[null, null, {"document_url": "http://macgrubersmama.blogspot.com/", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7cB1jN9FmYA/TrmZVcYVzBI/AAAAAAAAAPc/AiyEYZNxUBs/s320/DSC_0589.JPG", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7cB1jN9FmYA/TrmZVcYVzBI/AAAAAAAAAPc/AiyEYZNxUBs/s320/DSC_0589.JPG", "formatted_filename": "DSC", "rendered_width": 196, "rendered_height": 320}, null, {"document_url": "http://macgrubersmama.blogspot.com/", "unformatted_src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cTaUc_d_q34/TrmV412e9VI/AAAAAAAAAO0/X6VFewmFveI/s320/DSC_0538.JPG", "src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cTaUc_d_q34/TrmV412e9VI/AAAAAAAAAO0/X6VFewmFveI/s320/DSC_0538.JPG", "formatted_filename": "DSC", "rendered_width": 214, "rendered_height": 320}, {"document_url": "http://macgrubersmama.blogspot.com/", "unformatted_src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wtNl-m58_bo/TrmV8pawQhI/AAAAAAAAAO8/gzFsZ9dZ7rU/s320/DSC_0549.JPG", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wtNl-m58_bo/TrmV8pawQhI/AAAAAAAAAO8/gzFsZ9dZ7rU/s320/DSC_0549.JPG", "formatted_filename": "DSC", "rendered_width": 214, "rendered_height": 320}, null, null, {"document_url": "http://macgrubersmama.blogspot.com/", "unformatted_src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-91oWiz6G1MI/Trh7geaqmaI/AAAAAAAAANk/AxPcXce6-2s/s320/DSC_0543.JPG", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-91oWiz6G1MI/Trh7geaqmaI/AAAAAAAAANk/AxPcXce6-2s/s320/DSC_0543.JPG", "formatted_filename": "DSC", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 214}, {"document_url": "http://macgrubersmama.blogspot.com/", "unformatted_src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KawaCRA-5YI/Trh7kC7OioI/AAAAAAAAANs/3trc_f6Aex8/s320/DSC_0544.JPG", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KawaCRA-5YI/Trh7kC7OioI/AAAAAAAAANs/3trc_f6Aex8/s320/DSC_0544.JPG", "formatted_filename": "DSC", "rendered_width": 214, "rendered_height": 320}, null, {"document_url": "http://macgrubersmama.blogspot.com/", "unformatted_src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2sb5oJFcZt0/Trh8QsQ9gVI/AAAAAAAAAOs/RU0mZN2EUQM/s320/DSC_0572.JPG", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2sb5oJFcZt0/Trh8QsQ9gVI/AAAAAAAAAOs/RU0mZN2EUQM/s320/DSC_0572.JPG", "formatted_filename": "DSC", "rendered_width": 214, "rendered_height": 320}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://macgrubersmama.blogspot.com/", "unformatted_src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CS5JRBiIKf0/TcMKhPnxxFI/AAAAAAAAAEM/TcbxbpAkprU/s170/hopscout_chicklet_blue.png", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CS5JRBiIKf0/TcMKhPnxxFI/AAAAAAAAAEM/TcbxbpAkprU/s170/hopscout_chicklet_blue.png", "formatted_filename": "hopscout chicklet blue", "rendered_width": 130, "rendered_height": 26}]

Happy 3rd Birthday to MacGruber! Happy Birthday to MacGruber, who thinks he is 7!!
When you ask my sweet boy how old he is, he often replies "Seven!" I think it's his favorite number in life right now because everything is 7!  However, my big guy is now 3.  I know, I can't believe it either!
Life if just cruising on by and now I have a three year old...booohooooohoooo!  Before I know it, he'll be eighteen and I sure hope he loves me then as much as he does now!  He is quite the Mama's boy and I really have no complaints!  I loooove my boy!
Ok, enough blathering on about me getting old and my kiddo growing up too fast...on to the birthday celebration!
I made a countdown chain a week before MacGruber's birthday and he adored tearing off a link each morning and counting the days until his birthday.  I am so thankful I only did seven days because it was still difficult to explain that his birthday wasn't quite yet! On the day of his birthday, we both got struck down with a pretty terrible cold, so my big plans of visitng the Shedd Aquarium or children's musuem didn't quite happen.  However, we prevailed (on a much smaller scale) and had a really wonderful day with Nana and Baba in town.  We hiked through Hawthorn Hollow and stopped by Barnes and Noble for coffee (for the grown-ups) Green Machine juice (for MacGruber) and a huge chocolate cupcake!

While MacGruber was napping, Nana went wild with the crepe paper and we also picked up his balloons and cake.  When MacGruber turned 1, I vowed to always make his cakes.every.single.year.  Wellllll....never say never!  I was so excited to spend time with him this year, that the cake making business went right out the window and into the hands of a professional.  And, with the cake that MacGruber picked out,  I was so happy that I did!
When Daddy got home, we headed out to an awesome pizza dinner where we "toasted" MacGruber several times!  He was such a cutie pie, standing in the booth at the pizza parlor, letting everyone toast him birthday wishes and clinking cups.  We actually did it several times upon his request!
Once, we arrived home, it was FINALLY cake and present time!  MacGruber was so pumped to get his "easy bakey thing" and couldn't wait to open his presents.  His best friend J-Rod came over to help and celebrate too.

Another year of my sweet baby boy's life has flown by and we are continually blessed with his love, his laughter and all his talk about poo!  We had a wonderful time celebrating his birthday and look so very forward to this next year's adventures!
Posted by Mama C at 3:28 PM 3 comments 

Chef MacGruber and his Halloween Adventures!

Happy Halloween...about a week too late!  On Halloween Eve, MacGruber, Daddy and I carved our pumpkins.  Actually, let me clarify.  I scooped and carved two pumpkins, both poorly, because my hand was killing me, Daddy carved one masterpiece and MacGruber watched "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."  I totally thought MacGrubes would be into it...maybe next year!  We whipped up some toasted pumpkin seeds and enjoyed taking pictures of our Daddy's masterpiece! On Trick or Treating day, Chef was super excited to go with his best friend and neighbor J-Rod, and one of his other best pals, Mymy and her mommy!

Near the end of Trick or Treating, the Chef was exhausted!  He slouched over in a big, dramatic way and sighed as he walked to each house!  It was quite hysterical and he kept asking for "energy" aka candy so he could make it to the front door of our neighbors! Later that evening, we got the best surprise!  Daddy's dear friend, Eric, surprised us with a visit!  This awesome guy had never met MacGruber before and they definitely hit it off.  MacGrubes had to bring his Strider bike in the house and show Uncle Eric how he rides.  Now, a challenge is on for a bike race!  We adore Uncle Eric and were pretty stoked over the whole night!
We had a wonderful Halloween!  Another year of lots of treats and no tricks!  Just the way we like it!
Posted by Mama C at 6:59 PM 2 comments 

Once upon a Fall....

....there was the sweetest little MacGruber and his Mama who played and played wishing the beautiful weather could stay forever and the big bad winter would stay away!  Unfortunately, winter is just around the corner and what may be the last day of gorgeous weather is behind us.  But, that's not say we haven't enjoyed every second of it.  We always do, MacGruber!  That's how we rollllll....

As you always say, MacGruber, "This is a fun day Mama.  I like fun days."  Well, this has been a fun couple of weeks too!  Between the sunshine, cool air, visits to the Pumpkin Patch and Petting Zoo, playdates with your best pals and all in all, just soaking up the delicious sunshine, we have been busy.

With "trick or treatin'" right around the corner, and the BIG third birthday soon after, life will continue to be full of excitement and fun!  I can't wait to post about MacG's super adorable Chef costume and the birthday celebration we have planned!

Posted by Mama C at 10:28 PM 0 comments 

Bedtime Chats

Posted by Mama C at 10:44 PM 0 comments 

Summer 2011 in Review: Warning, WARNING...LOTS of pictures!

Is summer really over!?  It seems as if we wait all year for those 3 perfect months and it just flies by, doesn't it?  MacGruber and I had a wonderfully busy summer filled with lots of sunshine and water.  We had special adventures taking bike rides, exploring parks and visitng family and friends!  I can't even begin to tell of all the little moments we had this summer, so instead, I will summarize with pictures.  (I should post the many (like 20!) blog posts I started the past couple months and never finished.  The little tidbits are humorous but when the beautiful weather is calling, it's hard to sit at the computer.  And, ha!  Who am I kidding!?  I have a very busy little man who doesn't really allow for much sitting anyway right now!) Big Guy!
A few thoughts for memories sake:
-Does ninja moves after watching "American Ninja" show with Mama and Daddy.
-Says, "like and kinda" all the time, example, "Mama, that food was like so kinda good!"
-Loves hearing and telling stories we (or he) make up!
-Still dislike getting hair washed in the bathtub and often say, "I just don't like that, Mama!" however, you have become such a great swimmer and don't mind getting splashed at the pool.
Posted by Mama C at 8:06 AM 2 comments Tag Along via Email... Favorite Bloggity Blogs