Santa's little helper...

It has become our yearly holiday tradition to make a trip out to Bass Pro Shop to visit Santa. I am so happy I started taking him there from when he was about a month old, because it's so neat to look back & see how much he's grown each year when we go back (this being year 3 for those of you counting...). The Santa is by far the best Santa I have ever seen...he has the full beard & is so sweet :). What a fun job it would be to be Santa (minus the crying/scared little ones that freak out at the sight of him)!

The atmosphere is so wonderful at Bass Pro too. They had the Christmas music going, gorgeous Christmas trees up throughout the store, a snow station for kids to play in the snow (aka shredded white plastic), game stations to play, a craft area for kids to write Santa a letter, and a free picture with Santa. Talk about a great way to market....those darn folks at Bass Pro are geniuses!

I didn't know if it was too soon to go since it was still November (the 30th), but I was so glad to beat the lines of kiddies (we waited about an hour last year...which seems like an eternity with a young child). Connor could have played in the 'snow' for hours!

Being introduced to snow for the first time...

Then it was onto visit Santa...I was secretly nervous about how the interaction would go this year between Connor and this funny dressed stranger. We began with a get-to-know-you high five!


Then we slowly but quickly plopped Connor on Santa's lap in hopes of a decent picture...Connor's stranger danger set in about this time...*How exactly do we teach our kids that its not okay to talk to strangers...unless, of course, its Santa?!


So into Mom's arms he went...with a rather disgusted look for Santa...


When I went to pick up our picture, the camera guy said he wasn't able to get one. I said "Oh we need one! Even if its terrible...I have to add it to my baby book of yearly Santa photos!" We scurried over to Santa again & I stood with Connor near Santa for a picture. I wasn't about to torture him again and put him on his lap...so the picture wasn't the greatest, but we got one!

Then back to the snow we went...


The poor employees in Santa Land...their day consisted of sweeping up snow particles over and over and over. Connor was keeping them busy...


Then something unexpected happened...
Connor rushed over to get a view of Santa...
He began to look at Santa in a different light...

"There's Santa, Ma!!"


So we went from saying hey to Santa (aka "That That That!!") to running back to toss a glob of snow particles over his head....then back to say hey to Santa....then repeat....over and over and over...

I think Santa got a kick out of it :)




Once we finally pulled him away from the snow, we were onto to browsing the fish tanks and fisherman products with Papa (and Nana & Mom followed behind).


Bass Pro is such a good idea for a toddler field trip! If only it was closer to home...


"This place is GREAT!"


Scoping out the fish with Papa.




And our attempt at a cute picture by the GI-NORMOUS tree in the store's entry...

Then today, Santa's little helper decided to assist his Nana in chores around the house while Mom was at work...

First he helped collect the trash...

Then he was on to his favorite duty...vacuuming!
(Saying the word "vacuum" in this house is like saying the words "ice cream." If you say it, you better be able to provide it, or you will have one crabby boy on your hands!)

It fills my heart with joy to see my little boy enjoy cleaning :)

This & That...

Lately, the days have been coming & going. I don't comprehend what day it is, what month it is, how close the holidays are....I'm just basically going through the motions of each day. We've been very busy, but if I sit and think back on the past week, it's all pretty much a blur. I really think there is truth to what I remember someone telling me a while ago--once you become a mom, your brain pretty much goes to mush! Luckily, I manage to capture photos to help me recall our recent happenings around here!

After Connor's party last weekend, we decided to leave the tent up in the back yard (temporarily) for some extra shade while we play outside. For a change of scenery, Connor & I decided to have a lunch date at his new picnic table under the tent. Although I could barely fit my rear on the seat, we enjoyed snitching food from eachother's plates and mac & cheese clean up was never so easy...we just hosed the table (and the child) off :).


When I mentioned that Connor got his pony from his Nana & Papa, I think I failed to explain just how cool this pony really is! Not only can you ride it, it makes galloping noises, you can comb his mane, AND you can feed it a carrot (while he makes chewing/chomping noises). Connor is way more interested in feeding the horse then riding it at this point in time! He sticks the carrot in the horse's mouth, waits for the horse to make his chewing noises, looks over at me, smiles real big & says "Mmmm!" He's quite a character!


When we're home for the day & the walls feel like they're starting to close in on us, I try to think of new, creative things to do. Sometimes the more effort I put in, the more my toddler does NOT want to do what I had planned. Sometimes just hanging out in a different room and playing peek-a-boo in the curtains can be more exciting than a trip to the playground!


This past weekend we ventured (or should I say "Matt ventured") out to put our Christmas lights up! After a few extra trips to Lowe's to get more strings of lights, we were ready to start hanging them. I was definitely taking on way more than I could handle... I was trying to keep my little boy busy/content in the front yard, while trying to keep him in sight at all times. This challenge isn't much of a challenge, unless you throw in the duty of holding the ladder while my honey climbs a good 12 feet high! We made it through though....the child survived, the boyfriend survived, and the lights look mah-velous!


Only in Florida can you find people hanging Christmas lights, singing along to Christmas songs, while playing in their swimsuits!


Mr. Big Man thought the ladder looked way more exciting than his lousy ol' kiddie pool and slide.


We had a two step rule (where Connor could only climb up two steps on the ladder). This rule caused many tears, screaming at the top of his lungs, and a bright red face...Connor could have easily climbed to the very top of this ladder with no fear & no turning back & he could not understand why Matt could do it & he couldn't!




Once the lights were up, we decked out in our game day clothes & got pumped up for the big FSU/UF blowout!!! Auntie Katie & Nana stopped by for a few minutes before the game. Its rare to have Katie in town, so I try to sneak in as many Connor/Auntie pics as I can. It's merely impossible to get Connor to stay still long enough for a posed picture!


Then today, we had a blast at the park. We watched Matt play football, scoped out every drain on the soccer fields, launched every rock known to Jim Jeffers Park into the pond, and got to run every last ounce of energy off on the playground.

It's party time!

C-R-A-Z-Y busy birthday weekend is coming to an end! Connor has had way more fun than he can handle! Since I had a ridiculous amount of photos to illustrate, I'll caption each one to help tell the story. Sit back and enjoy the footage from our Elmo party extravaganza! :)

I'll set the scene...
Birthday party Eve. Nana & Mom were setting up decor and perfecting each party detail. Papa & Matt were picking up, delivering, lifting, placing, constructing, and setting up the backyard for party day (in the dark of night, might I add!). Once those tasks were complete, Matt was given the challenge of assembling Connor's new picnic table from Nana & Papa. Many screws, washers, bolts, and twists later, it was together...and Mr. Connor loved it!


Day of party...waiting for guests to arrive. Connor decided to chill in the new seating in the backyard. Mr. Elmo was cute as can be in his birthday outfit! It hit me that this is the last year that I can squeeze him into "baby outfits"...he'll soon be (or already is, but I'm just in denial) too grown up for outfits like this!


Onto the party details...


I was pretty happy with the way Connor's picture banner turned out. I had seen a similar idea on another Mom's blog and ran with it...I made a banner (3 different small banners) with pictures from each month since Connor was born. It was fun to decorate & show off how much my baby has changed in such a small amount of time.


Nana working ever-so-hard in the kitchen getting everything together (she is queen hostess & does such an amazing job!).


The yummies :)


Looks adorable. Was a giant red frosting mess. Went with Target this time, but will definitely go with Publix next time around. I live for cake & this wasn't quite up to my taste standards, but it was super cute & Connor didn't complain when he was inhaling it! :)


So here's party boy...I waited until last minute to dress Connor in his outfit (to minimize any possible dirt, food, or drool before the guests arrived). About two minutes before the majority of our guests starting showing up, Connor snuck into the backyard & "splashed" all over his clothes!! He thought it was hilarious (as we all did too), so I just smiled & captured some funny pics of my two year old!




He is SUCH a water boy!


A cute pic...and Connor scarfing food...surprise surprise!


Pool time with the kiddies




Swinging with Shelb


I knew to give Connor one of Elmo's "eyeball cupcakes" since they were white instead of red.





I was able to catch a photo of Shelby digging into the Elmo mess!


Present time!! Connor's first goodie...his new bike from Uncle Craig & Auntie Nicole! Oh so excited!!!


Then Connor caught a glimpse of the 100000000000 piece matchbox car set that Kerri & Justin got him! Let's just say the war has begun!! Their little girl, Kaylee, will be two in January, and I am on the hunt for the biggest, most accessory filled doll house out there! :)


We then received a special surprise from Auntie Katie even though she couldn't be here.


and yes...Connor's gift was wrapped in a beautiful, PINK Dora bag! Connor's not afraid to show his feminine side! ;)


Connor then opened oodles & oodles of more goodies...


Connor loaded up on new toys, books, movies, giftcards, and clothes...he is one lucky little guy!
Connor (and his Mommy) say "thank you!!"


The fun didn't stop after presents...it was peek-a-boo time with Shelby!


Kisses through the curtains :)


Through the busy hustle & bustle of the par-tay, I forgot to make sure everyone sported their party hats. Matt & I decided to model them anyway...


Connor took a super duper long nap after the party & woke very refreshed & ready to play with all his new goodies.

I try to limit my cell phone talking when Connor's awake & with me, so I don't think he's around the phone enough to know to pick it up & talk on it. Connor does, however, LOVE looking at pictures, so has begun stealing my phone & wanting to scroll through my phone pics. My cell phone kept coming up missing after Connor would wander off with it & leave it wherever...so Matt got the great idea of giving Connor his old phone. He went around the house & took pictures of Connor's favorite toys (Oso, Elmo, balloons, etc). He set Oso as Connor's phone background & everything! So Connor now walks around with his own phone staring at his Oso picture!! He can hit the buttons & play around as much as he wants (until the battery dies & I have to recharge it, of course!).

Although in this photo below Connor looks as though he's auditioning for the next E-trade baby commercial, he's in fact, "giving Oso hugs!" hahaha!


We curled up on the couch at the end of the day & flipped on Connor's new Dora dvd from his G.G. This isn't just any Dora dvd~ it's a personalized Dora dvd, with Connor starring in it!!! It is one of the coolest & funniest gifts I have ever seen! We all got a great kick of it & Connor thinks its pretty cool he's with Dora & Diego!!! haha!


Connor: "That, That, That!"
Me: "That's you, Connor!!"

We had such a blast this weekend & we need to thank everyone, especially Nana, Papa & Matt for helping with all the party prep, food pickup, set up, clean up, etc! I definitely could not have done it alone! Thank you to everyone that came to celebrate with us and for all of Connor's new goodies! We had a great time celebrating with everyone :)

Birthday....check....now onto Thanksgiving & Christmas....Ahhh! Where did the time go?!
(P.S. My house is currently an explosion of birthday party leftovers and Christmas decor!)