She's the ONE!!

We had a big weekend. Maggie Moo turned one on Sunday and its pretty amazing to think a year has gone by. She had a great birthday with friends and family coming over. Mom did another amazing job of throwing a great birthday party.

I did become aware of one major issue that I will face over the next 40-50 years. Maggie was born way too close to Mother's Day. Sure it was sweet last year when Maggie was born the day before Mother's Day, but this year I realized I will somehow have to make two very special days in one week. As you can tell from the pictures, I didn't succeed this year. I don't have one good picture from Mother's Day because the entire weekend seemed to be centered around Maggie's bday. We did celebrate Ann with presents and dinner, but it seemed secondary. Sorry hon, I will be better next year.

So I guess this post is dedicated to little girl in my life, and I owe the big girl.

Til death do us part

We've been learning alot about death in our house as of late. First it was the bunnies from the last post. Then I killed a four foot snake this past weekend while we were redoing our flower beds and Scottie saw it all unravel right in front of his eyes.

Now, Rocky has passed. This is our third fish since February 14 when Scottie got Freddy for Valentine's Day. So first it was Freddy, then Charlie, and now, not even Rocky can resist the McNellis knockout punch. Every stinkin time we change the water the poor fish dies. So, my question for you is how do we change the water in the tank without sending the pitiful thing to fish heaven? Does the water have to be treated? Are we doing something wrong? Obviously. According to Scott, Rocky was a very strong fish, but he just died in the rocks. He doesn't seem too upset about it, but he also didn't see me flush it. Suggestions please.

Do not look at picture two if you have a tender heart. It may bring tears.

Scottie as the proud parent.

One fish, two fish, dead fish, blue fish.

Spring Fever

Not a whole lot going on around here. Maggie turns one in a few weeks, which is absolutely crazy. Scottie continues his obsession with hoops shorts and Nascar. I will take blame for one of those, while the other is anyone's guess. Everything has been good, but Spring Fever has hit and we are ready for 'consistent' 80+ degree weather.

We had a great Easter. Scottie was able to meet the Easter Bunny and learn that 'Jesus is Risen'.

Here's a good Easter story. Scottie and I were cleaning leaves out of the flower beds when I reached down to grab some leaves. I got a handful of fuzz with the leaves and then heard all this screeching. I went and got a small shovel and a bucket to get rid of these little rats. There were six or seven in there so I scooped them up and dumped them all in the creek. I came into the house and told Ann, "you won't believe what I just found." "A rat," she said. "No worse, about seven of them," I said. Then the kicker, "are you sure they weren't bunnies?" she said. "Oh, guess I should go tell Scottie that daddy just killed a family of bunnies. Happy Easter son."

Last week, I went to Orlando for work and had been telling Scottie that I would get him something from Mickey's house. Well, the first day I was gone, Ann said that he had knocked Maggie over and just went ballistic. When she finally got him calmed down, he said, "I've been a bad boy and Daddy won't get me something special at Mickey's house." He did still get something special, but I guess this confirms the fact that I can begin using Christmas, birthdays, etc. as threats for him to act correctly.

Easter Sunday at church
Maggie, Scott, and 'that guy' in the wheelchair

Before church. Sorry, Scott couldn't take his eyes off Imagination Movers.

Scottie and Chris "The Easter Bunny" Beard

Happy Birthday Anna Banana

Today was Ann's birthday. So, Happy birthday Honey.

To a great mom, wife and friend.

and the craziest 32 year old I know.

Spring Breakin in T-Town

Last weekend we headed up to Tulsa for the end of our Spring Break. We stayed at some Radisson because it had Leapin Louie's Lagoon. It was the perfect place for Scottie to exert some energy. Maggie wasn't in love with the water, but she was able to try out her new suit.

In other news, Maggie did start walking this week. She'd been taking a few steps for the last week or so, but it's a full fledged walk now. She is actually walking more than she is crawling. Sorry I'm not sure how to post video or I would give you a glimpse. Just picture the cutest little girl you've ever seen walking like Frankenstein.

Maggie's new suit!

Daddy, get me outta here.

Scottie was a big fan of the frog slide.

Good times in the water.

After a day of swimming, we decided to go eat at Incredible Pizza. Why?? I don't know. That place is a nightmare. Maybe it was that it was Friday night during Spring Break. Whatever it was, it definitely was an experience. We had some pizza and played some games with every other 5-12 year old in Tulsa.

They did have indoor Nascar go-carts and Scottie was all over that. After a 35 minute wait in line, we did get to race and of course we got Jeff Gordon. Scottie loved it and I would have won if I didn't get stuck behind the slow 6 year old on the final lap.

We also won about 75 tickets at the hoop shoot, skee ball, etc. so we were able to wait in line for 15 minutes just to get a bouncy ball too.

On Saturday, we swam a little more and then went to the Jenks Aquarium. It is pretty cool, but again, the entire freakin town of Tulsa was there. They do have the largest Bull Sharks in captivity and they have the walk through aquarium where they are all around you.

Under the sea.

I think we wore them out and we had fun doing it.

First Challenge

The last couple of days Scottie has been playing basketball with some of the older kids from the neighborhood. Well, today I got my first taste of what I predict may happen a few times over the next couple of years. Scottie offered up his first challenge to me. Here is how the conversation took place:

Scottie: Hey daddy I am going to go play basketball at Ms. Mary's (next door neighboor).
Me: OK buddy, do you mind if I come play with you.
Scottie: Sure daddy.

Scottie: Hey daddy, do you wanna take me on in a game of one on one? (I guess this is what you pick up hangin with the older kids)
Me: Sure I think I can handle that.

Two lessons Scottie learned on the basketball court today:

1. Learn to lose gracefully
2. Never, I mean never, challenge dad on the basketball court

I have no problem throwing a game of Candyland or Chutes and Ladders to let him win, but it will take a little more for me to lose a game of 'one on one' to the little man. And that first time he beats me with my full effort, I am hangin em up.

Goin Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day. (and yes, for those of you that know me and my fear of matching, we did go out in public all dressed in green)

I am off work for the rest of the week, so our Spring Break started today. My company changed its paternity policy and you now get a week off after having/adopting a child. However, much to my advantage, it is retroactive for the past year. That means a free week for me that begins today. So I've got a list of things I need to get done, but I have some time to do them. Today, we went to Scottie's gymnastics class (laugh now guys, but you just wait and see the benefit this has on his footwork and jumping ability on down the road) and played outside in the 85 degree temperature. We are going to Tulsa on Friday to do the Jenks aquarium, swim at the hotel, and just get out of town. I guess its our first family getaway. I will blog later in the week with an update of our Spring Break.