Temperatures in the 90s last week meant that it was time to bust out Alton's wading pool! We got the pool last summer for $5.99, so we weren't too surprised when we pulled it out this year and only one inflatable surround ring out of three would stay filled with air! Oh well, it just made it that much easier for him to climb into. We filled it for a morning when all his little friends came over, so that afternoon when Daddy came home from work it was time to slip on one of his faded "romper" outfits, get covered in sunscreen, and splash up a storm!
A photo essay of splashitude, by Alton.
Riverdancing around the water.
Hippity-hop.
Losing his balance!
Falling on his bottom!
Good thing he liked it.
What is Mommy doing this whole time? Potting a plant! Our weekly produce pickup from our CSA has included small potted plants pretty much every week. So far we have received a calendula, a sunflower, a marigold, baby arugula, and now oregano!
Back to the pool, Alton decides that Minerva is the one who needs to cool off.
He makes faces at his reflection.
Then he realizes that his little "Crocs" can get submerged! He stomps around, be-shoed.
Wet clogs.
"I go barefoot!" He climbs up onto his play structure and zooms around with the steering wheel.
Spies with the periscope.
Now it's time to cool off the slide. But Alton, it's in the shade right now!
Wet bottom! What a soggy doggy.
Grinning for Daddy.
He shows you how adeptly he can ascend his rock wall.
One hand, then one foot.
Concentrating fiercely on where to put his foot next. I think it feels weird to him on his bare feet.
Getting to the top, he tells Andy, "It's a train!" (The engine-shaped rock hold.)
Up at the top, he gracefully demonstrates some yoga for you and waves bye-bye!
On Independence Day, our cousins Matt & Di hosted a neighborhood barbecue/potluck/block party and we were invited! We showed up with grillable odds 'n ends, and Alton came ready to play with all the older kids.
With his grown-up cup, sharing a chair with *E.
Little Sprout tagging along while the big kids play in the pond.
He looooves playing with the "real" Legos at their house!
Notice he's wearing a jacket...it turned blustery for the 4th of July!
He and *O tossing the Pop-Its.
Alton was too young to stay up and light off fireworks in the dark with the older kids, so Matt lit one off in the street before we left the party. I had to include this picture of him lighting the little sparkly fountain, because every time I look at this photo I think he is my brother K.C.!
Alton and I are so impressed by the display.
"More pop-its, please?"
After we left the Groeners', we went home and hopped Alton into a quick bath before changing into jammies and doing a pre-bed fireworks show off of the tailgate of Andy's truck. First, more pop-its, of course.
My little man and I snuggled in our stripey duds to watch a few showering fountains, then turned in for the night. Happy Independence Day to all!
Working our way through Fourth of July weekend! Since we were home over this classic American holiday weekend, we wanted to pack in as much partying as we could. After the parade on Saturday (July 3rd), we hurried home for a nap before driving down to Newberg for an intimate barbecue with our good friends, the Lees.
First, Alton and *B logged some time on their playset. Sitting at the table...
driving the dump truck...
and doing chin ups. (He's been practicing with his little trapeze on his play structure at home!)
Little *F mows the lawn.
Then it was time for a ride on Chris's tractor! He generously allowed Andy to drive Alton around the yard.
Raising and lowering the bucket--Alton was entranced!
He and *B take a quick break indoors, where he hops onto another tractor!
They enjoy a quiet moment with Andy, reading.
The sun still wasn't down, but it was getting late for the kiddos, so we started fireworks! Alton vigorously throws the "pop-its," and stamps his feet on the ones that don't pop with first toss.
Mommy knows that Independence Day is about more than fireworks. It's also about a glass of wine. Alton and I head to the driveway for fireworks.
Alton gets down on the ground and races to where Chris is setting up.
The kids are just in time for more pop-its.
Chris and Andy supplied a few small "fountain"-style fireworks that shoot colors and sparks, not scary whistles. The kids are mesmerized.
The Lee Family, minus *F in bed, watching the fireworks.
Alton and his Daddy, a fireworks self-portrait.
Alton relishes just a few more pop-its.
Then it's time for sparklers! Chris found ones with the longest stems ever.
Alton and *B even share the very last sparkler. (Although FYI: sparklers when it's still light out are not so interesting! Mostly smoky.)
Alton scurries along the fenceline. I think he's seen The Great Escape one too many times.
The sun is still going down, but more fun to be had! I take a turn on the tire swing to show Alton how it's done.
After that, Alton is game to try it out himself.
He and Daddy get one final tractor ride...
before Chris and shotgun rider *B back it into the garage for the night.
We change the Little Man into jammies for the car ride home, and he grabs his cellphone to show us how a modern farmer does business.
Happy Independence Day!
