Chicken nuggets & New toys!

I love unexpected, fun days. Today was one of those days... I went out with Logan to Walgreens to pick up some photos I had printed and while we were there we walked around and looked at the summer toys on sale. Logan had fun bouncing a big, pink bouncy ball off the floor in the aisles and watching me run to retrieve it for him. He was giggling like crazy. I was getting worn out, but he had fun so we took the little 99-center home for him to play with later.

I was going to just drive home, but I was kind of hungry, and figured Logan was too. Little man and I had lunch out, just the two of us, at Chick-fil-A, and it was nice. He had his little 4-piece nuggets meal and I had my 8 nuggets. In case you don't already know, this child LOVES drinking straws. Whenever we go somewhere to eat I always grab an extra (or two so when he drops the first one on the floor I have a clean one ready) for him to play with. He had fun playing with his straw and watching the other folks eating lunch.

Then, since it was right there, we went into Target to walk around for a bit since I don't go in there much and like to look around occasionally. I got some really cute board books for Logan for a buck a piece that have these cute little flaps with a photo on them you lift up and it has the word of the thing underneath. I got him 4 of them: shapes, colors, animals, and first words. Not only are they cute and actually entertain him, but they're somewhat educational so we can show him the pictures and teach him the word. Daddy read one with him tonight, actually. Ooh, Target has a ton of their outdoor, summer toys on clearance. I got a slip-n-slide for 5 bucks (even though Logan's a little young, I thought he still might get a kick out of it and, well, I always wanted one as a kid and never had one so you know I'm gonna try that bad boy out and break a hip while I'm at it.) I also got Logan this nifty little Backyardigans sprinkler so he can run around in the water in the yard. You all know how much Logan loves water, hoses, and the like so I figured I couldn't go wrong with that toy. Besides, what kid do you know that doesn't love running through a sprinkler in their swimsuit on a hot day? Well, a kid with a giant swimming pool I suppose, but we don't have one of those so the sprinkler should be a hit at our house!

We came home after shopping and Logan was worn ragged so I put him down for his nap and he slept for 3 hours. I got the grass cut while he got his beauty sleep. We had a really fun day just the two of us. I can't wait for tomorrow to see Logan playing with his new water toys in the yard! You know I'm gonna be taking some pictures to share!!

Photo Contest in Parenting

Parenting magazine is running a photo contest, and it looks like up to five photos are allowed to be submitted. I've chosen 5 of my favorite, recent pictures of Logan as my entries. I probably have a snowball's chance in hell of actually winning, but I thought it would be fun to enter them anyway. After all, someone's gotta win!

Here they are in no particular order... what do you think? (Oh yeah, and the first picture is also the same one I submitted for the weekly photo contest at Goodmama this week.)

Downtown Chattanooga

We had sooo much fun on Sunday going to downtown Chattanooga. Lee, Logan, and I met up with Claudia, MaryAnn, Shannon, and all the kids. Our first stop was the Chattanooga Market; we looked around at all the interesting things for sale by the local merchants, the kids played a bit, and I bought some yummy produce. I got some fresh green beans and corn on the cob to cook tonight. Yum!

After we left the market, we picked up Ryan and headed to Coolidge Park. The kids were all ready to splash and have fun in the fountain, but unfortunately it was closed... earlier in the day a kid had a bathroom accident and they had to close the fountain to sterilize it. The kids were a little disappointed, but there's always next time. They all rode the historic carousel instead. It was Logan's first time on a carousel. We thought he might be afraid, but he loved it. He just kept staring at the lights and animals and when the ride was over, he did not want to get off!

It was typical HOT July weather perfect for being outside (and sweating your butt off!) so Ryan, Lee, and the kids played in the park's field for a bit throwing a frisbee around. Logan had so much fun just getting to run free as a bird. He adores his little cousin, Harrison, and they were running back and forth and back and forth just having a good ole time! Claudia, MaryAnn, and Shannon relaxed in the shade while they all played, and I walked around snapping some pictures.

MaryAnn and Shannon headed home after the park, and Claudia, Ryan, Harrison, and my clan headed to Market Street to get some dinner. We ate at Taco Mac and we were all starving... the food was great. Logan was well-behaved and had fun feeding Daddy his goldfish crackers. I had a delicious margarita and Claudia had some Sam Adams beer.

All in all, it was a hot, but super day. It was great to see everyone and get out and do something inexpensive on a Sunday afternoon. I took tons of pictures and many of them came out so nicely that I had to share a lot of them. Normally I wouldn't post this many, but they all really capture our great day so well that I felt the need to share. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed taking them!! *Click the photos to view the full-size.