The dog days of summer

It's been a bit since my last post, but it just seems like days go by and not much happens in them. My Mom and Dad are here visiting for the week and Jon is in Kansas working, so Gavin has had 2 doting grandparents for the entire week when I am at work. They've been busy despite the 100 degree plus weather. It's miserable outside and my car never cools down throughout the day - these are the days that I wish I still worked in an air conditioned office. It's funny though because Gavin doesn't seem to be bothered by the heat - do kids have a temperature gauge at all? We go outside for a quick walk around the block or a push on the swing and I am dripping sweat and Gavin's crying because I'm begging him to go inside to cool off for a few minutes. He just doesn't seem bothered by the heat one bit - interesting.
A few weeks ago, we asked our neighbors down the street to go to "Swing Around Fun Town" for a night out. Here are a few pictures of the fun we had - Gavin, Logan and Cole all had a blast with the bumper boats, go-carts and putt-putt. They had little go carts that all the kids could drive themselves, or in Gavin's case, that the poor workers had to drive for him around the teeny track. (I forgot my camera so excuse the cell phone pictures).







We got invited to our friend Charlie's 4th birthday party at the bowling alley and did we have fun! Gavin, once he learned to "take turns", had a great time pushing his ball down the lane and he actually bowled quite well. They had the cutest little bowling shoes for all the little kids (remember when you used to bowl in your socks?)

This is Gavin and Myles enjoying their hot dogs!

Pretty proud of his bowling skills (and his cute shoes)

Look at that form!

Did I tell you all that Gavin is going to pre-school this year? He starts next week!!! We just got the call from his teacher tonight and we get to go on Monday to meet her, see his classroom and attend orientation. He's going to go on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and I hope he loves it. We bought all his school supplies over the weekend and it's kind of exciting to think about the things he'll get to create this year! I'm also excited to see him interact with other kids, learn to share and to hear what stories he comes home with. I think it's time - he's had 3 great years of one-on-one care by Miss Ella and Nana, but it's time for him to learn to be with a group too!

Here's a few recent Gavin-isms:

I bought a spinach salad for us and it had mushrooms on top. Jon and I don't care for mushrooms but I try to offer Gavin things that we don't like (cantaloupe, melon, fish) so he learns to like things that we don't. Gavin eyes the fungus on his plate and asks what it is. Gavin takes a bite and immediately spits it out. I explain that it's a mushroom and that "Grandpa and Grandma LOVE mushrooms", to which he quickly replies "Gavin doesn't"!

He's getting very good at negotiating. I'll tell him that he has 2 more minutes to play with trains before bed and he carefully gets 3 fingers prepared to tell me that he has 3 minutes. Or if I give him 3 grapes, he asks for 4. Tell him that he has to go in time out for 3 minutes and he counters with 2. Ay yi yi.

Grandpa went to get Gavin out of bed this week and I could hear them talking on the monitor. Gavin asked Grandpa "what's that smell?" and Grandpa said "what do you smell?". Gavin replied "Grandpa, you smell like coffee".

Speaking of Grandpa and Grandma, they are leaving on Saturday to head home just in time to attend the going away party for their dear friends son David, who is heading to serve in Afghanistan! We wish him God's speed and a quick return!

We'll get to visit with Grandpa and Grandma again in September when we head to Disney World with them, Nana, Papa and Aunt Kristin. We are beginning to count the days!! Can't wait!

For the final shot - Grandpa and his car loving buddy in coordinating "hot rod" shirts. Current shirt count: Grandpa - 54 , Gavin - 1!