Christmas Village, Again

He has learned to say "cheese," above. Can you tell the difference between his portrait smile and his usual?



We made our fifth and last visit to the Christmas Village. This time we brought the ensemble of photographic and video equipment. And we used it.



Here's Grant and a snowman, above.



A firetruck.

Pet some Manger Goats, anyone?



And, below, he makes another try at fame.



It's not all about the Christmas Village. It's about family.



It's also about little pint-sized wooden shacks, like the Manger.



And the end of Fall and start of Winter.



And the, hopefully, clean floors of good Tex-Mex restaurants. Well, of every restaurant; he does this everywhere.



Here's looking to a good oh-ten.

He's Been Nice, Mostly

Here Grant is at the Richardson Christmas Village! We've been three times, so far. He has a little stage fright, but you can tell he insists on being up there belting out a chorus of "Hark the Herald Angels." Don't worry Kelly is standing only a few feet from the frame of the photo.

Since, because of my procrastination, we begin in the middle of these Christmas affairs, let's backtrack to cover our post-Halloween autumn.

Grant was curious:



about some farm animals.




He got to San Antonio:



with some big insects in tow.



He likes running:



Up and down ramps.



He finally met his Great Grandmother Benavides; she's 97!



And taught her about CAWRS.



Gratuitous Cute Grant Photo #1



#2 And thanks to Gabriel for the ball pit.



Merry Christmas Everybody!

Tra-juh

For a unique merger of Halloween and Monster Truck, and a piece of video that Grant has watched at least 10 times, please check out this. There's a commercial at the beginning, none of which Grant or Grant, Inc. endorses.

Hello-ween - "And who are you supposed to be?"

For a 20 month old like Grant, Halloween can be exciting--everyone's got a new face, for better or worse. It's time the Benavidii updated their look.

Mommy's decided to change her image and "go country" to reconnect with her fan base. Mommy's got a tractor shirt.



And she got a cowboy hat. Gilley's, anyone?




Daddy needs a new gig, too. A Mexican wrestler who believes in science, perhaps?



Grant, on the other hand, wants to change his look from peaceful compliant child at 8 months:

To slightly disinterested child at 20 months.



"Pumpkins?!!!!?"



"Pumpkins?"



To the happy elephant.

A Festivus for the Rest of Us

Well, September is over, stop yer cryin'.

We had fun, despite the rain and all. We made it to quite a few festivals and events, trying to keep our kid happy.



We went to Addison, where he forgot "the good sense to stand in the shade."



We went to McKinney, where we kept an eye out for him.



He nearly got away. Whew!



We went Macedonian.



We went to Richardson. Wait, we liver there!



And to Sharkarosa?! Anybody?



Can't get enough of this.

When September Ends

It's September and you know what time it is--UT Football and Oktoberfest! We got both this weekend.



Thanks Grandma Kay! See what a great guy Grant is?



As Parents, we look back to a child more simple, more easily handled, and nevertheless look forward to an October Child more infinite in possibility and potential.





With a kiss, Grant, and a tear, Grant, on your ever lifting brow. -- "Yates"

Back and Forth Grant

This weekend wasn't as fun as last weekend (notice how he still doesn't have the "going down a step" move down, he just kind falls off the step hoping for the best):



This weekend we were rained out, but we got out for a walk (thanks Jason Owen of Castle Rock, CO for the raincoat, it really came in handy):



Had a tantrum in a parking lot (he'll make a good protestor some day; he's got that "go limp and scream injustice!" tactic down):




Met a horse (he galloped right up to Grant, which Grant thought was cool):



And the nice policeman:




But, hey, we kept our cool:



Actually, most of the events depicted in the photos didn't happen this weekend; we really were rained out!

It Was Always About the Cars

How do you get a kid to eat?! Shouldn't food be a given. One precious scholar says, "They'd rather play, than eat." This guy takes it to a new level. If you will, imagine a thin child, in his underwear, and it's late. He has a car in one hand, and a fish stick in another. He's got stuff to do, places to go. No time to sit with the family and discuss the day, much less eat. We could have talked about the park:






We could have talked about all the neat places we visited:



And the memories:



We had a good day, but he wouldn't stop to tell you. Grant will continue on with his schedule, his agenda:

He likes cawrs; don't touch them! But if one should fall, and roll beneath some structure, then pay attention 'cause he's gotta a job for ya.

"Play now; eat later, much later."