Parker's Garden

Dee came up last week to help Parker implement a garden plan that he designed while playing at her house (it's hard not to be inspired by her garden, even for an almost-five year-old!). She arrived bearing all sorts of gifts, from lots of succulents to a hanging basket to a birdhouse and a solar light-up dragonfly. They spent the afternoon placing his plants and rocks just right in his own spot in the back yard. He is really proud of it, and it looks great! Then Dee spent the rest of the afternoon pulling both of the boys around the back yard in her garden wagon--both boys loved it so much that they fought over whose turn it was! Luckily, Levi became distracted by the hose, although his curiosity got the best of him when he turned it and pointed it directly in his face so he could get a closer look...

Lil' Buddies

Okay, well, Parker and Levi actually seem to be at odds with one another most of the time, but there are moments that give me hope that they will be buddies one day... Levi goes absolutely bananas over brushing his teeth, it might be his greatest source of excitement besides seeing and/or talking about dogs these days. I think he especially loves brushing his teeth because he sees that it's something special that Jared and Parker do together every night, so Levi just has to have in on the action. The worst part for him, though, is having to give his toothbrush back at the end of the session! Levi has also jumped on the "must have a yogurt to eat first thing in the morning, every morning" train with Parker. As soon as he hears Parker say, "I want a yogurt" (which, I assure you, is every morning without fail), Levi also runs eagerly to the refrigerator making sounds of desperation mixed with excitement. Parker helps Levi pick out one of his baby yogurts, then Levi heads to their kitchen drawer and picks out a spoon. Let the yogurt eating commence.

15 Months Old

Mister Crazy Smiles

Levi is a happy kid. He smiles and laughs all the time, and seems to be developing quite the sense of humor. He loves smiling at strangers, and the more they smile back at him, the more he smiles and smiles and smiles. He's got this one particular smile, though, that he likes to do at dinner time...he looks back and forth from Jared to me and grins the hugest, goofiest grin that he can manage with his whole face. The more we laugh at him, the bigger his smile gets (if that's possible) and the longer he stares at us with his squinty eyes and scrunched-up nose and crooked mouth. He just seems so pleased with himself, and loves all of the attention...


Let's go to the tape:

Yogurt Face

This is why yogurt should be eaten with a spoon, not a hand...fyi.

Somersault!

Parker took a break from bike riding in Dana Point a couple of weekends ago to shake some somersaults out...

A Cousins Trip to Quail (Bamboo! Bamboo!)

Parker! Forest! Levi! Bamboo!