Summertime Bliss and Papa's Birthday

Well, summer is officially here! It is hot, humid, and our grass is dying--and it's just barely July! We are (mostly) feeling better now, so I've been trying to get out and run errands again, cook actual meals for dinner, keep the house in some sort of working order, and start a regular walking routine with Lewis in the morning before it gets too hot. We walked this morning, so it's a start.

We were soooo super excited last week when a very summer-y care package arrived from Aunt Adie and Uncle Ben! In addition to two wonderful children's CDs by John McCutcheon, Ben and Adie included some tie-dyed onesies for Lewis! Every week, campers get to tie-dye a Waycross T-shirt or bandanna or whatever. Also, while we were on staff, the 'thing' to do was to go to the small grocery store in Bean Blossom, IN, to buy your very own 'Beautiful Downtown Bean Blossom' T-shirt. They come in all different colors. Now, thanks to B&A, Lewis has one of his very own! :) Thanks, guys!

A happy camper!

Summertime also means grilling time at our house! Kevin strapped Lewis into the Baby Bjorn the other night when he got home from work and gave him his first Manly Grilling tutorial. :) We made a twist on some fiesta burgers we've had in the past. The original recipe is a burger with a pocket of salsa and cheese inside. This time, we added green chilies to the meat (yum!), and Kevin/Lewis gave them a perfect char on the grill. Best burger of my life. We made 4, so we'll get to eat them again tonight! Burger, asparagus, macaroni and cheese, and a cold beer--summer bliss!

Father/Son Grilling Time

Lewis is completely fascinated by what we are eating, and especially drinking, these days. He seems to like to hear ice clank together and loves to suck on the bottom of a cold cup. While we were outside grilling the other night, and he became totally engrossed in Kevin's cup of beer.

Like looking in a mirror?

Oooh, what is that sparkling, cold beverage I see?

Give it to me.

Oh, come on!

Totally, completely fascinated!

Another sign of summer is Kevin's birthday (yesterday)! The big 3-4! It was a bit difficult to get Lewis to sit still long enough for a picture. He either tipped forward or kicked his feet in the air wildly. He is turning into a wild man!

Baking Kevin's birthday cake took a lot longer than usual this year! I had to time it during naps (or pop Lewis into his bouncy seat for a bit in the middle of the kitchen floor). I baked the cake first thing in the morning so it had time to cool. Then I made the icing during the 2nd nap and put it away to cool. Then I decorated during the 3rd nap. I went with a "Grill Master" theme this year...I make no claims about being an artist, so the grill is a bit conceptual. :) And the burgers and hot dogs turned out a bit 'rare' (pink and red icing will do that, I guess). It tasted good, which is what matters most! It was chocolate cake (triple chocolate fudge cake, rather) and cream cheese icing.

Kevin made it home from work in enough time to run out for a quick dinner at A.P. Crafters (a new place up the street). We had just enough time after dinner to sing Happy Birthday, blow out the candles, and snap a few pictures. Then we had to pause for L's bedtime, and then Kevin opened his gifts.

Make a wish!

Happy birthday, Papa!

So that is that! We have had to cancel some plans recently due to our never-ending illness(es). We were supposed to go help the Butts demo their bathroom last weekend and were supposed to go to Newport Aquarium with Keith, Maggie, and Colin the weekend before that. For now, we're starting to plan for and are looking forward to a week in Maine (Lewis' first flights!) with my parents at the end of July. Then a make-up trip to the aquarium in August! Still need to plan a weekend to go up and spend some time with the Butts and friends.

I think this weekend my parents are coming down for a visit, so that should be fun!