CHOCOLATE...
What started off as an attempt to create pudding paint ended up being a bowl licking good time! My cousin Wes loves coming over to play. We always have his favorite foods...chocolate milk, chocolate chip muffins and now chocolate chip pudding too...yum! We stirred and mixed until it was just right and then we just licked the bowls, spoons, measuring cups and whisks clean. Chocolate was covering every finger and dripping off our chins. We didn't mind, we were happy to to covered in chocolate!

I'M HOOKED...I AM REALITY TV!...
Mom has followed me around with a camera for so long that I really just expect them to be there. I even play into it a bit at times. This week I decided that I should just request the cameras and have a little fun. I loved watching myself on video which is why mom only got this shot on the camera. She was too busy recording to snap pictures. I watched the same clips 3,4 and 5 times over. I thought I was hilarious!

This week we met Collin and Ms. Shelley at the Children's Museum. Mom and I were of the 1st 5 people in the door. That did not matter much though...the place was packed within 20 minutes! We love the new exhibits, but we really miss the days of old when it was the same friendly faces each week. The days where we could move about freely and hear ourselves talk. All the pushy kids and their parents tend to intimidate me at times...I need a little space in my dramatic play please. I am always shocked when kids take things from me or exhert themselves right into my play space. I am not a confrontational kid...I get my feeling hurt and just can not understand why others do things that I know not to do. Mom quickly gives me a one liner like "excuse me...I was using that toy" to rebound with, but even mom is feeling conflicted. She hates to see me being pushed around and yet she wants to teach me to use my words not my hands and force to make my point. Apparently several parents and their children need to have a few lessons with my mom.

Never the less, Collin and I had fun in Kidtropolis and we really made our mark at the Invention Convention. We shared what we loved best with eachother. Collin is a really creative builder. We bulit rockets, and cars and tinker toy something or anothers. Mom can see that this will be the next phase of toy in our house. Collin is just about 6 months older than me and mom uses him as a reference point for what is coming up next. I of course love all things music. There was an amazing sound proof room (THANK GOD!) where we were encouraged to record our own music. We loved it and tried out each and every instrument and noise maker. The louder the sound the better! Our moms quickly stepped outside the room. It was really entertaining! Mom has to wonder what part music will play in my life. I am captivated! I love to listen, to mimic, to pretend, to record, to dance and to ROCK!

Interesting Fact...my favorite show on TV this summer is So You Think You Can Dance. I love the different styles of music and try out all the moves. Oh yes, I have attempted to jump of furniture, brake dance, flip, turn and tip toe as if doing ballet right across the living room floor. It is great for mom...a show within a show. We pick our favorite dancers each week. Mine is inevitable...whoever looks like a "Rock-n-Roll guy" wins!

MR. WATERMELON HEAD!...
Mr. Tim gave us the biggest and best watermelon! Mom got a great idea about how to make it an art project from my friend Will. He gave his watermelon hair using toothpicks. We were ready for an afternoon of fun and lots of laughs too...out came the potato head pieces. I carefully selected each piece for Mr. Watermelon Head and then, when he was complete, it was time for surgery. YUP. Mr. Watermelon Head had to go. We were hungry and he was so sweet and juicy. We enjoyed each and every bite of that guy.

MY TEENY, TINY VEGGIES!...
Mawmaws and Tim have the enormous bunch and mine are just teeny tiny. Less than a bite size, but growing bigger each day. With all the hot temperatures they need a daily watering. I am the guy in charge. I love unrolling the hose and dragging it from pot to pot. I can even handle reeling the hose back in. Some day these veggies will make a really good salad...no lettuce please...just veggies and ranch...yummy!

PICKING VEGGIES WITH MAWMAWS!...
I can't think of anywhere I would rather be than the farm! Mawmaws lets me be as creative and directive as I would like to be. I exhaust her all the while. I am Farmer Reagan. I drive the Kubota up and down the road and all around the pasture and then take a spin on the big tractor too. I name all of the animals taking special care to check on the new calves--there are 5 of them. I feed cows, chickens, roosters, turkeys, sheep and pigs. I give them water too. The pigs require special attention. Did you know that pigs don't sweat? They are a bit smelly too. They love the mud and I was in charge of making their mud bath...I had to pass the job onto mom...the pigs were shaking and splattering mud like Buster does water after his bath! I needed help picking all the yummy veggies too. By the way, do you know how many other critters live in the vegetable garden? I spotted quite a few. I really enjoyed twisting the tomatoes off the vine, but digging up the potatoes was a hot, messy job. My fingernails were getting dirty. Mawmaws didn't mind. She loved the potatoes the best. Digging them up, hands all a mess, brings back wondeful childhood memories of spending the day in the garden with her daddy. What can I say? I love the farm, the animals and all the good food too! Thanks for making my trip so special. Mom loves that I will have all the memories of the farm and quality time spent with you.

BIG DADDY ZUC!...
Mawmaws and Tim grow the biggest veggies in town! Lots of love, patience and energy go into growing these guys. I thought this one was hilarious and soon found out it was also delicious! Thank you for filling our bellies with healthy foods! I want to be big like daddy and I don't think I am growing fast enough. Mom and dad told me I was growing at just the right pace and not to rush it...I think the veggies will help! They are "growing foods!"

A NEW HOME...
Our tadpoles have long been frogs, but they were in desperate need of some swimming space; a place where they could stretch their kickin' legs. They have it now! We ordered them a new Tubetown from Grow a Frog. Since being in their new home, the largest of the 2 frogs has doubled in size. It has been less than a week! They are swimming from top to bottom as if testing the boundaries of sinking and floating. We love our little zoo! There is always a creature in need of some love and always something new to watch.

1.7 MILLION IS MY FAVORITE NUMBER!...
God just works in amazing ways! Mom had a really rough 2 days. It just seemed like everything was going other than as planned and she really needed a good smile. Well, we both got plenty of those today. We were the 1.7 millionth patrons at the Houston Zoo and with that came some huge surprises...horns tooting, a parade of young volunteers cheering, a goody basket filled to the brim, a years membership to the zoo, a lion dancing and more. Best of all, were given a behind the scenes tour of the reptile house and the opportunity to look and touch! We held chameleons, a snake, a pancake tortoise and more. It was an amazing opportunity and so much fun! What a beautiful day...oh so hot, but so special. It was a day that neither of us will forget.

SPACE WALKING INTO FATHER'S DAY...
We took the long drive out to NASA to celebrate dad. It was our first time there and the perfect day too. It was hot outside yet perfectly cool inside. We beat the the heat and the crowd, ate astronaut ice cream and got dad some coffee too. THANK GOODNESS FOR COFFEE! From now on we will stop for coffee before we ever get on the road...dad is a much happier person after his daily cup. I was just glad to be with my family--mom and dad. After my eyes adjusted to the dim lights and my ears accepted the "scary" music I was ready to go. I loved the "bad guy astronauts" mom and dad recognized them from Star Wars, but I just kept asking why they were on Earth and when they were going back to their space rocket. I was brave, I took my picture with them and totally stopped all action when they reappeared. WOW! I climbed in and out and all around the Martian Matrix and used my own "shooter" for the Clone Wars game. In fact, I even popped the trigger a few too many times as mom's hand was loading a ball--BOOM--mom's fingers felt a bit funny for the rest of the day. I guess that is why we had to wear goggles. Best of all, I really enjoyed the challenge. Dad and I timed ourselves as we jumped over and then crawled under green laser lights--2 minutes is not so bad when you are 6.6 and carrying a 40 pound extension, right? I thought we were great...we completed the course 3 times that day. Soon after, we discovered the kids area where I could build and launch rockets, participate in all kinds of space life dramatic play and weight lift on different planets. I sure am glad we don't live on Jupiter--everything is so heavy there. In fact, I weighed myself and according to their scales I weighed 42 pounds on Earth, 8 pounds on Mars, 104 pounds on Jupiter and 49.5 pounds on Neptune. As much as I like to be held mom was really liking Mars. She was excited about the new experiences and how much fun I was having so we bought a membership. What a deal--8 dollars more and we can come back for the next year. The next time we head to Galveston we have a new stop to make--Space Center Houston. There is so much for kids and adults to see and learn. We stayed until our tummies grumbled and then it was time to eat...after looking at the traffic, mom really wanted to head to the beach for dinner. Escaping Houston for sand and sea is always a good idea in mom's book, but it did not take long for us to see Papasito's. Yummy in our tummies. Happy Father's Day Dad. We love you lots and hope we were able to make you feel just how much.

BUDDIES...
This is me with one of my "best buddies", Austin. That is what I call Austin and Will. They are my "best buddies;" even better...we all live on the same street. You just can't beat a friend that is walking distance from your house. Plus, our parents get quick breaks now and again as we run from one house to the next. We will have lots of fun on our street as we get older, but for now we are thrilled to be drinking Gatorade and having a flip-floppin' good time at gymnastics together.
PS parents...if your lil man is having a difficult time separating from you...try Gatorade. It is the perfect prize for a job well done. There is a vending machine in the gym and there are so many colors to choose from! Plus, who wouldn't love feeding a dollar into the machine...I do!

2 SUPERHEROS, THE VERY HOT SUN AND CARS...
What else would you need to make the perfect playdate? I am always talking about my cousins...I only have one, but if you are a good friend you are quickly renamed "my cousin." I love to play with Wesley and help him do all the big boy stuff. Mom was shocked at just how helpful I am...she knew I was sweet, but I was such a big boy too. I am an encourager. I love to motivate and cheer people on.
It was a fast paced weekend...the pace of course was set by us...we played here, there and everywhere. We pulled out each and every toy and found some really creative, might I say random uses for them too. When we went to bed Friday night it took mom about an hour to get it all organized again. We had pieces of this and that stuffed into every cubby hole we could find.
As mom cleaned, we snuggled in with dad on a pallet mom made on the floor. It was kinda like camping. I don't have rails on my big boy bed anymore so mom wanted to make sure that we would stay put for the night. Thumps and bumps in the night were not her idea of a good time. We stayed just where we were for awhile, but come morning I was in mom's bed, dad was in the guest room and Wesley was curled up in the living room chair--interesting arrangement, huh?
We played, danced, built things, wrecked things, painted, colored and more until Aunt Carley came to get Wes Saturday afternoon. It did not take us long to decide that we would have to meet up during the week until school starts back. Us boys love each other and we love to play! We are silly, dramatic and oh so much fun! I don't know about Wes, but I was EXHAUSTED!

FLOW WORKS AND MORE MUSEUM FUN!...
The last time we took a trip to the museum we learned several very important lessons...sunscreen is a must, always bring a change of clothes and credit cards will not buy you a frozen fruit bar...bring cash! Mom remembered and we were off to have more fun!
We explored all the areas of the very crowed museum. I love all the dramatic play. The diner and pet shop were a huge hit this time and last. I am still working up the courage to climb in and all over the power play areas. There are so many big kids it is more than a little intimidating. If only it were bigger...mom would jump right in with me. I didn't mind missing out though. I was ready to get to the Flow Works water play area. Aunt Kaci and I filled the great big bowl and then jumped back as it dumped gallons of water down around us. Aunt Kaci saved me from this soaking, but I was ready to get wet! I found sprinkles around the backside and then cooled off with a strawberry frozen fruit bar. Mom does not suggest the mango--yuck! The best of the best was making tornadoes. I love watching them in the bath and here I was able to change the size of the tornado by spinning the wheel. Mom has a surprise for me...a tornado tube from the science guy. I will be making my own tornadoes at home now--fun, fun!
When we went back in we found a very cool attraction. It weighs and measures you using nanos, chickens, pennies, cartons of milk and more. If you can't tell from the picture I am 3 chickens, 4 cartons of milk or 67 pennies tall. (FYI--I am really more than that. This machine measured me at 39.5 inches, but I am really 41.5--promise!) I wonder what I would weigh? 42 pounds equals how many pennies? Dr. Nguyen says pennies don't matter--I'm perfect--90th percentile for weight and height! Look out ladies! I am 100% sweet and even more fun!

WHICH WAY DO I GO?...
Popcorn and Kettle Corn love to explore so Aunt Kaci and I built them a hamster maze. They had tunnels, walls and trap doors too. They loved it and so did we! Who knew hamsters were so smart? It did not take them too long to figure out they could climb right over the walls...hurry, build the walls higher...RUN AWAY HAMSTER! We laughed ourselves silly at this pair of hamsters. It was great family time and creativity at its best!

HOW MUCH FUN IS TOO MUCH FUN?...
Aunt Kaci came to stay for the week and we soaked up all the sun and fun we could handle. We jumped ourselves silly at Monkey Business, ran, chased and played at the park, had a picnic lunch, enjoyed popsicles and loads of icecream and splished and splashed at Noah's Ark...all of this was just the beginning. We love summer! It is the time mom gets to pretend she has her dream job--stay at home mama to many! It may be 100 degrees outside, but if you plan it right the fun out weighs the sweat ringed clothes and sand piles in your shoes. Mom was really impressed with my behavior too; no naps and I played so sweetly and enjoyed all the attention too. I am more like my mom than I know. I love having company and enjoy staying on the move having fun here and there and everywhere. I can't wait until Aunt Kaci comes again. I have big plans--I told mom just this morning that next time we are going to eat pizza and go to the zoo. Oh the places we will go and the fun we will have be it 2 or a whole fun crew!

SO LONG FAREWELL...SUMMER IS HERE...
It was my last day of school and I finally agreed to take my picture with Ms. Denise. She will still be my teacher when I return to school in the fall, but my class will still have lots of new faces. Many of my friends will moving on to kindergarten and first grade. I am so excited about being a "kindergartner." Mom and I have it all figured out. Once school starts back in August I only have to wait 3 months until I don't have to take naps. Yes, this is my HUGE objection to returning to school. My friends are already 4 or 5 or 6 so they are in the all day academic program. I was the lil guy in my class so I was forced to the nap room each day...I needed one, but I would never admit that. I am ready to be a big guy and I am practicing all my academics this summer with mom so I will be ready to go when I return to LMS. Ms. Denise even made me some homework for the summer. I will be creating patterns, writing words and numbers and reading easy words and books. Mom plans to make it fun though...worksheets are not her style. Bring on the pre-K fun!

SERIOUS SUMMER SLEEPING...
Summer is here and sleeping in late is the theme around the Taylor house. This is a whole new experience for mom and me. Yesterday, I woke up at 9am...I probably could have slept longer, but mom was making some noise trying to get the sewing machine out of the guest bedroom and into her car. Of course, I am staying up late and refusing naps too. So, it is currently 9:26...mom is awake and blogging, but me...I am snoozin' away with my dad in the big bed. Yes, we have made some changes. It used to be that I would call for mom to jump in bed with me come 2 am, but these days I jump in bed with her. I don't know what made me change, but the day came where I just got out of bed, opened my door, walked down the hall and climbed in. Mom did not even hear me last night and yet there I was this morning. I guess she really is tired. Mom is not ready to surender naps...she was really looking forward to taking some this summer. I bet she works them back in my schedule soon. Oh, mom has bigs plans for us this summer and she has a schdule too. Dad always says, "you have to keep them fed and watered" and mom believes sleeping too.
Hope you are snoozin' away some summer time too. After this busy year...we all deserve a rest.

PEASTALK TO VEGETABLE GARDEN...
We've been inspired! My peastalk is still growing it's way up our blinds! We had to ask ourselves, what else could we grow? Mawmaws and Tim have a huge garden! I ate a bowl full of tomatoes the last time I was there. Each one was a perfect garden pick. It was that day I helped plant the watermelons, but they won't be ready to pick until August. Aunt Meme and Uncle Gene recently started a garden in Tyler too. I was so impressed by the tiny veggies hanging off the plants. I just wanted to pick them!
Mom and I are on a summer mission...grow a salad and everything else we can get our hands and minds on! We were so excited to get started we stopped off at the nursery right after school on Thursday. It was mom's last day at work and that meant the fun times were ready to roll. We hoped for tomatoes, but it is too late in the season and much to hot for those now...you just wait...we will add them when the time is right. This go round, we picked out Purple Beauty Bell Peppers, Chinese Giant Peppers, Cucumber bush seeds and Carrots seeds too. These carrots look like a radish. They are a bulb shape rather than long and slinder. Funny veggies are even better! I love the nursery. There are so many colors, smells and textures. I wanted to touch every flower! It was for that reason we brought some splashes of color home with us too. All that was left was planting them. It was hard work! Mom enjoyed just being outside in the sunshine. I have to say though, I am all about digging holes, but scooping the dirt 50 times per pot was a job for mom. Keep your green thumbs crossed...we want pepperstalks, carrotstalks and cucumberstalks too!

UNCLE SCOTT IS 21...
Uncle Scott was mom's "first baby;" a real life baby doll. When he was born mom was already 9.5 years old. She told Mawmaws that she was going to raise Scott and from the stories I have heard...trust me she tried. She read to him while sitting under the tree outside. They sunned away the jaundice. She sang songs like 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' to rock him to sleep and later cheered him on believing that he was the best whether it was soccer, T-Ball, footballl or just part of daily life. Now Uncle Scott is in college, working and celebrating his 21st birthday in Las Vegas with Uncle Jeff, Amanda and Hunter. He is all grown up and yet still her "first baby." She learned so much by watching him grow. Maybe that is why she is the mom she is to me...she had practice. Well, that and she had the best example there ever was. Mawmaws is SUPERWOMAN and certainly SUPERMOM! Mom is so proud of both her brothers and all they have to offer this world. Happy Birthday Uncle Scott! We are glad we were able to meet you for brunch. College Station is a great place to be (3 year old mini-whoop!) Win BIG! Have fun and be safe! We love you lots and hope to see you more this summer!

A TRAVELIN' MAN...
Papalo has a new job! He will be working in Singapore and then off to Indonesia. We spent some time with the family before he left. I always listen carefully when Daddy and Papalo are talking. I repeat the stories I hear and even make up my own. I tell of the great adventures I have with Papalo in Africa. We hunt rattlesnakes with my cousin Wesley. Papalo always finds the big, big rattlesnakes under a bush and sometimes it bites back. Maybe I will be a traveling man someday...I could be a little Steve Erwin in the making.
This was our late night family picture. I was up WWWAAAYYY past bedtime, but I wasn't complaining. I love staying up late with my daddy. See, I am still smiling!

REAGAN AND THE GIANT PEASTALK!...
A month or so back we took a trip to the Children's Museum. Meme and Ella were busy playing in the Tot Spot so Mom and I visited a booth they had set up for Lemonade Day. It was there we planted one tiny green pea. We had no idea it was a magic pea or that it would grow into a GIANT PEASTALK! We are having great fun watching it grow on the kitchen windowsill. How big will it get...let's find out!

GET YOUR FACES ON...
Pack rat be gone! Mom knew it was time to take some pics and rid ourselves of the many art projects that had piled up on the kitchen cabinet. She saves and saves, blogs, and journals all my accomplishments, but this time it had gone too far. If it did not fit in the art and writing journal then it was time to take a pic. I wasn't worried...this was just my style. I let all my sillies out, tried on all my hats, masks and puppets and chewed a big wad of bubblegum too. No matter the face I make, mom thinks I am the most beautiful "big boy baby" around!