Mr. Mom

While mom is away the boys will play...
Yes, for those of you wondering this is Ryan with my inaugural guest post.  Since Jess started this blog more that a year ago all I have done up to now is read and occasionally (very rarely) comment.  This time I will post as mom was away in Arizona and dad, aka, Mr Mom, captured all the moments that make being a parent so fun (who am I kidding, challenging). So, without further ado......
...And play we did.
The first stop on the play train was MeeMee's house for a little handyman work for Mr Mom and playtime for Ben.  Jess's mom is on the brink of starting to redo her kitchen so we had to go over and rip off some drywall so the new fridge would fit.  We knocked this one out quickly but halfway through realized that Ben hadn't had breakfast and it was 10am.  This was my first reality check that I was in charge and couldn't forget that sort of thing if we were going to keep on the schedule that Momma has meticulously crafted for little Ben.  Once we finished up the work we headed back to the house for some lunch.  (sorry, no pics of the demo).

Later that afternoon we got a text from Aunt Dede that all of my cousin's kids were over at her house and they were planning a trip to the zoo lights.  Mr mom sprung into action and quickly calculated Ben's schedule vs what Dede had proposed and came to the conclusion that this just might work.  So I put Ben down for a nap and got everything together.  I was pretty proud that I didn't forget anything and the night went nicely until we arrived at the zoo and my uncle said it best, "this place is a zoo."  Apparently all of the other families that had family in town decided to go to the Denver zoo and partake in the festivities known as "Zoo Lights".  When we arrived at the parking lot there were about as many cars looking for parking as those that actually found it.  We were in two cars and I thought that there was no way we would find a spot much less two spots anywhere near each other.  Just as we were about to give up hope a security guard in a golf cart ushered us into two spots right in front that had hashed lines so no one had parked there.  Right place at the right time.  Overall I would say that the zoo at the zoo was fun. See the pics below at the zoo and at their house before hand with all of the kids together.

Elephant of Lights

Kids all bundled up

The whole crew

Kiddos and the Pup

It was a pretty full day and we didn't get back to the house until way after Ben's bed time.  He was a little champ and drank his milk in the car and fell fast asleep. He barely batted an eye when I moved him from the car to the crib, a delicate move that often can go wrong.

Because of the late night we decided the next day was going to be pretty mild and thought a nice jog around the lake at Clement park and a quick snack at Barnes and Noble was an appropriate highlight.  We also made plans with Aunt Christy to visit cousin Ian down in Colorado Springs for the next day.  We haven't visited them since we have been home so thought it would be good to do a little catching up with Ian and the gang down there.

The morning of day 3 had arrived and Mr. Mom was trying to get out the door with a shower and everything.  A feat not to be taken lightly to you other Mr. Moms out there.  Good thing Grandpa Jim and Nana Pat were home to lend a hand in feeding Ben and watching him while Mr. Mom gathered himself up and got out the door.

The drive down went smooth and we arrived at Aunt Christy and Uncle Dave's with a welcoming committee (the local wildlife).

Welcoming Committee

When we arrived Ben gave Ian a lesson in crawling and walking and playing with some toys.  They were pretty cute together I must admit and had they had a good playing and learning from each other.

"Let me show you how this works Ian"

After some play time and an unsuccessful attempt to lure the buck with the Christmas lights stuck on on its antlers over for help, we headed over to Mom and Pop Spoon's house for lunch.  All of the kids were in town and all the grand kids were running around.  Ben got his first try at basketball.  Momma would be proud.

Ben! Better Duck!

After lunch the crew headed over to Mr Biggs, an indoor play park and Ben loved to see all the kids and run around.  The only thing Mr. Mom saw were germs and little hands on everything.  Wasn't the cleanest place and a little run down so for a toddler that likes to stick everything in his mouth it was making Mr. Mom nervous.  Ben was getting tired and needed his milk so we headed back and Ben got  his nap on the drive back up.

The time was fun since we did so many things together however I would say that I was exhausted and was glad to be picking momma up at the airport Friday night.  Thank you my son for the fun and we will have to do it again soon.

Until next time, Mr. Mom signing off.