Toyland 2010

As you know if you read my blog, every year Mom and I take Hayes to see Toyland.  This year was no different.  Hayes loved it.  He had so much fun and then wanted to take pictures with all the characters after the show.  Here are just a few...

Finally got a good pic of Nana and Hayes in front of her Christmas tree before we left

I love this one.  John Derek is one of Mom's former students.  Hayes reached for him, and then once he got there had some second thoughts. 

Annual shot with the toy solider outside.  Thanks Nana for taking us!!  We love you!!

Thanksgiving 2010

Hayes made the cutest Indian costume at school complete with a feather headband and a vest.  This was our best attempt at getting a picture with him in it.

Notice his black eye...He hit the corner of Nana and Papa's coffee table the night before.  First of many I am sure...

Christmas Tree Lighting at Shops of Grand River

David and I took Hayes to the Christmas Tree Lighting at our new outlet mall in Leeds.  Hayes is really into all the lights this year so we thought he would really like it.  Plus, Santa was going to be there.  He had so much fun.  Fox 6 came and videoed the whole thing, and Hayes got on TV.  We will definitely plan to go back for this again next year. 

Hayes taking in the sights.  I love the wonderment in his eyes...

Clapping for Santa!

Waving to the cameras

In front of the Christmas Tree all lit up.

Meeting Super Cooper

Trey and Amanda added a new puppy to their family.  Since Amanda was coming to Birmingham to get her hair cut, she brought Super Cooper (as Hayes calls him) by to meet Hayes. 

Hayes hitting with his golf clubs; Cooper chewing his golf clubs.  I love this one!

Halloween 2010

Hayes was a Blue Monster for Halloween.  He was the cutest Blue Monster that I have ever seen!  He really liked going Trick-or-Treating, too.  He saw a cat at one house that he still brings up every now and then.  I think he liked seeing the cat more than getting candy.

Here are just a few pics of our little monster....

Little Monsters say, "BOO!"

First Day of K-2

David took Hayes to his first day of K-2.  He was under strict instructions to make pictures of Hayes before he left the house.  Look how cute my baby looked on his first day!

Getting a little reading in before school...

Ready, Set, Go!

Hayes' 1st Baseball Lesson

Yesterday, we decided it was time to break out the golf clubs and the baseball tee to see what Hayes could do.  It was so sweet watching David teach him how to bat.  I think he is going to make a FANTASTIC little league coach.  I just hope that I will learn to keep my mouth shut and let him do what he is best at.  HA!  Not likely!!  But, I am going to try. 

Here is how our little slugger did on opening day...

Catching up!

I have lots to catch up on since I haven't blogged in a while.  Hayes is getting taller everyday and acting more and more like a little boy and less like a baby.  He is talking up a storm, loves to sing and dance, and is very loving.  In the past month, he has gotten a mouth full of teeth.  He won't get any more teeth until he is 6.  That is crazy to think about, but I know it will come sooner than we think.  I can't believe how fast these first 2 years have gone!!

Hayes' updated tooth chart

Here are some conversation from this morning...

I have been trying to work with him on asking for things nicely not just sticking please on the end but making the whole question nice.  So, this morning he was eating fruit chewies in the car when he barked, "Want another one!"  I told him that wasn't a nice way to ask for things and he should say, "May I have another one please?"  So he changed his tune and said, "May I want another one please?"  Rome wasn't built in a day people...

Here is the conversation right before I dropped him off at school...

Me:  "I love you, Pokey Monster!"
Hayes:  "I love you too, Mommy!"
Me:  "I love you more!"
Hayes:  "I not more!  I Hayes David Hogue!  No say that anymore, Mommy!"

Who knows what goes through his head??  I can't help but laugh at him everyday!!

Here are a couple of videos that we have taken over the past month or so.  You can tell in these how big he has gotten and how grown up.

Enjoy!

Hayes reading Green Eggs and Ham

Hayes singing Little Bunny Foo-Foo

Day 4 - Gulf Shores Zoo

OK, if you have never been to the Gulf Shores Zoo, you need to GO!  It is fantastic!!  They have tons of hands on encounters for all ages.  When you first get there, you can buy zoo puffs to feed the animals.  You can feed almost everything in there except the big cats.  Hayes loved that part!  We almost didn't make it past the entrance where he could feed the ducks.  He could have stayed there all day and been a happy kid!

We went to the zoo the morning we were heading home.  Trey decided sleep was more important than seeing the animals, so we left him at the condo.  He missed out!!  We had tons to tell him about when we got back. 

They had 3 tiger clubs that you could pay extra to play with and pet.  I really wanted to do it, but you had to have on long pants and tennis shoes.  I had on neither.  Next time I will know though.  Aren't they so cute??

Hayes and I did partake in the Lemur Encounter.  It was AWESOME!  Hayes didn't know what to think at first, but he warmed up.  He even got to feed on a bottle.

Feeding the Lemur a juice bottle

The others were jealous and wanted their turn.

This one jumped right in Hayes' lap. 

This is a MUST do again!!

Papa took Hayes to ride the horse when he got antsy at the wildlife show.  He loved it, but you can't tell from these pictures!

Feeding the goats zoo puffs

This one was a hog.  He didn't let any of the other goats have any.

This one decided he had had enough and came over the top to get some.

Nana even feed the goat.  Glad we have picture proof on this one!

They told us while we were looking at the tiger cubs in the morning that they would walk them through the zoo to the back around lunch to rest.  They said that you could pet them as they walked by.  Hayes and I had to get in on that!

Hayes was ready to pet one.

This one looked at Hayes and whined.  When cubs whine though, it sound like a little roar.  It didn't bother Hayes one bit...

He roared right back at him.  Everyone around us just died laughing.

He continued his comedy act with the geese.  He would get right up to the fence and quack back at them.  He would even do his little hands.  He is such a funny boy!!

Gulf Shore Zoo is a must if you are going to the coast!!  I can't wait to go back!!!