"Happy Birthday to you two..."

It was Pa Joad (my dad) 's birthday yesterday, and it is Ma Joad(my mom)'s birthday tomorrow, so I thought I'd split the difference and use the song in between! Buck is currently on my lap yelling 'choo choo train' at this picture. This is a recent trip to Heritage Park (like a historical amusement park). We moms love it because the kids can ride the train for about 3 hours and spend one hour eating and running on the grass and then we're done :)
There is a little amusement area where they have these aweome swings. You'll have to see them when you come and visit.
Me looking hot on the ferris wheel. Charlie's mommy is preggers, so I had the task of taking both boys on the ferris wheel. This is especially funny since I am pretty afraid of heights. It's a tall ferris wheel. The boys loved it, of course.
There is Charlie's head at the top. I am probably hanging on for dear life.
What I am not afraid of is the large train. Please click on this picture - the little girl on the right is shreiking her head off, Charlie is crying and Buck is running like all heck. The train is hooting it's whistle and approaching while freaking out the kids. I'm sure the conductors love this part.
Buck's young life (22 months) flashing before his eyes ;)
A much more subdued pair actually on the train. They loved this ride. We were on this for a long time. Buck is proudly representing his new local hockey team - of course, we still love the Ducks and applaud their Stanley Cup Victory!!
Buck looking calmly out the train window right before he screamed with excitement, I'm sure. Buck loves the choo choo.
Charlie's mommy in her 4 month preggo glory holding both Charlie and Buck.
A final swing picture. The boys love the swing nearly as much as the train. Buck is dying to go right now and is crying as he says so much.

Yesterday, my best friend, the Sears repair man, fixed the washing machine and I hugged him. Yes, that's right, I hugged the man because I was so happy to have the washer back. He laughed at me and then explained how it wasn't that big of a deal (didn't seem too excited about the hug either - I'm losing my touch, I guess). We had a rather strange day as I found a tiny white dog running around in the street and brought it in the house, thinking I'd found a stray.

It took about 30 minutes to put up "found dog" signs and for Buck to fall in love with the dog. I locked the dog in our guest bathroom and we took a walk - telling everyone about the dog. I was debating whether or not I wanted a dog (a very cute puppy who looked expensive) and I called RkZ to tell him what had happened. He asked if I had called animal control, which clearly explains his view :)

Well, after the walk and during Buck's nap, I let the dog run outside to go pee or whatever and it ran home - -ha! ha! ha! I had basically been keeping this dog hostage in our bathroom & the nanny who came running out to find it was very grateful. I'm sure that this little female maltese had cost a pretty penny & a missing dog would not have gone over really well. I didn't talk to the nanny because she was on her cel phone (probably reporting a missing dog) and the dog happily ran back into its yard. I could hear it's owner kids yelling. Still couldn't make out the name, though. We called her Marley for her 4 hours in captivity.

That being done, our last scheduled mommy & child class, Gymtastics, was yesterday afternoon. Now it is really the summer for us - a fact that is being capped off by today's afternoon rain and the playdate with the exact same mommies and toddlers we always see. Nothing too novel for us here (I may have a little social burn-out these days).

Happy birthday again to my moms & my pops. I can't wait to see you both in August where we'll throw a late b-day party. Love you.

"I shoulda' been a cowboy!"

Well, I didn't get too many pictures of downtown yesterday, & I might have had an exaggerated idea about all the tents (I will get more pictures as Stampede goes on) - but I did want to upload the pictures from our own Discovery Ridge breakfast. Yesterday was a great day - I wish I could really describe how fun it is to walk around downtown in the middle of the city and have lunch on a patio roof deck of our favorite book store (E & Wayne, you were there with us). It was also just great to have lunch with RKZ during the week. We miss him so much as he works so hard for us!

Today, the washing machine repair man is coming. RK had turned off the water to our washer when we left for Iowa, when we returned home, I started some laundry and left it for the day. The next morning (yikes!) we realized that the machine was still running without water! Now, it is hopelessly running & totally broken. Thank goodness for Sears. They're on the way right now.

A few picture captions - RKZ pulled the three kids down the hill from our house to the breakfast. Clemmie, you'll recognize and the new little boy is the son of a friend from Church. His name is Adam and his mom, Janet, brought the cowboy hats which were a surprisingly big hit with the kids.

"Sunny day - In the park!"

Buck has begun to do somersaults (forward rolls) on his own. He did the first few unprompted at the zoo the other day (in front of all the other mommies). What a good day for me! :)
We recently purchased a wagon which has become the hot item for toting around 4 2-year-olds. They were fighting to get into it, so we just made them smash in. Yours truly is pulling all 4. Good work out!
Closer view. Poor pink Clemmie is the only girl. Next to her is Jackson & Charlie and Buck (Angel's hat-red) are scrunched in back.
One of the moms, Joya, was running around trying to capture pictures. The kids didn't seem to interested in performing!
Buck, looking so much like a little boy that I just can't stand it. Here he is checking out the camels at the zoo.
There are beautiful white owls in this cage (trust me) and the kids are obsessed with them.
Buck, Clemmie and Jackson at the owl cage.
Jackson, whose parents get to go on a lot of trips, so we rarely feature Jackson in our blog. He is a sweety with bright red hair. I hope there is a picture of him sans hat somewhere.
Clemmie.

Yesterday's non-sleep insanity was rectified with one day of no sleeping & an early bedtime for Buck. My little dictator-tot is back in his regular form & we're excited to visit Daddy downtown today for lunch! I am hoping to get some pictures for tomorrow's blog as Calgary is setting up/getting ready for the CALGARY STAMPEDE!! It is actually a big rodeo but it is also a giant fair (with a toddler midway, I'm happy to report) and big country music shows. But the best parts, I think, are the free pancake breakfasts that they have everywhere - literally everywhere for a week. A business or church or organization will set up a big tent in their parking lot and invite the community to come for breakfast. No cost - usually a food bank donation, but they don't even check. We've already gone to one in our own community. They had a petting zoo and balloon-making clown and all of our neighbors were there, which was awesome!

RKZ says that downtown is already filling with tents. Some are for pancake bfasts, but some are for beer-fest type, bar-extending parties. We will be visiting a little of both, of course (not at the same time or with Daniel at all of them). Now, Calgary downtown is much like Denver downtown - there are a lot of large buildings and small streets, so I can't wait to see how this works - or how it affects parking. According to the folklore of the locals, nobody works during Stampede week. And everyone I know has "parade day" off - which is July 6th. There is a giant parade through downtown. We have been invited by Jackson & his dad to sit in the grandstands with them. We'll see if that pans out & I'll try and get a few good pictures of the parade.

If I have to miss the Huntington Beach 4th of July parade, at least this will be a pale second :)

Stampede ends on July 15th (officially). RKZ is going to spend most of the week golfing with work by the sound of it - and we are excited because Buck's 13-year old cousin, SDJ will be here to take in the sights and sounds with us. I will post either pictures of our 1st pancake bfast or today's foray into downtown Stampede tomorrow. Oh! Did I mention that they give away free cowboy hats? Are you so jealous?

"Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa." (not a song, I know)

Buck in Uncle Chuck & Aunt Patty's back yard. While we were in Iowa, we stayed with The Duke's (RKZ's dad's) brother and sister-in-law. Buck is wearing his new Iowa Hawkeye Pj's from Aunt Patty (he also learned to say "go Hawks!" - very cute).
Buck loved Patty's antique kid's rocking chairs. He kept kicking out the stuffed animals who usually sit in them.
another of the usurped chairs
Aunt Patty probably teaching "Go Hawks!" We had so much fun with her!
Buck had some good times with his "great" aunt ;)
A great picture of RKZ.

Grandpa Duke enjoying himself.
Cousin Timmy. He is actually a very cute man. Here, he looks too excited about the drinks. Tim lives in Iowa near his parents & is very active in the local theater there.
The back of the Duke, the Duchess and cousin Ryan.
Grandma Duchess - Buck just said her name as he saw this picture - also, 'big airplane.' Here we go again (see below).
cousin Ryan. Buck called him "conass Rynan" the entire time. Was funny. Ryan is on his was to Notre Dame Grad school in the fall.
Uncle Chuck looking cool in his own backyard.

As I ran up the stairs attempting to find my son's stuffed monkey, without whom Buck will not eat, I realized that I have quite a bit to blog since this space has been out of commission for about 2 weeks. So much has been going on both in our lives and in the lives of everyone who reads this! It took the monkey, literally on my back (or my dining room table) to get me to update this freekin' post :)

I am adding pictures of our time in Iowa. Thanks for all the prayers and well-wishes. It was, understandably sad but true to Grady form, RKZ's family ended our week there more in celebration of Bruce's life than sadness over his death. It will be especially hard for the young people who lived nearest and were closest to Bruce - also for his fiancee and young son. It sounds strange to say that it was nice to see everyone. Buck had an amazing time - but we did enjoy our time even in the worst circumstances. As you all well know, I am obsessed with warm weather now and it was toasty hot in Iowa - 90'sF/30'sC - it was a pleasure just to wear shorts, t-shirts and a thin layer of sweat for the week.

Since we've been back, we have been playing "catch-up" with all that needed to be done the week we were gone. Buck is our little parrot - literarly saying everything we say with his own Buck accent. We have had to put up with more than a few tantrums as Buck declares that we must go "up airplane!" and "Ganma Nancy house!" during variou 20 minute stream of conciousness diatribes. Buck will either be a pilot or a new anchor - he's constantly screaming about airplanes and gives a running commentary about daily events. It's only been really embarassing that he has started to point at anyone in a wheelchair and scream "That people GO!" The embarassing part is that the person has no idea that Buck is really just commenting on the cool fact that the 'person' has wheels...we've made a lot of new friends, anyway.

Our latest craziness is that Buck has decided that he must wake up at 1am and be awake for 3 hours in the middle of the night. We don't know why. He takes good naps and goes to bed at a decent time. Poor RKZ suffers the most during this. He has to wake up for work while Buck sleeps until 9:30am (an all-time record for our son). Please feel free to send any recommendations for this sleeping nightmare.

Today is relatively free. All of our "baby classes" end this week and SDJ comes to visit the week after next (YEAH!) It will be nice to have a little "unscheduled summer." Also, congrats to everyone who is free from their teaching jobs now. Never thought it would come (but maybe you won't be reading this now since you aren't tied to your computers anylong). A few of my good friends are moving/have moved as they read this and we're hoping to be able to come visit. Also, a nice 'shout out' to the newest Kelly boy residing safely in his mommy's womb right now (we just got news that my brother's wife, Hoonka, is having a baby boy). I WILL post tomorrow. Now that I've finished re-reading all the Harry Potter books in prep for next month, I have plenty of time.

"I want to ride my bicycle..."

RKZ's mom is in the aqua color. These are her siblings. Bruce (please read below) is on the far left of the picture.
A very similar shot to above. This photo is about 2 years old at RKZ's cousin's wedding.
Just a large, fuzzy group shot of the wedding crowd - all the aunts and uncles.

It has been an eventful few days and weekend. Some zany; some very, very sad.

Friday, Buck & I helped out a new friend here in Calgary by "modeling." A friend owns a bike trailer company here in the city, Chariot. And we decided to help out for the next ad season.

If you click on the blue words above, you'll see their website. Buck and I (along with about 25 other people) will be in the 2007 brochure. You probably won't see any pictures of us on the web site - but I'm not exactly sure how that's going to work. My friend initially asked us and I thought she only meant Buck. It was only when she sent me a "what to wear" email that I realized that she meant that I would be in some of the pictures as well. Uhhhh...I am not interested in being a model at all & I get very nervous if I don't have my sense of humor to fall back on. But, I guess the pictures turned out alright. I don't know if we'll make many of the actual brochure shots (Buck was the pretend baby to about 4 other women, so he'll probably make it a few times), but that is OK by me. We get to see some of the finished shots once they've been used, so I'll be sure to link them here when I get the chance.

On a very sad note, one of RKZ's uncles, Bruce, died suddenly yesterday in Iowa. He was working on a new house for himself and his fiancee, when something happened and he fell from a high piece of equiptment. Bruce was 50 - very young - and is RKZ's mom's youngest brother (second youngest of their siblings). Everyone is very sad, of course. Bruce was so funny - always laughing & teasing and RKZ values him very much. We are hoping to fly to Iowa this week, so the posts might be sporadic. Please say a little prayer for RK & Bruce & especially RK's mom, Nancy (using her real name for the prayers). She is such a great woman (and an awesome mom-in-law & grandma), so if you can all keep her in your heart during this time, that would be wonderful. Thanks.

"All we need is love!"

I have been loving my toddler lately. On Saturday, we spent the day out at the "Ranch" of some friends of ours. It seems that ranch is used they way "cabin" is used in the mountains at home and in Colorado - everything is a "ranch" - with or without animals, or even running water. (the one we visited had neither). It was a fun time, but very hot (no such thing as "too hot" anymore). Buck spent a good deal of time chasing around the large boxer that came with one of the families, but he also loved walking in the fields of dandelions. He would yell "Bubbles!" and proceed to blow and shake the flowers as the little floaty seeds came off each one. It was so fun to see his mind processing in almost an imaginary way. He was so happy for the 8 hours we were at the ranch. Sunburned (bad mommy), mosquito bitten (though not as much as his mother) and tired, but he had an excellent time. On Friday (going backwards in time), Buck insisted on carrying 2 latex balloons around all day. He would put the loops around his wrists and shake the dying/deflating balloons every now and then. This was both funny & inconvenient as we had to go to the doctor to check on Buck's 3 week old cough in the middle of the balloon phase. Nothing like a 1/2 naked toddler sitting on a doctor's table with 2 floppy balloons around his wrists. Thank goodness that Dr. Tam has a son Buck's age. He and I both thought the whole thing hilarious. It was also funny when the Dr. asked Buck what is wrong and he answered, "Bad cough." Which is totally true. Buck also said, "bye, do-cor Tam." Pathetic when this is the proudest moment of a woman's week, isn't it?

We're just back from "mom's time out" which is our standing date every Monday. Buck plays and I work out. Buck has a very good friend in Charlie, who also goes. They have begun to play together and look for each other like real friends. The socialization of a child is incredible. Buck is this little happy dreamer (has always been as I look back) and Charlie is a dynamo - never-stop-going kid. They follow each other and copy each other. It's quite funny & more than a little scary. It always makes me think of Buck's first best friend, Gunnar. I'm was sad that they don't get to interact like that now.

The pictures are of another friend, Keaton. Keaton and Buck are "sprinkler friends." Every time Keaton and his mommy come over, Buck and Keaton spend hours trying to figure out the sprinkler. It has just gotten hot enough that we can turn on the sprinkler, but we haven't tried that yet. Keaton's mom & dad are renovating their house - so she's awfully busy. It's an active world we've got going here.