Noah is going to college. . . .

Noah's latest obsession is with the show "Blue's Clues." A few years back, Steve (the main human character) left the show. So as to not traumatize preschoolers who would be irreparably harmed by his departure, Steve's cousin Joe joined the cast. Steve was written out under the guise of "going to college." They did an entire episode about Steve going to college and Joe moving in to take care of Blue, the dog. College my ass. We think it was a contract dispute coupled with Steve's rapidly receding hairline. But I digress.

When we went to San Diego we bought Noah a Blue's Clues DVD to watch in the car, and one of the episodes featured is the one where Steve goes to college. Noah LOVES the episode and is now infatuated with college. He keeps asking Dan and I about it, and we keep telling him that we went to college. And so did his grandparents, aunt, uncle, etc. We've also explained what you do in college (minus the drinking) but he doesn't quite grasp concept. On the show, they make a big deal about getting the mail/letters, so the other day when we were getting out mail I gave Noah a letter and told him that Steve sent it to him from college. He was SO EXCITED that he ran into his room and put it in his little suitcase.

Between his mommy and daddy, I wonder if Noah will end up at DePauw, Indiana University - Bloomington, IUPUI, or Ball State? I wonder how scary the tuition will be.

San Diego was a BLAST!

San Diego was terrific and Noah had so much fun. And we have 357 pictures to prove it. I don't even know where to begin. Legoland was fun and perfect for a little kid. Noah went on most of the rides and he flew a helicopter, an airplane, and his first car. He didn't drive the car well, but he tried. And when it was over he was awarded his very own drivers license. The next day we hit Seaworld. The park was fun, but Dan and I had more fun watching Noah experience the shows and the animals. He loved Shamu and the "lovely pink" flamingos. So much so that we came home with one of each (stuffed, of course). Noah also loved the beach. This was his first time going to the ocean and he took off running for the water before we had a chance to spread out the blanket. Noah and I also played a game where we sat in the water and let the waves splash us. It was fun, but we both got sand everywhere. I am going to let the pictures speak from here.

Noah attempting to sleep in a big-boy bed. It went so well we put a crib in the room for the rest of the trip.

Going down a BIG slide.


Just running around.


YEAH! Waiting in line is cool!

Standing next to Legoman

With Daddy.


In your face!


Noah with his drivers license!!!!


Noah thinking about feeding the sea lions at Seaworld.

Taking a break.

Look at me. I'm driving.






Kissing Shamu.






Posing with all my Seaworld gear.






Building a sandcastle with my *new* green bucket.






Checking out the ocean.






Playing in the surf.






More waves.






RUNNING into the ocean.






More sandcastles.






More waves.






Playing with Daddy in the tub after the beach.

An update is coming soon. For real.

I feel bad that I haven't been posting to the blog, although it hasn't been on purpose. Noah is doing fantastic, and he is now swimming like a fish. He's taking lessons and the 30 minutes once a week has made all the difference. Talking up a storm and having a good time. Which at the age of 2.5 is really all he should be doing.

A bigger and better update is coming. I swear. We're going to San Diego this week and my dad has graciously agreed to let me take his camera. It's got a much faster shutter which means better pictures and more of them.