Gabe and I try to stay busy during the evenings, especially with daddy working graveyard right now. So we headed to the park and watched the musical entertainment for the night. I think Gabe had more fun with his cousin, Daniel, than the musical tribute to the Beatles. Guess he's just not a fan.
Josh and I took the boy to the Pacific this past weekend. It was a spur of the moment decision, but we knew we wouldn't really be able to if we waited. Gabriel absolutely loved the beach. He took his toy truck and drove all over the place. Even though he didn't care for the ice cubed water, he still enjoyed himself with mommy and daddy.
This summer, we have definitely been keeping as busy as possible. Mainly because I don't want to stay at home getting larger than I already will and also because Gabriel is much to active for his mommy. So, every tuesday we go downtown and watch the Concert in the Park series for kids. Today we are watching the Native American Troupe Dance. It's for an hour during mommy and me time (lunch). Gabriel liked last week. It was the Queen and Mad Hatter from Alice and Wonderland. He didn't know what was going on, but the people and the colors were mesmorizing. And on Thursdays, they continue the series and they have a couple hours of live bands and music. Last week, we seen an Eagles Tribute band and an A Capella group. They were really good, and Gabriel has a huge area to just run and wear himself out. Which was nice when we got home and he was asleep before we reached the road. ;) Then Regal cinemas (http://www.regcinemas.com/) is doing a family free day from Tuesday through Thursday of kids movies from 10am to 2pm. Tomorrow we're going to that and going to watch Horton Hears a Who and Inkheart. The best part is, it's free with other kids, so it's not like they are going to expect my child to be quiet during a whole movie. What child is? And friends of ours have gone to a million yard sales and got so much children's toys and things for pennys. I was at their home and it looked like they had to have spent thousands on their kids, but it was at the most a hundred or so at yard sales. They had wagons, and yard toys (little tykes which is the best and soooo expensive). So we went to a yard sale this past weekend and found a wooden rocking horse. I didn't want to get it if Gabe didn't like it, so (BIG MISTAKE) I put the boy on it.... and he wouldn't get off. We had to carry him to the car in it. :) Then in a couple of weekends, we are going to go to Wild Waves with Josh's family. Luckily they had a little kid area, otherwise it wouldn't be too productive to spend thirty dollars to get in and carry Gabe everywhere since they don't have anything for him. But it'll be nice. And Josh can go on the large rides and stuff while Gabe and I go in the pool or kiddie land. With all this going on, I still wanna plan a trip to the ocean before it's too late. Maybe the week after all this...
We took Gabe yesterday to get a few pictures taken. We were going to wait until he was 18 months (the typical 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, 12 month and 18 month pics), but my friend had a coupon for a free portait setting and so did I. So we tagged along and got a few pics for free just cause. Not enough to send out to family. That won't be till his 18 month pics. But here are what they looked like. It was only two shots, but still completely adorable (and I'm not biased;) ).
We spent the fourth down south at Josh's family's home. It was good, except we had a few cliche moments where Josh and I were like, "He's not usually like this." or "He's different at home." How many times have you heard that before? But it was totally true. He was a little out of his comfort zone, so misters was letting us know about it. I was so preoccupied with trying to maintain our boy, that we didn't even get any pictures. And I brought the camera and camcorder. Made sure I packed them. A little irritated about that. But, the weekend was fun, long too. Josh and I are such oldies, we go to bed early. And by the time we made it home, we took a three hour nap with the boy. Had to catch up on sleep. lol Gabriel also learned a new trick. He can now successfully navigate and climb onto furniture, chairs, etc. Awesome. A whole new area of baby proofing at our place. There was a chair separating him from the outside and he just tackled it like nothing. And then hung his head out and I was like, "Great thing to learn now." Gabe wasn't a fan of the fireworks. A little too much excitement for him. Luckily, the lady we purchased from gave us some glow sticks and he just about glued them on. He refused to let go of the one I gave him that night.
For Gabe's birthday, Josh and I purchased a family year pass for the zoo and wildlife park where we live. He absolutely loves the zoo, very baby friendly. Northwest Trek, not so much. They have a lot of animals, but the day as a whole was a little bit of a bust. We did an hour tram ride in their free roaming area, where we saw a variety of deer, elk, bison, etc. But an hour for a 15 month old having to be restricted to a seat, yeah, not so easy. He was very busy, but luckily we had a bench to let him move around on. After the tram, we looked at all the animals. My mom wanted to stop at the gift shop to get something sweet, and Gabriel decided he wanted something as well. He grabbed this bear figurine and dropped it. It broke, and I was mortified. Plus,it was one of those bears that aren't the cheapest. Luckily it was on sale, and even more lucky, they didn't make me pay for it. Says it happens all the time. To end out outing, Misters decided to share his pacifier with the cougars. How special. He leaned out of his stroller and dropped his pacifier into the body of water separating us from them. I had to hunt down an employee to let them know (another wonderful mommy moment). They were in a hurry to retrieve it, chocking hazard and what not for the cat. And wanted to get it for me. I was like, nah I'm good. I don't think I could boil out those germs. I think it may be awhile before we go back, and have daddy with us so he can share the busy boy.
