Today Fuller watched TV, took a walk with Mommy and Tebow, took some pictures (Mommy still needs to get them off the camera), watched Mommy get a haircut, had some ice cream, and something else… oh yeah, decide he’s gonna be a cowboy!

Grandpa Fred just had to have his grandson have cowboy boots. And man, they look cute on this four year old. At least he took them off before taking his bath. Though I could tell, he didn’t really want to.

I guess I owe Tebow an apology. Instead of nicknaming him a travel terror, I should say his was a terrific traveler. Of course we still have the flight home next week, but for now I have the glow of a mother whose children were wonderful on two flights and the extra 45 minutes we were stuck in Dallas. A passenger on the second flight even told my parents Fuller was very good. And several people commented on how good/ quiet/ cute Tebow was.

Fuller is enjoying his time in Texas, playing with different toys and anticipating Grandpa Fred’s return from work so they could play tonight. He told me earlier, “This is not a house. I thought Grandpa Fred and Vieja lived in a house, but this is not a house. This is a hotel.” I explained it is actually an apartment (and a very cute one at that), and left out the fact that the building used to be a hotel.

Tebow is still doing great things, sleeping well, eating well, and generally looking cute. He was my companion tonight when Mom and I went to dinner. He was very good, only getting fussy when it was his turn to eat.

Tomorrow I hope the weather clears up and allows us a little bit of outside time. And then maybe Fuller will remember more than going to the thrift store with Vieja.

Hi, I’m Tebow. Aren’t I cute? Tomorrow I get to go on a plane ride. It’s my first plane ride. I’m excited.

What? Mommy has a nickname for me?

“Tebow the Ticking Time Bomb of Travel Terror?”

HA! She hasn’t seen anything.

This morning’s paper had a nice article in it about local bloggers. One of the bloggers is me! The article is online here. But I thought it looked nicer in print (it’s a pdf), which also happens to be where you can see a picture of me and the boys.

When they asked to send a photographer to take my picture, I asked if the photographer could meet me at the playground. For one thing I didn’t want to clean the house. And two, I didn’t know how well I could contain the kids while there was company. The playground seemed like a good idea.

The photographer was very nice, though he did ask me what a blog was. He then tried to find some sort of inspiration for his assignment. He was asked to get a mug shot (which they didn’t use) and a portrait. Since it was a story on blogging, and after I explained what a blog was, he asked me if I brought a computer. I think I laughed. I might be a busy blogger, but being at the playground with a laptop isn’t me. Mainly because there isn’t wi-fi there. (I kid, I kid!)

Once I told him I fit under the “mommy blogger” category, the inspiration hit and suddenly the kids were in the portrait. It was an amusing 30 or more minutes where we tried to get Fuller into looking at a “birdie” instead of running around and throwing mulch. Fuller wanted to slide, we wanted him to stand still. Fuller wanted to play tag, we needed him to not lean on Mommy so much. Fuller wanted to climb the rock wall, we needed him to look at the camera.

I think the photographer got a very decent picture. And if you are new here because of the article, welcome! I hope you come back soon.

Damon was working today, so I took the boys to the Tennessee Aquarium for their Planet Party. When I told Fuller it was like Earth Day, he immediately responded, “You mean like PBS Kids?” Another point for television!

We had fun checking out snakes, playing instruments made from recycling, and gathering swag from various agencies with tables strategically placed in the aquarium courtyard.

Since we are members of the aquarium (thanks, Grandma Linda and Grandpa Albert!) we were able to head on into the aquarium, but it was so packed, we headed right back out to let Fuller do some wading. Once his shorts were more than 50 percent soaked, we headed home.

I’m thrilled the weather has warmed up and is begging us to be outside. This was a fun little taste of what the summer could be like, and I think we are going to like it.

I know I’ve been doing a ton little bit of complaining about life with an infant. The sleepless nights, the mysteriousness of his routine, and my lack of energy to complete daily tasks like staying awake. But things seem to be finding a stable platform, so I feel I should shut up about it for now.

Today has been a really good day for us. But then, there’s Maple.

Poor puppy. This morning she caught a squirrel. Our yard and tree often have squirrels visiting and seemingly taunting Maple, who stalks the ground beneath our tree waiting for one of the bushy rats to make a mistake. And apparently this morning one of the squirrels was slow and became Maple’s triumph.

I didn’t see it. Damon did because he was right there. And instead of congratulating Maple in her triumphant catch, he made her let it go limping off somewhere. (Boy am I glad Damon was 1. home and 2. telling her to ditch it. I didn’t want to clean up whatever could have happened.)

So, no squirrel kill for Maple. Must have been a sucky morning for her.

Too bad it got a little worse.

This afternoon I made Fuller take a bath. When we went to the bathroom to fill the tub, we discovered Maple had made herself at home in there. It is her “safe place” when the skies threaten thunderstorms. Maple is quite the scardey dog and gets very jumpy when thunder starts to roll. She hides in the bathroom, under beds, and behind chairs.

We made her move so Fuller get in the tub and clean up. I left the bathroom to do something. There was a loud clap of thunder and suddenly I hear Fuller yelling, “Mommy! Mommy!” I run back and Fuller tells me Maple was back in the tub. Which was full of water. The tub was full of water and Fuller. And for a short while, Maple was in there too.

So, disappointing morning and then a fearful afternoon. I think Maple has had a rough day.