life-size Lightning McQueen, Mater and a new car on display for 6 hours only. Needless to say, I took off early, picked Ryan up and took him to visit the Cars. He was very surprised to see them life-sized, only tried to bust past the fence once, loved the Mack semi that transported them (even though it wasn't painted like the Mack character) and unfortunately was adamant that I not take his picture.

Even though he doesn't look like me, I know he's my child because after eating individual Dorito's off my plate, he took the entire bag, said "thank you" and took them into his tent.

playing with Pop Pops old tractors,

some of which belonged to Ryan's great grandfather

Ryan and Abby Fitzgerald modeling their monkey pj's

playing in his tent with Daddy (prior to stealing the bag of Dorito's)

visiting the Cars exhibit at Crown Center

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Ryan has started to sing and his rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is slightly intelligible but ridiculously cute. Other precious things he's said lately:

• As he was helping make pancakes, he spilled Bisquick all over the counter and the chair he was standing on and promptly said, "it's snowing.
• Todd's family and my brother's family are big Jayhawk fans and have taught Ryan to love KU. In preparation for the KU v. MU game this weekend, I wore my Missouri sweatshirt and drew a tiger paw on the white board. Trying my best to get Ryan to say Tiger a couple times to offset all the Jayhawk references, I pointed to the white board and asked him what it was. That little stinker replied, "Blue's Clues."
• When Pop Pop told Ryan he had to use the restroom, Ryan took his hand and led him to the bathroom while announcing, "Pop Pop go potty like a big boy."

We're getting back into regular lake trips. At the end of February the Collins and Riggins were down, too so all our little boys had fun playing together. We tried to go bowling and the other boys did great but Ryan was having a hay day full of two-year-old tantrums that pushed daddy and me to the edge of our patience. At least he looked adorable in his little bowling shoes. That was redeeming. This last weekend we took the boat out! Pop Pop let Ryan drive as the fishing boat is the perfect size for him. He took the job very seriously and even discovered the throttle. We can't wait to return next weekend.

Ryan had his 24 month appointment and measured 35 3/4 inches tall and 29.5 pounds so basically he's 3 feet and 30 pounds. He's grown an inch and a half since the last visit but not gained any weight. He's starting to stretch out and also starting to exercise some independence. We love this stage and are having so much fun with our little guy. He keeps us on our toes and makes us laugh daily.

for the record, I was looking ahead watching the road

and was holding this up pointing it at the backseat:)