Slip-n-slide

Wow. Jake's first slip in slide. This is a big moment! Yes, he had help, but this activity is a sign of a growing boy! In a moment he turned from a baby to a toddler to a boy. Jake liked it so much he went back for more though we were too busy having fun to tape anything else.

Sweet plums

Jake has been enjoying the fruit of someone else's harvest.

Plums seem to be his new favorite fruit.

Bountiful harvest

We harvested 15 tomatoes from our small garden this weekend and have been thoroughly enjoying tomato sandwiches 1-2x a day. We'd love to share so if you live nearby, make a lunch date at the Johnson abode!

Finally found the offending devourer of tomatoes. Once again, while I wasn't very happy to see him or her, I couldn't quite bring myself to terminate the life of this beautiful garden parasite. So it has been relocated. Would make a tasty feast for a bird. He's engorged by some of our harvest.

Chinese Lanterns

This was my favorite new firework at Festivus this year. Even I had to get in on the action. (Thanks for honoring my inner child, Brent!)

Celebrating the hippopatomus

Jake loves Sandra Boyton books. She prominately features fat animals singing and dancing. One of her favorites is the hippo. I thought her inspiration was mere silliness until I spent some time in front of the hippopatomus exhibit at the St. Louis Zoo. Under water these creatures are so graceful and fluid. Guess that teaches me yet another lesson on making judgments based on first appearance.

Hand made

Are you salivating?

I am.

Yes, it was as good as it looks.

Karri picked the berries (and encountered poison ivy in the picking.)

Every trip to the farm leaves me in awe of how talented my aunt and cousins are.

The Hungry Caterpillar quilt will bless a new child's room. Precious, huh!

My Aunt Sarah has designed a quilt weaving all 11 Festivus t-shirts together.

She's promised to craft one for me if I send her all the t-shirts. Yeah!

Mile marker

We looked at some photo albums from last summer.

It's amazing how much he's grown.

Jake put on his own shoes today.

True, they were Crocs.

But, he got them on the right feet.

Now he's happily wearing sunglasses, even ASKING for them in his own way.

"Eyeeeees!" (This means I want my sunglasses, Mommy.)

Which, of course, is different from "EyEs." (Ask in, look Mommy, I have eyes. Or look, this dog has eyes.)

I cannot imagine how different things are going to be next summer.

Glad I'm living and enjoying life day by day.