Arrrriiibbbaaa!

As if the long, wonderful day wasn't enough, we got to have dinner with the Zapp family at Casa Orozco.  Look at how big baby Tyler is getting!

The marriache (yeah, I can speak Spanish, but I have no idea how to spell that) guy came over and Shelby just LOVED it!

He didn't stay in his seat for long...

On the ride home he was still jammin' out.  Check out the sunset's color cast in the back windshield.

ROCK ON, SHELBY ANDER JONES, ROCK ON!

Vamos a la playa!

After a long nap from the walk in the park, Chaila and Aaron came over and asked if they could put on their swimsuits and let Shelby spray them with the waterhose.  I said yes, but then I thought...I can do ya one even better!  So, off we went to Shadow Cliffs for a fun few hours in the sun and water.The kids made friends quickly and decided to build their own lake.The lifeguards called a time out and everyone had to get out of the water for 15 minutes.  All were advised to reapply sunscreen.  With the water fair game, the ducks came a swimmin'.  I was so proud of myself for thinking that even in a hour and a half me may need snacks, so the 15 minutes were covered.Let me share with you a chain of events between Chaila and Shelby.  Understand, Chaila is a little mommy.  She ADORES Shelby.

Here's how it started.  Shelby didn't want to get in the water anymore.  So, he stood aside and watched.  I had taken the kids to the Dollar Store and they all picked out a different color spray bottle for the event.  Something went wrong with Shelby's so he was clearly upset.
Chaila immediately came out of the water (I was such a bummer, I only let the kids go to the waist-high marker so they practically laid on their bellies on the bottom to swim around.  Hey, I don't know if I can keep up with 3 kids yet!)  So, it only took her a sec to get out and assess the problem. After an explanation of the problem from Shelby and watching him try to fix it himself with his teeth, she jumped in and saved the day.And, as a typical male, he broke her heart as she tried to love on him and he shunned her away, annoyed at the affection.  You little toot!  She jumps at your every command!

A walk in the park

Saturday morning, Shelby and I went for a long walk.  We had such a great time together, just the two of us.  We decided to let Daddy enjoy a day in the woodshop working on a very special present.  (No, not for me.  I'm hoping the bathroom cabinet is done for my 30th, too.  But, this one is more special than my own birthday. :->)

On the way home, Shelby was too exhausted to walk.  We'd seriously walked for miles by this point.  I begged him to keep walking and he started crying.  I had the camera and his backpack in my arms and decided to put him on my back.  I was beat.  After a few steps he started giggling and said, "Mommy, Shelby cry 'Wah-wah' and I'm on back."  He not only manipulated me, he was so proud he had to brag about it!  I swear.....

PeekABoo after Naptime

Shelby and I sometimes play peek-a-boo through the slats on his crib.  I took in my camera, but wasn't fully thinking, as I didn't take a flash and it was dark for the nap, so the photos are grainy.  However, he'll soon be moving on to a big boy bed, and I wanted to ensure some of my favorite memories with him are locked in.

It takes him a little while to warm up.

But not long!And even less time to get sassy with the camera!Making an effort to squeeze in the photo.  

Dear Shelby,

It's happening.  You're growing up too fast.  Soon it will be time to set aside all the baby items and move on to the big boy stuff, like a big boy bed.  Before you do, I wanted to say THANK YOU.  Thank you for all the smiles your infancy has brought me.  Thanks for what a happy morning-baby you are (even though you arise between 5:30-6:00am).  Thanks for loving to play peek-a-boo and laughing so hard that it's that sound I focus on around Wednesday afternoon during a tough week at work.  And it's your smile that warms me up on Monday mornings when it's back to the grind.  Who needs coffee?  (That's metaphoric of course.  Please don't take away my coffee.)

I can only hope those moments between us mean only a smidget to you what they mean to me.  Maybe it'll be somewhere in your subconscious when you're dealing with a tough day at daycare; when you're just not getting your way, we didn't pack your favorite mac-and-cheese for lunch and someone else's mommy and daddy did, or when your eczema breaks out so bad all you can focus on is scratching.  Maybe you'll look forward to time with Mom, because in your heart you too know that I am nothing without the joy you bring me.

Peek-A-Boo!

Mommy

Aggie Muster Picnic

Dave & Lenecia hosted an Aggie Muster picnic last month for lots of our Aggie friends.  Thanks, Guys!  We had lots of good friends, good food and good drink.  Ah, memories of the days in Aggieland.

Speaking of Aggieland.  My long-term friend (for 10 yrs this fall!), Christine, stopped by with a growing up too fast little baby Claire.  Shelby was so excited to sit and entertain the precious little one.Lenecia scoped out a great spot at Tilden Regional Park over by Lake Anza.Shelby and I took a walk to check out the lake.

The view of the whole place sure didn't remind any of us of College Station.

Eventually, Shelbs was too pooped to run around anymore.  This pic cracks me up.

And finally, the melt down came.  This is just before we left and it's hilarious.  My poor, traumatized child.  "No take picture of me!"

Snail Watching

Shelby reminded me on Sunday of the importance of slowing down and enjoying the little things.  He was so amazed by the snail and the "House on his back!"  I loved watching my son be mesmerized by something so simple.

He was worried that the snail was going to get his basketball, so he had to save it!

Grammy & Grandpa in town

We miss you guys!  Can't wait to see you in July!Shelby kept asking for you both this morning and again this evening.  

Giants Game

Stacy and Dennis went to the San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies game on Sunday.  The game was 0-0 until the bottom of the 10th, and then the Giants won the game 1-0!

Grammy & Grandpa in town

Grammy and Grandpa arrived Thursday night for a fun-filled weekend!  On Friday while Mommy and Daddy were at work, they took Shelby shopping.  I did an entire load of just new clothes, all in preparation for 3T.  Socks, Pajamas, T-Shirts, Pants, Shorts, you name it!  And, they got Shelby his first box of pull-ups.
Friday night we went to dinner at Stacy's fav, Cattlemen's.  Shelby was so pumped to see the "Buffalo!"

Livermore's Wine Country Festival

Saturday, we all went to the 18th Annual Livermore Wine Country Festival.  Shelby & Grammy rode the choo choo train.

Then, Grammy took me fishing for ducks for a prize.  I won a safari paddle ball set.

On we went to the live music.  That's Ms. Marcy, Shelby's teacher in the pink jacket in the seats.  Shelby was excited to see her and we found out her husband was the lead singer!  Shelby entertained everyone with his moves.

I was excited for the photo opp on my favorite colorful wall downtown.

Stacy and Dennis were excited for the cool cars.  Shelby was angry, because he wasn't allowed to sit in them and drive.

And, he was all pooped out at the end of the day, as Grandpa took care of storytime.