Topped off with a Perfect Day

So I waited a little while to post so that everyone could catch up on the Trinidad trip!! We had a CRANKY return! Jansen got a rotten cold, refused to go back to sleeping in his crib for a while, then just when things started to mellow out... Richard got a nasty bug and Jansen started teething! Ugh! Jansen finally got over his discomfort, but no tooth sprouted at that time, he did then get a cold in his eye though and though Richard is getting better, he's still not over his bug.

Richard did a fine job in trial last week and now is prepping the next one. I am compiling applications for next year's PAL program while my student teacher finishes up his stint this week. I am definitely ready to whip my classes back into shape and close out this school year with a bang! I have to get the junior high show up, the advanced theatre student's one-acts produced, and close out next year's PALs. I also was asked to take yet another student teacher next year and agreed. I don't know if I am asking for trouble, doing work avoidance, or just really lucky! I wait 6 years for one and now I'll have 3 back to back! I could get used to this!!

Jonathan is prepping for his first communion next weekend, I think it is, and Jansen sprouted that pesky tooth from last week finally (just Saturday night I noticed it).

I got a free trip to the OKC Zoo for our family for sponsoring a blood drive with my students. We went on Saturday, but it wasn't a Jonathan weekend so we were short one family member. We did have a good time though. The weather was really nice, until it downpoured on us when we left the restaurant and headed to the car for the drive back home. After the zoo that afternoon we went to Bricktown in OKC and walked the riverwalk that they have there for about an hour or so. We were getting pretty hungry by then and since Richard and I haven't been on a real date in so long we decided to splurge on dinner. We went to the Melting Pot. It was a very interesting experience (it's a fondue place for those that don't know). Of course it isn't someplace that we should have taken Jansen since it was such a long day. He had done so great that it was tempting fate to take him somewhere that there was a burner right on the table and dinner had to be cooked by the bite. It took a long time to eat, but it was yummy. Way too pricey to go back, but I'm glad we went and did it! It was actually there that I found Jansen's tooth poking through his little gums! It was a wonderful day, quite perfect actually except for the fact that Jonathan wasn't with us.

Well, I'm actually working at home on these PALs applications while I update so I guess I'd better get back to it! Love to you all!!

After the Zoo...

... we went to the OKC Bricktown Riverwalk. We walked for about an hour. Jansen was getting a little sleepy, but he never fussed until well into dinner. It was a perfect day!

More Zoo!

Yup, you're right... that is a sippy cup Little Man is holding.

We've been working on the sippy cup for a couple of weeks now. He is getting the hang of it, even though it doesn't look too much like it here! He likes to chew on the spout if I don't take out the valve, but otherwise he does pretty good!

Jansen's first trip to the Zoo!

Daddy and Jansen waiting on Mommy to get ready to feed Little Man!

Well Hello from Mr. Smiley Face!

Just Ducky!

Jonathan's mom got Jansen this super soft, super cute duck for Easter. He loves it!!

Toes!

I know of no other baby in the history of the world who eats his (or her) own toes. *Ahem, Ahem* Certainly not this strange child's own mother!!!

Geez, and to be so darn happy about it! Weird!! =-D

Easter Fun!

The Easter Bunny brought the big boys silly glasses and noses. They looked funny!! Even Jansen tried to share in the silliness by swiping Jonathan's big red nose!

Brotherly Love

The cool new bib just to honor Jonathan!!

I can't get over how much they have become two peas in a pod. This is so much fun watching them together!!

Bears Rock... RRRarrrr!!

See, this picture here is for Uncle Rhet and Aunt Burnie. I'm sure Cousin JM will appreciate it as well!! I can be an unbiased football fan!!!

Turning 8 Months Already!

Chillin' with Daddy in my G-Q outfit the day before my 8 month b-day!

Happy to play with Daddy!

So Tall!!!

I'm 8 months today, but I'm crabby so I only had a pic in my jammies when I was going to bed.

One of the few smile for the night.

Bucket Boy

Jonathan sitting on the tractor behind Grandma's house.

Relaxing with Grandma Valerie

A nice shot of Grandma and Jansen.

Happy times!

Just relaxing.

Meeting Grandpa Victor

Grandpa and the GrandBoys.

Jansen's first visit with Grandpa Victor.

Jonathan is so much of a young man now-a-days!

Some family shots

Kye

We got to meet Stephen and his girlfriend Kisha while we were there. It was particularly special because they now have little Kye, so the boys got to meet. It will be really neat to see them grow up in tandem! Kye is 2 months here and Jansen is a whopping 7 months! Our little peanut doesn't look much bigger than Kye does he? =-P

The Daddy's with the Little Guys.

...plus Uncle Kevin!

Houses

The lower level on most of the homes was entirely for Garage or Car Port. The living areas then were on elevated levels. It was unusual for me to see so many homes that way. Richard tells me that the lots for the homes are generally smaller so they use the entire lot to build the homes. That is why we saw very few "yards" and the houses all seemed so close to each other. The residential roads were also so narrow that I think that contributed to the close proximity.

It was interesting to see a building being built across from Granny's house. The suports used are bamboo shoots instead of wood planks. I knew bamboo was strong, but I didn't realize just how strong until I saw that. It was especially enlightening to me because most of the structures are all concrete so that skinny reed is deceptively sturdy! I wish I'd have had the camera with us then!

Scenic Views from the Car

Big hills in the background!

Good shot of San Fernando Hill. The whole city that Richard is from pretty much revolves around the hill.

Street Sign

I'm weird, but I thought the street signs were cool. They are all pretty much like this. Red outline, White base, Black image. This was a speed bump, in case you didn't know that!

Richard's Schools

Richard's Elementary School.

Richard's High School.

Back side of the HS.

My new haircut

While in Trinidad, Valerie set me up with her stylist and I got a new do!!

Traveled out

Jansen was traveled out by the time we got to Grandma's house. He was a crankster for their first meeting.