The Armadillo Tales

Awesome Pop-some

His 15 minutes of fame came a little early this Christmas ... my pops had his shining moment on local television yesterday.    Watch the video ...    Pretty cool ...

Photo: KHNL News

Gold Star for Daddy

I give a huge gold star to B-Dad for taking the boys to see Bee Movie this past weekend.   I had a baby shower to go to so it was just B-Dad and the boys.   What were they going to do I asked B-Dad.  "I"m going to take them to see Bee Movie."   "Both of them?" I asked.   "Yep."    Wow.    I wouldn't have attempted that, not with the sumo baby still being so young.   But they went and they stayed for the entire movie.   Granted they had to sit in the second row because the theatre was so crowded.     But B-Dad said that they got anxious a few times, but mainly stayed in their seat watching the movie.    Wow.   

Now when they see the trailers for the movie on tv, they both yell "Bee Movie!   Bee Movie!".    The aramdillo wants to see it again.  Of course.

Photo: Yahoo

Lake Tahoe

This past weekend the family took a road trip to Lake Tahoe.    B-Dad and I needed to get our gambling fix and Harrah's really wanted us to visit, as evident in the amount of special offers and coupons we've been receiving.    The temperatures dipped into the high 40's while we were there, so we spent most of our time inside.   Fortunately the hotel has an arcade and an indoor pool so that is where we took the boys during their waking hours for most of the trip.   I don't think there were any complaints on their side, as what little child would complain about playing in water, getting wet, flashing lights and beeping sounds for entertainment.   

Of course us grown ups played our games too.   Unfortunately I don't think we had as much fun as the boys did.   Sure it was good to gamble but it would have been better if we won some money.  Ah such is life.   The last time we were all there was in August, I think.   Or was it July?  I know it was sometime during the summer.    You know you gamble a good number of hours when you return after being away for several months and the staff recognizes you.   I had a couple of pit bosses and dealers recognize me from an earlier visit.   I wasn't sure whether or not to be embarrassed or flattered.   Well whatever, as long as they get my comps right and track my play accurately.   

The hubby and I have player's cards for Harrah's.   If you love gambling as much as we do, I would highly suggest getting a card.   They track your play and give you points based on how much you gamble.   You work your way up to certain tiers (Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Seven Stars).    Then the offers and comps come your way.   I love it.   This past trip our rooms and food was all comp'd.   All we ended up paying for was for our gambling and miscellaneous stuff (tips, etc ...).    That definitely makes losing money much more bearable.   We figure we lost what we would have spent on our rooms and food.   So no harm done.   

Now we're back and I'm exhausted.  I'm not sure why but I'm fatigued and still carrying that headache from Sunday.   Ugh.   I always found it strange how you need a vacation to recover from a vacation.   But this definitely applies here.    Time to end this post as my eyelids are heavy and threatening to close.

Farmers Market

On Tuesdays the city of Concord holds their seasonal farmers market.    I used to take the armadillo when he was younger but then the season ended and the sumo baby arrived.   This year with the weather being so hot I haven't taken the boys too much but today with cooler temperatures I decided to venture ahead.   I wished I had the camera so that I could have taken photos but B-Dad had other uses for it today.

The three of us strolled down the plaza sidewalks and taking in all of the fruit and vegetables for sale.   I picked up a lovely bunch of red seedless grapes.    We also picked up our favorite pears from the two nice women who always gives the armadillo and sumo baby their own pears to munch on while we look around.    Theses pears are so sweet, yummy and soft enough for the sumo baby to chew on.    Then we headed to over to the stall to pick up our sweet strawberries and raspberries.    The strawberries were so good that the armadillo and sumo baby ate almost the entire basekt of strawberries I bought.   Before we left I had to go back to the stall to buy more strawberries to take home.   

We then headed over to the play area so that the armadillo and sumo baby could stretch their legs and climb and slide.   The play structure was much too high for my comfort level.   But that didn't stop the sumo baby from climbing to the top.  My stomach started to feel queasy from being that high up but I had to in order to make sure that the sumo baby didn't fall or hurt himself.   The armadillo was being terrific staying nearby and not wandering off.

Next we headed over to the coffee shop across the street so the armadillo and I could take our potty breaks.   There's a beautiful fountain in the center of the courtyard where the cafe is so we all hung out there for a bit.   Then we all headed home for lunch and a nap.   

Spending time with my boys today was fantastic.   I do enjoy hanging out with my mama friends and their kids, but it's something special to spend time with just my boys.    This way I can focus all of my attention on them and just think of how beautiful they are.

Swimming

Today is the second day of swimming lessons for the armadillo.   He did pretty well the first time and I'm hoping he'll be just as responsive or better yet even more responsive than the last class.   I'm not sure if the lessons have some sort of structure or outline, but the first class for the armadillo and his BFF was a "What do you want to do?" type of class.   Um, they don't know how to swim, so maybe as the instructor, you can suggest what they should be doing?      Towards the end the boys, and one girl for a total of three in theh class, kicked while on their tummy, on their back and blew bubbles in the water.   The armadillo was 2 out of 3 dismissing the kicking on the back as not worthy of his attention.   

It should be a good day for swimming as the temperatures are forecasted to be in the low 90's.   Atsui!    As for the sumo baby he is going into the daycare area for the gym.   So far it's going well with the sumo baby spending time in there.   He's so distracted by the toys and the two huge school bus structures that he barely gives me a look as I tell him "See ya later panda bear!".     I'm hoping we'll keep this going as time goes by.   

Pretty soon it's off to collect the armadillo from school and awaken the sumo baby from his nap.     Fun fun fun!

He Loves Me

He showed me last night and today ... B-Dad what a sweetheart.   Knowing full well that I have/had food poisoning, my darling husband shared a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream with the boys last night ... and today ... today ... he shared a McFlurry with the boys at McDonald's this afternoon.     All of this in plain sight of me.   

Love truly hurts ... in my tummy that is.

Lake Tahoe

We just got back today from a terrific time at Lake Tahoe.   We all headed up to the Sierra's for a sunny vacation.   The weather was fabulous.  It was a bit warm but beautiful.   Perfect weather for some outdoor activities.    This included some time spent at the gorgeous lake.   The water was a bit cool but the boys had fun nonetheless.    They had a blast playing in the sand and the armadillo even spent some time in the water with B-Dad.   Fortunately it wasn't that crowded so we didn't have to fight for space to lay out our towels.   A bad mama I am as I forgot to bring my camera.   I didn't get a chance to take any photos as I didn't bother taking out my camera out of the bag I packed it in.   That was unfortunate as there were many great photo opportunities.    

We also took a few strolls past the Marriott's vacation resort buildings where there are a number of shops and restaurants.    The boys loved going to the outdoor fountain.   They cleaned me and B-Dad's mom out of our loose change one night.   They had a great time throwing the coins in the fountain.   

Of course B-Dad and I gambled in the casinos.   That was a lot of fun, but it would have been even better if we took home some money with us.   We didn't come out on the plus side but we were rewarded for our losses.   The hotel comp'd our rooms and food so it wasn't a total loss.      We're getting offers from the casinos every day so hopefully we'll be able to return soon.   

Next stop ... Las Vegas!

Farmers' Market

Today was a bit unusual for us as we all were out of the house by 8:30am.    The four of us plus one little dog left the house earlier than normal.   Miso had a vaccination appointment so we decided that we all would go.    During the appointment I took the sumo baby with me and we walked around the adjoining pet store and looked at the various birds, reptiles, fishes and cats on display.   He enjoyed all especially the birds.

After we brought Miso back home we were at a loss of what do to next.    Tossing ideas back and forth we decided to go to the Farmers Market in our area.   I haven't been there in awhile.  I used to take the armadillo before the sumo baby was born.   He loved it back then.   Today the boys had fun being outside and sampling the offerings.   We all walked around smelling the fresh sweet fruits, popping kettle corn, bbq, etc ...     I picked up a bunch of fruits including some juicy blueberries.   The boys loved the blueberries as evidenced by the half empty bag that was left.    I didn't mind as it was better than inhaling a bag of potato chips or a huge candy bar.   

After satisfying our fruit cravings we all hung out on the grassy area listening to a spot of music.    The park has a performance stage where they were playing some jazzy tunes.    The sumo baby had a terrific time walking around and greeting everyone nearby.  I think we all enjoyed ourselves today ... the weather was nice and snacked on some fresh fruits and kettle popcorn.   Yummy!   We must do this again.

Photo above: Armadillo at the farmers' market two years ago ... yes it was two years ago!

Photo below: Armadillo and sumo baby resting at a beautiful fountain situated in the middle of a shopping area across the street from the farmers' market. 

Need for Speed

Watch out world, the armadillo and sumo baby are driving.   Well, not for real, but in a video game sense.   Influenced by some friends, B-Dad bought the latest X-Box and some racing game, Forenza-something I think.   It's supposed to be highly realistic, as if you were racing a real car.   B-Dad even bought the steering wheel control, two of them.   

I was against this at first, but my mama friend and I were thinking that our husbands could play together and we could leave the kids with them.   Fabulous idea.    It hasn't happened yet though, but I anticipate it soon.   B-Dad and his friends are trying to expand their little racing club so a playdate is imminient.   

I tried the game for the first time last night.   I didn't realize that the car you pick drives like the car would in real life.   Boy I can't tell you how many times I crashed or spun out of control.   Good thing it was just a game.   The armadillo and sumo baby likes to take turns on who's driving and who's pressing the pedals.  The control itself is split up into two components, the wheels and the pedals.    But sometimes you know both will want to drive or push the pedals, thus an argument ensues.   Loads of fun ... and terrific for your concentration ... picture this ... two boys screaming and crying while you're trying to make that hairpin turn at 90 mph.   Not happening.

The Place for Fun

After 3 years, we've finally set up some play equipment in the backyard.   Sadly we were never motivated when the armadillo was born.  It was much more simpler taking him to the park or have him ride his car in the driveway out front.    But now with the sumo baby taking a great interest in climbing and exploring his world, we thought it would be nice to setup a little something outside.   

We have two sand pits, a kid size picnic table and a playhouse.   Thanks to B-Dad who set everything up.   The armadillo and sumo baby are mighty happy to have a place to play outside.   It's just unfortunate that the local toy store doesn't sell a bigger sand play area.    With just one of these, room is sparse for both boys to sit inside.   They start off in separate sand areas, but usually one gravitates towards the other.   

We also have some ride on toys outside as well.   There's the little red push car that we got for the armadillo which the sumo baby now uses.   There's a another red car, as well the the armadillo's two tricycles, and a plasma ride on toy that the armadillo got for his birthday.   I think the next item on our list is a motorized vehicle.   The boys' cousins have one and they had a blast riding it while we were on our vacation in Hawaii.    There were a number of them at our local toy store.   There was a couple cool fire trucks but they didn't have seat belts.   With the way the armadillo drives we'll definitely need those belts.    As Dora says ... "Seat belts ... so we can be safe!"

Photo: above photo from my niece's house ... though B-Dad refuses to get the Barbie Jeep for the boys.