R & R in Kansas

We just got back from a week in Kansas. It was so very nice to visit 90 degree weather and wear shorts and flip-flops without thinking twice about it. I'm pretty sure I'm not as pasty-white anymore, but definitely still white. I think it would take a few months to get rid of the pale glow I've acquired while living in San Francisco. Here, we where sweaters in July.

Dexter was a real trooper traveling. He had tantrums both times, but it was understandable. It's an all day affair. We had to get up at 4am to get to the SF airport for a 6:45am flight. That was a challenge. Luckily, Dexter caught up on his sleep and slept most of the 2.5 hour flight to Denver. Literally, he was excited to be in the plane one minute and right as we took off, his eyes closed. We all got a nap. That was the flight though that even though he slept for most of the trip, he occasionally kicked the seat in front of him and the guy got pissed about it. I took Dexter's shoes off when we got on and did my best to stop him, but he does get fidgety. I don't feel bad though, the guy was a bitch. He leaned back his seat and pinched Dexter's foot when we first got on the plane, made him cry and didn't apologize for it so he totally deserved it every little kick he got.

After 4 hours of plane travel, there's was a 2.5 hour drive - my parents live in the boonies - and Dex could only scream the last hour. That wasn't fun. He did really well coming back too except the last leg of the trip. He was cranky with a dirty diaper and teething pain, but after a change and the Tylenol kicked in, he wasn't too bad. He couldn't sit still and was up in my lap, then dad's lap, and then on the floor every two minutes Annoying, but tolerable. At least the kicking and screaming had stopped.

Dexter loved his grandparents' house. He got to ride and DRIVE a lawn mower. He ran around without any shoes one 90% of the time. He got so dirty every day that he NEEDED a bath and had 2-3 changes of clothes. He had two cute puppies from the neighbor's house to play with. One of them was chihuahua so he called him "like Squee". We all played soccer everyday. We bought Dexter a mini-ATV to ride on for something fun to do. That was great, except it didn't go on the grass, so we went on the street once. After that, it was in the house and on the deck only. He loved his "motorcycle". It's waiting for him there for Christmas. We also took Dexter to the swimming pool. He loved it. He kept jumping off the side of the pool into our arms. By the time we left, he was walking from the waist high shallow end to where the water was up to his chin - shadowed, but unassisted. He's a little daredevil through and through.

We had to work bit on various projects, so if Dexter was napping or asleep, we were working. It wasn't too bad, but it would be nice to get away from work. I doubt that will happen anytime soon. If there is an internet connection, work will be done.

The reason we went back to kansas was for a memorial for Mike's mother and brother as some of their ashes were buried in a cemetery. It was a sad day, but his whole family was there. We got to visit with everyone and everyone got to meet Dexter. There was a gathering after the memorial where we all sat and chatted, ate lunch and then released balloons. Dexter had a hard time with his balloon flying away. He ran after it so fast. I wasn't sure he was going to stop. Poor guy kept asking "Where'd white ballon go?"

In true Kansas style, Mike shot guns before we had to leave. I don't know why I find that so funny. It was almost as funny as watching him drive a lawnmower around in shorts and flip-flops with his sleeves rolled up to look like a sleeveless t-shirt. It was so uncharacteristic of urbanite Mike.

We took Dexter to the zoo, he ate ice cream several times, and pretty much just spoiled him as much as we could all week. It was awesome to be around family. We barely get to see them. Dexter is really latching onto Mike. The father/son bond is getting stronger. I'm not sure why its changed lately, but it has. Dexter asked for Mike to sing him to sleep the other night for the very first time. That made Mike a little teary eyed which was so touching.

We drove to see my grandma, Dexter's great grandma, the day before we left. That was nice to break up the trip a little for Dex. We drove the 2.5 hours to see her and stayed the night in Wichita. My brother and his family drove from Manhattan to see us as well. I also saw an uncle and a cousin. It was nice to chat and see everybody. We stayed the night at Mike's sister's house. That gave Dex the opportunity to play quite a bit before heading to the airport.

He slept as soon as we took off and slept the first leg of the trip. The second leg of the trip from Denver to SF wasn't so great, but we got here. Since Dexter's bedtime was so messed up and he was so excited to get home to see Squee we decided to try and catch the fireworks. It started at 9:30 instead of 9 which made it a challenge for Dex to stay awake, but as soon as they started he was happy. He hasn't stopped talking about the "BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Like fireworks!" He did stay up long enough to make it home. He said "I missed you Squee!" as soon as he got in the door. It was very cute. I couldn't think of a better end to a vacation.