The week that was ...

It was another busy week. My adventures in the kitchen continued Monday night as I helped prepare dinner. Stirring the rice ended up being a very useful thing to do.
Wednesday was a snow day! Not only did I get to stay home from school, but Dad's flights were delayed so I got to home with him for most of the day!

We hung out, played, puttered around the house and baked cookies!

I also got to help Mom get grapes ready for dinner after we took Dad to the airport.

I know what you're thinking ... "Hey, what's a ground hog doing in Pierce's blog?!" Well, the jokes on you. It's me sporting the ground hog mask I made at school.

I got mail Thursday ... Grandma Kathy and Papa sent me a little care package with a cool new book. I couldn't wait to read it so stopped what I was doing and went through it right after I got it open. Thanks, Grandma and Papa!

Old Macdonald had a farm ...

The weekend can never come too soon. Dinner Friday is usually comfort food and I was really happy when Mom agreed to stop at McDonald's!

While I was home, Dad was with Uncle Matt and Aunt Emily! They had a great time and Dad enjoyed the funk that is Austin.

Saturday Mom and I wanted to get out of the house so we headed over to The Science Center of Iowa. Very cool. Bubbles...

... slimy animals that freaked Mom out ...

... and a backhoe!!!!!!!!! I loved it and couldn't get enough. Mom made me share and that was no fun at all.

Hey kid ... off MY backhoe.

While we were there Dad was having fun in Austin. He did some shopping at the famous Allen's boots ...

... and helped Uncle Matt Skype with Uncle Chris.

Oh cool ... look, Mommy ... a snake!

It could be fun to be a weatherman ... I mean, it can't be that hard ... you don't even have to be right!

Backhoe!

Sunday was fun at a bouncy house place. (Mom really went overboard keeping me busy!)

Bounce. Bounce. Bounce.

Sunday afternoon I skyped with Grandma Kathy and Papa.

Want some cookie, Papa?

I think that's it for this week.

Stay warm, everyone!

Pierce the Opinionated

Cooking

I've discovered that I really like to help out around the kitchen. Whether it is laying out cookies before going in the oven ...
... or helping to prepare my mac and cheese ...

... there is just something fun and relaxing about being in the kitchen.

After vacation last week it was back to the grindstone. It had been quite awhile since I got to spend much time with Grandma Maggy so I spent the night at her house on Friday.

We played, caught up, discussed events of the day, etc. It was a lot of fun!

Saturday Dad and I went to Chariton to visit Grandma Margaret and Papa Jack. I felt bad as no sooner did we show up then I lost my pants and socks and had to use their dryer. (Don't ask. Let's just say that I was going potty and Dad zigged when he should have zagged.) Thankfully they were gracious about the whole thing and didn't mind that I was running around in my underwear.

I did get to help Papa Jack check some batteries on the remote controlled car and we worked on things quite awhile before we found some loose wires. He was very patient with me and I learned a lot.

Grandma Margaret and I always get along great! She's a lot of fun to talk to ...

... and doesn't mind when I sit on her walker. (Notice my pants have reappeared!)

I was glad Dad was driving on the way back. Having some car time allowed me to catch up on some calls with my special bulldozer phone.

Today it was back in the kitchen. Here I am helping Dad make breakfast. I'd like to think his omelets turned out better than they would have if I hadn't whipped the eggs.

Here I am striking a pose with Mommy. (Yeah, Mommy!)

After that picture was taken she set Dad and I up with some snacks and we got to watch tractor videos. (Yeah, Mommy ... again!)

Well folks, that's it for this week. As Mom would say, "Only 29 weeks until Reba is at the Iowa State Fair!"

Chef Pierce

FLORIDA

This past week was vacation! Dad had some business in Florida while Grandma Kathy and Papa were staying there for a month so the stars aligned and off I went!

Things started out really great as I got invited into the cockpit of the plane and got wings! The pilot was really nice and didn't seem to mind at all that I turned a few knobs.

Here we go! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! My tummy felt funny when we took off and I was having a lot of fun.

Mom and Dad brought my movies so the flight was pretty relaxing. Snacks. Movies. Toys. Awesome.

The view wasn't bad either!

Once we were in Orlando there was a lot to carry. Dad looked like a pack mule!

The next day we were off to the happiest place on earth. I'm glad we had the stroller as we did a lot of walking.

Everyone was excited and in a good mood. I was a bit overwhelmed and was glad that I had my big, floppy hat.

We started out at the Monsters Inc. show and then headed off to the ride we all wanted to hit. First, we had to find the stroller parking garage ...

... then make our way to the entrance ...

... then take in the wonder of the "It's A Small World" ride!

(As you can see, Mom is LOVING it. Dad and I are a bit freaked out.)

Next was lunch (Note to my loyal readers: pass on the mac and cheese at Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant. It didn't do anything to maintain my happiness level.)

Oh yes ... those damn ears. Just let it go ...

A ride on the steam engine train was next and I was pumped. I'd been looking forward to this all day!

Old train, meet new train!

BIG BOAT.

BIG NAP.

Well rested, Mom, Dad and I positioned ourselves for the 3 o'clock Magic Kingdom parade. Luckily we found a spot near Cinderella's Castle.

Here they come! Time for my special floppy hat!

YEAH!

Whew! Exhaustion. Elation. Life examination. Thank you Magic Kingdom. I'll be back.

Hotel shuttle bus? Icing on the cake.

Hotel bed? Comfy.

Well, vacation day two. I didn't know how it could top day one but Mom, Dad, Grandma Kathy, Papa and Uncle Eric did their best! Grandma Kathy had the great idea to go to Animal Kindom and things started out very promising.

A hotel shuttle bus ride? Yes, please!

A safari? Yes, please!

All the animals were cool! The ride was bumpy and fun. I got to see elephants, hippos, a mommy lion, monkeys and was only feet from a giraffe.

Then it rained ...

Everyone managed to retreat to a gift shop. (I know ... a gift shop at a Disney park. Strange.) Luckily we were able to get radar on Uncle Eric's phone. The storm was big ...

... but so was our resolve. The crew braved the elements and headed off to see the Nemo musical. Superb! I was a bit tense during parts but afterwards couldn't quit talking about how fun it was and the big nose on one of the birds in the show.

Unfortunately, the rain kept coming so the group decided to call it a day.

Thankfully this was a hearty crew and none were too worse for the wear, either physically or emotionally. Good spirits (and good rainwear) kept everyone going.

Another hotel shuttle bus ride, some time drying out in the hotel room and a nice lunch, we left Dad to his fate in Orlando, heading north to St. Augustine.

Grandma Kathy and Papa's condo is right near the beach. There are protected dunes to cross and we got to take a fun wooden boardwalk each time we wanted to get to the sand.

There were benches along the way but we didn't stop often ... not with the beach drawing us in!

Papa showed me the ocean for the first time. It's the largest thing I've ever seen. I don't know if any of my ancestors were seafarers, but there really is a draw I feel to the water.

St. Augustine has hundreds of years of history and some great architecture. After some beach time the crew headed into town to explore and visit some of Grandma and Papa's favorite haunts.

Grandma was a good tour guide ...

... and introduced me to some locals.

After lunch we headed back to the beach. Uncle Eric and I had some playing in the sand to do!

He did a very cool thing and wrote my name in the sand so everyone would know that I was there. (Surprisingly enough, the paparazzi, even with this clue, didn't manage to find us.)

On this trip I discovered that walking on the beach, just me and my thoughts, was good for my soul. I felt very centered after my daily constitutional.

It was good to spend time with Grandma Kathy and Papa!

Who knew that Florida had farmer's markets with John Deere tractors! Thursday morning we headed out and found one ...

... before hitting the beach again. By this time Dad had joined the crew! Mom's Aunt Vickie also came along. She and her husband Sam (a real life, really cool Fed Ex pilot) have a condo right by Grandma Kathy and Papa's.

Hi! I'm Pierce and I like the beach!

Ahh ... a comfy chair and a great view! The Millers pondering the issues of the day.

Grandma's lap is one of the best places to hang out. Here we are watching some TV while waiting for our food at one of their favorite local restaurants in St. Augustine, The Oasis.
Bananagrams!

This is one of my favorite pictures. Everyone was so happy and had such a great time in Florida!

Later!

Pierce