Gilroy Gardens

On Friday (6/24/11), I had to take advantage of a great promo at a local theme park. Gilroy Gardens had adult admission for $10!! Woo hoo! It is regularly $45, so I just had to take Kellen. Plus, who can resist a wonderful day with their son?

So, off we went. I rode along with Mandi and her two boys (Mandi watches Kellen on Fridays). We arrived right when it opened, hit the bathrooms, then quickly jumped on the carousel. We then went on a bunch of other rides. There were so many great rides for Kellen. The fishy ride, Kellen wasn't so sure about at first. In fact, I thought he was going to cry. He quickly caught onto the idea that this was fun, and he was all smiles. There was also a really cool dinosaur exhibit. Kellen was pretty much clueless about the dinosaurs, but Jackson & Taylor got a kick out of it. They even had fossiled dino-poop!!! We thought that was pretty funny.

Here are some pics of our day. Can't wait to go back (with Daddy this time).

All three boys are in this shot.

Kellen getting a little more comfortable (Taylor & Jackson are behind him).
He is finally smiling!

On the fire truck! (Taylor & Jackson are right in front of him in yellow).
Got the one arm steering going on!
In the #3 car.

He loved driving the car.

Mandi and her two boys riding on the Hot-Air balloon ride.

Our Little Talker

Kellen has quite the vocabulary. A few people have mentioned that I should write down all of the words he knew at one year of age. We're one month past that, but close enough.
Here's a list:
His first word was "Mama"
Followed closely by "Ball"

Then here are the rest in no particular order:
Dada
Hi (and waves)
Bye Bye
Car
Bubble
Flower
Blankey
Baba (Bottle)
More (and signs more)
Elmo
Cookie (Cookie Monster)
Mote (remote)
Football
Head (and touches head)
Baby
Truck
Bus
Apple
Bana (Banana)
Gogurt (Yogurt)
Yay (and claps)
Book
Star
Balloon
Moon
Box
Spoon
Wawa (Water)
Sock
Uh-Oh! (One of his favorites)

Then, here are sounds he uses in lieu of words:
Elephant (trumpeting sound)
Tiger (rrrrrrr)
Tractor (rrrr rrrr rrrr)
Duck (Quack Quack Quack)
I'm hungry (mmmmmmm)
Cat (meow)
Train (tooooooot)
Dog (woof woof)
Monkey (hoo hoo)
Cow (Mooo)

Actions he does when asked:
How old are you? (Points out index finger)
All done! (He signs this)
Where's your belly?
Where's your head?
Where's your ear?
Where's Mama's nose?
Where's your mouth, tongue, teeth?
Where are your toes/foot?
Dance!
Arms up!
Arms Down!
Clap!
Fish (opens and closes mouth)

Lastly, Kellen can actually read a few words. Without pictures or sounds, we can hold up cards & he'll either say the word or make the sound for that corresponding word:
Elephant (makes sound)
Arms up (action)
Baby (says)
Bubble (says)
Monkey (makes sound)
Hi (says and waves)
Tiger (makes sound)

There are a few other words that are "maybes." Like, we think he's got it, but it could have been just a fluke or he still needs more practice. I'd say he's off to a GREAT start!