My First SOLO Trip to Waco, Narrated by Caden

Well, I am sure when y'all read the title of this post you were relieved to know that you'd be getting a taste of the Cade-man instead of my Mommy... I told her she needed to take a little break from blogging... things were getting a little stale if you know what I mean! It's been FOREVER since she's let me get behind the blogging wheel and tell my side of the story! For our more faithful followers you may remember some of my first pieces of blog art WAY back when... they typically were a comment-generating phenomenon and quite honestly I think that made Mommy kind of jealous and since then she's been coming up with one excuse after another to shut me out of the game...BUT everyone needs a little truth sometimes, even if it hurts. So sorry, Mommy but you win some, and you lose some...

So...Where should or shall I (like that fancy word) begin? Thursday evening Mommy and I went and picked up Daddy from work and headed to Belton to meet Nana and Bop for the drop-off. It was my first SOLO trip to Waco to spend time with the g-rents and BOY was I excited. I knew that Nana's spanking spoon had LONG been packed up and I also knew that she and Bop, both have the HARDEST time with saying the word, "No!" so you can imagine my excitement. I was about to rule the roost for a few days...

Of course, you know the funny thing about me is... I really only act "bad" for Mommy's benefit. Poor thing thinks it's her God-given job to discipline me and so I act up every now and then so she can feel important and worthwhile... it's only fair. And she tries real hard... she really does!

But anyway... back to my trip... after I said goodbye to the rents like 10 million times over and said my "i love yous" about the same number of times plus one... we were off! Finally... some air... I could breathe... Adios Mommy and Daddy... HELLOOOOOO WACO!!!

Actually, first we ate some dinner in Belton... just me, Nana and Bop. Thankfully Mommy and Daddy declined Bop's offer to come with us to dinner. Geez, Bop get a clue... don't invite the rents to dinner just when I finally escape... throw a guy a bone!

Bop was the official photog all weekend... you know my Mommy... wanting updates the entire time I'm gone... BUT truthfully... my blog wouldn't be quite as authentic without them... it'd still be interesting, because well, I'm hilarious... but the photos do add a little something, don't ya think?

So here I am eating queso and chips... not the best lighting, but who am I to be a critic?!

And then Nana and I and the BIG boot... N-E-A-T!! So maybe not all THAT cool but Nana and Bop loved it and who am I to deny them a few simple pleasures in life with their one and ONLY grandson...

After dinner we loaded up into "Chuck the Truck..." again... one of those things that gives Nana and Bop way more cheap thrills than it does me... so what... your truck has a name... so do Daddy and Mommy's cars... whoop-di-doo... onwards g-rents, I yeady to go to Waco!

Once we got to Waco (FINALLY) I took it upon myself to grab my bags... didn't want Nana or Bop to sprain anything you know... and took it inside... LET THE PARTY BEGIN!!

Nana and Bop did a stand-up job in preparing for my stay. They bought me all sorts of new toys for the backyard and stocked up on ALL of my favorites including Popsicles. I mean what's a summer night without a nice, cold, orange Popsicle. Sorry about the pic of me in the buff, but there is NO place for orange Popsicle on my dude clothes... no place!

A good night's sleep was had by everyone Thursday night... and by everyone I mean, me, Mickey Mouse, Elmo and Lovie. Nana and Bop had a little trouble sleeping through the sounds of my seagull friends that echo through the monitor from my sound machine each night... OOPS! :) I mean I felt bad for their lack of sleep, but what's a guy to do... y'all were the ones who invited me here... seagulls and all! You'll have to take that one up with Mommy...

Thankfully that weren't too tired and were able to whip me up some breakfast! And let me tell you... it was a five star deal... it was no Hampton Inn free buffet... it was a Ritz Carlton brunch... eggs, toast, strawberries, yogurt, chocolate milk... the best of the best!

As you might imagine after a breakfast like that I was feeling pretty champion-esque... and was ready to tackle the LONG, albeit FUN list of things that Nana and Bop had planned for the day. First up... FISHING... with Nana... don't worry Bop was there too... you think Nana is going to touch them worms?! No way Jose... or Caden as the case may have been.

We didn't catch anything, but I let those fishies know that'd I'd be back... when you least expect it, expect it, I told them! Since fishing wasn't as fruitful as we had hoped we decided that there would be nothing better to soothe our woes than a nice, cool dip in the pool! Check out my fancy noodle... you likes?! That's my Bop... he's a pretty cool dude...

The pool was fun, but again we had some things to DO, so we hurried and got dressed... I obviously picked my outfit for the day... nothing says COOL like a dude in a Shamu shirt. Plus... I figured if those fishies got a glimpse of my shirt as we drove by the pond... they'd know... I've got pull with Shamu and I was NOT to be messed with! Not to mention Shamu is a personal friend... and if I didn't get 'em... well, it was pretty clear that they'd have to take any problems they had up with my friend the KILLER whale.. no big deal!

For lunch Nana and Bop planned a SUPER fun dining experience at ChuckECheese... it was my first time to dine in this particular establishment and I must say it was delightful! The games, the tickets, the prizes... the pizza... all top-notch!

Although I must say I don't think they will be happy to see me come back because I mean look at ALL THOSE TICKETS! It was like taking candy from a baby... seriously Chuck... you need to up the ante next time... give me something to strive for!

Eventually, I just had to say tickets, schmickets and just head over to the part of the place where I could relax with my buddies Chuckie and Barney...

Barney... that purple dinosaur... I couldn't love him more if I tried! I tell you what... I've been resisting this big goofy guy for some time, but lately I've got to say... he's grown on me! And that song... I love you, you love me... catchy isn't it?! I just love it!

After I ROBBED them clean OUT of tickets and had those deep, heart-to-hearts with my boys on the open road it was time to settle in for some PIZZA! I ate three pieces... setting a personal best for my pizza eating abilities! Like my bib?! I didn't want to wear it, but I figured my pal Chuck might be offended if I didn't wear the swag he had so generously offered us... so I took one for the team! Luckily, my lady friends were still in the Rock... talk about saltin' my game...

Next thing you know people are going to think they still need to wipe my mouth for me... embarrassing! I can assure you I am CLEARLY capable of wiping my own face... clearly!

All of that winning, riding and eating can WEAR. A. GUY. OUT. Who can say nap time?! I know Nana and Bop were SHOUTING it after their run-in with the seagulls! Even though I was actually feeling okay I decided I'd let the g-rents take a nap... it's only fair for the morning of fun they had treated me too! Night-night Nana, Bop!

Once everyone was feeling a bit more like the best version of themselves we got up and eased into the rest of our afternoon/evening. Poor Nana and Bop still had more on the list of things for us to accomplish, but I told them that I'd rather just enjoy their company in the comforts of their beautiful home, so we did just that...

A little video-watching, snack eating... and newspaper reading...

And of course I had to have Bop snap a quick pic for Mommy and Daddy of the new friend I'd be bringing home the next day... my pal Chuck... complete with walkman and headphones! Don't miss the super cool peace sign on his shirt. I think I might have to get a matching one... if he looks that good, can you imagine how I'd look?! It's my color too...

I decided to entertain Nana and Bop throughout my stay with some of my best lyrical stylings. And because I'm the sweetest boy AROUND I let them join in... but let me just say... I have NO IDEA where I get my musical talent from... it really is a mystery!

Between snack time and dinner time we spent some SERIOUS time in the backyard! I got to swim around in my new pool...

Kick around the soccer ball...

And of course, chillax with my Bop... chowing down on a fresh cup of ice!! Summer nights don't get much better than that...

Nana fixed me a yummy plate of sketti and a BUNCH of strawberries for dinner... and all was going GREAT, GRAND, WONDERFUL until... they asked me if I'd like to try some watermelon?!! Oh no... what do I say?! Poor, sweet, kind, lovely Nana and Bop... don't they know? Haven't they heard? Watermelon is the black sheep of the fruit clan... I couldn't, I shouldn't! "Sure," I said, "I'll try it!" THIS is how MUCH I love my g-rents... so I tried it! Spit it out and said... "Nana, Bop... THAT SHOO-EEEE!!" And I think I made my point!

Watermelon aside, Friday was the BEST day!! I had the greatest time checking off our to-do list and anticipating the next fun trick Nana and Bop had up their sleeves... seriously... FUN.DAY!

Going to bed Friday night didn't quite carry the same excitement as it did on Thursday night... in fact it carried a bit of heaviness. I tried hard to fight the urge to fall asleep because I knew that if I did, I'd eventually have to wake up and then it'd be Saturday... the day I had to go back to the Rock. But darn Elmo and that counting sheep trick he taught me... I thought there'd be no way that such an absurd trick would work, in fact I assumed it'd do the opposite... so I started... one, two, three... and darn it if by the time I hit four it wasn't already LIGHT outside! It was Saturday!! Plan. FAIL!

But there is always a silver lining... and typically donuts can add the perfect amount of shimmer to any morning... So we loaded up in Chuck and headed to Shipley's!! I had some serious bed head... thanks for lending me your dude cap, Bop!

Ah... chocolate milk and donut holes... la dolce vida! You didn't know I was bilingual did you??!! IM.PRESS.IVE, no?!

Before we could head south to meet Mommy and Daddy for the DROP OFF, I had made a promise that I HAD to keep. Remember those fishies?! I told 'em I'd be back... and BACK I came...

Get your RALLY CAP on... it's time to catch us a fish, BOP!! Stand back Nana... this could get ugly!!

And within minutes... hook, line and sinker... A ONE POUND BASS!! No big deal... it was nothin'! Who's the Man?!!! Who's the BOP?!!! Who's the BASS??!!!

THESE GUYS...

I figured I'd done enough to intimidate the residents of the pond for one morning, so we walked over to feed the baby ducks... I'm all about balance!! You give, you take... just like my man Jesus!!
I hate to say it... but y'all how this is going to end... I HAD TO GO BACK HOME! I know... it's heartbreaking! I mean I put on a good show for Mommy and Daddy and did my whole squeal, smile, giggle, "MOMMY!! DADDY" routine... but truthfully I could have stayed a few more days... I think Nana, Bop and I were just starting to find our groove, BUT what are you gonna do? I'm not telling MY pregnant Mommy that I wanted to stay longer... NO WAY! We still gotta get her to be sans-tears during drop-off... she's a work in progress! And don't act like I don't try to help... I was a TOOT all week last week... and super high maintenance...thinking that would help her "let go" of me a bit easier... but darn'd if she doesn't fall for it! I guess she really loves me!

Truth to be told... I've got a lot of people who love me out there! I pray for each of them every day because I know what a blessing they are to me! And you know... not every kid gets that kind of love... it's a real shame, but it's the hurtful truth! So I figure I better not waste it by being ungrateful!

Thanks Nana and Bop for a SUPER fun trip to Waco! I am ALREADY yeady to come back and stay... can y'all take one for the team and talk to my Mommy about it?! Might be in your best interest to wait until Kaki is born... but talk to her, please!! I love y'all!!

And now... I best get back to my rents... you know they missed me a whole bunch and all! Thanks for the laughs blog world... I hope to be back sooner rather than later! As my friend Chuckie and I would say... PEACE OUT!!