End of a Trip

Now that we've come to the end of our trip here in Texas, it's time for a bit of reflection. 

• Grandpa has sung the song, "The Wheels on the Bus" so many times these last few weeks that it'll probably be on a permanent loop in his head forever.
• 3 weeks is definitely not enough time to do everything I had planned.
• Caitlyn's speaking and vocabulary has increased 10-fold since being here. Grandpa and Grandma constantly talking to her probably had a big hand in it.
• There is no point in drawing up an itinerary when you have a toddler that gets fussy when tired and a wife that takes 2 weeks to get over jet lag. Living in the suburbs and being 40 to 50 minutes from downtown doesn't help either.
• Black people in small groups are OK for Caitlyn. Big groups of them causes nightmares at night.
• Caitlyn's new favorite word is 'shopping.' That could spell trouble for my wallet in the future.
• It's extremely difficult to find food at restaurants that is suitable for Caitlyn. i.e., food that's not too salty, fried, or oily. Call me picky, but I think in this day and age of processed and genetically modified food, you can't afford not to be a little bit picky.
• The grandparents realized pretty quickly that staying close to home and doing the same things over and over again is the easiest way to keep Caitlyn happy. Sometimes, less is more.
• Someone's in for a rude awakening when the Iron Fist Policy gets reinstated once we get back home. Grandma won't be there to save her anymore.
• Grandparents are awesome and the wife was a super trooper as well!

Watering the grass

Good form, young padawan

 

Like my new hat?

What veggie is this?

 

Ms. Cool

I should be a fashion model

 

With Hillary

With Jillian

 

Simms Family

With Taj

 

At the Children's Museum

My new mode of transportation

 

Fun with boats

I'm gonna step on you!

 

Buckle up, little boy

Gas sure is expensive

 

Where's my tea and cake?

Choo choo!

 

Thanks for an awesome trip!

Days 5 to 12

These past 8 days has been filled to the brim with various activities. I think the hardest part of this trip has been to find balance with our time. There has to be time for my parents to spend with Caitlyn, time to spend with friends, time for just me and the wife, and of course, time to go shopping.

There has been little rest, and all of this has completely worn out the wife, who is still somehow suffering from jet lag and is averaging around 3 hours of sleep a night. Personally, I blame it on the iPad that she hugs every night in bed. On the opposite of the spectrum, Caitlyn is loving every minute of her time here.

Grandpa sure wasn't lying when he said he was going to take Caitlyn on a shopping spree. I think we're set on books, clothes, and toys for a long, long time.

Choo choo!

I love shopping with Gramps!

It's been good catching up with people I haven't seen for years. How time flies. One minute you're all in college having fun, and the next, everybody has kids running around.

Late night with the kiddos

Who needs to go to an expensive water park when there's one just as awesome for free! Pleasantly surprised that it didn't take long for Caitlyn to take to the water again.

My auntie is the coolest!

Three amigas

 

Fun in the sun

Are you sure you want to grab that?

 

Lounging by the pool

Chillin'

Caitlyn is loving the backyard and outdoors. She constantly asks to go outside to play. Much better than whining for the iPad, right?

Playing in the rain

Caught in the downpour

 

Bubble trouble

This is my happy place

Newsflash! Caitlyn loves black people and black people love Caitlyn! I'm going to give all the credit to the black woman dressed as a teddy bear on the Mother Goose Club videos.

First!

I'm not letting you go!

 

School reunion

Caitlyn loves going grocery shopping with Grandpa. Her favorite thing to buy? Eggs.

Beep beep!

Grocery shopping in style

Bounce houses are a great way to beat the heat. Anybody want to invest in one with me?

Climbing up

Don't be scared

 

Look at Maddie jump!

Bounce house buds

Not sure if going to the Wildlife Park made Caitlyn like animals more or scarred her for life.

Ready for a safari

Is that Rudolph?

Mad cow!

Sharing daddy's interest in taking pics

 

Z is for zebra

Let me get a shot of the camel!

 

To close for comfort

Favorite song - "The Wheels on the Bus"

Caitlyn didn't go potty in the pool, but someone else did. Not going to say who, but for once, it wasn't me.

Swimming buddies

Look, a waterfall!

 

Soaking in the rays

Sticker mom