Afternoons with Barrett

Look closely. That's a Hot Wheel's car that he carries around with him everywhere. Cheap $.99 toy!

He doesn't have his thumb in his mouth, he is trying to smell a flower/weed.

Okay, so this isn't exactly a beautiful pose...but I couldn't help but post it. There is just something about seeing Barrett in these boots and a diaper that makes me giggle. He DID have shorts on, but after changing multiple diapers, he was in no mood to mess with putting clothes on.

He has a one track mind about going OUTSIDE. Matt and I have to spell the word aloud to one another, or else Barrett overhears us and runs off towards the door.

His favorite words are "outside, door, outside, door, bulldozer, car, shoes, outside, door....."

Almost every day last week, I took him to the park after picking him up from preschool. Oh how he loves the park. I think he learns a lot from just watching the older kids and how they play. It's fun to just sit and watch him (although most of the time I'm chasing him).

Afternoons with Barrett is my favorite part of the day! I'm having the best time of my life with him.

See, he is a sweet boy. He cares about animals. He's trying to feed his pig a goldfish cracker.

Surprise!!!

Well, I did it. I pulled off the surprise of the year.
A few weeks ago, Albertsons called me and told me that I won tickets to the Dallas Cowboys game. I couldn't believe it! Once I calmed myself down from the initial shock of winning something, I began to plan how I was going to tell Matt.
Believe it or not, I was able to keep it a secrete until the actual day of the game (or hours before it started). Yes, I know...I was proud of myself for holding a secrete for that length of time (over 11 days). I seriously was about to burst though!!!!
Monday, I left work as soon as school was out. I took Barrett into Matt's office holding a jersey and a little card that said, "Will you go with Mommy to the Dallas Cowboy game tonight".
Matt was totally surprised. He kept asking me if I was serious, then he began asking all sorts of questions about what we were going to do with Barrett, what time the game started, etc.
As planned, I had everything taken care of. We were able to drop off Barrett at Gramsey and Papa's house and head to the game.
The game was a blast. The stadium was absolutely amazing. We had a nice time together and it was something we definitely needed (a night for just the two of us).

Laundry fun...

Believe it or not, Barrett has become quite the little helper. 9 times out of 10, he will help me pick up his toys and put them away, or participate in helping me do the laundry.
This particular day he thought it was funny that he did everything BUT help. While I was putting away the clothes, I overheard Barrett in the living room. He was having a good time.
There isn't much to the video clip, but I could listen to that laugh all day long!!!

Rainy Days

Rain or shine, we love the outside! This week in particular, happened to be the week of rainy afternoons, but Barrett wasn't about to let it stop him from getting outdoors.

Splish-splash!

I think he thought if might begin to hail...and he wanted to be prepared.

About to take a sample of "fresh water".

Strange but true, he thinks it is fun to get his hair wet. He's even attempted to try and drink out of the puddles! And, the more he can splash and get wet...the better!!!!

School News

Our week at school was great too. I noticed a few new fall things he had decorated, hanging on the walls in his classroom (a mobile, hand paintings, and ghosts). My favorite is a scarecrow cut out, with Barrett's actual photo attached as the head! Too cute.

This week, Barrett learned about:

The number #4

The letter D

The shape of a STAR

The animal, DOG

The color BLACK

Where his EARS were located (he already knew that one)

He explored the PLANETS (he probably thought they were colorful balls)

We also squeezed in an afternoon get together with Caiden Hazelwood. We love Mr. Caiden and Mrs. Debbie.

Great Job!!!!

Barrett made it a whole entire week without crying at morning drop-off. He is learning new things, making friends, and so tired at the end of every day, that he goes to bed by 7:45 without being rocked!!!! I almost miss those snuggle times! At least he wakes up every morning and snuggles with me. I don't ever want him to grow out of that!!!

Brad Paisley Concert

Saturday night, a group of us headed downtown Dallas to see Brad Paisley in concert! Even though it was pouring down rain, we had a blast!
See our beautiful, navy blue rain suits??? Thanks Debbie!
Even though we had them on at the beginning of the show, we peeled out of them when the rain let up. Eventually, it picked up again, but by that point, we really didn't care.
Good times, good times. I actually think the rain made it all the better! I would do it again in a heartbeat...except this time I would want Matt to be able to join us.
What happened to Matt you ask? Well, unfortunately, he came down with the stomach bug on the day of the concert. He was such a trooper though. I left him at the hotel to get some well needed rest. He's 100% better and is ready for the next concert!

Lov'en Labor Day Weekend

I'll start off by saying that our 3 day weekend was incredible. Even though we had been in school just two weeks, I definitely needed some time with my family of three.

Sunday was Grandad Shepard's birthday, so we drove out to Graham, TX to celebrate with him.

Barrett's new word is football. He can say it perfectly! I guess since it's truly "football season", we have a football fan on our hands!

Barrett loves the outdoors. Rain or shine, he wants to be outside all the time. It's his favorite word. We usually don't have too many probably with him, but when he is outside, and we're ready to bring him INSIDE...he throws a fit! Even it if is pouring down rain!!! I guess kids don't pay attention to the fact that they might be overheated, too wet, or could easily get frost bite! ha

With that being said, I got up on Monday morning to take Barrett for a jog. We love going for jogs together (he in the jogging stroller of course, although it won't be too long before he is running right beside me).

Instead of seeing the usual scenery around our subdivision, I decided to take Barrett to Breckinridge Park. We ran about 2 miles, then stopped to feed the ducks and play on the playground equipment.

During the duck feeding, Barrett must have worked up an appetite! As I broke off pieces of bread and threw it towards the ducks, Barrett would pick it up and eat it for himself! I tried to get him to share, but he didn't quite understand the concept.

Eventually, he realized the ducks were eating it, but we ran out of snacks too soon. Then off to the water the ducks waddled, and Barrett was right behind them (heading right for the water). I literally dropped my camera and took off in a sprint to get him! I caught him right before he made it to the water!!!!
I know to the people who witnessed the scene must have thought I was inexperienced with children (which I guess I am with energetic little boys) or, they felt sorry for me.

Having a Barrett/Mommy Day at the park was so much fun!!! We're going to have to do that more often!

Then we met up with Matt after he had finished riding his mountain bike, and stopped by our neighbor's farm to see the miniature horses!

Overall, the PERFECT weekend with my family!!!!

New Ride / New Wheels

Matt has been waiting to buy Barrett his first tricycle, and the time has finally come! Over the weekend, we went out and bought our little boy a shiny, red, Radio Flyer! He loves it! Can't you tell by the expression on his face?
Forget trying to help him peddle. He's very independent, and has already gotten frustrated a few times, but I know eventually, he will figure it out. Practice makes perfect!

It's kind of scary to see this WILD face! Even his ears are pinned back! That's a bad sign!

Fun on the Farm

Last weekend, we drove to Throckmorton for cousin Karlee's birthday party. I can't believe she is already 8 years old! Matt and I started dating about 6 months prior to her being born, so that kind of puts into perspective how long we've known one another.
Barrett absolutely loves being outside, but playing outside at Meme and Papa Barrett's house is a whole new world. It has to be #1 on his FAVORITE PLACES TO GO list! He's into everything!!!! You remember the water hose episode, right? Well, this time, he was into crawling on all the fences and watching the cows, horses, and his best friend, Dixie (dog). Good times for sure (even though I worried a lot about running into rattle snakes this time of year). This is what having a little boy is all about!!!!
Time to take a drive!!!

Face to face with baby calves!!!

Once he learns to peddle this thing, he can haul the Barbie doll bed for the girls next door!

He loves his wagon, but rather stand up in it or push it lately.

He really likes it when Meme pushes him fast!!!

His best friend, Dixie

And of course...we have to take some souvenirs home with us! (ha ha...Like we really need more rocks!)

All in all, it has been another GREAT week...except for Friday when Barrett had some tummy issues. All is well now, and he is back to normal. Matt was extra nice to stay at home with Barrett. Although B wasn't running fever, we knew he wouldn't want to be at school. In all honesty, I think Matt enjoyed having some one on one time with his son.
We're excited about enjoying this 3 day weekend and spending lots of time together as a family.

The weather has been beautiful lately and I've enjoyed taking Barrett on afternoon stroller rides, along with sitting outside with them. We're thinking about getting him a tricycle soon.