Getting the blowoff

I knew that someday Joshua would blow me off and pretend not to know me; I just thought it would happen in Middle School, not as a toddler! I am participating in MOPS at a different church than we attend, so the nursery is somewhat new to us. Last week was the third time Joshua was in their nursery. Arriving to pick him up, another child came running and smiling towards me. I explained to the worker that he wasn't actually mine and pointed out the darling little boy in the yellow shirt as my child. The nursery worker called to him, as did I, and then she walked him out of the toy house he was in. The little rascal looked right at me and without so much as a smile turned right back around to keep playing! The nursery worker then asked me if I was sure that was the right one!

Although this age is trying at times, he is still lots of fun. Meal times have been very difficult as he is very demanding with what he will eat and when he'll eat it. He will decide midway through his 10th bite of something he doesn't like it anymore. One day he'll eat Kiwi, the next day- not a chance. We are trying to figure out boundaries and how to encourage his independace while maintaining discipline (and our sanity) too.

Most of the time is mischief is pretty funny. He's fasinated with the toliet and given the opportunity, loves to test what happens when things are put into it. Hopefully his curiosity about the world and his impact in it will continue, until then...

Here he is eating dirt at the neighbor's birthday party. They did have birthday cake, but Joshua apparently didn't want to wait for it. Those are my legs behind him oblivious that he's eating dirt (and I'd like to point out the fact my friend was taking a picture instead of stopping him-hmm, sounds like something I would do.)

Time to move the slide outside???

Here he is with one of his neighborhood girlfriends. He likes to pick the older girls that can drive.

If he can find a way to climb on something, he will. Check out the video for more on this picture.

So at the end of the day, there is sometimes frustration, sometimes even tears, but always lots of giggles, hugs, and kisses.

Horses, and Cowboys, and Bulls, OH MY!

This is my attempt to blog while on hold... Last Sunday we went to The Star of Texas Rodeo and Fair with our international friends. It was lots of fun. Joshua can't wait until he's old enough for mutton racing-only 3 1/2 more years! I was really impressed with a whole Kidztown they had set up. He got to see Elsie, the Borden cow, and Elsie jr. the calf. (and get cheap milk!) The had a great petting zoo, with some baby goats, deer, and even a kangaroo with a baby in her pouch! The kangaroo was in her own pen though. Here's a video, that's our friend Kevin in the red.

We had a well-balanced dinner of Corndogs, Frito Pie, and Funnel Cake. Yummy, they are reason enough to go to the fair and rodeo! We have been to some small town rodeos, but the caliber of riders was a lot more impressive. However, the small town charm is fun too. I got home a realized I didn't take pictures of anyone but Joshua. Oops. So I stole some from other folks that posted them for all to see.

Rocky Mountain High

Last week we returned from a week and a half adventure to Colorado. We skiied five days at Snowmass and then visited Kurt's brother and family in Fort Collins for a long weekend. Having a week of real winter and playing in the snow was lots of fun, but we are glad to be back to warm and sunny Texas...

X-Treme Skiing: Yes, that's actually me in that picture...Stay at Home Mommy meets Terrain Park. Do you notice anything interesting about the picture?

Going into the trip, I was curious if being responsible for another human being would cause me to be more timid on the mountain. Not to mention it had been four years since my legs had carved their way down a snowy hillside. Fortunately, it didn't take long to ease my way back into feeling comfortable. Kurt was looking good on the skis too. He is a good skier and lessons from good ole' Roge always whip him into shape.

Joshua got to hang out with his Mimi while we skiied. Thanks Mimi for all your lovin' care!

The second day of sking we went over to Buttermilk. The sweet thing about skiing Snowmass is that not only do you have Snowmass Mountain, but your lift ticket is good for Aspen, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. Really, you couldn't be bored here if you tried. In the afternoon, the sun broke through for a little while and we took a mini-photo shoot. Good thing we did; it snowed the whole rest of the time we were there. It flurried off and on the first two days, but the afternoon of our third day it really started, and we got over 12 inches that night!

By mid-afternoon, on the third day, my confidence was running high. Too high. We were on our way to the condo for lunch when I spotted the Makaha terrain park. Kurt was sent down to catch a photo of me going off the first jump. Dad didn't hear the plan and, therefore, missed the big launch. (It seemed like a good idea at the time.) Once I got the wave from Kurt, I took off towards the jump. About three-quarters of the way up the 10 foot jump, I began to rethink the thought pattern that had led me too that moment. Unfortunately, it was too late for backing out...If you take another look at that picture, you'll notice I'm way too far behind my skis. I went in the air and fell flat on my back, from what Kurt estimates was about 6 feet (the ramp was sloped down instead of a drop off, probably designed for idiots like me). Just in case you were wondering, it hurt. What little breathe was left was spent trying to convice Kurt I was okay and chastizing him for letting me go off the jump in the first place (and asking him if he got a good picture). Then the pain really started and a sound much like a walrus in labor could be heard across the slope as I worked through the pain. Eventually I was able to crawl out from the jump and moan from the side. After a long recovery time, we were able to ski down to the condo. At that point I started to really worry that I had broken some ribs since it hurt to breathe. We headed to the condo and then on to get some Xrays. At the skiier's clinic there was a ski patrol guy there to fill out an incident form with me. It was a little embarrassing when he asked my profession; I wonder how many stay-at-home mommies hurt themselves at the terrain park each year? Nothing was broken (Thanks to my Mom and Dad who made me drink all that milk!) but I had "chest contusions." Basically the muscles around my ribs are bruised because of the compression of everything. It still hurts off and on, but I am truely greatful to God that something more serious didn't come of my serious lack of judgement.

I took the next day off from skiing, the big fresh powder day. Dad and Kurt mostly hit groomed runs as skiing in powder takes a lot out of you. Mimi, Joshua, and I decided to go shopping in Aspen. That didn't go as smoothly as expected, but at least I got a good picture of Aspen. There was so much snow everywhere it was difficult to get an appreciation for the town. Guess we'll have to go back...

The "Silver Bullet" may look good on the slopes, but he still needs his wife to help him get his boots on. Thursday I got back out on the skis. It was enjoyable but very cold. The boys took it easy on me and we went slowly, skipping the terrain park.

Phase two of the Colorado Expedition found us in Fort Collins. Joshua got to hang out with cousin Wyatt. They played well together and seemed to have lots of fun. While there, we went to a little farm, walked around the downtown area, ate good food, and did lots of playing. Kurt and I also snuck out for a hike in which we got a talkin' to by the local park ranger for hiking off trail.

Driving the tractor...

Baa Baa...

"Com'on cuz, can't this thing go any faster?"

Poo-Wee!

The Z boyz.

Wyatt introduced Joshua to the fun of forts.

Thank you to Mimi, Papa, and the Colorado Z family! We had a great vacation with you.