Summer Hike

They're both wearing hunter orange so they won't get shot. Not really.


Loaded up and ready for adventure.


This was the expression on his face for the whole hike. He knows when he's got a sweet ride.

Off to School

A snapshot of Sam in the morning before daycare. This particular morning, he'd asked to wear his hat, and it cracked me up.


And, he's off!


Somebody call GQ, they've lost their model.


I like how Bruce is cracking up in this one.

Father & Son Matching shirts

Although I only got the two of them to wear them at the same time just long enough to take this picture. They think they're too cool....

D to the A to the D

Featuring the music of Mr. Will Smith. Oh yes I did. 

Daycare Feedback

Here's an interesting anecdote. Last week I told one of Sam's afternoon daycare teachers that we were moving to the Triangle area and thus taking Sam out of daycare later this summer. In the course of the conversation I said something like, "He loves it so much here. I hope he'll adjust well to a new place." I mean, he does seem happy there, but I was really just being polite. Like, I'm pretty sure there are other daycares in other towns where the toddlers are perfectly happy.

Anyway, her reply? Not exactly what I expected. I expected, "Oh Sam will be fine. He's such a happy, well-adjusted boy."

What I got: "I think Sam will be fine now. He used to be a mess, but he's really grown into himself the last couple of months."

Really? A "mess?" Really? And I'm just hearing about this now? So, let's see, from his first day of daycare (Sept. 1) until, say, APRIL, you thought he was a "mess?" But you're just bringing it up now? And what do you even mean by a "mess?" YOU'RE THE MESS!

That's what I should have said to her. Instead, I just said, "OK, thanks, see you tomorrow!"

Stay tuned, ladies and gentlemen, to see if this story replays itself over the course of Sam's life. Will he continue to prove himself a "mess?" Will I get randomly negative but unhelpful feedback from future teachers about his behavior? Will I constantly fail to assert myself on his behalf?

 

 Probably.

First day back at the pool

Fun with Grandma (aka Nana, aka Mommy)

Sam's grandmother was in town visiting the weekend before last, and they had a lot of fun together. In fact, when she left, he kept asking, "Where's Mommy?" I'll just let that slide, Sam. But, suffice it to say, he enjoyed her visit.


Sam Warrington, handyman, at your service.


This one makes me dizzy. You see all the hijinks Bruce and his mom expose Sam to when I'm not around....


Ridin' the dolphin.


Ridin' the purple dinosaur.


Ridin' the elephant. Sam Warrington, exotic animal wrangler, at your service.

Tennis Anyone?

Nevermind that there was, I'm certain, 125% humidity Saturday at the park. And nevermind that the ball Sam found and played with was nowhere near a tennis court and was thus likely from a dog's mouth. And nevermind that immediately following this session of ball throwing, Sam found and picked up a syringe from the park's basketball court (the needle was not exposed and it was clearly labeled "insulin," but still, ew). Nevermind all those things! Look how much fun we had!


"Hey, look at this ball on the sidewalk! I should pick it up!" I swear he is like Marley, reincarnated. Note to self: this is why wet wipes were invented. This and, um, random syringes laying around the park.


Notice the hands gesturing in a questioning fashion? He was saying, "Where's woo woo?" ("Woo woo" means dog in Sam's language.) As in, I've got his ball, where's the dog to fetch it?


We recently read that learning how to throw overhand is a milestone usually not achieved at this tender age. Go Sam! Of course he just last week learned how to eat with silverware, which is a milestone he missed long ago. Priorities.


Action shot! Quite an arm he's got.


Notice how the sun dapples on his blond curls. Dreamy.


Footprints on the basketball court. Sam toes in a bit, as evidenced here. I actually overheard a couple of women at the park comment on him as he was running, "Look how bow-legged he is!"