ZOOming through another week ...

Hello loyal readers out there across the globe.

I usually don't start with a video (why lead with the good stuff?), but I've been working on a new dance move and need some feedback ...

Also, has anyone else heard of or seen this contraption? Mom and Dad call it a "dishwasher" and it is fascinating.

Anyway, Friday was my last day at my current school so I got a couple of photos with the folks I spent the most time with. Tonya was there for me every morning and is a super person.

Here I am with my good friend Amy who I spent afternoons with. I'll miss them both along with Kylie and Sarah but am excited to finally start Boulevard.

Saturday after Dad's plane landed we went to Ankeny for the annual Mercy Hospital NICU reunion. There were over 900 kids, families and friends in attendance and it was really impressive. Some kids who were there have had a lot more to overcome than me. Mom, Dad and I agree that we couldn't have asked for anything more in a tough situation. The team in the Mercy NICU is an amazing group.

One thing that I'm actively working on is getting Mom and Dad to realize that sometimes I want to do things my own way. I've started standing up in my car seat rather than just sitting down like I used to ... it keeps them on their toes and sometimes I have to laugh because they just don't seem to know what to do about it. They may take me out and start all over, they may try and tickle me to get me to sit, they may try and get me to bend ... ha! Parents are fun sometimes.

Today Mom and Dad finally went to a concert for me. (Monday they saw Bruce Springsteen and I stayed with Grandma Maggy.) Every Family Rocks was a total good time. We saw a great set by Justin Roberts ...

... plus Mom and Dad seemed to know lots of people there.

Here are friends Jennifer Eckerman and Mara White striking a pose while Mom talks to Sonya Graber. (Jennifer is a super graphic artist and has done some work for me. Mara is a familiar face to my loyal readers. Her son Grant was in the blog a few months ago and she works with Dad.)

I had lunch next to the monkey exhibit. (In my 9.5 months I never thought I'd ever have a sentence like that in my blog.) Odd creatures, but entertaining ...

After that it was back into the show for some fun with grant and a set by Dan Zanes and Friends. Interestingly enough, Dad shared a plane with those folks when they came into town. What a small world.

After the show Grant and I explored the zoo and spent some time watching the giraffes.

After we got home I managed to climb the entire flight of stairs leading to my bedroom all by myself. Mom was so shocked that all she could do was watch me and make sure I didn't fall. She and Dad agreed that I was wearing them out and that I should slow down.

Yeah, right.

That's all for now ... have a great week!

Pierce

Sometimes I get tired ...

... it's hard being an active guy. People to see. Places to go. Commitments to keep.

I've really worked hard on the piano this past week. I practice on my own and have been working on a piece I like to call "The disappointment of undissolved Similac".


It's a jazz piece with room for improv in the bridge. Bobby Short is my inspiration. Tuesday I debuted it for Mom and Dad. Mom liked it, but I don't think she got what I was trying to communicate. Dad thought it was redundant and lacking tonal maturity. Whatever.

Thursday Grandma Maggy stopped by while Mom was at yoga.

Saturday was a big day ... a parade! Beaverdale Fall Fest is an annual tradition and, based on what I saw this year, I think it is going to be something to look forward to.

The Dillons watched the parade with us ...

... and I got to sit on Grandma's lap.

Our neighbor Debbie was there with her new grandson ...

... and other neighbors (and fellow Westminster folk) Caroline and Judy were in the parade.

A nice person threw me some candy. As you can see in the background, Maguire cleaned up! I can't wait to be a big kid and get a bunch of candy just for me!

Here I am with Debbie's grandson Nicholas. He was a really nice guy and we spent time discussing matters of importance to folks our age.

We got home and I thought it would be fun to play with Dad's glasses. They broke. He was sad. (After that I noticed that both Mom and Dad often took their glasses off whenever they were near me.)

Saturday night we went to Raccoon River Brewing Company. Mom and Dad talked about how cool it was that almost five years ago they came here for a drink after their wedding reception. Now there are three of us in the family. Mom and Dad both got kind of quiet and smiled a lot as they thought about that. (It was a moment ... and you'll notice that Mom doesn't have her glasses on.)

After dinner I wanted to go see the colored lights at the new Davis Brown Tower so we walked over. Very cool. (Dad's wearing his old glasses.)

This morning Mom made pancakes! I've never had them before and they were fun to play with.

You can also get a lot in your mouth if you really stuff them in.

We had a quiet morning before church and read the paper. It was nice. (Target had a lot of great deals in their circular this week. If anyone is looking to stock up on kitty litter now is the time!)

My stuff has pretty much taken over the living room as you can see. Mom and Dad wanted to see if I still fit in this chair, which Dad's Aunt Pat gave me. I used to spend a lot of time in it!

I've grown a bit since this photo was taken.

After Skypeing with Grandma and Grandpa Houston this afternoon Mom, Dad and I headed up to Snookies for their "last hurrah". My favorite band, The Bran Flakes were playing and their lead singer Steve even dedicated a song to me! (Some of my more loyal readers may remember a posting a few weeks ago from another one of their shows on Allison Ave. I've seen them at least twice and hope to follow them around Des Moines next summer. Some of the folks I know have seen them 15-20 times!)

Remember Judy and Caroline from the parade? Well, they were there, too! (Caroline is Steve's wife and frequently travels with the band.)

The Staplins also were there so it was good to catch up with some old friends.

I'm off to Skype with Uncle Matt, take a bath and go to bed. Sweet dreams, all!

Pierce

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.