Circus time!

As I was picking Chaz from school one day, I noticed a holder with some tickets for the circus. For every paid adult, you get two children in for free. I personally think it should be the other way around but I clearly don't make the rules. I grabbed a few (you never know when the Hill clan will tag along) and hung them on the fridge for a few weeks. It took a few days for Chaz to notice them but as soon as he did he asked about them every single day. "Is today circus day??" Everyday.

I will admit, as the start of the circus was approaching I began to become a bit reluctant to go. There were some terrible storms on the radar for that evening, Chaz didn't get the best nap and did I mention I am preggo? Well, add them all up and I wasn't so excited. But I went. And we had a great time! Before we walked in I tried to get a picture of my boys. Chaz decided I wasn't getting a good one of him. Nope. Not happening.
When we got out of the car they were feeding the elephants next to the giant trailer. Chaz just had to go take a peek.The entry fee to the circus was a wee but more than we expected. We did stop at the ATM on the way but unfortunately we didn't get enough money for the "extras." As you probably guessed, Ryan immediately got "the look." He told me we had enough money to share a drink and get a snack or share a drink and let Chaz ride the ponies. My options were very limited since Chaz had already spotted the ponies and was begging to go. Ryan managed to scrounge up enough money to get me a water and get him and Chaz a sprite to share. We had already found our spot on the ever-so-comfortable seating, so when Ryan decided to take the boy to the ponies I kept my happy bum put. I did send the camera with Ryan... Hence the below. This is what happens when you just hold the camera out and click. No aiming, focusing or viewing took place. Clearly.
Oh well, the boy was happy. That is really all that matters. Right?
First up, the lions and tigers! Chaz thought they were cool. There was one tiger that didn't look very nice. I was a little concerned that we were about to see this rickety trainer lady take a little nibble from one of the creatures. Seriously, it crossed my mind multiple times. The lion below was like 1000 years old and very nice. (I would hate for you to confuse the two)
Daddy/Chaz pic. Yes, no aiming, viewing or focusing took place. I don't care because it is super cute.
And then this guy came out. I tell ya, I know he is doing his job but on my scale he was kickin' it right there with the devil. I mean really. Look at all that stuff!!! Each item around ten bucks and you could see it glowing from a mile away. The devil, I say. Oh, and did I mention we didn't have two nickles to rub together if we wanted to buy the little guy something?!?! Ugh. Every single kid around us got one, some (including the family in front of us..we will get to them in a minute) got more than one. My poor little guy. He was pretty good about it but still he wanted one. He had his eyes locked on this guy for a solid 20 minutes. The family in front of us.. OH the family in front of us. They were very nice but they bought their little guy a laser gun. Sounds like a nice thing to do for a 3 year-old, right? Well, not when you have another 3 year-old behind you whose parents were running about twenty bucks short for the day. Ugh. Chaz just stared at this little boy. He never threw a fit about it, which I think was worse. He was sad. He just wanted one of these. I thought for a second he was going to snatch it when the kiddo sat it down, but he didn't. Good boy. And yes, I noticed the grossness of the fact that this boy's mother does NOT have shoes on at the circus. Gross.
Then it was halftime as Chaz informed me. Or intermission as you people would call it. Or MONEY MAKING TIME as the circus crew would call it. Dirty bouncy house? $5 a kid. Allotted time jumping? Approximately 3 minutes. Number of kids at the circus that love bouncy houses? Probably all of them. Cha-Ching!!
Elephant rides? $5 kids, $8 adult. Kicker? an adult must ride with the children. Average number of people per ride? 3 kids/2 adults. Cha-Cha-Ching!
Did Chaz do either of these activities? Nope. Instead he and his daddy ran to the car to rob my Sonic drink fund we remembered was in the car (I have a little addiction. Don't judge) AND guess what they bought? Yep, this is his and he is HAPPY!! Score one for the parents and a Cha-Cha-Cha-Ching for the circus.
Obviously, I was noticing the things going on around me because this wasn't the most exciting circus ever made. This is made super obvious by the look on my little one's face below. This and the fact that he had a very short nap. However, do take note of the laser gun which quickly became his favorite and has remained his favorite for going on a week now (that is a LONG time in kid land) Right after this picture was taken Chaz looked at me and said "Ok, I'm done. Lets go home" He got up and started to head down the bleachers. His father quickly changed his mind with the promise that the elephants were up next--I think it probably had more to do with the cover charge but whatever.
He was right. The elephants were the finale.
Chaz loved them but after two hours of sitting on a hard bench (note: this term is used very lightly as it was really just a couple pieces of very hard, not very stable, wood) he was ready to leave.

We did get an extra treat when we rounded the corner to the car.. the ringmaster was spraying off the elephants. Chaz thought it was really funny. "Momma, they are getting a shower because they smell." He is a smart one!
We had a great time but I don't think I will do this circus again. The one we went to a few years back was so much better. No matter what, we will always make sure we have a few more dollars with us :)

Parktime!

I love the park. I love every second of running around, exploring, flying down the slides and climbing the monkey bars. Oh, and if you add in a 3 year-old it is even more enjoyable.

Ryan and Chaz found this awesome park (yes, it is within a residential neighborhood and yes, there is a sign that does not really "invite us in" but who could turn this cutie away?!?!)
This guy? Now he may just get us kicked out!But this guy? Never..
See, I told you it was super cool. It even has this awesome rock that Chaz was able to climb by himself. **Warning** Do not try to help this little guy. He will quickly inform you that he is old and can do it himself!
Chaz wasn't tall enough to simulatienously reach the hand and foot pieces of this odd contraption. So, he opted to go for a belly ride on the the foot part.
And Daddy was nice enough to offer a spin while checking his Facebook. Multitasking is not usually his forte.

R: "Come on buddy. Just jump. I promise I will catch you!"
C: "No you wouldn't. I will fall and hurt me."
R: "Buddy, Daddy would never let you fall. I promise"
C: "Promise?"
R: "Promise!"

C: "Ok!"

Successful little trip to the park, if I do say so myself!

Happy birthday old man!

Happy birthday to my best friend in the world. You are an amazing husband and father. I couldn't ask for anything more! (and you are finally OLD like me :)

*Note: I haven't a clue what the "Toy Story 3" reference is about. He tossed that in at the last minute. I guess cool kids like Toy Story 3.

Mother's Day treat...

With a lot of the family out of town for Mother's day, we were on our own. This is really unconventional for us because usually it is a well orchestrated event to make it to all Mother's day (or any holiday for that matter) events.

Ryan asked a few times that weekend what I wanted to do. He kept suggesting the zoo....and I kept ignoring him. Honestly, I knew it would be fun but I have flashbacks to being 9 1/2 months pregnant and trying to maneuver the Tulsa zoo in 103 degree weather AND I kinda wanted to shop and get a pedi (with my boys in tow.. of course) But I gave in and I am glad I did. My toes can wait, these times cannot be replaced.
We stopped for gas in Tonitown and Chaz decided he wanted to clean the windshield. Why not?? Ryan plopped him up on the car and handed him the squeegee. He was meticulous in the cleaning of the windshield (I haven't a clue where he gets this *wink*) We had many people stop and ask if he was for hire! He of course said "Sure!! Momma, can I do their windows??" Um, no.

Once we hit the turnpike it was party time. Oh my!! Let's just say my kiddo is a little bit like his daddy. Has been since day one. I hope this funny, energetic side of him never changes. Never.a.dull.moment! "Everybody dance now!"

First step into the zoo Chaz told us he apply his sunscreen. Remember this post (about half way down).. he is very concerned with proper protection from the sun! This was a loooooooooooong process.

Of course we had to have a little of "Momma, take a picture of me doing this...." time.

Chaz thought the telescopes were waterguns. He asked me why they had waterguns to shoot the baby monkey. Try explaining this one. Every place we stopped he asked us for money for the watergun so he could shoot the animals. ALL.BOY.

Off to the petting zoo (a.k.a. my biggest enemy next to the "Germland" playground at the mall) They are just gross. Poop, pee, flies. Gross. But what am I to do? Well, I sent the boys in and remained on the outside of the fence. I blamed it on being pregnant.. Yep, sure did!Chaz was intent on touching their bums.. Why? I haven't a clue but it was gross, just gross. And remember I was on the other side of the fence.. totally defenseless against the grossness.

He was finally able to get on a log and up to a suitable petting level. He said he loved the goats!

They had a very cool pump fountain next to the goat pin. Notice the jug of hand sanitizer to the right. Score one for Momma's team!
There was a cute little playground next to the food pavilion. We told Chaz he had to eat all his food in order to play. Oddly enough, he chowed down (usually this warning shot is totally ignored. I am raising a bird. Any and all suggestions are welcome!) He has zero fear and quickly scaled the spiderman web.
He joined this little guy on the teeter totter. I can't say the other boy was too happy about his new companion but you can't see his face so let's focus on the happy kid :)
After prying him away from the park area we were off to see more animals. We had to make a quick stop at the Rhinos (as Ryan's nickname is Rhino--cute, huh?) Chaz was more concerned with something else.. "Daddy. Daddy. Daddy. Look at the BIG poop. It is BIG. Really BIG" He literally grabbed Ryan's head and turned it to look. He was memorized by the giant Rhino poop. Did I mention he was 100% boy? Man, I have my work cut out for me.
Buzz Lightyear showed up in the middle of the zoo. Who knew??!?!
Chaz started to run out of gas and was just adorable.. He was explaining to me how he needed the "neat ice cream treat" otherwise known as Dippin' Dots.

I had to tell him to give me his cute face. I do this often as I just love it. Don't you?? I mean seriously, who could resist this face?

and then the what-the-heck-is-this face. He took a few bites and then handed it over to his preggo momma. I don't think he was impressed with the ice cream of the future. We knew he was super tired and we were about to have a round of meltdowns but we had to hit two attractions before we headed out.

The first was the turtle statue. I wanted a picture of Chaz and I on the turtle. What I didn't realize was the nonsense that was happening in front of me. This kid, oh this kid! Note: you cannot see the turtle statue in a single picture. Note to self: School Ryan on camera skills.

Why did I want these pictures? Oh, maybe because of THIS picture. Yep, that is my preggo self. Remember at the beginning when I mentioned the flashbacks? Well, this was the trip...2007, 9 1/2 months pregs with 103 degree heat.. Whew. This year's trip was MUCH more enjoyable :)
The other must stop? Elephants. Chaz really wanted to see the elephants. Ask and we shall deliver. He thought the big elephants were "SOOOOOO COOOOOOOOOOOOL"
And then he started talking about butts and poop.. so we found a timeout at the elephants. He was NOT happy. I however, was quite proud of my husband as he was the one who took this one. I am usually the "time out meany." We did make sure this was an abbreviated version of time out as it was hot and stinky. Priorities people.
A few quick and cute pictures of mommy and her sweet boy on Mother's day. Priceless...
We were not even out of the parking lot.. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!Thank you, Chaz! Thank you for giving me the best job in the world. You have no idea how much I love you and LOVE being your mommy. I love you so much that even hot sweaty days at the zoo are better than an day of shopping and pedicures. Seriously. There is nothing better. You are a wonderful little guy and I could not ask for a better little man. Mommy loves you very much!! Happy Mother's day to ME!!

Sidenote: Happy Mother's day to all the mothers out there. Your efforts do NOT go unnoticed! I love you all! Mom, Meme, My mother-in-law Rhonda, my wonderful aunts, sister-in-laws, cousins, friends, co-workers, etc. You are all simply amazing!