3 years, 9 months & 1 year, 6 months

Mom and Dad figured it out this month by giving us a fun photo location: My mattress on the floor. We sat still and even smiled!

John's communication skills have taken a leap this month. He repeats many words and uses his sign language quite a bit. Favorite words this month: Bye bye, thank you and foul ball. The foul ball words are typically said along with hand motions like a baseball umpire.

He does (or tries to do) everything I do. That cannot be understated. He's like a shadow and I'm often able to help Mom and Dad keep him occupied by asking him to come play with me. Unfortunately, there are a few big kid activities that I like to do and John doesn't understand why he is excluded (Play Doh and games with small parts, for example).

He loves to play with (or on) Keillor. Several times this past month we've turned around to see John sitting on him. It won't be long until John figures out how to ride him like a pony. 

John has also discovered a taste for dog food and treats. He loves to help feed Keillor in the mornings, but recently he's tried to sneak a piece or two for himself. When we leave for school each morning it's John's job to give Keillor two small treats. Most mornings he gives Keillor the first one and then tries to sneak the second one for himself.

My physical activity has made some advancements this month, as well. I asked to go straight to the playground after school on Monday and Dad thought that sounded fun. While he occupied John, I did about 15 trips down the slide on my own. In the recent past, I've always waited for a parent to meet me at the bottom of the slide. No help needed any longer! And I love to run. After putting my shoes on each morning, I like to take a few laps around the house. Same thing when I get to school (as long as the hallway is empty!). 

I am very excited for the Olympics and at least once a day I ask Dad if it's August yet. I'm most interested in watching the diving!

Monthly questions: 

Favorite sports team: Badgers

Favorite Twins player: Joe Mauer

Favorite dessert: Apple pie

Best friend: Reese (who moved to California last month)

John's best friend: Keillor

Favorite letter: T

Favorite book: The Book With No Pictures (by B.J. Novak)

Favorite lunch at home: Peanut butter tortilla

Favorite lunch at school: Sack lunch (a special treat on Fridays in the summer)

After church

Having fun after church last Sunday!

Family night

We had the end of the year Family Night at school last week. Like last year, it featured a train!

Unfortunately, not everyone enjoyed it.

Camping 5

Two last pictures from the camping weekend last week. 

Dad and John were out walking Keillor and happened upon a fire truck! The owner was selling it and had stopped at the top of the pass to get some rest the night before. Johnny hopped up and down in the backpack when he saw it.

Camping 4

More camping pictures.

Yes, Keillor came with. Yes, he had a great time. And yes, he got a bath on Sunday.

First breakfast on Sunday.

Thank you to Grandma Linda who explained to Dad what they would do with Uncle Jeff as a baby when they were setting up or breaking down camp. John played in his Pack and Play for 45 minutes while Dad packed up and took the tent down!

Camping 3

Camping on Saturday was a bit of a spa day for me:

Getting my hair done:

Doing my nails: 

Camping 2

John boycotted nap time while camping, so Dad took him on a bit of an outing hoping he'd snooze in the car. Nope! But they found a fun little river.

After getting out of the car and noticing the running water.

Tossing rocks and getting wet!

Camping 1

We went camping this past weekend! We joined two other families plus a few other friends at the top of Kenosha Pass. There were 17 people spread between the two campsites!

First on the agenda: Supper for the kids while Mom and Dad set-up camp.

That's our new tent in the background!

Snuggles

On Friday mornings Mom and Dad change the sheets on our beds. Part of the fun is that our mattresses get set on the floor for a bit of fun (jumping and wrestling). I had a different idea last Friday morning!

John is thinking, "How long until we get to do our regular jumping!?"

Helper

John typically gets up a little before me. After getting dressed, he likes to help Dad with morning chores before coming to wake me up.

Closing Keillor's food can after scooping out six pieces of food!

Bon appetit, Keillor!

Scooter

We took our bikes and scooter over to campus the other day. Unbeknownst to Mom and Dad, I had been practicing. They were amazed. Dad asked, "When did you get so good on the scooter?!" I replied, "My friends at school have been helping me!"

This kid is about 1/2" too short for his new balance bike. He enjoyed running around, though!

Library again

We made another trip down to the central library recently because there wasn't enough time to play with the computers the last time we were there. Of course we had to ride the escalators 3 or 4 times, as well!

Practicing holding a mouse.

Who needs a mouse when the computers are touch screens?!

Little brother being a little brother.

Bartender

Working the bar at Chris and Carrie's annual 4th of July party.

Guys on the porch

Zoo

Family trip to the zoo on the morning of the 4th of July. To our surprise, it was not even close to crowded!

We tried the wagon instead of the double-wide and it was perfect.

Not a very exciting picture, but a fun story: Dad saw this little area with kid-sized entrances. He said, "Tess and John! You should check this out because it's only for kids, not grown-ups."

I replied, "Cool, and it's for Mom!"

Spoon

John is normally a good spoon user. Except when Dad is trying to watch a soccer game in the other room and Mom has stepped away from the table.

Note the forehead yogurt from trying to "drink" from the container!

Water pup

Even Keillor enjoys the water table on hot days.

Sand

Mom was volunteering at Arvada's Sand in the City event last weekend. We went over to visit on Sunday.

Looking for gold coins in the sand.

Dad! Put the camera down and dig!

Picnic lunch in the shade, but still wearing the hat to keep the sun out of the eyes!

Hula hoop station.