It began

First day back.

Minus the getting in the car seat without being able to wear the Elmo backpack, the day went without a hitch. Tegene even ended up napping for two hours. TWO HOURS. A new record for school.

Also? I apologized to his daycare teacher today for sending a single-spaced, typed note to school in an effort to make sure she understood our boy and everything he needed. Thankfully she was gracious. I, on the other hand, have bitten off all my fingernails.

Jason's birthday

It's been a while, but once upon a time Jason had a birthday. And our kid sang to him. And dang, it was cute:

Blue bird sort of day

The sun was out, white puffs were chilling in the sky, the river was clear, and happiness was abundant. Long summer days are some of the best....

Daycare prep

Elmo backpack? CHECK. Football helmet? CHECK. Dirty bum? CHECK. Now if we could just find that kitchen sink we'd be pretty much ready to go.

Repeat

If you look real careful like you'll see a beautifully shaped shape made in pink crayon, directly under the music note. Do you see it? It's right... up... there.

When Sol was in the UrgentCare room a week or so ago, the receptionist ended up bringing in some crayons and paper (along with the 500 gallons of apple juice for him to consume). I was busy balancing the paper, the clipboard, and the crayons while trying to jam the cup in his mouth when all of a sudden Sol glances down at his paper and declares: "I made a triangle!" Needless to say I did about six double-takes, asked him to repeat and point, and just about lost it when he pointed at the shape and repeated: "I made a triangle!"

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

Fighting fires... sort of... not really....

Another thing we got to do when Grandma G was in town was visit the fire station! We met up with a crew of toddlers and bamboozled two very sweet, very kind firefighters. They kept with their routine of dressing up in the gear, showing off the trucks, letting the kids explore the ambulance- but... BUT... unlike other tours, they decided to take our crew for a ride in the firetrucks. AWESOME.

Waiting to begin the tour...

Sol could barely keep it together once that ladder truck made it's way out

Although he's as tall as the rest of the crew, Sol was the only one

under three. He was also the only one who knew the ambulance was called an

ambulance- or at least, he was the only one who was comfortable enough

to answer out loud when asked.

And yes. I'm proud.

Intense. Very, very intense.

He was tickled at some joke the firefighter cracked.

I think he was the only one who found the humor.

Most favorite truck EVER.

Here's the get-up.

Here's my kid getting freaked out by the get-up.

He's an active listener.

Do you see the hand in the pocket?

LOVE that. LOVE him.

Still intense. Still active. Still learning.

Still has hand in pocket.

On THE truck.

See? I was there too.

Here comes the other part of our crew.

Toddlers, moms, grandmas, and firefighters.

GREAT combination. GREAT time.

Grandma G

A couple weeks ago, Grandma G headed out this direction. We had tons of fun hanging out, eating good food, throwing rocks (I know- aren't you surprised?), blowing bubbles, reading books, and eating candy. We were so glad she was able to come out and relax in our neck of the woods- even if her dream didn't come true of meeting a movie star on her flight into Aspen.

Can you see the rock mom is throwing directly at me?

Seriously? Seriously. Even with the wee one beside her,

who happens to be all about learning through example.

Naughty, naughty Grandma G.

This face? It's the reason we let him throw rocks in the river.

Over and over and over again.

Comfy times on the couch with Grandma G

Intensity along with some giggles- gotta love the tickle attack!

We took off for the somewhat local picking orchard with plans of

juicy peaches and nectarines. Ends up we made the trek for

basil season (ONLY!)- and biting flies. Better luck next time!

Completely organic, completely beautiful, and (when the time comes)

completely delicious!

This might surprise you, but Solomon located some water. And sticks.

And a rock or two.

We got to hang at the "beach" down the road- more rock throwing, some people watching,

and some sun burns. Also? Jas took a dip or two in the river.

Why didn't I get a picture of that?!

See that big boulder? Yeah? Some folks decided to jump off it.

Again and again and again.

So did their little dog.

It was a hoot.

Love you mom!

Perfection

Those buns wrapped up in James the train? Perfection. Absolute perfection.

Painting

That top photo? That's when Sol experienced purple paint for the first time ever.

That bottom photo? That's right about when the paints had to be put away.

Painting. It's good times.