Mini-vaca part 2

We spent a couple of days in the Big O for our vacation.  It was great not being on a schedule. At least for Owen and I.  Jim took care of some painting at his mother's, so he wasn't quite as liberated as we were. :)

One of the things we did was spend time with Uncle Brian and Aunt Sonya at their pool. (Ignore the dates on my photos AGAIN.)

Owen loves hanging out with Uncle Brian.

Owen and Daddy

Owen and Daddy again.

Owen loves being thrown! 

Mini-vacation

We had a mini-vacation! Part of it included going to Holid*y World.

We had a great time! I was surprised at how much there was to do for little kids.

But mainly it was great because Owen had a blast...the ENTIRE DAY.

I didn't really have my hopes up, because I felt reasonably certain it would be too much to do for very long, for someone his age.

Surprise! He tried everything he was big enough for. He LOVED everything he tried!

And was still going strong when we left the park and stopped for Chinese food.

He hit it off immediately with the owners' sons.

He concluded with

  "this was the best day EVER!" after going strong for a solid 12 hours. :)

More Summer

This is the first summer that I haven't worked during the day, and Owen hasn't been in childcare.

Wow. Who knew we'd be so busy?!

We've spent a LOT of time at our city's parks.

The fellas had been running, and were taking a break. They weren't as unhappy as they look. :)

Investigating the local insect population.

Abby, being an excellent companion, while Owen played with his Magna-tiles.

(Again, ignore the dates on my camera. :( )

Feeling artistic....and prolific.

I got that box FULL of paints at our local homeschool book swap for $3!

And after it was all said and done, and we'd cleaned up and put everything away, Owen announced that ALL the pictures were for Daddy. I didn't even rank ONE! What's up with that?

With a little help from our friends....

This is a post to try and help a friend, Annie, and her family raise the funds to bring their daughter home from China

.

I've never met Annie in person.

Seem a little strange to call someone you've never met a friend?

I can only say, you've never had occasion to speak to her, then.

As you know, we've been in the process of adopting for a while now.

Years.

It's a long, involved, confusing, frustrating process.

And from almost the first moment of information gathering, Annie has been there for me.

She's been supportive, encouraging, informative and just all-around available.

Please go to her blog, pick any post you'd like, and you'll start to see the heart of this person,

and you will be moved.

Cornbread and Chopsticks

Daddy

This is Daddy. 

This is almost always the expression on his face.

We are blessed.

This is Batman's jail.

Built on the spur of the moment.

Because Owen said Batman needed a jail.

You may remember Owen's Halloween costume.

Built by Daddy.

Because Owen wanted to be Wall-e.

He wore it 2010 AND 2011, by request.

(Ignore the dates on my pictures, yet again.)

He is currently waffling between wearing it 2012, or being Iron Man.

I asked Owen on Father's Day what he loved best about Daddy.

He said, "He fixes my toys!"

That's something of an understatement. :)

We should own stock in Super Glue.

Our kitchen counter looks like a minitaure body shop or mad scientist's lab,

depending on what toy is being repaired

on any given day.

We love you, Daddy, for both your disposition AND your handiness!

Love,

Owen and Mommy

Swimming

 Owen is taking swimming lessons this summer....

I have some great video, but can't load it for some reason...

Jim will have to look into that when he gets a chance....

But suffice it to say that Owen loves it! :)

Owen's Photography

I've neglected posting lately, so decided to download the pics off the camera to see what I could post about.  I found that Owen had been taking pictures again. I thought some of them were quite good! Ignore the dates on the photos. It's obviously not January in these pics.

One of the (many) parks where we play

An abandoned scooter at park

Self photography

Dad grilling

Owen found Abby hiding from a thunder storm in a new place

food and water (for the dogs)

Ma and Pa

The cucmber seeds Memaw gave him at Easter have produced!