Muddy Buddies

What do you do when there is a mountain in your backyard? You climb it!

What do you do when there is a tractor in the backyard? You climb in!

And what do you do when said tractor removes said mountain, and all you're left with is a half-finished pool and a lot of dirt?

YOU MAKE MUD!

Both of your abilities to commune with your world, and find something fun and creative to do no matter the circumstances- even if things get dirty- amaze me.

So keep having fun, keep playing in the mud, and keep making a mess!


(outside)

One last time: Cousins, Uncles & Aunts, Summer Fun

Just between our annual summer beach trip and the first day of school, while 3 of your amazing older cousins and an awesome Aunt and Uncle were still in town, we crammed in a LOT of family fun into one weekend:

We had a Shabbat dinner/Wrestling match:

We took a trip to a super cool comic store:

We went Kayaking on White Rock Lake:

..and we had one last burger and some sweet goodbyes (for now!) at Twisted Root

Like I said...we crammed in a LOT of love and family into an awesome weekend, and an awesome summer.

You and your cousins are such a great multi-decade-spanning friendship; and I hope that beautiful relationship continues to grow and thrive!

For the ocean is big and my boat is small. Find the courage.

One Sunday, Aidan, you, and me and a bunch of the other amazing Hiking Laser Bears gathered at Parker's house to build and test boats made of only cardboard and duct tape. Even though there were a lot of shipwrecks, the whole day was a swimming success!

Your interest was piqued all week leading up to the big event. You were giving me ideas left and right about how we were going to build the boat, coming up with a lot of interesting ideas that involved sails, and motors, and general sea-worthy improvements.

When we got there, you were engaged immediately:

You helped bring in the cardboard:

You were pleased to see your friends, especially Baz!

You helped me draw out the base of the boat, by your own designs:

And then, you and the boys largely ditched the dads and went onto the slide and into the pool.

Leaving dear-old-dads to build these cardboard vessels. 

You did come to check on me occasionally and lay down a few random pieces of tape.

But when the time came to race the boats, you came and took the boat by the horns; you drew your skull and crossbones on the flag, and carted our dinghy poolside to race.

We were happy to welcome Loch aboard our vessel for the maiden voyage, although in hindsight he might have had second thoughts!

The boat flipped over immediately upon trying to load-in the sailors, and was pretty much a wash after that! There was an emergency rescue of Loch, and then you stayed aboard until the ship completely disintegrated into the ocean deep.

The best part was that you weren't discouraged by the sinking. You and Parker immediately decided to go build something out of cardboard- a house, I believe- and you were gonna do it yourselves!

But then there were Popsicles. And where there are popsicles, there can be nothing else.

I had fun working with you, and watching you play with friends. I have a sinking suspicion that we'd both like to try this again! And I'd be happy to work with you again, my boat-builder and intrepid boat-captain!

Ahoy, matey!

The Music Makers

Sunday morning. 

Pancakes made by Aidan, Julia, and Daddy were eaten and enjoyed by the aforementioned people and Mommy.

Breakfast is over.

The day is still new.

Out comes the piano. And the brother and sister begin some adorable, hilarious, music-making, booty-shaking merriment. 

The music was good; the laughter was unforgettably amazing. Such giddiness, such good friends, such a good start to a Sunday morning. 

May you two always find a way to make music together. 

Through lunch and beyond.

Aidan and Mommy and Daddy Date

One Satuday Julia went on a special play date with her buddy; and that means you, Aidan, got a special play date with your Mom and Me all by yourself.

The morning started with some musical interludes and lessons from Mommy.

...and ended up making a big splash as we went to one of your favorite places: the Children's Aquarium at Fair Park!

We loved having some two-on-one time with you, our special, sweet, animal-loving, smooch-giving young man.