The weekend was full of fun and sun.

Saturday: After playing in the morning, we visited Remlinger Farms. Tigger in tow. Caleb had a good time playing on the climb on Train that they have there. He knew where he was the moment we drove into the parking lot, and he began asking to ride the pony. Fortunately, I found a mechanical pony to ride for .25 cents, rather than having to go to the "country fair" portion at $10 a person. The later wouldn't have happened, but I didn't disappoint the little guy because he still got to ride a pony.
In the evening, we had a barbecue in the backyard with Brian and Brittany. Caleb ran around and picked strawberries. We set up his bouncy house for him since the weather was so nice. Joshy even was crawling around. We could NOT keep him away from the strawberries! But he is too young to know the difference between red and green (Caleb still struggles with that even). But Josh wanted to be part of the picking crowd and just started pulling off any fruit that he could get a hold of and straight into the mouth; I probably didn't have to mention that, it is a given. Caleb tried to help, he picks Josh up now and tries to make Josh walk. Josh likes his big brother's help, if it doesn't take him away from what he considers his destination.

Sunday: In the afternoon, being so hot, we were relieved the go swimming and cool off. Caleb got to introduce his puppy to Cousin Tessa and Auntie Kristina. "No touch him ears"... Caleb his very protective of his puppy. Shep, their new puppy, didn't get the memo in all of his enthusiam. But it was a nice day seeing everyone, having a picnic at the club and then the swim. That was Tigger's first sight of the club. He ran and then quickly found a shady spot, never too far from any of us though.

Monday: Caleb got to go over to his friend Donovyn's house and run through the sprinkler. I wasn't sure if the sprinkler part would go over so well because he was a little intimidated by it last summer. He did great though and they played and played, funny that despite the rising heat they were still shivering a bit. Donovyn was asking "are you sure you have to leave now?", which is Kid Code for "I'm having a good time, I don't want you do go". I'm glad that the boys get along so well. And I'm sure that this summer will be filled with lots of fun days like Monday.

We left Donovyn's house and went to Grammy's house. Caleb asks to go there all the time. He got to introduce Tigger to Grammy, Grandpa and GG. Caleb was very clear to GG "No touch him ears, No touch him Boy Parts!" As if GG really was going to do that, it made her blush. I'm also VERY surprised at the interaction that Josh and Tigger have. They truly like each other and play with each other. Last night, Josh grabbed a Tigger toy and waved and bounced it in Tiggers face; they really played a gentle tugging game! Josh climbs all over Tigger and often reachs out or crawls to Tigger to pet him. And Tigger is so gentle! They share toys back and forth, and Josh tries to share food. He throws it from his seat to Tigger and waves the food at Tigger to get attention. Cute.

So it is Tuesday: Josh and I are here at the house. The one air conditioned room in the house will be our afternoon haven. I've had to double check the baby proofing. We will be entering into "walking training camp". Josh is SOOOO close to walking! He has done 4-6 steps, perhaps a few more, all by himself! We encourage him by standing him up and letting him try, but he surprises us by spontaneously letting go of the couch and heading off to where he is determined to get to. Yesterday, the motivating factor was the dog food dish, and that won a hard earned 5 steps away from the couch before he plopped down on his bum. But it is a huge start. He really is on the cusp of walking. He likes to attempt to walk when we aren't standing around with the camera, the little silly. He is also sure that he is faster when he crawls, which is true... so even when he can walk, I'm not sure that will be the preferred mode of transporation.

Also, Josh has a very determined (near stubborn, where did he get that, I ask teasingly) streak. He is similar to Zuma. We say Jockey no, and the stops and looks at Mom, and then he looks at Daddy, and then you see the wheels turning behind the smiling eyes. The mind weighs whether he wants to do what ever was "no" more than he wants to do what he has been told... and then he goes for it. At this stage, it is safe to say he is more curious than obedient... Hopefully, it is just a phase to grow out of. We stopped hoping with Zuma.

As I've mentioned before, I'm teaching Joshy sign language, like I did with Caleb. I was sitting with Josh in the kitchen feeding him some baby food. Caleb had climbed up and was sitting on the kitchen table to get a bird's eye view. I asked Joshy do you want More? And I signed more, and Caleb reached over and grabbed Joshy's little hands and made Josh sign More. It was the cutest thing ever. Josh loved the interaction, and Caleb thought he was a big helper. I just love to see the brothers interact with each other in such fun and kind ways.

Lastly, a funny story about Caleb. He is really into what makes other people happy and proud of him. He is already so proud of himself, it makes him really happy when others are proud of him too. So he did something wonderful and Daddy said "Yeah Caleb" (a phrase which Caleb often initiates now), "High Five". Daddy and Caleb high fived. Then Caleb came over and said "mommy high five" so we high fived. Then, Caleb goes to Josh and grabs Josh's little hand and makes Josh give him a high five... THEN, Caleb bends down and grabs Zuma's paw and has to high five with her! It was hilarious... if you were there. Maybe it loses in the retelling.

Well, Josh is up. Gotta go.