Red Rock

After working everyday for about three straight weeks, Pat finally has some time off. So this is our week of fun. Today I ask him if he wants to take a trip somewhere...California maybe? There are no words in response, just an audible groan. I guess traveling loses some appeal when you have to do it all the time for your job. OK, next idea...RED ROCK!! It's only a half hour away and it's like our own little slice of the Grand Canyon. This is easily agreed to so off we go.


















On the way there, making sure Daddy doesn't miss the turn and Mommy has her seatbelt on

We get out of the car and it's a bit windy. Harrison says, "Told (cold), Mommie! Told! Swea'shirt on! Be Warm!" I start to worrry that we'll have to turn right around to get him out of the elements but Pat assures me that once we get down in the canyon, we'll be warmer and out of the wind. We sprint down. Luckily, he's right. Pat climbs over huge boulders with the babe in his arms pretty quickly. I step on some loose gravel and start to slide down the mountain with one leg at eye level. "Honey, this is making me nervous," I call out. An older lady hiking just behind me says, "Me too!" As she looks at us. It was funny. Nothing like the voice of a non-biased party to get Dad to see it my way. He slows down. At last there are some big rocks for Harrison to climb up, (much safer than him trying to navigate steep down slopes) and he loves it. Confidence starts to grow and I look over from my picture taking to see him launch himself off a boulder into Pat's arms. Hi, heart attack. He just giggles.

On the way back out of the canyon, Harrison is so sure of himself that he climbs on his own. I keep my arms out behind him like a net that he can't see so he doesn't get mad at me for not letting him, "Do it MYSELF." We pass by an older gentleman that we had seen on the trail earlier bundled up in a big, black puffer coat and hood. Harrison smiles at him and says, "Hi, Tractor Man!!" I have no idea what that's about, but it's cute. Then he says, "Go! Animal! GOOOO!" Pat can't help but be proud of his brave little man. Harrison, the adventurer and traverser of rock!


Wind + My Hair = :( Blog Pictures

If you shimmied through this crevasse you'd drop to the foot of the cliff about eight stories below. My foot didn't offer the perspective I was hoping for, but there you go

M0N0POLY!!!

OK, first of all, let me just say I totally jinxed myself...Pat read my blog and I'm in trouble for going to McDonald's.

In my defense, I have spent the last two years pulling my hair out trying to get Harrison to eat ANYTHING. Usually I cook up and offer like four or five things...He spits out one, I offer another. It's like a buffet at our house. Everyday. I don't know what to do, I can't let him starve. Also, I am tired of Harrison's shorts sliding off his butt. I'm forever chasing this kid around with his pants around his ankles.

Anyway, I discovered that he likes McDonald's. Nay, LOVES McDonald's. He can say chicken nuggets very clearly. He also loves Grilled Salmon with basil, mint and dill, a side of mashed potatoes and some peas. But this is a time consuming and expensive dinner. I can't buy wild-alaskan sock-eye every night of the week. So, I add a little fast food to the mix. He could use a few more pounds anyway. Pat says, No! NO! It's packed with cholesterol. He's probably right, but so are the Sam's Club hotdogs HE feeds Harrison when I'm not, a-hem, available to cook.

Besides, we can play M0n0p0ly! Which I am doing! I am playing online, in-store AND via text. Are you playing too? What pieces do you have? If you are not playing, please send me your game pieces. PLEASE don't throw them out! Send them to me and I will offer you absolutely nothing in return because the rules of the game expressly state that there be no trading, bartering, sale or purchase of game pieces online or otherwise. But I am one property away from a cash prize. Yay MickieD's!

We're Back!

We're back and our brains are a-buzz! Hoorah!

I am loving Las Vegas this month. Mom always says October is the prettiest month anywhere, and right now, I have to say it's true for our little town. It's been in the 80s outside, sunny and clear without any of that miserable wind that blows sand into your eyes that's so characteristic of dessert Septembers. I feel like we're finally getting our summer...I'm off work and I (finally) have tan lines. Harrison and I have made a triumphant return to our favorite activities: namely, anything outside. We've been making up for lost time when it was 118 out and too hot to do anything but be in air-conditioned buildings. Last week we had our very first swim at the Bellagio pool. Thanks Judy for visiting and inviting us. That's a long time dream fulfilled! For anyone who's wondering, the pool was beautiful and cooler than expected, and there was no shortage of beautiful people. Too bad Pat missed it because he was stuck working in Boston. But we're so glad he has a good job again, so no complaints.

Anyway, today when Harrison wakes up, the first thing out of his mouth is, "Go play kids uh park!!" I said, "OK!" So we stop first at McDonald's for Bacon Egg and Cheese McGridles, (good thing my husband doesn't read this blog, he's very against giving Harrison fast food, and recently I find that I am very much FOR it.) tumble out of the car and Harrison makes a run for the big slide. As I'm calling "Wait for Mommy!" after him, I look around and see the Texas Sage bushes so covered in fragrant purple flowers that you can't see their leaves. Next I notice the sweeping blue sky with wispy white clouds painted across it and the dark red dessert paths that circle the park and think, "It is so beautiful here. I am happy." You really savor these moments after 90 plus days of triple-digit weather. We didn't leave until 2, and on the way home we stopped at McDonald's again for chicken mcnuggets. Seriously, Pat would kill me if he knew! Twice in one day! And I can't explain this newfound obsession either, because I swear to you that I could count the times I went to McDonald's all last year on HALF of one hand. Anyway...If you are reading this and you need a park fix, or a McFix, text me and I'll meet you at Paseo Vista. We'll bring the fries. You bring extra sweet and sour sauce.


Is it a plane or a whale? This is an on-going argument between the 2-4 year olds at the park. (It's a plane, with a big whale like smile, if you ask me.)