BUTTERFLY GARDEN IN THE WORKS...
Mom and I took a trip to the garden center. We picked out lots of host and nectar plants for our butterfly garden. They almost did not fit in the car on the way home. So, I volunteered to hold one. We should be attracting 3 different types of butterflies. We were hot after unloading those guys so we took a trip to the pool with my friend Austin and left the plants in the front yard. When we returned...we had a butterfly! Mom was so excited! She was clapping and telling me all about how it worked! I was just happy to see the Monarch fluttering around me from plant to plant. Mom can't wait to start digging holes and to collect the last few plants we need. We will have eggs, caterpillars and butterflies soon! Stop by for a science tour :)
















Can you spot my butterfly in this picture?

UPCLOSE ENCOUNTERS AT THE ZOO!...
This was one of our best trips yet. We saw all the animals in a new way. The monkeys, who are usually quiet, were grunting and marking their territory They are really loud. I copied their sounds. The giraffes were so tall and right at the fence just begging us to play. As we walked away I found another giraffe on a sign. I kept pointing it out to mom and talking about it. I knew exactly what it was. The fish were interesting as usual. Mom and I made it through the aquarium tunnel together the first time and then I went by myself 3 more times. I thought it was great! I would stop right in the middle to point out all of the fish swimming around and above me. See this big, black bird. It came right up to my stroller and peeked in. It actually checked me out. I was so impressed. I had to get out and follow behind it. At one point I could have touched it I was so close. Mom was glad I didn't. FYI-Mom has a favorite bird, the Blue Breasted Kingfisher. I like the teeny, tiny ones. They fly really fast. The more they move the more interesting they are. Except for the Toucans. They have such brilliant colors. I would love them no matter what. We had a picnic lunch by the longhorn cows from Africa; mom can't remember their names. It was great. A bluejay joined us and of course I threw it a berry. We are looking forward to summer and many more upclose encounters at the zoo.

Zoo days are better than school days!

JV PARK DAYS AND NOW NIGHTS...
We're hooked! We love the park. I get so excited when we drive past that I literally cackle in my car seat, bounce up and down the best that I can strapped in, kick my legs and point. How could they not stop? Day or night we take a break and play at the park. I call the swing a "wing" and I still try to climb up the slide to go back down. But I am a big boy now and I can slide all by myself. Mom says, "1, 2, 3 go..." (just like at swimming) and down I slide. I even stop to pose so she can take my picture now and then. Dad has joined us for the evening play times. He doesn't like getting sand in his sandles...I told him to tough it out. We are there to play on the equiptment not with our shoes. There is lots of sand and sticks too. I thought I had found a giant stick and I was so excited...then mom informed me that it was a root. I pulled on that thing until my hands hurt. I just knew I could get it, but when it was all said and done the tree won. Mom showed me all the other roots and then she helped me find a smalled stick. Boys! We can make anything a toy.

Wanna play?

INTO EVERYTHING!...
We spend lots of time outdoors. I am into everything inside and out. I love to pick the new petals off of mom's flowers and then try to reattach them or plant them in the mulch. Needless to say there are just a few flowers left in the flowerbed and my nails are dirty these days too. Mom knew the day of stinky little boy would come...it's here and she is loving every minute. Mom tells people that she was girly and did not like to play in dirt and such when she was little. She like to be inside and cool. I am showing her all the things that she missed out on. It's time to play catch up mom...that's why I have to move so fast. I don't want either one of us to miss out again.

Mom said to smile so I gave her a CHEESE!

7:30 AM on a SAT. MORNING...
Is this what you were doing? I think the chores are getting a bit out of control! This is one of RGT's favorite new toys. He loves to mow the lawn and the carpet too. No time for shoes or pants...he wanted out. Chores to do!
















Next up, power washing!

CHORES...
Reagan is a helper. He loves doing chores...even when he is asked not to. Feeding Sassy, Buster and the birds, sweeping the back porch, picking the flowers, brushing the dog, rearranging the cabinets, dragging clean laundry down the hallway or laying it in the dog bed, pulling pans out of the cabinet, picking up shoes, moving items to a new location--esp. those found in dad's messy office, taking dirty dishes out of the dish washer, putting clean dishes on the kitchen floor, and so forth. How could we ask for more?
Reagan is the only person Buster does not bark at while he is feeding. In fact, Reagan feeds Buster about 5 kibbles at a time. He runs back and forth from the tub of food to Buster's bowl and drops new pieces in. Sometimes he uses his hands...other times the measuring cup, but Buster does not mind. RGT is so proud of himself for helping. I'm just glad he has not tried to eat the animal food.















Did you eat those yet?

NO NET...
We took a trip to the Children's Museum with my neighbor Will and his mom, but this time I had to get creative. The big kids had all the nets so I patiently waited my turn. I even tried drinking the water--YUCK! Mom was worried I would develop a strange stomach issue from bacteria filled waters, but I didn't. I had lots of fun until the rains came. Playing in water is lots of fun as long as you are in control...when it falls from the sky it is a totally different story. I did not like getting wet.
















I wonder if this water is filtered?

HIP, HIP HOP...
Happy Easter! This is my 2nd. Too bad it was raining. We made the most of it though. We had breakfast at Grandma Malone's house. It was a feast! I ate waffles, cantelope, blueberries, strawberries and more and I loved every bite. Then, we were off to church. I enjoyed the music and swayed back and forth with mom. I think she had a master plan though. I was sleeping on her shoulder by the time the pastor started his sermon. I woke up just in time to add a few words to the prayer and sing another song. I was perfect! When we got back to Grandma's house I had a basket of goodies to enjoy. Grandma had stuffed giant eggs with cranberries, cherries, goldfish and animal crackers and mom hid the eggs around the living room. I found eggs in the plants, the couch and more. What little boy wouldn't try to find these eggs? Mom kept trying to take my picture, but all I wanted to do was open the eggs and see what was inside. Well, eat what was inside is a more honest answer. I did not have time to sit or smile. I was a busy boy!
Later that day, mom told me all about the real celebration of Easter. We read the book that Grandpa Malone gave me about the Easter story and I listened to every word intently. Mom is anxious to see the Godly man that I will become.

Hoppy Easter!

GALVESTON GET AWAY...
There were lots of fish, sand, smiles and sea, but NO SUN! We took a road trip...finally! Mom has been promising me that we would make it to the beach and we finally did. I don't think I liked it though. It was FREEZING and mom wanted to walk me all the way out on the pier! It was all of 40 degrees and the wind was blowing so hard against mom's teeth as she smiled that they hurt. She wanted me to have the full experience; feel the wind, see the waves, smell the stink and hear the ocean waves crash against the rocks. It worked. I had plenty. None of this could keep mom and dad from stopping for ice cream on the seawall though. Like I said, they believe in having the full experience! I'll give the beach another try this summer. Warm weather and water seem to be a better match. Next time I'll be surfin' the waves, building sand castles and more.
I loved Moody Gardens and the Rain Forest Cafe too. Fish have always been my favorite. I saw all kinds of fish and sea life, penguins and sea lions too. A funny thing happened with the last of those guys. Mom and I were standing looking at the sea lion tank under ground when the largest of the bunch swam so close to the window that mom got startled. She jumped back and said whoa. Well, that scared the bajebbies out of me. I started crying and wanted nothing to do with the big swimming beasts and the scary tank. Mom had to prove to me that she was fine and that the sea lions really are beautiful creatures. We had plenty of time to point and laugh afterward. I went from exibit to exibit loving every minute of my adventure. There were so many things to see and I just pointed at them all. I ooohed and ahhhhed and laughed and giggled and pointed some more. Mom and dad were thrilled that I was having such a good time. Then we were off to lunch in the rain forest. I ate my lunch surrounded by elephants and gorillas and a fluttering butterfly too. Talk about entertainment. I wasn't even scared! After lunch mom and dad took me on my first river ride. Mom held on tight. There was lots to see and hear we had the whole tube to ourselves.
The ride home was relaxing. I was worn out. Mom and I snoozed while dad obeyed the traffic signs. We got a speeding ticket on the way there so at least he learned from his mistake :). Until next time Galveston! See you this summer.

BRRRRRRR...My nose is red, but it is not from the sun

NEW WHEELS...
I guess you can tell by my face that I was pretty excited to get my own set of wheels! FREEDOM! Those little cars just don't have the leg room that this one offers. Ms. Mary, my babysitter, decided it was time I got a car. She bought this one for me for Easter. You don't find me inside too often...I have too much to do outside. If you ever need a ride just give me a call. I can make all the car sounds and I can show you how to prop your feet up so we can really go fast. See you soon!
















VROOM!

PEEK A BOO...I SEE YOU!...
Summer time is just around the corner and mom is on a mission to stock our yard with fun outside toys. This week dad had to go out of town so me and mom took at trip to the store. Hee, hee...dad is in for a surprise, but he won't mind. I got a new crawl thru tunnel, a lawn mower, a climber from a neighbor, an automatic bubble blowing wand, a plush chair for my reading nook and 2 new books. Whew! We had fun shopping and now we are having even more fun playing. There are so many exciting things to try out! Even Buster wants in on the fun. He plays peek-a-boo too.

Wanna try?

GRAMPS IS ANOTHER YEAR OLDER...
Gramps, Pappy, Pops...Grandpa does not like any of these names, but mom thinks an ol man needs an ol name. What do you think we should call him? HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA!
We celebrated Grandpa's birthday with Mexican food and dad made him a carrot cake from scratch. I love a celebration. I usually get to try out something new. This time I had a chicken fajita complete with rice, beans, cheese, sour cream and guac. That is why I made my cheeseball face. I was so happy! Mom said, "say cheese" and so I did. I liked the carrot cake too. Grandpa was pretty silly too. He played games at the table with me. I laughed and then I cried...It was getting late and I was getting tired. Everyone laughed because I made the cutest sad face frown they had ever seen. Mom wishes she had a picture of that to share. See you soon Grandpa!

HAPPY 56 Gramps!

LOOKING for the PERFECT PATCH!...
2nd annual bluebonnet pictures sure did come up quick. This year I was able to sit in the flowers instead of lay in the sea of blue. And, I would like to note that I did not get any ant bites this year--yea! Grandma Malone, mom and dad were ready. They came prepared with the camera and video cameras, blankets and mom even hunted down a chair. She asked a lady on the side of the road if we could borrow it for awhile. It was perfect. It was a good thing they had a tank full of gas...we drove a long way! I took a nap. Mom was looking for the perfect patch. As it turns out, even a small patch takes great pictures. We had a blast! Or, at least the grown ups had fun. I wanted out of those flowers! Mom helped me smell them, tickled my toes with them and I even squished a few, but enough is enough. I was ready to roam! I have to admit though. I loved rocking in the chair. So BIG!

Enough of the flowers...get me out of here!

RODEO DAYS, HOUSTON...
YEE-HAW! Ridin' the range with my folks was great fun! Aunt Melissa, Uncle Gene, Aunt Carley, Uncle JJ and my lil cous Wes had lots to of fun too. This was the day of lots of firsts for me. I rode a pony and cried when I had to get off. I took my picture sitting on a longhorn. This time I cried when I had to get on. I pet three rabbits. They were so soft I giggled. In the petting zoo, I had my shirt eaten by a deer. I had a look of shock and then disgust when my shirt was all wet. I decided the goats were more fun. One tried to climb in my lap when mom was taking my picture! That's when the giggles and then the look of surprise returned. I wore a cowboy hat a few times during the day. I was a real deal lil cowboy. I went to a fair there was so much to see and hear. Mom was surprised I could sleep through some of it. Too bad for me though, I was just a smidge to short to ride any of the rides. Mom and dad tried to sneak me onthe giant slide, but the workers were doing their jobs and measured me. 2.5 inches to small. So, I drank part of mom's icee, I was hot and it tasted great, and ate a few dippin' dots instead. YUMMY! It was a great day with the fam. Now part of tradition. See you all next year for part 2.

Cowboy Reagan Taylor at 16 months!

LITTLE PIECES...BIG JOY!
Reagan and I often take walks in the wagon to our neighborhood duck pond. I have to say though that spring is not the best time of year to visit. It is beautiful, the weather is wonderful, but the ducks are all a bit crazy! Reagan loves to feed the ducks. He holds the bread bag the whole way there. He had been practicing breaking off little pieces of bread to throw to them too. He has it down...to crumbs. I just laugh. It makes him so happy. He actually squeals as he chases the ducks around. He looks for ones that missed out on the bread, points to them and is off again. My main job at the pond is to prevent Mr. RGT from swimming with the turtles. I think he would try. He loves to walk right up to the water and look at the ducks that are bobbing or feeding off the side of the pond walls. This kid is an amimal lover!

He even brings joy to the ducks!