But Scott's a baby. So it's not like he knew the difference. And I like to think that he had a pretty darn good holiday, even without all the typical "holiday" stuff.
Jim and I decided to get the heck out of Hades (i.e, Phoenix and its 119 degree temperatures) for the weekend, beating a fast retreat to my parents' house in Show Low, which is about 3-4 hours north of town.
Grandma and Grandpa call their place there a "cabin." I refuse to -- a cabin sounds like something primitive in the woods, cut off from all forms of civilization and running water. This is a comfortable, three-bedroom enclave with gorgeous wrap-around front and back porch, DirecTV and a hot-tub.
They did get the woods part right, however.
We arrived mid-day Saturday, and Scott immediately proceeded to check out his new digs, fresh off a 2 1/2 hour nap in the car. We gloated, sitting on the deck soaking in the cool breeze and 74 degree temperatures, while the Valley sweltered.
Dinner was at a local pizza place, and capped off by a massive diaper blowout AT THE RESTAURANT. My son actually put his head down on the table - twice - to concentrate on "his business." (Thanks Scott, very classy and excellent timing.)
After cleanup, we all headed to bed early so we could rest up for the day ahead.
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| Scott and mommy..pre-blowout. |
Sunday was full of adventure. We took Scott to a local park, where he went on his first swing ride, giggling with glee the whole time. (The slide was not nearly as big of a hit.) Lunch consisted of puffs, a few bites of veggies and broccoli cheese soup. Have I mentioned my kid LOVES soup?
After an afternoon nap, we were all again sitting on the back deck when my mom suddenly shouted, "BEAR!"...I turned around, and seriously... There was a bear. A big black one. About 10 feet from the deck, ambling through the woods like he owned the place.
Now my first thought - and my mom's - was, 'Must get baby and dogs inside the house stat.'
Jim (who was holding Scott) apparently had a different set of priorities. He immediately said, 'Where is my camera? I've gotta get a picture!' ...as he proceeded to put Scott down in the pak n play...ON THE DECK.
I grabbed Scott and headed inside. Jim grabbed the camera, ready to play Ansel Adams... but alas, the bear was long gone. We waited a short time and then sent Dad back out on to the deck with a slab of raw meat so that he could grill our dinner.
(Thanks for taking one for the team Dad.)
While Scott seemed oblivious to the big bear adventure, he had what may have been one of his favorite all-time meals to date: steak, watermelon, more soup and a cupcake.
We also taught him "Sooo Big" and he spent the rest of the meal putting his hands over his head, smearing his hair and face with cupcake to our great delight.
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| Practicing "Soo Big" |
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| More practice...with a little cupcake mousse in the hair. |
On the actual holiday, we decked Scott in his best patriotic duds and took him into town for the Show Low parade. I don't know that it made much of an impression on him.
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| Waiting for the parade to start, in our holiday best. |
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| All smiles with grandma. |
I did, however, notice, that he's already learned how to play hard to get. There were two little girls sitting in front of his stroller, and they went to great lengths to get ANY kind of reaction out of him.
They made faces. They tickled his feet. They waved flags. They handed him toys. He stared at them stone-faced. So they kept redoubling their efforts, increasing their antics to try to get him to smile.
Finally, I suggested they play peek-a-boo. They did, and were rewarded with a great big grin. They were putty in his hands for the rest of the parade.
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| Hello, ladies! |
Jim and I drove home that afternoon, and were overjoyed when Scott treated us to diaper explosion #2 five minutes outside of Payson, on a two-lane road with nowhere to stop. (Thanks again buddy.)
After all his weekend excitement, he was sound asleep by the time the fireworks started. But I think it was a memorable holiday nonetheless.
Happy 1st 4th of July, Tank.
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