It's kinda like having a sister...

I am a lucky boy. I have three older cousins. Mary is seven and David is three and this summer, they moved to CA. For the first time, they are finally on the west coast and we hope to see more of them. In fact, they will be here next week so I will post more about them, later.

My cousin Lorelli is six. Lorelli stays with us a couple of days each summer and I LOVE IT. She and I have the bestest of times when we play together. And it gives Mommy a chance to feel like she has a little girl in the house. They went shopping, had lunch at Red Robin and watched High School Musical 3. They definitely have quality girl time together.

Playing side by side


Jump! Jump!


Reading first thing in the morning

Lorelli tells great stories


Maybe next year I will look into the camera, too.

THE ZOO
During Lorelli's visit, along with three other adults, Mommy and Daddy took us, Cole, Addie, Delaney, Mason and Evan to the zoo...seven kids under the age of six. And if that wasn't enough, after the zoo, we invited Cole, Addie and Kieran over for a BBQ. Kieran is only seven months old but we let him play with us, too.

Waiting to walk into the zoo


Addie and Delaney


Cole and Mason


The Gang


Mommy and Me

At the zoo, they have this super cool climbing rock. I think Mommy and Daddy need to have one for our backyard because I totally loved it.

My climbing freaked Mommy out but she did a good job of staying calm.
Lorelli and Auntie Chelle


I'm not sure Daddy enjoyed our zoo adventure!

THE BBQ



While Cole and Lorelli played...


Addie and I took a bath!
(we were filthy after digging in the dirt and playing in the pool!)


Kieran loved playing with Handy Manny tools

And the four of us played happily ever after!

Home, Sweet R.V., Home

Earlier this week, we spent four days at the ocean with Big Papa and Umma in their R.V..This forty foot luxury home-on-wheels was quite comfortable for four adults and a toddler. Which was fortunate, because it rained for most of our trip so we spent quite a bit of quality time, sitting inside in style.

THE RIDE
The ride to the ocean took about 4 hours but we had plenty to keep ourselves occupied. Umma read books, told stories, and when all else failed, thank God we had a portable DVD player.

Off we go!

Watching Handy Manny (again)

Umma insisted on a picture with this binky

THE BEACH
With the weather being what it was, we tried to make it to the beach whenever there was a break in raindrops. Alexander enjoyed digging in the sand and building sand castles with Dad. I was able to get him to stomp in the surf one time; but then the surf came in and freaked him out. After that point, he would only venture to the edge of the ocean if someone was holding him. Luckily, there were plenty of washed up trees on the beach for goat-boy to climb with Big Papa.

Alexander sees the ocean!

And realizes it is really big. And really loud.

Couple of cute kids

Walk, walk, walk


A boy and his Papa

JUST HANGIN' OUT
Alexander was unbelievably well behaved for a two year old, cooped up in a R.V. for four days. He watched movies with Big Papa, had a slumber party each night and slept in Big Papa and Umma's room, played poker with us each night, and counted the rocks he collected for Umma. By the end of the trip, he wore Umma out. But she says we'll do it all again next year.

Big Papa and Alexander, watching Bob the Builder

Umma's rocks

Everyone should own a portable DVD player. Seriously.

"I don't like being squished...


...so I think I'll sit between you!"


Look how tired I made Umma!

Thanks for a great trip to the ocean!

Looking forward to next year!

Happy Fourth of July!

Typically, this holiday is my least favorite, with Halloween a very close second. Come on, who really likes those creepy plastic masks and strangers checking out your house as they ask for candy that rot teeth? I don't get it. Anyhow, let's discuss the Fourth of July and why I hate this particular holiday. I have a memory of a firework in my hair when I was four years old. Whether this event truly occurred has never been verified because the cousins who put the firework in my hair are not around to confirm or deny the action. Since it's my blog, it happened. I do not like the loud noises, the stupid, drunk people lighting off fireworks (i.e. the idiot neighbors lighting off fireworks on the dry grass less than fifty feet away from my house right now), or the sound of sirens that are blasting through the air as fire trucks race to put out fires. Or the police driving past my road, when they should be arresting my drunk, idiot neighbors who continue to light fireworks, long after the other shows have ended. Another M-80? Is that really necessary? Sigh.

I admit, the housing development across the street puts on a fantastic show. I actually don't mind watching it, from my couch. The fireworks are pretty, the sound isn't as terrible, and with a glass of wine in hand, it is bearable. That being said, this year's show brought an unexpected surprise to the holiday. Lo and behold, our son hates fireworks. This discovery thrills me! Not only does this make my heart happy because it is one thing we have in common BUT each time there were loud booms during the day, he ran into my arms. And stayed there. Yes, people, Alexander cuddled. In fact, he even watched "Happy Feet" in my arms. The entire movie. I'm not kidding. The entire movie. Ah, the sweet bliss of a child curled in my arms. I haven't felt that since he learned to roll over and crawl out of my arms. Two years ago.

So, from this point on, I have vowed to embrace the Fourth of July. I will cling to the hope that as a three and half year old, Alexander will again, hate the holiday and want to cuddle. I will cling to the hope that my paranoia is unwarranted and my house will never burn to the ground. And I will cling to the hope that I will learn to love fireworks.

After all, I am fully aware that the day will come when my husband and son will light fireworks in our dry grass as I watch, fifty feet away. Waiting for the cops to show up.

Pool Party

Alexander had such a wonderful time using our friends pool that I sent my parents on a mission to find a larger pool for him to enjoy at home this summer. I only intended them to price out pools, not purchase one. A BIG thank you to Ho-Ho Papa and Grrrma for the half-birthday present (that's how I am going to define this gift in order to stop the guilt for not purchasing the pool ourselves).

Daddy setting up the pool while Ho-Ho Papa and Alexander wait patiently.

Alexander decides he can't wait any longer!

Pool Time!

Shooting Hoops

Keeping Ho-Ho Papa and Grrrma cool

Thank you!

Beating the Heat

Temperatures soared to 85 degrees today. So, when friends called and asked us to join them in the pool, Alexander and I didn't hesitate to drive right over.

Last summer, Alexander would barely step foot into a wading pool. He finally consented once we set his chair in it.

17 months old

This summer, Alexander has discovered his love of water. I couldn't drag the kid out of the pool. He was very busy pouring water in and out of containers and sliding with Addie, face first into the "shallow end". We had a great time, beating the heat with great friends.

Alexander and Addie

Cole being Cole

Having a tea party in the deep end

Here I come!