Camp Christianson

Thad really wants to go camping. So Pete obliged him . . .

Roasting "marshmellows" (grapes) over the fire

Everyone knows you have to blow on the marshmellow before you put it in your mouth!

Mmmm-mmmm . . . perfectly browned . . . and even better with ketchup!

No Explanation Needed

A GREAT Red Wagon Gift!

I am sure you have heard of the red-wagon gift? The little boy who got his grandmother a red wagon for her birthday because he really wanted one? I've always loved that story (and love giving red wagon gifts, too!).

Well, Thad got a wonderful red wagon gift from his Grandparents Christianson: a real red wagon. And we can barely get him out of it!

He watches tv in it, he colors in it, he eats breakfast in it, he has tried to sleep in it, he has ridden on the bike trail in it, he . . . well, you get the idea. Thad loves his red wagon!

He Actually Had More Fun Here Than These Pictures Would Suggest

Thomas the Train was in Grapevine a few weeks back. Since he was so close, we thought it would be fun for Thad to meet his hero! While the pictures look like our idea bombed, they don't tell the story of a little boy so overwhelmed at actually being on a train that he just didn't know what to do with himself!




While we were riding on Thomas, we saw this little "KiddieSteam" ride and Thad wanted to give it a go. I told Pete I was sure Thad was not old enough to hand pedal on his own, let alone walk into the ride by himself. Pete encouraged me, "Let's just see."

How wrong can I be? Pretty wrong. Thad turned to Pete and said, "Dad, I want to ride this!" The ride operator told Pete that Thad would have to walk in on his own steam (get it!?). He opened the gate and Thad ran in and quickly took possession of the red engine. He did great!

He was very serious about the whole thing. I couldn't get him to smile for the camera, but he loved every second of the huge THREE MINUTES they let him ride! He was quite irritated that he couldn't go again and again and again, and could only be lured away by telling him Thomas was back at the station and we needed to go say goodbye to him. Which he did.

This is Thad after saying goodbye to Thomas. He is showing the picture he had made of us with Thomas. He is very excited to have the picture.

Too bad he couldn't show that excitement IN the picture!

He cried walking away from the train station. He cried getting into his car seat. He cried before bed. And every day since, he has stuck his lower lip out, furrowed his brow and said, "Mommy, I miss Thomas. I want Thomas to come back!"

Those outrageously expensive tickets to ride for 30 minutes were TOTALLY worth it!

He Also Had More Fun Than THIS Picture Would Suggest

What's Your Pleasure, Jerry?

Thad has a stuffed giraffe named Jerry who is a very close friend of his. Today, Jerry and Thad were sitting in their new wagon (thanks, Grandmommy & Granddaddy!) and wanted to watch a little tv. I asked Thad if he would rather watch Wonder Pets or Backyardigans.

Thad turned to Jerry: "Jerry, wanna watch Wonder Pets or Backyardigans?"

Apparently, Jerry was in the mood for a little Wonder Pets.

Thad & Jerry a few months back.

Jerry getting a ride on Thad's shoulders (and Thad's face full of peanut butter . . . yeesh!).