The Great Toddler Invasion

We had the best time on our road trip. The babies, now known as The Tods, were so good. I noticed that Jackson was particularly good and I think it's because he never had one moment of boredom the entire weekend. He and Ella played so hard. He was thrilled to have a friend at his Bibby's house. By the way, Jackson learned to say "my" and "mine" this weekend. I wonder why? He also learned "thank you" and a few other words, thanks to Ella's example. Homegirl talks in sentences!

Here's what we did:
Friday night - We had dinner at La Hacienda. Yum.
Saturday - We went to Memorial City Mall because Sunni had told us about their amazing play area and the two-story carousel. That night Janelle and I met some friends for a movie.
Sunday - We went to the Houston Zoo and saw lots of animals. Incidentally, we may have had the world's best pizza at the zoo. We made a stop at Dessert Gallery and got some cake to go. After The Tods went to bed, Janelle and I went to Target to buy a dual-screen DVD player for the car and some candy for the ride home. Let's just say that the ride home was a bit smoother than the ride there. We stayed up very late packing our suitcases. We could have gone on an international trip with all the clothes we brought.
Monday - We said goodbye to a Very Sad Bibby and a Very Sad Pappaw and headed over to Michelle's house. We got to meet Baby Jack and play with Keegan. Michelle's husband got us McDonald's for lunch. How fitting! We loaded up at naptime and started the four-hour journey home. The babies only slept one hour. Thank the Lord for the DVD player. We rolled into town at 5:30 and had to say our goodbyes. Jackson cried so hard when Ella drove away and said through tears, "Bye bye!" It was so precious and so sad!
Tuesday - My hubby gets home from his ski trip tonight. I can't wait to see him!

Here's the evidence of our mad photojournalism skills.

Ready to go!


We had to make a stop on the way to Houston. Can you guess where?


Amen.


When Jackson had had enough of the car ride, he took off his shoes and socks and picked fuzz out from between his toes.


At The Houston Zoo

Janelle and her Tod.


Me and my Tod.


The Goat Whisperer.


Ella enjoyed brushing the goats' hair.


That is one intriguing animal.


The Tods looking under the fence to get the best view.


Our favorite picture of The Tods.


Amanda, Jackson, and Bibby looking at something.


Mom and Tod looking at another Mom and Tod.


Big mom, big tod.


The Tods racing up the jungle gym stairs at the zoo.


Jackson was much happier going down the slide than brushing the goats.


Jackson jumping on the bridge, catching air under his feet. Mommy holding her breath.


In the car

Guess who wanted to ride in the back every time we got in the car?


Guess who's faking it in this picture?


Guess who's not faking it here?


Ella's hat hair.


A cookie liquefied in Ella's mouth.


At the house

One Tod's favorite thing is to put water on his hair and the other Tod's most hated thing is to have water on her hair. This was an interesting time.


We like to do draw-rings.


Mexican food. What else?


The Tods dancing.




The Tods in a moment of sharing.


Ella and Bibby doing their floor exercises.


Ella imitating Bibby's stretching moves.


The Tods trying to spy The Dogs in the backyard.


Ella being adorable.


Me and both Tods. I was the luckiest person in the room.




At the mall

Janelle and Ella at the Memorial City Mall playland.




Jackson relaxin'.


Ella at the playland.


Ella climbing some cute stairs.


The Tods on a carousel.


Playdate

The Tods at Keegan's house.


The Tods in a tent.


The Tods thank Bibby and Pappaw for a great weekend!