I've been tagged also...

So, I guess this "tagging" stuff is something that people do in the blogging world. Parker got tagged by his friend Calvin, so here it goes....
8 Things You Might Not Know About Parker

1. Although Parker still loves The Backyardigans, he does have another new love. Blue's Clues. He is becoming obsessed with this show, and constantly goes to the remote picks it up, and says "Blue Blue Blue!" There is a little song and dance they do in each episdode, and Parker practically does the whole thing. Anthony and I are not big fans of the show (we get pretty bored), but we love to watch him get so excited over it!

2. One of his favorite hobbies is SLEEPING! He sleeps from about 7:30 at night until 7:30 in the morning, and still naps anywhere from 2-3 hours a day! Most of the time this is a great thing, but if we are out and about and Parker gets tired, EVERYONE is going to know it. He gets totally cranky. He now goes to the bottom of our steps and says "night night" everytime he is ready to take a nap or go to bed.

3. He is a VERY stubborn eater. He has to use a fork now with everything he eats, refuses help from us most of the time, and only wants to eat what he wants to eat. It is almost impossible to even get him to try something new. He turns his nose up at it, and pushes it away. Let's just say that the kid eats the same things over and over! The one good thing is that he does love fruit. Veggies are a different story. He could eat fruit and cheese all day long and be happy though!

4. He is a very cautious little boy and loves to observe. He likes to take things in and really concentrate on what he is doing. He can be SO serious at times, and Anthony loves to imitate his "Mr. Serious" face. He can go from being Mr. Serious to Mr. Wild Man in a matter of seconds though. Once he takes it all in and figures out what he is about to do of course :)

5. He LOVES to dance. Anytime music comes on, he will stop what he is doing to show off his moves. Which primarily consist of spinning in circles, swaying back and forth and clapping his hands.

6. Parker has his own language called "Jibber Jabber." He will have complete conversations with you in his own language. He will tell stories over and over using the same "words" and gets frustrated at times if you don't know what he is saying. He throws the "real words" that he knows in the middle of these stories, so we just read between the lines and try and figure out what he is saying or wanting. He is really starting to talk (real talk) a lot more now too! It seems like every day he is saying a new word or two. We think once all of his "jibber jabber" turns into 100% real words, that we aren't going to be able to get him to be quiet!

7. His first sentence was "Elmo, Elmo, I need dat. I need dat." Needless to say, he got the Elmo b/c we thought it was so cute. We hear "I need dat and I want dat and I like dat" quite a bit now!

8. He started his new daycare last week also. He will be going there on Tues. and Wed. and will be with my mom on Thursdays. He did MUCH better than we were expecting, so we are all optimistic that this go around is going to be a much better experience for all of us. He has gotten attached to the blanket we had to send from home. This is funny b/c he never carries a blanket around here. They said that he did not want it to leave his side last week at daycare. I know it must just be a security thing b/c it reminds him of home, and I'm sure he will eventually drop the blanket and feel comfortable. I was just happy to know that he didn't scream all day long!

So, there you have it. 8 things you might not have know about Parker...but, actually most of you probably did. I had trouble coming up with anything that was top secret that no one knew :)

I am going to "tag" anyone else who reads this, has a blog, and wants to play along. (maybe xander and jackson????)

Christmas Festivities...

Once again, Christmas was a success at the Collins house! Parker had a WONDERFUL 2nd Christmas and was spoiled rotten by all :) We were busy going to all of our different celebrations, but it was so much fun this year doing it all with Parker. We celebrated with my mom's side of the family before Christmas at Mere and Grandaddy's new house. This was the 1st Christmas since they have moved down here, and it was really nice to have them so close and start a new Christmas tradition in their new home! We did our tradition of going to Christmas Eve Service at church, and then came back to our house this year for our yearly crab leg dinner! (yes, we are strange...but we like that about ourselves). We woke up Christmas morning to do Santa with just the 3 of us. Parker got to the top of our steps and looked down and kept saying "Oooooh!" His big item from Santa was his kitchen set, which he LOVED. He immediately started playing with it when he got downstairs, and we had a hard time getting him to stop long enough to open some more presents. He would open a present, go play in the kitchen, open a present, go play in the kitchen, etc. etc. After were were done opening Santa gifts, we headed over to my parent's for Christmas with them. His favorite thing from his Grammy and Paw Paw was his new Backyardigans bike. We took him out to go up and down the sidewalks, and he DID NOT want to come back inside. He pitched one of his major tantrums when we did. We took him out again later, and he did the same thing. Needless to say, he LOVES that bike!

We did not get to celebrate with Anthony's family until after Christmas, since MIL and FIL were in Ohio over Christmas. (that's what I call my mother-in-law and father-in-law in case you were curious...get it, it's the initials?) We hated not being able to see them over Christmas, but still had a great time once they got back! My adorable niece Mayoree was here then also, and it is always so great to see her! We had another big Christmas over there, and Parker's favorite thing was his "race car set." Him and Anthony like to race the cars on our hardwood floors, and Parker just thinks it is so funny. Anthony will send the cars off, and Parker will go run after them and chase them. Sometimes I'm not sure who has more fun with them :) We had Anthony's family over here the following night for dinner, and that was really fun also!

Anthony, Parker and I headed to my parents lake house on New Years Eve to spend a couple of days there. My parents and Mere and Grandaddy were there, so we rang in the New Year with those that managed to stay awake until midnight! It is always so nice and relaxing to go there, and we enjoyed "getting away" for a couple of days! SO, that pretty much sums up the Christmas festivities from 2007! Now it is 2008, and I can't believe it! Enjoy the Christmas pics!

One last important note here before I end this blog. One of my close friends from my college sorority (and beyond) is pregnant, and recently found out she has breast cancer. She has already had surgery to remove the cancer and several lymph nodes. She will be having her baby in 2 weeks (at 36 weeks pregnant) and will start chemo about a week after having him. I was able to see her this weekend and help throw a baby shower for her, which I was so excited about. Her positive attitude and optimism is incredible, and I respect and admire her so much for that. I know she is in my CONSTANT thoughts and prayers, but I just ask for you all to please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers as well. THANKS!!!!