Splash park frenzy, 'red boot' helper, anniversary, and the conversation with Grandpa

Yesterday was Tim and my anniversary. I got him a really nice watch...he is taking it back (as he does most gifts I get him...I should know after so long to stick to the simple gifts but I always think, "THIS will be the year I get him something he likes!" Anyway, he already feels bad but it was too nice a watch for him not to like it and not to wear it. Anyway, I digress. He got me roses. They/he made me real happy :)

I took Al to the splash park a couple days ago. She is like a maniac when she's there. She runs from one thing to another to another. It was disgustingly hot out but we still had fun. Unfortunately for you all I didn't get a picture of me in my new TEENY TINY string thong bikini---it's SUPER comfy to wear to places like this! Super kid friendly, too! Maybe I'll post some on my next blog! [something to look forward to]

Here is the bean in her undies and her 'red boots' heping T organize some things in the garage. Can you imagine if I organized my garage in only my underwear and rain boots! What a visual I just gave you all! Ha!

Anyway, we use to correct her and tell her they were green (she has known her colors for a long time now so we didn't get why she was calling them 'red'). Then I heard a song on one of her shows called "Red boots". A woman is jumping around in red rain boots singing about her red boots. So, obviously they are NOT rain boots or green for that matter---they are HER red boots. I love how kids' brains work!

I remember when I was little my Grandma had a picture in her kitchen of a lion in a tree. I think it said something about getting stuck in a tree or some clever little saying. Well, one day I asked her about it (think first or second grade, maybe younger...probably younger) and she MUST have said that "Grandpa gave me that" or "It reminds me of Grandpa..." but I misunderstood her and thought she said something about it being Grandpa IN the tree. I remember staring at that picture ALL the time when I was there TRYING to see how that lion in the tree was actually my Grandpa. I literally thought it was him, somehow, someway, that was him with paws and a tail and fur and a big lion head....I'm not sure how hold I was when I finally realized that it could not possibly be my grandpa. Let us hope it was not too late afterward!

One quick funny Alex story:

We had been having some issues with getting the bean to sleep in her bed. She would eventually do it but it took many times of putting her back in her bed over and over and we had to get mean and ugly. We hated that part. Anyway, we finally put a gate up in her doorway so she didn't feel totally trapped but at least couldn't get out of her room. Works great. We all are much happier, or at least T and I are. The other day I put her down for her nap and closed the gate to her saying, "DOn't do it, mama! Don't do it! Don't lock that door!" (which she hates) and I did and then went downstairs and this is what I heard....

"Grandpa! GRAND-PAAA! Are you here Grandpa?! No, I can't come over---NO, Grandpa! Mama has locked me in here, Grandpa! She locked the door and I can't get out! Grandpa! I'm stuck here" [I could only imagine her hand up to her ear as she quite frequently pretends to be on the phone to various people, usually Grandpa. Usually the conversations are much more pleasant and less frantic. I guess it was better than crying.]