Hot, hot, hot...

It's 3:30 and 88 degrees here...but we're not complaining...a freezer pop every hour on the hour keeps us going...

I eat my greens...

Can't smile, brain freeze...

Weekend with Granna & Pap

Not only do they drive 6 hours plus one way, bring us plenty of beautiful "homegrown" beef and are up for anything we put on the itinerary, Granna & Pap also come bearing awesome gifts, like this wonderful fire truck (Gus is VERY fond of fire trucks right now) that once belonged to Jacob. Nice job holding on to it, Granna!

Now and then I try my hand at composition...sweet cousin Sara, who shines beautifully in all her newlywed bliss, was nice enough to hold still, while I framed her at our newly discovered, favorite swimming hole in Dupont State Forest.

Gus scouts the water for fish...

The water was mighty fine for an 80+ day...

Pond-err this...

No words required...or maybe I just ran out of excuses...

I'd like to add that we did not get arrested for this grave crime, but instead Gus was photographed and videoed by a couple of bystanders who thought he was the cutest thing they had seen all day (and there were some pretty cute Bonsai trees nearby)

Old and small...

No, I'm not talking about how I feel about myself these days...instead the title of this post refers to the awesome collection of Bonsai trees, my friend Heather and I encountered at the North Carolina Arboretum today...I just have to share some shots of some of them, I've always loved the balance of dainty-yet-powerful/infinite-yet-fragile that Bonsai seems to express better that many things in the world...how the stark contrasts of these qualities make for something beautiful...whenever I see one I just want to ponder the world...

Frankie & Gus

...it sounds like a ratpack movie and really the two of them together are up to much mischief. Frankie is our neighbor Tabor's dog and one of the finest K9s I've ever encountered. Supremely obedient, smart, very patient and playful...watching the two of them makes me think about getting a dog...then I think of all the shedding and vet bills and I'm happy to "adopt" Frankie to my backyard for an hour whenever Gus needs a buddy...now if we could only "loan out" a sibling that way...

Like father...

Matching T-shirts, matching smiles...the curls are all mine though...What a great father-son team they are!

Daddy, dearest...

He throws me high, encourages me to go far and strong, laughs when I imitate Mommy and indulges my utter devotion to fire trucks. He's read "Panda Bear, Panda Bear" a million times without complaining (at least not to me) and calms me down when things get fussy. He never misses a chance to challenge me and keep me safe all at the same time.
He is my Daddy and I love him so.
Happy Daddy Day!

Take me to the river

The forecast is calling for record hot temperatures here in Western North Carolina, so the logical response of my little hot-momma group of friends was this: Pack up the tots and take them to Dupont State Park for some good ol' swimming hole dippin'

Gus and his friend, Atlas, dippin'

Sports Illustrated: The Mommas-in-Swimwear edition...

Gus sliding off the dried mud into the water...he is fearless...

The final cut...

I've been very attached to Gus' hair, from the first time I laid eyes on it, and it is the kind of hair that elicits comments of adoration wherever we go....however, Jacob, is less enthralled by the golden curls and the shaggy do that I have so carefully nurtured and defended...until a small heat rash cropped up at Gus' neck over the past couple of days... I reluctantly relented and Jacob didn't waste a second shuttling Gus off to the old-timey barber shop.

He was so good, so proud and completely unaffected by what was happening...

If you listen closely, while you look at this picture, you hear a crack....that's my heart breaking...

One happy father of a boy child with a cropped head of hair... The compromise: It's not a buzz cut and I get to keep a lock of the curls...

What's wrong here?

Something is wrong here...can you guess what it is?

Still no clue?

That's right, my hair is in a tiny, ridiculously cute ponytail that makes Momma swoon. Daddy however is less than amused...I have a heat rash that seems to be caused by my long lush (and currently rather sweaty) curls...

To the rescue

He is just too cute, I can't stand it, someone call 911. Quick!

Hamming it up with the harmonica

Gus' Great-Grossfatter played a mean harmonica and I saved his "Sunday model" for Gus who is now quickly mastering it.

Itsy bitsy

Here is the proof: I do sing in the shower - and Gus loves it!

Gus @ 21 months (cont.)

Behold, the Ping-pong master! Thursday after lunch, we're busy working off some calories and letting off steam before the big nap. Aside from his mean tennis serve and his superior ball catching skills, Gus is also busy perfecting his table tennis game.

Gus @ 21 months (cont.)

This is us Wednesday afternoon. After a short hike with our friends, Heather & Rion, we cooled off in a popular shallow swimming hole. Gus decided to test out the chance for giardia.

Gus @ 21 months (cont.)

This is Tuesday morning just after Daddy left for work. Bubbles are a passion of ours and pretty much everything in the laundry room and the backstoop is coated in soapy residue. Gus can say "bubbles" but he rather blows them.

Gus @ 21 months (cont.)

This is Monday afternoon, fresh from a nap, playing on Jacob's drum set in the basement. I'm not worried. Gus can grow up to be a rockstar...I'll be the right there in the mosh pit, keeping the groupies at bay.

Gus @ 21 months

Next week, Gus will be 21 months old and whenever I think to explain his second year, I see movement and motion. So I thought it would be a fitting experiment to try to film a little bit of him every day for one week. Enjoy!

This is Sunday morning cuddling in bed (I did get out to grab the camera, obviously).