Our summer has sure been a busy one, and I swear it is flying by faster than I can keep track of the days and weeks.
I loved this moment this last month when we went to the park after stopping by the grocery store to pick up a few things, including the Lunchables you guys talked me in to. Tessa was really cold, so she was sitting out in the sun, and you decided to leave the blanket where I was sitting with Tyson in shade to go sit next to her. You both sat there so nicely and ate your lunches and shared the treat that came with them. For all the times I end up yelling at you guys to play nice, it seems like there are a few moments when you play nice together without being asked.
Another day we headed down the creek and tried to look for frogs. Last year we had been able to find some little tiny ones that had just grown from tadpoles, so that's kind of what I was looking for. After about 20 minutes of looking we decided that there must not be any frogs yet this year, and we started looking for a nice shady spot to sit down while you guys played. Just then I about stepped right on this big momma frog. You and the girls had a good time watching her swim (trying her best to get away), and you caught her quite a few times. All in all it was a good day at the creek, but I haven't been that excited to go back. I forgot just how smelly, sandy, and hot we get there!
I snapped this quick picture one morning when we were getting ready for the day. If dad has the day off we usually all end up sleeping in a little bit later than usual, and then I go get Ty from his crib and bring him in to our bed to play for a bit before we come to terms with the fact that our day has started. You must have good Tyson radar because not long after Tyson starts talking and making noise, pretty quick we hear you coming across the laminate floor in the kitchen to join us, followed by Tessa (unless she's dead to the world asleep like she sometimes is). It's kind of a fun moment to have everyone lounging around in the big bed for a bit before we start our day.
Another picture from the park. I found a nice tree that I like to sit under in the shade with Tyson while you and Tessa play, and it is across the big green lawn from the splash pad. I watched you come running toward me and grabbed my phone to take a picture as quick as I could because it was just such a classic summertime boy moment to see you running with all you had and dripping wet from the water on a warm day. I wish I had your energy, and I hope you keep it for a while.
We went up to the Fish Lake cabin with Grandma and Grandpa Hillier and Aunt Lisa and Uncle Joe. We like this cabin, but you and Tessa LOVE this cabin. Could it be the little creek that runs right next to it? Yeah I think it is considering you were constantly asking one of us to go down and watch you so you could play down there. I'm pretty sure you talked Grandpa in to it more than anybody.
For your birthday you got a Lego set with instructions to build all sorts of different things like semi trucks, trailers, and helicopters. I thought you would probably need quite a bit of help to build them, but you proved me wrong. You follow the instructions like a pro and come up with things like this all the time.
On the 4th of July we went to the parade. I normally cringe at the thought of going to the parade, and really wasn't looking forward to going with a baby PLUS you and Tess, but it was actually really cool that morning and perfect weather for the parade. You guys got enough candy to make you happy but not TOO much, and we got to see dad riding in the back of his patrol truck with Smokey. He is usually toward the end of the parade, and we end up hanging around for them to come back by because we know that dad will have some candy saved to hand out just for you guys, and this year was no different.
Playing with chalk paint one morning. I LOVE your plaid and stripes.
Dad went out on a fire detail with the helicopter, and because I like to have his truck here while he is gone we had to drive him to the office. His hard hat was in the truck, so you and Tessa and I took turns trying it on. You guys looked pretty cool in it (even if you are wearing it backwards), and when I put it on dad said that's how he remembers me from the summer we met!
We had the Veater reunion the weekend after the 4th of July, and you learned how to ride your bike without training wheels! It worked out perfectly because Quade had his bike there, and it is a bit shorter than yours, enough that you could put both feet down to steady yourself. You just kept taking it up to the top of the camp and then getting on and riding it down to the bottom of the little slope at the other end of camp. Dad helped get you started a few times, but pretty soon you didn't want anyone's help. After we got home I took your training wheels off your Lightning McQueen bike, and after a few shaky starts (it's a little taller than what you had been used to...) you were riding like a pro. Me and dad are so proud of you!
The next weekend we had the Hatch reunion at Tropic Reservoir. You, Tessa, and Quade rode your bikes all day long and had a blast. You raced in race against the other boy there that was 5 too. You didn't quite win, but you said that it was because you were running to Uncle Dusty (since your dad was in Oregon with the helicopter), and if you had been running to me or dad you would have won! You are such a nerd. We went on a scavenger hunt to a few of the other Hatch camps and were the third group to make it back with our stuff. It was a pretty fun time, and I think you will start to remember the Hatch reunion just like your dad does from when he was small.
Whew! It was a busy month with lots of things going on, and I don't really see it slowing down until you start school next month. We found out that you are going to be in Mrs. DeMille's afternoon class, and I think you are pretty excited. You read EVERYTHING you can get your eyes on. Signs on the side of the road, cereal boxes, you name it. It is so fun to see you become so good at it and also LOVE it. Some of the books you are reading without much trouble at all are 4th grade level! We love to see you read to Tessa, and I hope you keep that up too. You are learning so much so fast with your reading and bike riding, etc., and it has made for a couple of really proud parents this month.
Love you bud,
Mom
