Mr. M's Aunt Joan shared these pictures with me from his cousin's high school graduation party.  Thanks Aunt Joan!

with Grandma

with cousin Julie

with Mommy

and looking to see how he can break out of jail...

Opening Day 2010

Pool Opening that is...

J & I had his friend Dottie & my friend (her mom) Laura over to help us *open the pool* for the year.  The kids had a blast...

Both were very anxious to get into the water, and neither really wanted to get out for lunch when it was time.  Although, it was J who had the meltdown.  Although, the promise of food coupled with dry clothes helped to quickly resolve it.

What amazed me about our time in the pool was how J just took to the water this year & tired swimming right off the bat.  Last year, we had a infant jacket - not really a life jacket, but kind of.  So we introduced the idea of kicking & paddling.  I wasn't sure how much of it stuck until Friday.  Granted, he had on a life jacket, but he was doing a great job treading water & using his arms to paddle from point (a) to where he wanted to go at point (b). 

Shortly after lunch, we realized it was going to rain, so the girls left & I put J down for a nap.  He slept 3 hours.  Swimming really tuckered him out...  It was WONDERFUL... I got laundry done & some relaxing time of my own before getting back into the swing of play time for all.

After Friday, I am very excited for summer & all it has to bring.  Now if Mother Nature would just cooperate to give us sunshine every Friday, Saturday & Sunday - then summer will be pretty perfect.

Following Uncle Jeff...

While we were with my brother & sister-in-law over the weekend, we visited her parents.  They have a house on a lake, and were having the family over for a yearly celebration, so we stopped by for a couple of hours before getting on the road to have dinner with my parents.

It was so much fun to watch J stick to Jeff.  J was fascinated by the fish nibbling his legs.  The water play time, and being able to jump off the raft towards Uncle Jeff over and over and over again.  I was worried, he'd have a problem waiting his turn, as we hear "My turn" often in our own home, when J wants to do something, but he didn't.  He patiently waited for his cousin to get her turn, and she returned the favor.

Since I often see my brother in J, it was especially neat for me to see them together bonding...

Although, I did crack up laughing when J decided he'd help Uncle Jeff & Mr. D put up the food tent... J's version of help, was to un-stake the poles right after the guys got them staked... Mr. D chuckled as well, being a grandfather to many... Uncle Jeff... Well, he was more impressed with my redirection skills, than J's help.  :)

Happy Birthday to Me...

Yep... Today is my, and my dear friend, whose nickname also happens to be Ali & is also from Michigan, who also graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro a year after me (she's a year younger) birthday!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!!!!

Developing Sea Legs

J had his first boat ride over Memorial Day weekend.  Grandma & Grandpa P have a pontoon.  He LOVED it!  He especially loved when Grandpa let him drive.

And the whole state lake heard J's unhappiness when he didn't.  But minor things like not taking out another boat, or driving around in a small circle, or running over those skiers, tubers, or jet skiers caused Grandpa to regain control several times.

J was fascinated by nature this weekend.  He was also fascinated by the fact when he threw things overboard on the boat, that they were truly gone.  He kept asking where his water bottle cap went, after pitching it overboard.  You know he truly is trying to learn the concept, because his voice is so innocent.  He really thought he we would be able to get it, and was truly perplexed it was gone.

Another thing that perplexed J was an old toy phone from when my mom(?) or maybe my Aunt was a child.  I recall spending many hours playing with preparing for my life attached to a phone this phone at my grandparents.  Today the cord has been cut, or maybe simply fell off, but it still looks like the old rotary phone. 

J, on the other hand, was totally perplexed where the buttons to push were...

Proud Grandparents...

Yesterday, J had the opportunity to spend the morning with Daddy & the afternoon with Grandma & Grandpa M.  Spending the afternoon riding the horse carousel at the mall & just generally walking around & burning some energy.  Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures to share, as I was working while all this fun was occurring.

Thank you again for watching J while daycare was closed!

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Considering Grandma & Grandpa P winter in sunny Florida, and live somewhere
in between my brother & me in the summer, it is rare we are able to family pictures with them...

So that was one of the bonuses of the past weekend.  It was fun getting to see my parents be the proud grandparents!  This year was especially neat as Camryn (age: 4) has grown more independent over the past year and actually basked in the attention.  J (age: 2) has never been one to shy away from attention.  Even Mallory (age: 1) seems to be starting to spread her wings as she moves into toddler hood. 

Although, I do have to admit, J isn't much of a fan of sharing my attention.  Or actually, the spotlight would be more accurate.  We are having to start having the conversations about how he does not tell us to "stop". 

That said, I recall my own childhood, and know he comes by it naturally.

Let's see those swimmers...

Cam's

J

J & Cam's had so much fun playing in the water together.  Cam's was sooo good about sharing her Dad with her cousin, so he could play too (since Mommy did not bring her swimsuit).