Wendy's visit

My Aunt Wendy came to visit and get a little Scott fix. We tried to do some fun things while she was here, such as getting fresh churros--I mean going to the San Jose Giants game.

 The San Jose Museum of Art. This was actually pretty lame, but we went to the King library and Sonoma Chicken Coop while we were downtown and it was so hot at home that the air conditioned buildings made it worthwhile.

We went swimming with Becky and Anna at their community pool.

 We played at the park several times.

 Mondays John has softball games with his company team, so we watched parts of those after we wore Scott out at the park.

 John played very well. I think the tall socks helped.

 We went to lunch while Amanda was serving one day. Another day when she had off we took them to the Emma Prusch Farm Park.

 Scott's new skill of pointing comes in handy for communicating.

 He loves Amanda, especially when she rescues him from animals chasing him.

 This goose followed Wendy everywhere and pecked at her until she went to the car to get quarters to buy him food. He really scared Scott, who didn't want anything to do with the birds after that.

 The tractor was still okay, though.

 And he didn't mind chasing this little chicken.

 These pictures are when I was about 31 weeks for those interested in such things.

 Little duckling.

 Scott seemed to enjoy exploring even more this time.

 I had my sister take a picture of this bird to show John because he looked like Darth Maul.

 Scott loved all the playtime with Wendy. He followed her around the house and made up games with her.

 She bought him a little water table that was a big hit.

 He plays with it for a long time until he starts putting rocks in and it gets muddy. 

 We went hiking one Saturday morning at Quicksilver. 

 Scott collected many rocks.

 It was so hot and hilly and I turned us back around after about a mile and a half.

 John took Scott off roading while I slowly worked my way up a long incline. He found a geocache out there.

 Another morning we spent at Gizditch Ranch picking boysenberries and olalliberries. Scott quickly found out the bushes had something edible and started to help pick.

 Then some rocks distracted him. 

 It was surprisingly cool and pleasant that day. We had a picnic lunch, bought some freshly pressed apple juice and played with friends.

 Scott following Lincoln.

 He couldn't be happier than with his berry face and dirty knees.

 Scott likes playing fetch. Usually we throw balls, but he'll use anything that's around, like a pillow, Tigger, etc. He was playing fetch with Wendy and took it a step further and used his mouth. We don't have a dog and I have no clue where he picked this up, but it cracked us up.

Scott watches and copies us all the time. He liked seeing what Wendy was up to, especially when she was getting ready in the morning. He was obsessed with her baby powder and used it for cooking.

Thanks for coming to see us, Wendy! Come back again soon!

John's Birthday Dinner

I made shrimp pasta for John for his birthday dinner. Then he opened presents. 

Scott gave him these colorful cookies he picked out at the store. Then he wanted to play with them.

 He was being changed at the time and ran away to his box to hide from me.

My Aunt Wendy gave John new pants and I bought some tops to go with them. We made him do a fashion show.

Amanda took a family picture because we were all wearing stripes.

 Then she felt left out because she was wearing stripes, too.

 Shorts with no pockets!

 Scott lounged during the show.

 When I picked out this shirt for him I also found this dress for myself. I'm hoping it will fit better in a few months. 

 Then it was pie time!

 Scott snuggling with Wendy to keep him out of the pie.

 My first attempt at making peach pie. Paired with homemade vanilla ice cream.

 Scott tried a few bites of dessert and was wild afterward. Supposedly sugar doesn't actually make kids hyper, but he was crazy.

And one more great picture for good measure.

We hope you had a happy birthday John!

Scott in May

Scott turned 15 months in May. He had two eye teeth and three molars break through his gums. He decided walking was for babies and prefers running now. He also found more ways to cause mischief. 

Toga baby

When we're missing something in our house we check the tub.

Scott straightens his legs now before he stands up. I'm not sure why he does it, but I think it's funny. 

Playing with his maracas. 

I bought him these pants on clearance at Janie & Jack a while back and he just barely grew into them.

I think his backside is so adorable in them.

I walked to the kitchen and came back to find Scott sitting on the couch.

It only took him a few seconds and I asked him how he climbed up all by himself. He responded by waving at me and laughing. He gets very proud of himself when he figures things out.

For example, climbing in the bathroom cabinet.

Cheeseball grin.

He thinks it's so fun in there and sometimes it's worth the few minutes peace to me. Plus if he breaks it, we'll have a legitimate reason to update the bathroom.

John and I had ice cream and Scott wanted some. We gave him the empty bowl and he licked every last drop out.

Reading to Tigger.

Scott hadn't previously shown any interest in stuffed animals, but discovered Tigger and has been carrying him around the house by the tail.

They're pretty good buds.

When Scott hears the front door he cries if he doesn't get to go outside. If I do let him out, he steps down and runs around like a crazy person.

John was loading the dishwasher and Scott took his pots and pans out of the cupboard and added them to the bottom rack. He likes to mimic us.

I think he may be getting too clever for his own good.