State Fair of Texas 2011

I'm all about taking obligatory pictures when I go places like the State Fair. You know... standing in front of Big Tex, eating a funnel cake, etc. It's as if those pictures prove we were there and had fun. However, I'm learning those don't always happen while still having fun with a toddler. Pictures we did take include ones of Grayson wallering around on the Dart Train and staring rudely at our odd fellow passengers (he hasn't learned certain social graces yet), touching disgusting statues in downtown Dallas, petting filthy animals, and watching a corny, but amusing, kids circus.

I also learned that 4-5 hours allotted to go to and from the State Fair is not enough to see many attractions, but is more than our family of 3 can handle. We were all exhausted by the time we made it home. Luckily we rode the Dart and got in free, so the ordeal was very inexpensive (unless you count the doctor's visit we'll incur from the many diseases Gray must have picked up).

*Note: an excessive amount of hand sanitizer was used during the filming of this event.

Good Morning

I'm not a morning person. Period. Therefore, the task of being chipper for my non-morning-person 18 month old is quite an undertaking. Daily.

Our typical routine is that I roll out of bed when it becomes exceedingly apparent that Gray is 100% ready to be out of his crib (and don't think for a second that I don't give him plenty of time to change his mind on the idea). I throw on my robe and pick up Mr. Sunshine and we grunt at each other as we make our way through breakfast - lovingly, of course. By the end of a cup (or two) of coffee for me and a kitchen's worth of groceries for him, we are both ready to take on the day.

Recently, however, Gray has transitioned from 2 naps to one. (Follow me here.) What this means is that there's no longer a built-in down time at 10:00 for me to get ready for the day. So guess what? I, as a responsible adult and parent, SHOULD be getting up an hour before Gray to get ready. It's been about a month since Gray changed his naps, and I've only accomplished the extra-early-morning feat a few times. Today is one of those. So guess what? I'm thoroughly enjoying being dressed, fed, and sitting quietly for a few minutes. I won't even have to fake a chipper attitude when I pick Gray up out of his crib this morning.

The big question now is whether or not I can convince myself tomorrow morning that it's worth getting out of bed when it's still dark to have this peaceful waking-up time. I should have more faith in myself...