Oh the times we'll remember

Mom had an easier month in August, so we got to do all sorts of fun things--

visit the library, go to story time, visit the "Rina" (marina) to see the boats and fish, chase trains through downtown Lee's Summit, see the "boose" (caboose), visit the Farmer's Market, plant flowers, go on a hike through Lake Jacomo--the list goes on and on.

Unfortunately, Mom forgot the camera for all these events.

Then Dad and I went out on a boat with the whole gang and swam and fed the ducks and fish...

and he forgot the camera too.

Finally, today, Mom and Dad took me down to Crown Center. I got to color at the Crayola store, play in the fountains (well, mostly watch--it was cold!), run around the toy store, and finally, go to Fritz's for dinner.

Fritz's was soooo cool! I loved seeing all the trains, especially the one that delivered our food. I'm still talking about it ("Train? Food? Bring? Choo-choo!")

But, unfortunately, Mom and Dad forgot the camera today again.

We just have this great hat to remember it by.

(Don't mind Monti's mouth there in the background)

Surprise, Grandma!

Grandma's birthday was today. Uncle Adam planned a surprise party at the Casino for her!

She was definitely surprised.

We got her a few presents.

Grandma LOVES chips and salsa. Dad says she'd drink salsa from a cup.

But the best present was a new camera so she can catch Austin and I in action.

I wasn't too sure about helping her blow out the candle...

...but I definitely enjoyed the cake!

Cool dude

Mom and Dad wear their sunglasses on their heads, so I thought I'd try it...

Cool, right?

Power tools!

Dad went to Costco while Mom and I took a nap the other day.

He came back with something really cool...

POWER TOOLS!

It's my own set! So I can use the drill, screwdriver, saw, tape-measure, and flashlight like Dad and Pa-pa!

Dad gave me the tour...

...And now I'm off to fix something!

An-mals

Sometimes, after a good nap, I like to hang out in my bed with all my "an-mals." Mom and Dad don't let all the animals sleep in my bed, but they can come in to play. Who all is here, you ask?

1 cat, 3 dinosaurs, 2 frogs, 1 flamingo, 2 giraffes, 3 bears, 1 dog, 2 lions, 1 turtle, 1 iguana,

and 1 very large duck.

Oh, and 2 "B's" (blankets) and of course, Fred.

My first REAL haircut

Mom kept talking about how my hair was "lung" (long), so it was time to get a real, big boy, haircut. We talked about the "lolli" (lollipop) I would get and the scissors and the clippers, but when it came time to actually sit in the chair and get it done...well, I was less than thrilled. It was the only picture Mom could get after the whole ordeal because she had to hold my hand the whole time. Maybe it will go better next time!

"Baby"

Mom says the cuteness is not completely captured by these pictures...

I've taken to calling "famino" (flamingo) my "baby."

Today, I wrapped her up in my blanket, Fred, and held her on my lap.

Then she was hungry so I gave her a bottle (it was actually a can of soup, but it works).

Then it was time for a diaper change.

Mom said it was really too adorable.

I think I've been watching Grandma and Kayla (my baby cousin) really closely.

Squeeze!

Dad and I laid around this morning when he got back from the eye doctor...

I love my dad!!!

Blah, blah, blah

Dad taught me how to read last weekend. It mostly involves moving your finger along the page and saying the words outloud. Unfortunately, the only words he taught me were "blah, blah, blah." But I can read like this for hours (ok, maybe minutes).

A weekend at the cabin

We all headed down to the cabin this weekend for some time with the "big water" and "boat" with Grandma and Grandpa Woods.

It started out well. On Friday night, Grandma and I threw rocks over the cliff.

And I discovered I really don't like lightning bugs.

Something about that blinking really freaks me out.

Shortly after this picture, one flew over to us and there was much crying.

Maybe it will be better next time.

Saturday morning Grandma and I played "po-to" (Mr. Potato Head).

We looked really good in his glasses.

Then we read a book before nap time.

Early in the afternoon, we headed out on the lake for some swimming.

I had no more got out of the boat and dumped my watering can a time or two when a huge storm with "li-ning" (lightning) and "funner" (thunder) blew up and we had to high-tail it back to shore. "Oh-darn!"

Pat, Kathy, and Aunt Mandy waited out the storm on the catwalk.

That night we had fried catfish for dinner. I ate 3 whole pieces myself. It was tasty!

The next morning, we hung out on the deck for some early morning coffee and juice.

And some good rock throwing.

And some triangle playing. Ding!

Then Grandpa got out this little hammer of my very own and let me hammer my heart out.

That was fun. I'm still talking about that!

It was pretty fun. Hopefully we'll get to actually swim next time!

CORN!

Tonight I had corn on the cob for the first time...

...DELICIOUS!

Going for a ride

Mom and Dad have been working all summer on our new deck--painting, staining, planting, putting in a step.  Dad has had the wheelbarrow out a lot, but I've never got to do this before...

Hold on tight!

Dressing myself

When I got up from my nap, Mom said "Go get your shorts and we'll go out to play in the water."  I was only wearing my shirt and a diaper, so I guess she was expecting me to grab the pair of shorts we had taken off before nap that were lying on the floor.  

Boy was she surprised when I came back carrying 2 pairs of swimming trunks and fish shirt.  I had to get them out of my drawer, stuck underneath a bunch of other shorts.

I was insistent that these were the clothes I wear to go out to play in the water.

I think I look pretty good.