First Day of School

Gavin on the first day of school. He loves his new animal pajamas. When he first saw the lion on his sleeve, he could help but stare and do his roaring.
This is the first day since I was four-years-old that I haven't had some school obligation. We woke up and watched the kids walking to our local school from our front window. What will I do with myself?
I'm sure we'll think of something.

Robinson (Argyle) Reunion

Last weekend we went up AF Canyon to Mutual Dell to hang out with Brian's mom's side of the family. Gavin had fun fishing for his bear and climbing up and own the steps.

He thinks he's one of the big kids.

Lake Powell - One Week Later

We will never EVER be hesitant again about whether or not a trip to Lake Powell is worth it…getting a babysitter for days, time off work, packing coolers and planning meals, etc, etc. Not really that big of a deal, but some effort required.

Again, we were wrong. No questions asked. Worth it. 100%. I will always remember that. Next summer I will remember that. Right, Holly?!

Lake Powell: A little piece of heaven on earth.

The best company. My hubby, cousins, and an uncle and aunt whom I adore. Honestly.



In bed by 9:00. Awake at 6:00. Naps anytime I want. The perfect schedule.

A sky full of stars when I wake up in the middle of the night – five or six times at least. Fireworks everynight.


Swimming and sliding. “You got left, I’ll go right!” (This doesn’t work for a double-sliding, just so you know.) Falling in the water – stuck between jetski and houseboat. Oops.




6:17 am: Glassy water. Reached maximum speeds on the jet ski. Reflections of the walls of rock going deep in to the water. Wish we had a camera. We saw no on else there.

Games and more games. Laughing and lying. I am a good liar.


Yummy food. Everything tastes good at the lake.


Hiked Hole in the Rock. Straight up, all boulders, my cousin Jake pushing me up and carrying everyone’s stuff so our hands are free.




Thanks, everyone, for the BEST trip of the summer.

Untitled

I'm sick of looking at the title of my last post. I am not the worst mom ever. I have never seen a kid so excited to see his mom and dad as Gavin was when we got home from Lake Powell last week. That's got to mean something! Pictures forthcoming...just getting a few other things out of the way and then I can clean and unpack and get back to real life.

Worst mom ever

Yesterday Gavin wondered away from me for about one minute. I was in the front room on the computer and should have followed him, but didn't. I heard a loud crash and crying and I ran in his room to see the corner piece of furniture (a little hutch thing that hasn't been secured to the wall yet) LAYING ON TOP OF HIM. I felt awful. I could even take a picture of the bump that immediately popped out underneath his left eye. This morning I thought it would be a serious shiner, but it's just a little bruised.

So that's my wakeup call to not be a lazy mom and get up when I know I should. Ugh.

Our baby boy...growing up

I don't think we have a baby anymore. This kid is more and more toddler every day. Just look at this face -- a real boy!

This past month has been so exciting for him. He's learned to walk and there's no stopping him now. Just last week he figured out how to get himself to standing from sitting without holding onto anything. Without any training, he has figured out stairs, different levels of cement (cute little crab walk) and is bravely testing out new terrain. It's like he's always known how to do it. He just needed the chance. He falls 50 times and it doesn't bother him at all. He just gets back up and keeps on going.

He talks to us now...sometimes I feel like one word with him is an entire conversation. It's crazy to think that he actually knows what he's talking about! I know that's how it works, but it still is just fascinating to me. He says "mama" and "dada" and will bang at the door if he knows we're somewhere else. He says "up" when he's done eating or wants to be held and "nana" when he needs his favorite yellow treat. He says "bye-bye" with a wave and has said "hello" a few times. So sweet. I love his little voice. It's still so new that I'm the proudest mama anytime one of these comes flying out.

I love Gavin's interest and curiosity. He recently has developed a love of the outside. Only a few weeks ago we could leave him on a blanket out there in the backyard and know he would stay put -- he didn't want that gross grass feel itching his legs. Those days are long gone. Suddenly each leaf needs to be explored and fun-shaped rocks need to be tasted. Dirt is grabbed and dropped, again and again. Dirt mixed with water from the hose is even better. Only I'm thinking about his fingernails...but I'm quickly getting over that. He finds things out back and carries them around the yard...his treasures. Don't even think about taking them away before he is ready. Not a pretty sight.

I can see we're in a new phase of life. No more holding still for anything - there's just too much to see! I've got to gear up and get some more energy, because that's what it's going to take from now on. Hopefully I've got it, because our little boy is ready to go.

Twenty-first Century...Here I come!

This is me posting, for the first time EVER, from my very own home. No kidding. We finally got the internet! I think I'm going to like it. No more trips to the library - sitting in the car in the parking lot waiting for my bars to show me I've got a connection. The worst part was the worker guy who had to trek through the office only to not find a phone jack. Oops. The last choice was the bedroom. Yikes. Bed unmade, laundry unfolded, underwear on the floor. Someone please tell me your room looks like that! I just wasn't expecting a stranger to be sludging through it!

But, we do what we've got to do to be (finally!) technologically with-it. Hooray!