A vast update: Many photos

It's been a while, so the events of recent weeks are depicted below--see the captions for explanations. Quotes from Susan are interspersed, in italics.

On July 4 our neighborhood had a little parade. It was pouring an hour beforehand, but let up in time. The neighborhood kids congregated in a cul de sac, and followed a fire engine throughout the neighborhood, ending with popsicles in another cul de sac.

The kids had a great time. I walked next to a fellow carrying the Penfield Garden Club banner. He asked me if I was a member. I laughed and suggested he hadn't seen our lawn. He said he wasn't either--someone had given him the banner to carry! It was a very muggy day--just standing was enough to leave you drenched. I started out pulling Josh in a little wagon, but soon he wanted to run after the other kids, so I had to chase him with wagon in tow.

Here's Josh standing in awe of the fire engine. The kids were also given ample opportunity to crawl around inside.

Sam went for his fourth year to the Hochstein Art and Music Camp. The week culminates in a big program for the parents. The had music and dances from around the world. The did a nice job. 

Sam actually had some rough separation anxiety with this camp. No problems with the one a couple of weeks before at the art museum, but as the week went on he was literally begging not to be dropped off. He'd plead, earnestly, as if he were being sent to his death. But as soon as it began each day we were told he had a fine time, and each day at pickup he said it'd been a good day.

We didn't relent: he had to go. And we'd remind him that the previous day, despite his anxiety, he'd had a good time. By Friday he conquered it, and had a very good final day and performance. Thank the Lord!

He had an interesting comment. He said he thought it was like that guy (a prince?) in The Silver Chair, one of the Narnia books. He's been convinced that if he leaves the silver chair he'll turn into a monster, and so he never leaves it--until he does, only to discover none of his fears came true. Sam said his anxiety reminded him of this, because he was so afraid, but then once he did it, it was okay.

Sam's on the near end.

Josh and I wandered the balcony during the performance.

This was a random Saturday activity from this past weekend: fill Josh's crib with stuffed animals after his nap

Like everywhere else, it's been very hot. Josh was already a clothing minimalist, and has gotten more extreme in the heat. Here, he relaxes with an improving book.

This was from a few weeks ago. From Susan: 

Regarding the tractor photo:

Josh was having such fun playing with his set of Jesus and the ark full of animals. You know, Jesus, and those animals he had, and that ark he built...
Later he started calling Noah "Bob the Builder." When you think about it, Noah, Jesus, and Bob the Builder did all have carpentry in common.

A week ago when it was in the low 90s Susan took the boys in the morning to the zoo.

Super hot and humid day for the zoo, but lots of fun. Josh ran right over to the sea lions and shouted, "Sea gulls!" And they remained sea gulls the entire time we were there...

Hot, hot hot.

The zoo has a little wading stream running through it, in the shade. Perfect for hot days.

Aquarium at the zoo.

We recently got a new family microscope. Sam's been having a ball with it. Josh is still getting the hang of it, as you can see.

Now that we have a working microscope, it's COOL when the bread goes moldy.

Took Sam and Josh to the playground next to the library after the weekly Monday library night. Josh played and Sam plopped down an read the whole time.

Coolest Sam question in a few days:

Q: If there were a whirlpool in a river, would the whirlpool move downstream?

A (from Daddy): While you can have a whirlpool in a river, it stays in one place and does not move downstream with the current.

From another day:

Sam has become King of the Disclaimer. For example:

"Mom, I think I know what you're going to say to this, so it's not that I think you'll say yes, in fact you'll probably say no, but I want to ask just in case because it's Friday and..."

(This can go on for some time.)

Sam named him Bobcat Collins after I told him that black and red were my high school colors.

Yesterday took the boys for an hour to a play area in a local mall. Very pleasant way to pass the time.

Thank you to the guy on the motorcycle who saw Josh frantically pointing at him, and made his day by honking and waving! 

From Susan: Cutest. Haircut. Ever.
The process, I mean. He was so good.

And another day:

Josh: Geese! Geese! Hello, geese!Me: Actually I think those are seagulls.Josh: More geese!! Hello, more geese! 

 And yet another recent morning:

Sam, running into the kitchen this morning:If you just heard Josh yell "Hey don't!", I didn't DO ANYTHING.

The Westerville Collinses came through town on Saturday. To celebrate Kevin's birthday we all went out to Olive Garden. Amazingly everyone behaved well and a good time was had by all. Went afterward to Wegmans for birthday desserts and a balloon for Kevin.

Josh has decided to call his Aunt Sue and Uncle Stu both Uncle Sue. This does simplify things; not sure why we didn't think of it years ago.

And here's where Stu and Sue are at this moment--photo courtesy of Stu. 

Have a good week!