Summer Fun

Reid celebrated his friend Bryce's 4th birthday in August. We had a great time playing water games in Bryce's backyard, and eating big blue cupcakes!

Mmm. Sailboat cupcakes...

James is helping Bryce blow out the candles.

All the kids loved throwing water balloons at the chalk target on the fence (a great idea from Sarmite!). Too bad it takes 2 hours hours to fill all those balloons and about 7 minutes for them to be done. :)

Reid ready to take his throw!

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We had a particularly hot few weeks in July and August. I had been talking to Reid one day about going to the pool so we finally got our gear together and headed out. Of course, we got there and it was CLOSED! (You don't want to know why...)

So, Plan B went into effect. I had bought a Slip 'n' Slide a while back and planned on saving it for next summer but you gotta do what you gotta do. So we set it up! He's not really coordinated enough to run, fall gracefully (without hurting himself or the slide), and then slide all the way down the mat. But he tried and loved it anyway. I expect to see a noticeable bump on the water bill soon!

Tidbits...

A few days ago, we were driving to dinner. Reid was in his car seat, which sits behind Ross, and he says, "Hey, Daddy. You're missing some hairs back there." Out of the mouths of babes, so they say...

Yesterday, Reid fell and hurt his behind. After some soothing, he forgot about it and went on his way. Then later...

• Reid: (pointing to his behind) "Mommy. I hurt my bum."
• Me: "Your what?"
• Reid: "My bum. It means booty."
• Me: "Yes, I know what it means. Where did you hear that word?"
• Reid: "The Wonder Pets said it."
• Me: "Oh. Okay. Interesting."
• Reid: "Yeah. Bum is Spanish for booty."

His Spanish teacher at preschool is gonna love him this year, I can just tell. :)

Reid had his 6 month checkup at the dentist a few weeks ago. This is technically only his second visit. It went pretty well, though not as good as it could have.

The first time he got to be in a semi-secluded little room for his checkup but this time he was out with everyone else. He doesn't love laying back to be checked, plus he can't seem to stop his running commentary long enough for the hygenist to look at everything she needs to see.

He did okay with getting his teeth polished and was willing to try x-rays, even though they didn't go so well. It was all downhill after that though. At the end, there were three of us holding him down while the dentist did the final check and put the flouride foam on his teeth. (No photos of that because my hands were being used as restraints!)

Verdict: No cavities!

Getting the feel of everything...

Not so sure about having his teeth polished. He didn't pitch a fit (yet), but I did have to hold his hands down to keep him from interfering.

Such a big boy!

We attempted to take some x-rays. I thought he *might* cooperate because he has seen x-ray machines on tv and thinks they are kind of cool. He did a great job until they tried to put the bite-wing thingy in there and told him to sit still He was gagging immediately. And who can blame him, really?

And, this is his way of saying he was "done" with x-rays for the day. They got some, but they were blurry so we'll try again next time.

Tidbits...

Just few things for posterity:

* It has been a hot few weeks, and yesterday I commented on how hot it was outside. Reid replied with, "It's not the heat, Mommy. It's the her-midity." I asked him where he heard this (because I know it's not from me) and he said it was from the Wonder Pets. Ming-Ming, to be exact.

* On several occasions over the past few weeks, I have heard Reid either singing or humming Christmas tunes, usually Jingle Bells. He was really belting it out at Publix last week, and people were pretty amused. (I know some of you think I put him up to this, but I don't!) Then, on Monday at the library, Reid got to pick out two DVDs... he chose the Christmas Thomas the Train and the Christmas Wonder Pets. That just proves what I have believed for years - that the "Christmas spirit" is indeed genetic. It might skip a generation now and then, but it's there. My mom has it, I have it, and now Reid has it, too. I'm so glad I have someone to listen to Christmas music with when October rolls around!

Random Summer Fun

Here are a few photos I snapped today - just a random summer day's activities.

Reid is mailing a card to his friend, Ceci. Earlier in the day he came to me asking to make one for her. So, we got out the supplies and made her a card with crayons and stickers. I asked him what he wanted it to say and transcribed it ver batim. The front said, "Ceci - Come to my house tomorrow." The inside said, "You are pretty and you climb your walls. Love, Reid."

Then we mailed it. I included an explanation for her mom!

(Notice that sign next to our mailbox. More info on that in a few weeks...)

And here, he said he was making the Leaning Tower of Pisa (who says tv rots your brain?) out of old oatmeal and Crystal Light cans.

And the excitement of knocking down the Leaning Tower. Oh well!

Baby Shower Craftiness

Just wanted to brag on myself for a moment. :) Here are a few things I did for Sarmite's baby shower. I loved getting crafty - especially with some pink stuff. I never get to use pink! :)

My first ever diaper wreath. I love how it turned out. My aunt and uncle did one for me at my baby shower and I had saved the wreath frame all these years. I knew I'd use it one day!

I did the cake. It's been a while since I used my big toolbox of cake thingys. I liked how it ended up looking...


...But was not pleased with how it tasted. Argh! It was a long day of cake making. I started out going to do petit fours, but that went south quickly. So, I whipped up a basic yellow cake recipe (off the Wilton website) and it was so dense you could hardly cut it. :( At least it was cute!

Hiking with Daddy

I helped host a baby shower for a friend/neighbor a few weekends ago. It was on a Sunday, so I was going to be out of pocket most of the day.

Ross decided to use that time to take Reid on a hike. I questioned his sanity but packed them a backpack pull of supplies and sent them on their merry way.

Before the hike, by the lake.

Starting off on the trail...

Striking a pose next to a log. Yes, this is a natural "hiking" pose.

Stopping for a snack. (I think.) From what I hear, Reid decided a snack was needed every time a picnic table was spotted. He looks so tired here even though I think it was about 20 minutes in. :)

Self photo of Ross on the trail. His backpack is not the only thing he was carrying, as you can see.


How much do I love this picture?

Fountain Fun in Alabama

Reid and I spent some time in Alabama in July. While we were there, he got to spend the day with is "sister," Maggie. We braved the overcast weather and went to Bridge Street to the fountains. It turned out to be a great morning - no rain, and we had the fountains all to ourselves. Top that off with lunch at Red Robin and treats at Chocolate Crocodile - a great day!

Checking it out...

Note to self - don't look straight down into the fountain. :)

Trying to play tag in the water. I know, not the safest activity on the slippery concrete.

Reid and Maggie breaking for a snack.

Apparently, This is What Happens When I'm Not Looking...

So, I uploaded the photos from my camera and found these. I know I didn't take them. Looks to me like a wrestling match with the blanket... with the blanket winning.

Fun with Dawson

We recently started a date night swap with the parents of Reid's friend, Dawson. It was their turn for date night a few weeks ago, so Dawson got to come to our house. They had a blast! Lots of playing with cars, running around outside, sliding down the slide, and bouncing in the bouncy house. And of course, lots of Toy Story.

I didn't really intend to give them a bath but after playing (aka rolling around) in the sandbox, it was really necessary. There was so much sand in the bottom of the tub afterwards - it looked like we'd been at the beach.

Yet Another Superhero in the House!

Your eyes do not deceive you - that is yet another superhero right here in our living room! Thanks to good old eBay, we have acquired this nearly-authentic bootleg Incredibles costume. From Hong Kong. :)

The best part is when he strikes what he believes to be a superhero pose while humming the Incredibles theme song. Love it!