A little more hiking!

Whew...another busy week has flown by. We still haven't quite gotten into a routine here, but are getting close. Bridger and I had a day off together on Tuesday. It was very low key, but we did get to go to one of his favorite activities...storytime at the library. Miss Gloria does a fabulous job and keeps the kids entertained with songs and stories. The theme was alligators which was just perfect since Bridger just loves his gators. His Nana bought him some squeeze toy gators when we were in California and he has been taking them all around the house and sleeping with them every night. He even does a great gator chomp. Last Saturday he had his first dinner in front of college football and watched the Florida Gators play. He seemed to like the football, but didn't quite know what we meant when we said the gators were playing because it is true there were no alligators playing football. After all our fun Tuesday, Bridger decided to have a one hour tantrum before school on Wednesday. It is hard to know now exactly what the issue was, because really everything was an issue that morning. He is saying so much more now, but sometimes he still gets frustrated about not being able to communicate...as if he would get away with whatever he was scheming to do even if he could articulate it well. :) We have no big plans for this weekend since we have some busy weeks ahead. Next weekend we head to Charlottesville to watch the 'Hoos play some football and then Bridger and I are off to Michigan for a last hurrah with friends there before we have to pay for a plane ticket for him. After that it is the big birthday weekend. We can't wait to have family and friends around to celebrate. Last weekend we took a little break from the city to do some hiking at a park not too far away. We didn't cover much mileage as Bridger insisted on walking most of it himself and had quite a case of the dawdles. Still nice to see some green trees and shade nonetheless.

Biking and Hiking and Football Oh My!

Hi Everybody!
I hope you had lots of time to PLAY on Labor Day weekend. I had a very busy weekend. First on Saturday we went to my friend TOMMY'S HOUSE. We had a really fun time. TOMMY has a BABY sister. I didn't play with her really, but TOMMY and I had fun playing CATCH, BUBBLES, & GOLF. The DADDIES watched FOOTBALL, and TOMMY and I did too. On Sunday I went on a HIKE with BROOKE and KENZIE (WOOF). Ian came too. We had fun in the TREES and we saw a RIVER where people were catching FISH. I love to be outside and walked a long way. Afterwards we had a SNACK at a place near the hiking PARK. It was YUMMY food and I got a TREAT there. I got JUICE and MOMMY's treat was a milkshake. Daddy is trying to get in shape so he didn't get any treats. I think that is SILLY. On Monday we went on a BIKE. Last time I went on a BIKE it was in Michigan on Mackinac Island. I rode in a trailer then, but now I have my own SEAT. The SEAT is pretty close to DADDY so I can lift up his SHIRT and TICKLE him while we are riding bikes We rode bikes again yesterday at Patapsco State Park. They have lots of TREES and a RIVER there too. Best of all though they had a PARK, and when I say PARK I mean they have SLIDES and fun things to CLIMB on. We can ride our bikes far away because we have a RACK on the CAR which I think makes the car look GOOD!! Don't worry we are still going to WORK and SCHOOL during the week. I like going to SCHOOL and am making some new friends there. Last thing I almost forgot I met a new FRIEND yesterday. Her name is HEIDI. We went to the PARK and watched FOOTBALL with our parents. MOMMY and Heidi's Daddy were in the band together in high school. What geeks!! Talk to you again SOON!

Daddy and I riding bikes in Fells Point.
More fun hiking with Brooke and MacKenzie.
My first river crossing!
I'm not too little to climb over trees.

Whirlwind August

It is hard to believe that it is September already. It has been a busy August. Bridger and I had nearly two straight weeks of travel. First we went to Ann Arbor for work for me. Bridger got to go back to his old daycare and had a blast. We also got to see not so old friends from Michigan including Bridger's BFFs Ezra and Claudia. After one day at home we were on our way to California for a visit with family. Matt and I did manage to sneak in one day away in Napa for some wine tasting and a long overdue date. Thanks Jody, Trevor, Amy, and Erik for taking such great care of Bridger while we were gone. Bridger loved being a teenager for a day. We had some quality time with the Great-Grandparents and Bridger loved all the attention and all of the new toys (and treats!) The week went by in a flash. When we came back there was no rest for the weary. Bridger started his new school on August 23rd. He goes to a local Montessori school. We are so thankful that things seem to be going well. He isn't sleeping as long as he should there yet so that has made the evenings a little challenging and when he doesn't sleep enough he gets up early. NOBODY was excited about our 5:15am wake up call this morning. It is fun to see Bridger take on a new challenge. It is hard to believe but he puts away his toy and rolls up his mat (well attempts the roll) when we arrive in the evening. Somehow when Matt and I say you need to pick up your toy before you go on to the next thing Bridger says "no" but when his sweet teachers say it he does it so nicely. Hmm... Last weekend we celebrated my birthday with my parents in town. Matt made a delicious ice cream cake that was quite a treat. Bridger's birthday present for me was starting to call me Mommy. On Thursday the 26th he said Mommy for the first time and has been using it ever since. I kind of liked being Mama, but I guess he is growing up and big boys say Mommy. Sniff...We are excited for a long weekend, before Matt starts on service next week. Hope you have fun Labor day plans that don't include Earl!

Bridger's First Day of School!

My birthday cake made by Chef Matt.

Some pics of CA. Blogger is not liking a lot of them so perhaps more to follow. Bridger and Grandy feeding the birds.

A little reading time with MorMor. New books are always a treat.

A very special treat, riding on a boat at Lake Chabot.

Fun times at Kennedy Park with Nana and Poppi.