Babies, Bubbles and Bounce Houses

First off, let me start by informing you that it is called a bounce house, not a jump house. Just ask Ava. Today, my wonderful friend Lindsey and I took our little ones to the park and rec Playground Fair. We started with a picnic in the park, followed by lots and lots of requests for going into the bounce house. For those not in the know, the Playground Fair is put on by the park and rec department where there are games (i.e. Pick a Duck, Plinko) and very large inflatable entertainment (i.e. rock climbing wall, the infamous bounce house) all for an insanely affordable price. It was a wonderful afternoon.

In between lunch, the playground and the fair, there were bubbles.

Tate and Maverick were little movin' machines. I think they have to be best friends growing up so that we can use all these pictures of them together as babies for graduation and wedding slide shows.

Tate, meet bubbles

It is always so fun to watch Tate do anything, but it was especially amazing to see him discover all the new things of the afternoon.

Like I said: lot of pictures together = prerequisite to a long friendship

This was in front of the fire engine that at the fair for everyone to sit in and inspect. Editor's note: it took five pictures to get one of all three of them looking.

Tate playing in Tiny Tot Playland

Linds, Ava and Mav, we loved spending the afternoon with you! Thank you for being wonderful friends!

Busy Bees

We are more than half way through the summer already! Where did all that time go? Oh yeah, we were busy living a fabulous life filled with friends, family and fun. As if there is any other way to spend our time? The only thing better would be less mosquitoes and more snacks and wine...but we have the rest of the summer to work on that. Enjoy some snapshots of our busy-ness...

Being an excellent helper and walking Bru

Splashing in a Tate-sized fountain

Relaxing and having some "guy time" with Daddy, on the river

playing eating ping pong

picking plums at the farm

Discovered another fountain at the park...and may have broken the rules and played in it

Something to Stand For

Tate got a new toy. Let's be honest. It seems like Tate gets a new toy for every day that ends in "y". But I think this is a special toy. Every time we walk into his room, Tate's head swivels so that he is able to maintain eye contact with his beloved toy. This toy not only captures the little man's attention for far longer than any of his other toys, it has also become a great way for Tate to practice his standing.

Just like the big boys!

Very busy making some toast and practicing his "wide stance".

This may have been when I told Tate we were done playing.

Not a Fan

I came downstairs while Dave was home on lunch and asked what he thought of my interview outfit. Like a good husband, he offered a couple of compliments and gave a verbal thumbs up.

"Huuuh." voiced the little man playing on the floor.

I bent down to his level.

"Tate, do you like Mama's outfit?"

"Huuuh." (think adorable sound with an upward inflection at the end).

"Do you think I look professional?"

"Huuuh."

"Can you wish Mama good luck on her interview?"

Silence. Little man goes back to playing.

"Tate, you don't want Mama to do well today?"

Silence.

Dave chimes in. "Maybe he's having too much fun at home with Mama. He doesn't want you to be away more."

"Huuuh."

Awww, Tater. Your lack of support warms my heart. I love spending time with you too!

Raindrops Keep Falling

We have had a lot of rain over the past two days and I mean a lot a lot; as in six inches within twenty-four hours or so. There has been so much rain that some of it has decided to visit our basement. As we speak, Dave is downstairs with the shop-vac attempting to be rid of as much excess water as possible (and yes, I am sitting upstairs, with my feet propped up, blogging about it). It is all very frustrating and could potentially border on expensive, but it is things like this that almost make it worth it. Almost.

They both could sit out there for as long as I would let them.

Bon Appetite

When it comes to Tate and food, he loves it all. We have been trying to expose him to a wide variety of tastes and flavors; for example Tate is already in love with avocados, beans, applesauce and blueberries, gelato, graham crackers and cheerios...you get the idea. As of last night, we can add spaghetti to the list. Good thing bath time followed dinner time.

Sunshine and Rain

On Saturdays, we have a great farmer's market downtown and it just so happens Dave and I live the perfect walking distance from said downtown. Yesterday was a wonderful little family day, where we picked up delicious treats at the farmer's market and our Tater got his first taste of gelato! ***On a somewhat related yet unrelated topic, I have collected another camera lovin' victim. All of the pictures in today's blog were taken by my one and only, Dave.

p.s. I think he did an excellent job.

He loved it so much he wanted to take care of the spoon handling himself.

We also had a nice little storm roll through and our little storm chaser loved every minute of it.

Tate's List of Likes:

Being outside on the porch - check

Rain - check

Being naked - check

Filling Our Days

Dave got a new job (yay!) which means he got to take a week off and hang out with his two favorites. (Dave, I am referring to me and Tate, not the World Cup and your bike). It feels like we've done so much, yet really not much of anything with our time together. As always though, my camera was clicking away. Here, look...

One more picture from his first visit up to the cottage. (note to social services: please do not be alarmed, i did not place my baby unattended on a dock. Rama-who Tate is checking out-was within arms reach the whole time)

It never fails-when we have a fussy baby, sitting on the porch is a guaranteed cure.

He's a stinker...er...thinker

Somebody to Love

Dear Whoever Invented the Mirror,
  I love you. You have given my son an instant playmate (and most recently, a makeout partner) which in turn gives Mama 2.75 minutes of quiet time. Again, I love you.

Never Totally been kissed.