BFF Fo' Eva

This little says, "Mmmm, phosphates from Grants Pass Pharmacy are a delicious treat!"

This little says, "I heart Jackson. Like a lot. Forever. I hope he likes me as much as I like him. He's just so cool. And he has fun toys. And his hair is all mohawk-y. And his older brothers are rad. And my parents like his parents. I love this day."

Fishing with Pops

In the 4 times that I've lived here in Grants Pass, including my entire youth, I cannot recall ever going to Lake Selmac. Just thirty minutes outside of town, it is so pretty, rather large, and perfect for taking your son fishing on for the first time.

Alden likes the lures and calls Power Bait "fish candy". He's got the right idea!

Dustin played it cool but I'm pretty sure he's been dreaming of this moment since we found out we had delivered a boy!

Cinco De Mayo

I don't know about you but when I think of Mexico's Independence Day, I think of pony rides.

Meet Ms. Annie and Cowboy Bob and Molly the pony. Alden hadn't ridden a pony since he was 6 months old. This time it really sunk in.

Art Class(es)

At the beginning of the warm months our community center offered art classes for toddlers. We went a few times to check out the progressive art that the great teachers patiently walked the kids through. They read books about colors and featured a historic artist of the week. I think that Alden was really there for the free period at the end where they could run around in circles in a toddler frenzy.

Finger painting becomes...

... elbow painting becomes...

... whole arm painting!

BFF Jackson and Alden made father's day cards one morning.

Rain, Rain, GO AWAY!

To the bone, I am a fall person. I like rain. I like chilly. After this past wet winter, I haven't been so happy to see the sun in ages. The notorious leak that has plagued Alden's room for over 3 years now is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-ack. And it has brought a little friend.

This is Dustin getting the syphon going to drain the water from the pool/roof. It is a sad, thankless job. One that causes angry outbursts followed by long moments of silence broken by stifled sobs. From all of us. It's like trying to potty train a dog. Just. Go. Where. I. Am. Telling. You. To. Go. No, not on the roof. No. NO!

Not to be outdone, the leak has now spread to the other side of Alden's room wall into our hallway.

Before you comment about how this post seems oddly timed as we've just experienced a week of 100 plus degrees a day, note that I am trying to catch up after having been drug under the bus of summer.