my new favorite grocery store...

I haven't been grocery shopping at Kroger much these days.  It used to be my go-to place, but Costco and Trader Joe's have taken over as of late.  However, after a stop by Kroger this past weekend, I just may have make it one of my main stops again.

They have carts with cars!!!  Yes, this is not new news to anyone, I myself could have told you that Kroger had carts with cars, but I had never thought to use them myself.  Maybe because Beck wasn't old enough, or not all Krogers have these great things, but this time, the minute we stepped into Kroger and Beck caught sight of the car and HAD to have a ride.

And that was Perfectly fine with me!  He loves, loves, loves all things car, truck, motorized, goes vrrmmm... you get the picture.  This was the perfect little bit of entertainment for him as he drove both steering wheels through the store.

Ah... I could focus on getting what I needed and didn't have to worry about a fussy kid that needed more snacks.  And people are much more friendly and talkative when you have a cute little kid riding in a car on the front of your cart.  It makes for a great conversation piece.  At least 5 people asked him if he was a good driver (how cliche :)) and I talked to 3 or more people about how I was driving a semi.   It did take a little bit to get the turning radius figured out with this thing.

Needless to say, it was a good grocery run.

picture taking is hard

an example of why I have very few good pics of Beck these days...

... the minute I get out the camera and he sees it, he has to have it, making it quite difficult to get a cute shot.  Which is why he's getting "18 month" professional pics taken on Monday and I'm leaving the photo taking to those who do it best. :)  I'll be sure to post some of the best moments captured.

such a boy!

clearly the best way to watch Veggie Tales...

accountant in the making?

Just trying to be a little like dad...  :)

Hilton Head

A couple weeks ago, Chad, Beck and I packed up and went to Hilton Head for the week.  We stayed at our aunt and uncle's house, Jim and Sheli's (who also accompanied us on the trip).  I think our focus was on Beckham having fun, because all of my pictures are of him. :)   And he did have a good time, as long as he was outside - he could be outside all day.  His favorites were going on bike rides, being pulling in the wagon, playing in the muddy sand on the beach, splashing in the water, swinging at the park, and just walking around outside while babbling, bothering Duffy (Jim and Sheli's lab), and messing with whatever pleased him.  Typical boy!

Jim and Sheli bought Beck a bike seat and helmet and he Loved taking bike rides!  He communicated that he was ready for a ride by patting his head and saying "hat" (for helmet), "brrmm" (since a bike has wheels, I guess it makes a car sound), and "bye" (it's time to leave!).

going on a bike ride with aunt Sheli

modeling his new outfit after a trip to the outlets... I guess we're going for the preppy look.  :)

splashing in the water

 enjoying the beach a little more than he did last summer

enjoying his time with aunt Sheli at the beach.... looks like they're having a pretty serious conversation about the birds and the sand :)

Beck's first smore!

oohhh... fire 

at first he just kept sticking the marshmallow to his lip and pulling it away, like he couldn't believe how sticky it was!

... but soon caught on to how tasty it was and chowed down, making a mess of course.... it is a smore :)

yep... it's good!

Chad and I did get a night away just the two of us while Jim and Sheli watched Beck, which was very nice.  We went to the traditional Hilton Head "tourist" spot, Sea Pines and enjoying a drink overlooking the harbor, before having an Excellent dinner at CQ's.  It's one of the restaurants that reminds you of how a great dining experience should be.  

you will have to excuse the poor quality of our food photos.  the room was really dark and I had to lighten the pics so you could see the food.... which was sooo good.  this is chad's dish - salmon over mushroom, asparagus risotto with a truffle, tomato sauce.

and mine - seared tuna over edamame hummus, an asian slaw, a couple delicious asian sauces, and topped with ginger. so, so delicious!

the non-helper

Beck helped me pack for Hilton Head by being my entertainment.  Every time I turned around he was climbing in the suitcase and all over the clothes and thought it quite hilarious ... kind of hard to get upset about wrinkled clothes when he was being so stinkery and cute.

first haircut

I've been contemplating cutting Beck's hair for a bit now (which started after he got called a 'she' at least 3 times in the last couple months :)), and last night was the night I decided there would be no more putting it off.

While dad held him and veggie tales entertained, I tried to quickly snip the back and around his ears.  And he really didn't move too much or care, as he was much too engrossed in his film!

before:

ah!  looks pretty gross!  it didn't look quite that bad in person as there was a little curl to it :)

after:

much better!  why did I wait so long to do that??!