Dexter and I (and sometimes Joel) have been on a crazy midwest tour. Michigan, Chicago, Central Illinois, and Wisonsin in one week. Here are a few photos...

Doesn't this belong in a catalog?

Well, it's summer and I've been having fun so I haven't posted in a while. Summer gets kind of busy with weddings and trying to spend equal amounts of time with all of your divorced parents. (I love you all :) ). It is fun busy though. This past weekend I got to relive the past a little bit. When I was very little my family and some good friends of ours would go to Sister Lakes in Michigan. We usually rented these tiny cottages on Dewey Lake or we'd stay in a "resort" called Shady Shores. Shady Shores has not changed a bit. The playground equipment, the furniture, the cabins have not been updated since the sixties. Everything was very clean, but very rustic. It was great though. I don't know if my photos will do justice, but it was a beautiful weekend and Little Man had a blast.


Little Man, big trees...




Donovan was a good sport for most of the weekend too.

Make way for goslings

This morning as I was driving down 95th street to take D to daycare, what should I see but a family of geese meandering down the middle of a busy street. (The picture above is a representation, and I think the picture is of ducks. I saw geese.) It kind of made my morning although the pessimist in me worried that it is a sign of some horrible environmental crises and that the family was probably doomed if they didn't find a safer thoroughfare.

Also, since I have declared myself the arbiter or acceptable vernacular, I think people shouldn't say cougar anymore. It has become pretty overused, and I think a bigger problem to the social scene of twentysomethings would be the male equivalent of cougars with their paunches, receding hairlines, and braided belts. Though, I guess, how would I know because I am thirtysomething and rarely ever go out to bars. I'm just sayin'.

And I watched twenty minutes of The Bachelorette on ABC last night... toxic.

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Dexter likes to whistle while he works. Or I guess hum. Make sure you have some volume with this one.(PS- this one is a bit longer than usual. 2 minutes!)

When will we have some warm weather? Dexter is ready to shed the Elmo jacket.
Dexter, Martha, and I had fun at the Beverly Memorial Day parade...
Well, at least Dexter did until he sacked out in the wagon.

Dex experiences a new emotion...

irritation.


So the "Lil' Angels" came to daycare last week to put the kids in costume and take their picture. While the picture is pretty cute (albeit extremely cheesy), I don't think Little Man was terribly happy about the whole thing...





What do you think?

The end of the school year has been crazy as usual so I have nothing inspired to say, but I promised my world travelin' mother that I'd post some pics of the kid.

Fun in the woods

We spent this weekend in Michigan. Saturday was a gorgeous day. Dexter discovered the joys of throwing sticks and rocks into water.


We didn't get to do much else the rest of the day.


Also, he likes to climb at his Gram's house as much as at home.

Pizza +

I am lucky to have so much family that lives close by. Most Wednesday nights many of us meet at Pizza Plus to hang out. Last week it was my Aunt Maria's birthday so the attendance was high. As usual, the camera generally comes out. Dexter is beginning his career as a video game addict.

Happy Mother's Day!

To my mom, Jane...(I miss you already, but have fun on your trip!)

and Joel's mom, Martha...

and Grandma Welch...

and Mary Barr...

And for the Grandmas who can't be with us but we think of always...
Grandma Strong

and Joel's Grandma McGavic...(BTW, I have almost the exact same picture of me on a donkey with a swarthy/handsome Greek man.)

and Joel's Grandma Barr...

We love you all!

So we've been having more backyard fun lately.

We've added to the backyard plastic collection. It's kind of a three ring circus. And getting this backyard toddler swing was like finding the Holy Grail.



But of course, who had more fun with the box than the swingset?

Slide and thank you...

This may bore everyone but the grandparents, but you see his new tricks and hear a "Thank You" when I hand him the bubbles. This is groundbreaking stuff in the backyard people.

Darling...

I don't have time for your foolish airplanes and choo choo trains. Just feed me my organic soy latte flavored yogurt already.

WARNING: This post is NSFW (not safe for work)

There is a little bit of nudity...








I am warning you...

Catching up...

Well, I haven't posted much of the little guy in two whole weeks so you're going to be inundated today. Last weekend we went to visit my mom at the farm. Dex loved it and ran wild. You can tell by the scars...



Today he came down with a fever so we've just been snuggling on the couch most of the day. I hate to see him hurting and wish I could make him feel better, but I also don't mind that he is sitting still on my lap and just wants to be held.

Do you know that so many movies and programs aimed at little babies feature snippets of the song Blue Danube? I didn't either until that became the first song Dex could hum. One day a few months ago he was sitting playing with a toy and started humming nonsensical things to himself. Except it was not nonsensical; it was Strauss. I began trying to track down the source. Where could he have learned this song? Turns out multiple places... It is on a CD they play for him at nap time at daycare, it is prominently featured on two (I think) Baby Einsteins...Baby Neptune and Baby Bach (or Van Gogh? Can't remember.) It's also on an Elmo short film that I have on my itunes and show him from time to time. It's kind of cool though. Now he wakes up in the morning singing it to himself.

The Mayor of Prospect Avenue

Dexter rules the sidewalk!

This shot is of me and Liza on my first day of pre-school. I remember most of my early childhood events by the outfit I wore. It is easy to tell this is not the first day of kindergarten because then I would be wearing the green Crayola dress with the matching crayon box purse and book bag. It is important for a lady to accessorize.

I don't remember feeling this happy that it is Friday in a very long time. We're just going to be hanging around this weekend. (Sorry... couldn't help the lame pun.) Have fun.

Insomnia

Things have been frustrating at work and it has been keeping me up at night. I toss and turn because I really hate confrontation. Last night Dexter also woke up in the middle of the night. There is nothing like a baby's hug and a cuddle as you rock him to sleep to get a little perspective. Plus lately, the middle of the night is about the only time he ever stands still.

Friday Night Jam Session...

Check out Rory in her dress up clothes in the background. Everything's better with wigs.