Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia
Originally uploaded by butwait.

Just another beautiful night in Princeton.

That's a LOT!

That's a LOT!
Originally uploaded by butwait.

For those of you who have lost track, Mr. D provides a clue (and some commentary via facial expression) as to the exact number of candles now required for Tama's birthday cake. (We gave up and went out for ice cream instead.)

Many thanks to those of you who have shared with us reports of beastly local weather in our hometown (and in some of yours, too)... fabulous weather really does feel even better when you know you're escaping some sticky nightmare of a day somewhere else. We had a great week of camping at good old North of Highlands, and are now living it up at the Best Western way out at the tip of the Cape. Adventures have included tree climbing -- Mr. D now has a pair of pants that he calls his climbing pants -- bike riding (Mr. D's in the trailer still, so we're in great shape), a witnessing of a historically accurate re-enactment of ship-to-shore rescue techniques, lots of kayaking and beach time (still no burns, Grampy!), and now, a week of hotel decadence complete with pool and nearby wireless access so I can update y'all on the latest. La di dah.

The little man has been learning a lot. He's napping now, but earlier today he and Tama were working on a model schooner they picked out at the Province Lands Visitors' Center the other day.... he's quite a good little paint mixer. He can also now smack a mosquito with the best of them (the bugs have generally not been a problem, but when dusk falls, LOOK OUT!)... the other day after killing one that had somehow snuck into the hotel room he turned to us and said, "We are hard monsters to them, aren't we?" Quite pleased with himself, and maybe a tiny bit horrified.

Tama's all wet!

Tama's all wet!
Originally uploaded by butwait.

Mr. D apparently felt that Tama hadn't truly EXPERIENCED the bay to the extent she might have during her six mile solo trip up the Cape Cod "arm" from the mouth of the Pamet River to Provincetown. Nothing a little watering can action can't fix!

Ready to defend his home away from home

Ready to defend his tent
Originally uploaded by butwait.

For those among you who were skeptical of our stated goal of getting Mr. D to sleep in his own tent during our week of camping, here's proof positive that he pulled it off. Of course we had to make sure he had his new alligator squirter handy in case, well, you know, just in case.

Just not a FAN

Yesterday Mr. D and I shared a mini-bagel as an after-school snack. I put mine in the toaster, he asked me why, and I explained that I sometimes like the crunchiness of toasted things. But that I wasn't going to toast his because he doesn't really like toasted foods. "I do," he quickly corrected. "I like some things toasted. Sometimes. [pause] I'm just not a FAN of that."

Okay then. Glad we got that cleared up.

Jump!

Jump!
Originally uploaded by butwait.

One would generally expect a photo entitled "Jump!" to at least include the feet of the subject, but in this case... well, there's just not much point. Yet. Miss E was certainly TRYING to celebrate Independence Day by freeing her feet from good ol' Mother Earth, but it just wasn't happening for her. She does get an A for effort, and an A+++ for cuteness. Just LOOKING at that little smile makes me want to scoop her up for a snuggle. After first begging her Ladyship's permission and pardon, of course. Thanks for the hospitality, L, J, & E!

Cousins + Sand Crabs = Fun!

Cousins + Sand Crabs = Fun!
Originally uploaded by butwait.

It is nothing short of a minor miracle that I managed to get these four to stay still long enough to all fit into one picture. Mr. D coudn't be coaxed away from a very important wave-jumping engagement, and Summer was catching up on her cutie-rest. (Similar to beauty-rest, but for sweetie pie toddlers.)

Cheek to Cheek

Cheek to Cheek
Originally uploaded by butwait.

On the other hand, beautiful sunny beach days are pretty darned excellent!

Rainy Day

Rainy Day
Originally uploaded by butwait.

Who cares about a rainy day? We've got games and imagination!