On Wednesday, Sam and Alison came over to our house to make us dinner. What a treat! How nice that I didn't have to worry about cooking. I just sat back with some brewskies and watched those two whip up the quickest chili ever. And they did two versions. One meat. And one veggie.
I asked them what they were making my family next Wednesday...
They just laughed.
(But I was serious.)
You know who else likes to cook? KK!
Actually, he's just more a fan of all the cabinets and drawers. He's quite the busy body. Loves opening, shutting, and pulling things out.
I had this past Friday off work. Which was awesome. (I got Friday off, because I worked on Monday due to student orientation. While grocery shopping on Sunday night really sucked. It was kind of worth it for a rare 4-day weekend!)
I kept Kale home with me on Friday (because I despise packing bottles and pumping) and we headed up to Centerra to do some shopping. I had a pair of jeans from my birthday that I wanted to exchange, and decided to turn the dreaded errand into an exciting shopping experience. We were going to make a day of it. Centerra has a lot to do. It's rather upscale. A pretty place to meander and people watch.
I love it when he rides with both feet up in the air like that. He was in a great mood. Such a good shopper.
After scoring with some goods sales and coupons, Kale and I grabbed lunch right off the main plaza - where we overlooked a fountain and a kid's splash zone. I want to take Sage with me next time. It looked like fun.
My tacos...
Afterwards, I wanted to walk through their 1.5 mile Chapungu sculpture park, featuring 82 African hand-carved stone sculptures. Really stunning artwork. But the temperature had soared to 85 degrees. Kale was sweating and was overdue for his nap. So we took an abbreviated walk. I want to go back this summer and do the whole thing. (Next time, I also want to hit up the gelato shop just off the trailhead....You know, I think I might have just planned a stellar playdate for the next time I have a Friday off. Note to self. Remember this!)
Three hours later we returned home. Kale was spent.
But I was able to perk him (and everyone else) up with a trip to TCBY.
Then the sugar rush hit...
The next morning we headed to a nursery to let Matt pick out some belated Father's Day gifts. Plants for the garden. For Sage, it was just as good - if not better - than going to the park.
They even had a sand box filled with diggers. And a tree house!
Later in the afternoon, I asked Sage to do some splatter painting with me.
At first he did a great job, keeping it on the paper....
Then he started to paint himself.
It's washable. So I encouraged it!
Obviously, I followed up this activity with an emergency bath.
While giving Sage his bath, I found Big Bear across the hall. Laying in bed - just like you see below. And I thought to myself...he really needs to stop with the mid-day margaritas.
Before our Chinese food delivery arrived we went out for a quick stroll in the cul-de-sac.
Look who's big enough to ride the push cart now!
And... look who's big enough to push it!
I was tickled to see Sage taking such good care of his little brother. It was a proud mama moment for me.
Sunday was pool day. It was our first real swim of the summer. We got there at 10am. It's quiet at that time. Don't have to fight the crowds. We hung out for three hours.
Sage resisted using a raft at first. But after I begged him to try it, he discovered how fun it is to float around.
And then it was beloved snack time. For whatever reason, I love snack time at the pool. I think it all started when I was a kid, and we had a pool membership, with an awesome snack bar. I remember swimming almost every day one summer. Eating french fries and ice-cream drumsticks like it was no one's business.
I think Sage really figured out how to take it easy at the pool. Lounging like a king!
Kale loved the water bubblers.
Snack time again!!
(Yep - we had two of them. And we got nachos and otterpops this second time.)
We went home for a quick round of naps. Then headed out to a BBQ with friends.
And that concluded a very long, but eventful, 4-day weekend.
Kale had his official 9-month appointment this week. He's 55th percentile for weight. And 85th percentile for height. And he's learning new skills everyday. He loves to play catch...and actually throws the ball back every single time without fail. He also has a new fake laugh that is just hilarious to witness. With a wide open mouth, gums and tonsils in clear view. He acts like what you said is so funny that he can't breath, with big vocalized inhales. It is the BEST! He's such an actor. Knows how to really work a room. (But still can't figure out how to crawl across it. Oh well!)
