A good start and a good end ...

The week started out strong and the momentum carried all the way through.

Monday afternoon Mom, Dad and I went to Snookies and I got some ice cream.

We all scream for ice cream!

Then, Friday after school we hit the road and I got to spend the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa! They got me a new ball and I really liked it. I love visiting the farm and spending a couple of nights was a new adventure.

Morning in God's country. What a great way to spend a couple of days.

Before Mom and Dad left Saturday morning for Chicago we spent time looking at some of Grandma and Grandpa's new "outside" toys. Here is Dad's photo of Mom and Grandma taking a photo of Grandpa showing me one they got just for me ... a new wagon!

Darn paparazzi ...

A wagon this size for a guy like me is like a kid getting a Ferrari for his 16th birthday. (I'll try not to laugh at my friends' little tiny Radio Flyer wagons.)

I also got to see Grandma's new tractor. It is odd looking, but pretty cool. She's proud of it and should be as there aren't that many around.

I liked my time on the farm a lot and got to do cool things with Grandma and Grandpa Houston. Mom and Dad liked their time in Chicago and go to do fun things on their own, like catch up with the Knautz family.

The highlight of their trip was U2 at Soldier Field.

After looking at their photos I think I'll like concerts when I get older. I was disappointed to find out that the band didn't play any of the lullabies I enjoy, but you can't please everyone.

U2 is important to Dad and he loved the show. I think Mom even had fun too.

One thing I've learned in my travels ... it's great to get away, but nothing beats the first night home and sleeping in your own bed.

Have a great week!

The week that was ...

Hello, all ... welcome to Pierce's week in review.



There was a lot going on this past week and all three of us stayed busy. Mom had lunch with an old co-worker named Lisa on Wednesday and I met another little friend, Carter.

Grant and his family came over Saturday and I couldn't wait to see him! We ate outside and had a fun time.

I always learn a lot from Grant and he said/did some funny things to help keep all of us entertained.

He's my friend.

Today I went to my first I-Cubs baseball game. There was a lot to see and hear.

I took turns cuddling with Mom and Dad, had snacks and saw a lot of people.

Leaving the park, I told Mom and Dad how much fun I had.

It was a great day to watch baseball.

A boy who likes toast.

Hi, I'm Pierce and I like toast. It was on my recent trip to Wisconsin, staying in a Dubuque hotel where I discovered the sublime mystery that is wheat bread warmed, and served dry.

A few comments about toast ...

Mom busted me on the computer again this past week ... I've come to the conclusion that I simply need my own laptop. Sharing is for the birds and I think I can convince Dad that I "need it for school". Wednesday was fun because I got visit my friend Alex. Our moms worked together "back in the day" and were even in each other's weddings. It had only been a week or so since I saw Alex last but he seemed bigger.

Wednesday night also was "date night" for Mom and Dad so I got to spend time with Grandma Maggy. I had a lot of fun, but I think we wore each other out. I'm starting to have more and more fun with Grandma's dog Millie. I think she likes me and I sure like her!

Saturday afternoon I visited my dear friend Annette who I hadn't seen in too long. She just had her first grandson and had lots of stories and photos to share.

Hanging out with Annette makes me very happy!

Saturday night was fun. Mom, Dad and I went to a friend's house to celebrate his 40th birthday. I got to see lots of Mom's work friends and had a blast. (Sorry, Kim ... I know I promised not to urp on you, but sometimes you just gotta do it.)

Have I told you how much I love toast?!

Have a great week!

A busy, busy week ...

It felt like I didn't stop running all week! Monday was our family trip to the Iowa State Fair! Mom used to work at the Foundation and saw lots of people she knew. Robin was there with her new baby and I actually met someone younger than me!

The butter cow is a big deal. We had to wait in line to see it.

Dad took us to the new MidAmerican Energy building and I got to see their turbine. It's tall!
Our next stop was the Animal Learning Center where Dad found one of those darn plywood cut out things and we had to get a picture.

On our way out we saw this big pumpkin. It weighed a few hundred pounds. Mom made a joke about the weight of one of my diapers but I didn't think she was funny.

We looked, but couldn't find a bottle on a stick.

In the Varied Industries Building Mom saw an old friend from Central and Dad saw a photo opportunity. I saw a chance to get out of the stroller.

For some reason, both Mom and Dad thought this sign was funny and made a joke about needing to walk in the street. (I didn't get it.)

At this point I got pretty tired, so I guess I missed the "business end" of the biggest bull.

I also missed the biggest boar. (Based on what I've heard from Dad's co-workers, I honestly thought he was the biggest bore. Mom had to explain to me the difference.)

Mom and Dad got to eat at the beef tent. Dad got a hot beef sundae. Enough said.

Mom saw these fine members of the Iowa State Patrol and wanted to get this shot because she said it would make Uncle Eric jealous.

Tuesday evening was spent at Grandma Maggy's where I got a piano lesson.

Wednesday was a fun night. Grandma and Grandpa Houston spent the night and Tim stopped by too!

Thursday my friend Grant came over but we didn't get any photos. Friday was a quiet night at home but I got to open a special gift that Uncle Matt and Aunt Emily got for me in Holland!

Saturday we went to Jester Park and visited the campsite of our great friends Steve and Sue. It was their 12th wedding anniversary!

They just installed satellite television in their camper. Dad and I thought it was pretty cool.

In addition to a great campfire meal from Sue we got to watch a very cool exhibition by the Cordao de Ouro Capoeira clubs from Des Moines and Cedar Falls. Capoeira (pronounced ka-pu-air-ah) is an Afro-Brazillian art form that combines dance, martial arts techniques and acrobatics. The flow of kicks, sweeps, cartwheels, flips and handstands set to the powerful rhythm of Afro-Brazillian percussion and vocals creates a beautiful spectacle requiring strength, agility and communication between players. I was really impressed.

We got some video as it was just great to watch. I couldn't get enough!

Today we ran some errands and stopped at a cool toy store! I hope to get back there soon.

Mom and Dad also kept me practicing my newest trick, clapping ... however, I just wanted to get to the laptop as I had e-mail to catch up on.

Have a great week!

Discovery is more than the name of a space shuttle.

After my vacation I took it easy this week. However, I don't want my loyal readers to think that I just lounged around.

In fact, I discovered a few things ...

I discovered the simple joys of time spent under the piano bench.

I discovered stairs.

I discovered that the Pizza Hut lunch buffet is heavy on the carbs.

I discovered that cookie dough Blizzards at Dairy Queen kick ass.

I also discovered that Grandma Maggy is a popular musican who draws a big audience at the Iowa State Fair.

Finally, I discovered that Hawaiian shirts make me very, very happy.