Spring Fever

It's official. We have Spring Fever. It has been a long winter, made longer by having a little person that cannot be taken out of doors without being bundled in several layers of fleece, and burdened with hats, moccasins, and gloves. Needless to say, he does not enjoy the donning of all this. If you were to come to the door while we're dressing him, you would think someone was skinning a cat inside.

Am I an awful parent for laughing at my son's misery, documenting it, then sharing it with the world? Yes. But, is it worth it? Absolutely!

Rest assured, his protests would end abruptly upon going outside. We've done lots of neighborhood walks. Exploring every street and half street in our hood, venturing into nearby parks, going down to Memory Grove to visit the City Creek, trips to the mall downtown to watch the fish in the stream.

We even broke up the winter with a trip down to Everglades City to spend Christmas with family. This trip was Dylan's first time on a plane.* He was a pretty good little traveler after the first 20 minutes of screaming like a banshee. Thank goodness there were no blow-outs en route!

Dylan's first plane ride. Prior to take off. Dylan is pumped. Here I am smiling on the outside, and praying on the inside that Dylan's enthusiasm isn't the start of a 5-hour unraveling.

Aside from the stomach flu that made its way through the household, our Florida Christmas vacation was relaxing and comfortable thanks to the mild Florida clime and the graciousness of our hosts, Grandma and Grandpa Pollister. Besides an excuse to escape the cold and inverted Wasatch Front, we took the trip so that we could introduce Dylan to his Aunt Jamie, Uncle Dave and cousins Aria and Ethan. Grandma Gail has the magic touch with the little dude. When he gets distraught, she knows how to redirect and calm him in ways even I can't. Grandpa Ed, in his fashion, took everyone out on the boat to fish for snook. However, we all had our best fishing day casting out on the dock at Plantation House. Even Aria was pulling in big hogs! Way to go, Aria!!! Aria and Ethan were so cute with Dylan. Ethan regaled us all with songs from Frozen, and Aria tended to the little Drool Bucket like he was her own! They even shared some of their toys with our little drool monster.

Dylan meets Ethan & Aria. Ethan lets Dylan inspect his Peaches 'n' Cream Barbie. Sorry, Dylan, you can't drool on it!

Jamie's big catch! Aria is next!

Aria helps Dave bring in this big guy! Grandma Gail & Aria waiting for a bite of their own.

Here, snooky, snooky, snooky!

Chad's still got it!

Evening walk on the river with my little man. The best things in life are free.

Catch of the day. We're gonna be eatin' good tonight!

Dad and the Dumpling at the pool house.

The big dog.

Grandma Gail and Dylan.

Grandma Gail & Aria babysitting the little Dill Pickle while Grandpa Ed takes the rest us out to catch sea trout!

Wow. Even I caught a fish. What a whopper!

Are those Arctic polar bears? Oh, wait! That's Ethan & Aria getting ready to do the polar dip!

Maximum cuteness!

Grandpa Ed takes us out to see the dolphins

Ed making it look easy!

Dave bringing in sea trout like a boss!

Dylan and Daddy on Christmas morning.

Ethan & Gramma monkeying around.

Ethan caught a banana!

Christmas 2018...What fun!

*I came away from the trip with a newfound respect and admiration for all parents who take their kids on planes. Until this point, I had been the curmudgeon on the flight that silently bemoaned the presence of any little people on the plane, especially if they were in my direct vicinity. Traveling with kids involves an enormous amount of effort, and could really unravel at any moment. I will heretofore nod my head in respect and solidarity to any parents I see traveling with infants.