Ah, Summer, how I love thee...

Let me count the ways:

Approximately 52.

Mosquito bites, that is.

A small improvement

From this...

To this!

And this!

Looks are deceiving

Sure, it looks like these two sweet boys are playing nicely together. And they were. For a while. A very short while. Then there were three time outs, lots of crying and a strong drink. The drink helps Evan take the edge off.

New words from Grant

I'm amazed at Grant's ability to repeat and sound out words. He's not walking yet, but he's definitely communicating! He says doggy, quack quack, go, ball, ma, dad and he signs the word for "more." Such a change from Evan who walked at 11 months and didn't talk until several months later. And now he won't stop talking, go figure.

Overheard in the Terreri kitchen today:

Evan: "I am NOISY!"


Um, yeah. Understatement of the year!

B-B-Q

The rain took a brief break this afternoon, giving us enough time to enjoy our friend's lush lawn and back yard for a Memorial Day barbecue. (Thanks Kevin & Katie & welcome baby Bryce!)





Evan had lots-o-fun using the croquet mallets like a golf club.

Becky, Baby Will, Belle dog and Grant.

Evan holding all of the croquet balls.

Every evening...

At 5:30...


When I'm trying to make dinner...


A curious little creature sits at my feet

clings to my legs

and begs to be picked up.

And if he weren't this cute, I'd probably say no.

Cute kids in new pjs

Think Grant is trying to tell us something?

Rock climbing

We checked out a local rock climbing gym as a possible option for Evan's birthday party (he'll be inviting two of his best friends). While Evan did very well, I think the bowling alley is more the speed for a 3-year-old birthday party.

The letter Z

For a few nights in a row earlier this week, Evan snuggled up with his most favored "ni-night bear"... and the letter Z. Upon request. "Mom, I need to sleep with the letter Z!"

I have said....

That this will be the year when we get our front yard looking nice... if it kills me. Well, I started the grueling work of raking, digging, planting... and then we called in the professionals. For anyone who's visited, you may well remember the front "pit," which looked something like this:




And now it looks like this:

More pics to come once the grass is in (it's starting to grow!) and we start the landscaping.

Point of view

A turning point

In the last few weeks, I've encountered--on several occasions--Evan and Grant playing together. And, I might add, nicely together. I can finally see the beginnings of a foundation for brotherhood and friendship and it's so sweet. Now mind you, it's not all peaches and cream. In fact, I spend a lot of my time playing mediator..."Give Grant the car back, Evan. He had it first." To which, Evan responds, "Look, he's all done with it, he's giving it back to me!" Riiiight. Or I'm saying "Grant, no no-- don't knock Evan's tower over, that's not nice." To which, Grant replies "ehhhhh!"

And I'm sure this is only the beginning. Of friendship and rivalry.

Boys and trucks

Tis true what they say, boys do love trucks. Last weekend, we were treated to a sort of truck fest in our town where kids were allowed to touch, climb on and sit in all kinds of vehicles. Fun times, but we're hoping that it's the ONLY time where evan will pose for a smile in the back of a police car.

Can you spot Grant in this picture?

A Mother's Day Survey

{as answered by Evan, May 8, 2009}




I really love it when my mommy... flies balloons.


My mommy likes to... cook.


My mommy always tells me... you better listen!


It makes me happy when my mommy... at breakfast time.


The best thing my mommy cooks is... a samwich.


When my mommy shops, she buys... groceries.


I love my mommy because... I like her.

What to do during a black out

Don headlamps and read books!

Baby Grant turns 1

Can you believe it? I know I can't. Who knew that one little person could add so much more fun, chaos and adventure to our lives? We can't wait to see what the future holds for our sweet Grant.

The theme of the party was Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar (which will help explain several of the following pictures).


My caterpillar cake creation (with a little help from a nifty cake pan from Williams-Sonoma).

Caterpillar on a clothesline.

Baby grant, from 0 to 12 months (click to see larger).

How would you react if a caterpillar head was on your plate?

Some of the party-goers.

Grant enjoying a new book (thanks Uncle DJ & Aunt Heather!).

Grant (and Evan) enjoying a birthday present (thanks Aunt Kim & Uncle Shane!).

The [in]famous ball popper. Thanks a lot (you know who you are).

Grandma Soon and Grant (I just love this picture!).

Yep, he still sucks his thumb!