100 Degrees? (No worries, Ellis was kept in the shade)

With a possible record high of 100 today, we headed to the park first thing this morning. (Well, "first thing" meaning around 9:30 for Mommy and Ellis; Blanden and Daddy are up by 7.) Ed and I took turns taking Blanden on the swings and other playground equipment, while Ellis lounged in the shade. Ed captured some good photos of our littlest one.

By the time we got home, both boys were sound asleep. Blanden even let me carry him up to bed for a nap.

Day with Grammy

Blanden got to skip school today to spend the entire day with Grammy while Mommy and Daddy were at work. After Blanden's nap, they went on a big, three-hour walking adventure -- good thing Grammy did all (or at least most of) the walking! Blanden got to spend an hour playing on the playground at Washington Park, and with all the big kids in school he had the place almost all to himself. Afterward he promptly fell asleep for a second nap on their way to Bonnie Brae, and he was even too mellow to want to each much ice cream after he woke up. Tonight Grammy joined came with us to music class.

Grammy is going to pick Blanden up from school early again tomorrow. They will enjoy one last evening alone together before Grammy heads home, as Mommy and Daddy will be taking a tour of the hospital where little brother Eli will soon be born...

Family Fun on a Furlough Day

Ed has a mandatory furlough day today, the first of four scheduled before the end of the year, due to the state budget crunch. He is spending most of it catching up on things around the house and yard, but Blanden, Belle, and I were happy that he could also join us on our morning walk to the park.

Coming out of the tunnel.

Practicing the zip line. (Mommy is not letting go of him on this one yet!)

And enjoying the swings.

Real Picnic in the Park

This afternoon, we packed up our lunch, tossed everything into the wagon, and headed for a family picnic in Wash Park. We spent several hours lounging in the shade, playing in the grass, letting Blanden crawl and explore, and watching Belle splash in the irrigation ditches. Over the course of several hours, we think Blanden managed to eat a full lunch, as we kept handing him little bites of turkey, cheese, bread, avocado, fruit, a toddler cereal bar, and oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies (a big hit!) as he would pass by us on the blanket, then was off on another adventure.

Mini Picnic at the Park

Today, as we do on many days, Blanden, Belle, and I took a midmorning break to venture to our neighborhood park. We have heard from our cousins in Wisconsin that the heat has arrived there -- as it has here. During summertime in Colorado, it's best to enjoy being outside before it hits 90-plus -- and before the afternoon thunderstorms roll in.

Ah, water. If only we could actually swim in this lake; it looks inviting. But alas, even Belle is not allowed to swim in here, so we are content to be near it.

Snack time.

Even at the park, Belle is still a favorite toy. Blanden spent a good 20 minutes chasing her in circles around her leash and climbing on top of and over her. She won't tolerate that in the house, but today she was just content to be outside too.

I'm getting so big! Can you tell standing is a new favorite activity? :)

And, like a true toddler, he headed straight for the dirt. Look at those knees! The shoes and socks came off shortly thereafter, but not before they, too, needed a good washing when we got home.