batter up! :: april pinspire me...

Good morning! Today I'm playing along with the April Pinspire Me board at Paper Issues. As George started his first year of TBall just recently, the baseball stood out right away and I had to run with it.

You have until May 17th to link up in the Facebook Group - Paper Issues {Friends & Fans}, you'll find an April Pinspiration Post there! If you link up to the post, you have a chance to win one of two Pinspire Me Grab Bags inspired by the Pins you see in the link above! What are you waiting for? Play (ball)! 

george at five: painting by the numbers...

Hello all! I'm sharing a layout today for the brand new Issue: Painting by the Numbers over on the Paper Issues blog. As soon as I saw the Waffle Flower stamp set the creative team was sent to use, I knew exactly what I wanted to create. Our oldest, George, turned FIVE in December and I love this photo I snapped of him wearing his birthday crown from his school party.

I started off with the Crate Paper Boys Rule collection in front of me and pulled out a blue-ish/aqua cardstock to coordinate. Using a Versamark ink pad, I stamped the open number 5 over and over to created a waterfall effect down the page. Using mainly the cutaway sheet in the 6x6 paper pad, I pieced together my embellishments to frame the photo and allow the stamped background a starring role. Speaking of stars, how awesome is that gold puffy star? It's actually May Arts ribbon!

The much of the Boys Rule collection is in stock at Paper Issues, along with so much other awesomeness! Pick up something to get your creativity flowing at 20% off using code JENBOOM

project life: preschool edition...

Happy Tuesday! I am linking up with The Mom Creative today and sharing my recently started School version of Project Life.

When we registered George for preschool in January (yes, it needs to be done that far in advance here!) I knew I wanted to start a school album for him right away. My approach? KEEP IT SIMPLE. I waited and waited for the Project Life School Theme pack to make it's appearance and pounced as soon as I saw it hit my favorite online shop, Paper Issues. The supplies I am using for this album are minimal:

• Project Life School Theme pack
• In a Creative Bubble School Days journaling cards and circle accents
• Project Life grid cards
• Assorted alphabet stickers
• Photos
• Sharpie pen
• Corner rounder, date stamp, adhesive, paper trimmer

Just before school started, George and I were at a craft store and he chose his own album - the yellow and white striped Project Life binder. Perfect. As soon as I printed the photos from his orientation day and first day of school I was ready to go. At the end of this post, I'll write a  bit more about my approach to this project. Here is his album so far - up to date:

Orientation day, an interview about his first day, the school "rules" (the pencil card was a freebie I found on the internet awhile back and just added text in Picasa), describing his first art project...

Letter size page protector insert including first artwork and the welcome letter from his teacher...

An autumn song he learned and has been singing at home and a visit from the local fire department. I made the fire engine card using a piece of clip art and a poem I found online...

 First field trip to a local nature center for an apple cidering lesson and nature walk...

Here is my process and some thoughts on this project:

• Print the photos as soon as they are  taken, slip them in the pages. You'll notice that I haven't even rounded the 4x6 photos. Easy. I'm rounding the 3x4's becasue the PL cards are already done and I like that middle line to be uniform. 
• Write out his memories or an account of an event simply and quickly. 
• This album will span many years, separated using dividers. Since there will only be photos of big events, they won't take up so much space. 
• Artwork: I plan to keep a few key pieces, such as his first and there are  two apple related pieces that go along with the field trip. Otherwise, they will be displayed at home then photographed and added in as a 3x4' photo.

photo shares...

Some recent favorites of our two sweet boys, mischief and all!

George decided to color more than his coloring book while I took Jack in for a change.

Jack exploring flowers at a local nature center.

 

Collecting bark, acorns and rocks - and making silly faces!

recipe: peanut butter cake mix cookies

I pin many things and often in short, furious spurts. Unfortunately, much of the time, my 88 boards serve only as virtual eye candy. Earlier this week though, I pinned a cookie recipe and asked my son if he would like to help me make them soon. "Yes, Mommy! I want to help you bake cookies." Today, we did just that! We had the short list of ingredients on hand and turned it into a fun little morning project while little brother napped.

Ready for how easy this one is? Gather these four ingredients. We also added chocolate chips, per G's request, but they aren't necessary.

Add all of the ingredients to the mixer bowl (or a large bowl, using a hand mixer) and mix on low until incorporated. Then, drop by tablespoonful onto ungreased cookie sheets (G used a cookie scoop).

Flatten each cookie, gently, with a fork in a criss cross pattern.

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until just slightly golden brown on the edges.

The result is a slightly soft, slightly crumbly cookie that is packed with peanut butter flavor. Give them a try!

Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies

(Source: Youth Literature Reviews)

Yields approx. 3 dozen

 

1 package yellow cake mix

1 cup creamy peanut butter (I used Skippy Natural)

½ cup vegetable or canola oil

2 large eggs

Bake cookies at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes (check at 9 or 10 minutes to prevent over-browning).

home preschool: getting started...

We are starting some organized learning around here this fall. Since we have been house hunting for a long, long time it didn't seem the best idea to enroll G in a preschool program, only to potentially pull him out or take on a longer drive mid-year. So, we've started some homeschool lessons.

We are focusing on the uppercase alphabet and sounds right now, pairing each letter with a book and letter craft project following the inspiration here found at Totally Tots. We are using library books (love our library system!) and fun foam, google eyes and a bit of imagination for our craft projects.

I present our first lesson, D is for Dinosaur:

G had a blast creating his dinosaur, using glue and making lots of loud dino sounds.

And, we loved this super cute book. An added bonus? G can now recognize and name a Triceratops and Allosaurus :)

How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen

Two years ago...

Two years ago today, the meaning of Christmas Eve forever changed for our family with the arrival of our sweet little boy, George.


We love you to the moon and back again, G!!!


xoxoxoxo,
Mama

wordless wednesday: george-y appleseed...

{photos taken 10.2.11}

you at 19 months...

My sweet George,

It's been four months since I penned your last milestone letter.  You have grown and blossomed so much in that time, we can scarcely keep up!  Everyday now, rather than my baby, I see before me glimpses of the wonderful boy you are becoming. You keep us on your toes with your constant movement much of the time and bring us such joy with your cuddles and hugs during quiet times. Your quick smile and charm delight everyone you meet.

At 19 months you:

- weighed 26.9 pounds and measured 32.5 inches at your 18 months pediatric appointment on July 1st.
- will take us by the hand and lead us when you want to show us something.
- kiss the faces of your favorite trains in the morning, then bring them to Mama to kiss.
- are still climbing on everything - kitchen drawers, couches, chairs, ladders and climbing walls at the playground.  If it is in front of you, you will find a way to climb it.
- still enjoy Sesame Street but, also love Thomas and Friends, Super Why and Word World, all on PBS Kids.
- excitedly point to letters everywhere we go - on signs, license plates, the t.v.  Though we limit television, Super Why (along with lots of reading) is teaching you beginning reading skills by identifying letters. You correctly point to and say "O" whenever you see one.
- point to your mouth when hungry.
- are getting better and better at communicating. You call out "Mama" to get my attention, "more" when you would like more food or to continue an activity, "again" to repeat a favorite book, "ba" when you want milk (usually while standing at the fridge) and "bubble" for us to blow them for you.
- are wearing 18 month clothes and have moved into some 24 month.  You are quickly growing out of your size 6W sneakers, are wearing size 7 sandals and size 2T-3T socks.
- don't sleep well away from home.  You are definitely a toddler of habit when it comes to sleep and only like your own crib.
- love to see trucks and motorcycles pass by when out walking or in the car.
- have started dancing to music and think it is funny when we dance with you.
- are ticklish under your arms and your neck.
- nap once a day, averaging two hours.
- sleep about 10.5 hours a night, from 7:30 pm to 6:00 am.
- eat a LOT of fruit.  Your favorites are apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, strawberries and blueberries.
- are still a good eater and will generally eat whatever we are eating.
- have overcome your bath terror and again eagerly run to the bathroom when you hear the water being drawn in the tub.  You have also learned to love the pool and sprinkler park.
- are an excellent traveler.  You have now flown a total of four times (two round trips) to Greece and Buffalo, NY. 
- say, "No, no, no," shake your head and wag your finger when you do not want something.
- point to things you do want and point our fingers at words and pictures in books to follow along.
- have seven teeth, four on top and three on the bottom.
- are very sure on your feet, have excellent balance and body control.
- will take our hand when we ask you to or when you you need help.
- absolutely adore your Thomas trains.  They make up the largest part of your daily play time.
- will get your shoes and stand at the door when you want to go outside saying, "Go baby" or "Go, go, go."
- can dribble a soccer ball.
- like playing chase. A sure fire way to hear your belly laughs.
- are mimicking words more and more.  Last week as you stood in front of the fridge I asked, "Would you like dinner?"  You said back, "Dinn-o."
- can stack 3-4 blocks high but, still prefer knocking them down.
- cling to us for a long, cuddly hug when we come in to your room to say good morning, as if making up for the missed hours while you were sleeping. One of my very favorite times of the day.

Life with you is so incredibly happy.  Though there are trying moments as you begin to assert your independence and use repetition to learn, I am aware just how fleeting this toddlerhood will be and am holding fast to and delighting in every day I am blessed being your parent right now.

I love you to the moon and back, and again,
Mama

chasing spring...

It is March and I am officially done with the cold weather (hear that, Mother Nature?). This has felt like the longest winter on record and although, yes we did have an inordinate amount of snow and frigid temps, I think it has more to do with having had to coop up a very active toddler. Now, said toddler has a ridiculous amount lot of toys but, even favorite things have their limits. Every time the temps have ventured into the mid-forties or above and the sun has deigned to shine down on us, I have bundled us both up and taken the little man for a walk.

Last week, we had just enough of a thaw to allow him to set foot on the ground for the very first time. His first time running around outdoors was on the soccer field just a couple of blocks from our house.  In true Greek spirit, he took off running from end to end. He was in his new-walker glory:

This Monday, it was colder than I would have liked but by late afternoon he was going a bit stir-crazy and taking me down with him so, we headed out again.  To his delight, the toddler park was finally free of snow and he was able to swing, climb, explore and run to his heart's content.  It such a shame that he hates being outside, eh ;-)

I predict that this spring is going to be loads of fun!

george, meet george...

G has taken an interest in trains. When we are out running errands, I try to plan them around a stop at the bookstore so that he can get some playtime at the Thomas table. We had picked up a few generic Target brand trains to keep in the diaper bag for the days that the official Thomas trains are missing from the play area but, he already knows the difference.  It's the faces.  He likes holding up the trains and having conversations with their round plastic faces *dies from cuteness*

One day, I'm sure he will amass quite the collection of Thomas trains. I'm not too keen on making that huge investment right now when our little guy is still very interested in exploring everything with his mouth.  $20 trains with teeth marks?  No thanks. But Mr. Boom managed to find a couple of deals on eBay and, last night THE 'train' arrived. 

Our George was introduced to George the Steamroller...

He played with the packaging for awhile, taking it in and out, over and over... 

  

Oh the joy!

Hmm, wonder how this works? 

Good job Daddy! This gift was a big hit.

on kindness and compassion...

One day last week George and I made a Target run.  The closest to our home is in a multi-level center that also includes a movie theater, grocery store and a Barnes and Noble. The nice thing is that you can access all stores and levels through the interior elevators - perfect for this frigid winter. I've been taking G to this particular B&N since he started cruising because they have a large Thomas the Train table in the children's book section and (usually) have trains for children of shoppers to play on the tracks.

This day when we arrived at the table, George seemed to remember and made a run for it, bending down to say "hi" to the train faces on the sides of the table and running his chubby little fingers along the tracks.  But, there were no trains to be had.  Another little boy, a three year old, was playing with trains he had brought from home.  George occupied himself following the boy around, chattering and interested in every little movement.  The boy's nanny introduced herself and pulled a matchbox car from her pocket, offering it for George to borrow.  He saw the shiny little sedan and squealed with delight as he took it from the woman's outstretched hand and proceeded to the table.

That's when it happened.

The other boy saw George playing with his car, turned the most unnatural shade of deep red and began to scream.  Screamed so loud, so long and so frighteningly that other shoppers started to gather. 

George stood, rooted to his place, looking at the boy with a startled expression while I moved to stand at his side.  The boy's caretaker was able to soothe him after a couple of minutes (not moments, minutes).  As he gave my baby the side-eye and went back to playing with his trains, G approached him.  One step from the boy, George stretched out his little hand with the car in his palm, returning the toy.

In awe of my tiny son at that moment, I wondered how he knew to practice kindness and compassion at such a tender age. He knew the right thing to do in that moment, without suggestion, without coaxing.  I do believe that people start out innately good and this one moment restored my faith in that belief.  Reflecting on this today, I remembered this passage referring to "the Golden Rule":

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:27-31

I live in hope that I am a positive role model and that my husband and I will raise George to be a good, kind man. What I know for sure is that, right now, he is the sweetest boy a Mama could dream.

maybe there is a resemblance after all...

G is a miniature version of his dad, right down to that oh-so-cute dimple on his right cheek. Whenever we are out as a family, people stop us just to comment on the striking resemblance between father and son. They look at me and say, "Well, maybe he got your eyes? Maybe." He may not have gotten much, if any, of my appearance but he did inherit a couple of other things.

From an impossibly young stage, he took to raising one eyebrow in expression. Classic mom.

Then, there is his love of books.

I've been reading to G every day since we arrived home from the hospital after his birth and there is no denying that he is an early bookworm. The past month or so, he has been determined to teach himself how to flip though his board bocks page by page and about a week ago, he got the hang of it (mainly he'll get them right side up...ha). He'll flip to his favorite pages in his favorite books, hold them up to one of us and grunt for us to read to him. You've got it, buddy!
And something else he learned this past week? Clapping! He knows the word "clap" in both Greek and English and will clap if we ask him to or along with us. Love it! 10 and a half months is SO much fun.

nine months of you...

My precious boy,

You have been with us now for three quarters of a year. In the last month you have really begun to show us more of your personality and are keeping us on our toes, quite literally, as we try to keep up with your crawling and cruising.

At nine months you:

• have two teeth, your bottom, front two.
• are an incredible eater. You will try anything we put in front of you and are less and less interested in purees as you discover new tastes and textures of table food.
• are crawling (at lightning speed), pulling to standing on anything and everything and cruising along furniture.
• are tenacious and persistent. If you can't go through it or around it, you'll find a way over it. When you set your sights on something, it's very hard to distract you from that goal.
• have quite the memory. If we take something out of your sight and you happen to see where we've hidden it, you'll come back to that spot an hour later to retrieve your prize. Amazing.
• are making lots of pre-verbal sounds and will 'talk' for long periods of time in your incredibly sweet little voice. Most of your sounds consist of "da-da", "ya-ya", "ma-ma" and lots of cooing and hissing.
• said your first word on 9/12/10 at 1:45 pm. Baba walked in the door from work, you crawled right over to him and said, "Da-dee". He thinks it was a fluke but, I'm counting it as the real deal.
• love your Mama and Baba. When one of us has been gone (for a few minutes, or hours), we return to your squeals of delight, big grins and you'll crawl right to us with arms extended, asking us to pick you up.
• way hello and good-bye.
• point to things that interest you.
• weigh 19 lbs, 10 ozs (35th%) and measure 28.5 inches long (55th%). Our long, lean boy.
• are wearing mostly 6-9 month clothes but, those pants are getting short so we'll be moving you into 12 months soon.
• love the park. When we head out for a walk, you squeal with delight as you see the park and the swings in view.
• love to swing and the back-and-forth motion rocks you right to sleep at times.
• love watching animals and other kids.
• are very social. You are fine with being held by anyone we hand you to and are a merciless flirt when we are out and about, smiling and waving to anyone who pays attention.
• are still nursing, mainly mornings and nights. You have dropped a couple of bottle feedings during the day in favor of foods. When Mama is at work, you now get one bottle of infant formula. It took you a few days to get used to the different taste but, now you will drink your bottle with no problem.
• are happy! It doesn't take much to get a smile out of you. You have a ticklish tummy and sides and give us great belly laughs when we do 'raspberries' on your belly or neck.
• love, love, love bath time! Whenever we open the bathroom door, you make a bee-line for your bath toys and the tub...ever hopeful.
• were baptised on 9/18/10 and Father Nick was astounded that you were not only calm and happy but, splashed around in the baptismal font. That may have been a first for him.
• make diaper changes quite challenging. As you are so mobile, you'll spin around and don't like to lay still long enough to get a new diaper on. Bribing you with toys and singing works...sometimes.
• love the sound of Mama's singing voice (for some odd reason!). If you get fussy in the car, I just need to start singing to you and you settle down in a moment.
• are a little explorer. You love checking out every inch of our home and any new space.

I know it's your job but, you are growing far too fast! We are enjoying watching and loving you upevery day. You bring so much joy to our little family, little guy.

Love you to the moon and back,

Mama

i guess i'll sleep when...

I'm currently enduring yet another round of sleepless nights with G.

10 nights of 5+ wake-ups, followed by 1 night of 2 wakes (little tease!!!), followed by last night with 4 wakes.

We follow a bedtime routine that helps him transition to sleep initially but, are so far from sleeping through the night that it would be laughable if I weren't so sleep deprived. I'm beyond the point of needing the proverbial toothpicks to keep my eyes open. Instead, they are just stuck in the open position, at the ready for the next scream from the nursery. For about one wake-up a night he'll settle himself back down but, the rest end up in screaming fits that require intervention. We've tried letting him cry it out a couple of times but, all that accomplishes is getting him so wound up that he gags and wretches (no, thank you!).

I know that babies go through growth spurts, teething and periods of sleep regression, I just didn't count on them coinciding or lasting for such long stretches. I. am. Tired. He is such a wonderful baby during the day - happy, playful, curious and goes with the flow. Are the sleep issues some sort of penance for the daytime hours? Yes, I know that is a ridiculous notion and he wil sleep at some point. Right now I'm just praying that day happens before he leaves for college.

peek-a-boo...

So you want me to show off my two new teeth, huh? Yeah, I don't think so.

Peek-a-boo!!!
Hehehe...you tricked me Mama!

tooth no. 2, tomatoes and all that babble...

Our Labor Day weekend was mostly spent upstate visiting my family and celebrating my aunt and uncle's 30th wedding anniversary at their lake house. G was an incredible traveler in both directions, napping most of each three plus hour drive and entertaining himself with toys for the rest. He was a huge hit at the party and we were reminded yet again just how lucky we are to have such a happy, easy-going baby. He flirted, giggled and was content to be passed from person to person all day long at the party. When it was time to nap, I put him in the Ergo, walked him down to the dock so that there were less faces around to distract him and he drifted off in a deep sleep for an hour. (photos to come...)

Just before we arrived at the lake, he was getting a bit restless in his car seat (so were we!) and I wondered if his tooth might be bothering him some. I grabbed the orajel to soothe him, went to apply it to his bottom gum and - bingo! Tooth #2 had arrived. Now his front two bottom teeth are in a race to see which pearly white can come all the way through first.

Probably the only drawback of not getting teeth until past eight months has been that G is wanting to eat more solid foods than his gums will allow. He'll try anything we will let him and will lunge for our plates in hopes of grabbing something new to eat. He's still eating the purees but, I'll often have to give him breaks at meals to eat a few puffs or cheerios so that he can work on his chewing and self-feed. On Sunday, we went out to lunch with my mom, sister and nephew and he was eyeing everything on my plate, even as he hungrily ate his yogurt and applesauce. When he had finished both, I gave him a few bites of my pasta salad then (against my single gag-worthy food bias) a few pieces of tomato. My little traitor loved every bite! I suppose there wil be tomatoes in my grocery cart in the near future. But, you still can't make ME eat them.

And then, there is the babble.

Yesterday, as soon as G woke up we knew about it because he sat chattering away in the pack and play. For a half hour. I had tossed in a few of his favorite toys to buy an extra few minutes of rest before we started the day and he happily chattered away as he played. That was the theme for the rest of the day. When he was awake, he was babbling. Lots of vowels and consanants, some squeals and sound after sound strung together in his sweetest little voice. Love.

Every month and at every large miletone, I catch myself saying, "THIS is my favorite age." Though I'm sure to continue doing so, 8.5 months is just so much fun with this happy boy.

G is 8 months, 2 weeks.

we have a teether...

Our little guy has had a runny nose and has been drooling more than usual for the past week. I've been trying to figure out whether he's had a mild cold, was reacting to ragweed season or maybe, just maybe, he had started to teethe. Today, at dinnertime the answer was apparent in his smile. I noticed a tiny slit on the front of his bottom right gum and, sure enough, when I ran my finger over it there was a bit of a tooth poking through

Yes we are all stocked up on infant acetaminophen, baby orajel, teething tabs and cold teethers which are kept in and rotated through a glass bowl in our fridge.

Other than waking earlier than normal the past few days, he's been his normal happy self. Our tough little guy!

G is 8 months, 1 week.

eight months of you...

My sweet George,

When I used to imagine ahead to this point, I pictured you as a still dependent infant relying on Mama and Baba to carry you around and attend to your every need. You had other plans in mind and lately, several times a day I catch glimpses of you as a big boy. You are on the move, crawling, cruising and exploring your world. You still look back to make sure we are there with you and count on us to catch you from falling but, you are quickly gaining independence and are growing and changing at a rate that makes me both extremely proud and more than a little wistful.

Until today, I've been able to take your monthly photos all by myself. Those days are now gone and you do not like to sit still for more than a moment. Baba and I carefully set things up today to be as sure as we could to snap a few pictures in just seconds, knowing you'd be off in a flash. That's about how we do things now. Plan as well as we can, baby proof and follow you around and around and around. Such a busy boy!

At eight months you:

• are crawling. A few weeks back you decided it was time to move beyond rolling and started a half crawl, dragging one leg (mainly your left) behind or tucked up under you. Within days, you figured out that being on all fours was much more efficient and have now mastered the crawl - and fast!
• are cruising! Crawling was not enough though. As soon as you had that down, you were pulling yourself up to standing on anyone and anything and now are cruising along the edges of furniture. Be still my heart.
• are such a good eater. You are adventurous and will try anything we give you from purees, to snacks to semi-solid foods.
• are still toothless. Being all gums hasn't slowed down your eating at all though! In the past two weeks you've eaten watermelon, meatball and cupfuls of puffs and Cheerios.
• love music. You have started to bounce around when you hear songs you know and will bang your hands on a surface along with a tune. You particularly love your two toy pianos right now.
• enjoy Mama's singing voice (though I wonder why!). Your favorites are "Itsy Bisty Spider", "Bingo" and "The Wheels on the Bus". If I need to get your attention or you get restless during a car ride, any of these will help right away.
• wave hello and good-bye.
• are growing in more hair, little by little and, it's so light! We're still trying to figure that one out.
• really like Sesame Street and watch an episode each morning as Mama gets ready.
• love to swing! As we walk toward the park, you get very excited and start cooing and kicking your feet as soon as the swings are in sight.
• have fun with the climbing train at the park - especially the portholes. You love peering through the round openings, especially if one of your favorite people is on the other side.
• play peek-a-boo with a blanket, a toy lovey or around someones head while being held. It's your favorite game right now.
• enjoy watching other kids play and watching dogs and cats. You fell in love with your great Aunt Patty and Uncle Joe's collie, Murphy at camp - especially as he chased his frisbee.
• are a happy, smiley, giggly boy. You have the sweetest disposition and the best smile around. Your dimple just melts me!
• are wearing 6-9 months clothes, although you have plenty of room to grow in them. You can still wear a lot of your 3-6 month onesies and shorts. You have a longer torso but are still lean through the middle.
• have deliciously chubby thighs, arms and cheeks...we kiss them all the time!
• love the water in any form - sippy cup, baths and swimming. You are a water kid and love to splash around.
• are a people person. You love to meet new people, study faces and have a quick smile for anyone you meet. You tend to charm even the grumpiest of strangers when we are out and about.
• are fascinated hearing Greek. Your Yia Yia and Papou only speak Greek to you when you are with them on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while Mama is at work, and Baba speaks in Greek to you at home much of the time.

You are the very best part of every day. I love you to the moon and back little guy,

Mama

weekend at the lake...

Last Friday, George and I traveled upstate to the lake for some family time. We had some cooler but beautiful weather and it was incredible to see how much more George enjoyed himself from our last visit two weeks before now that he is so much more mobile. My aunt and uncle have a gorgeous collie named Murphy and G was completely enamoured with his new found furry friend.

My camera was, as usual, close at hand and I finally swapped lenses and decided to give my 50mm 1.4 prime a workout. Love! Begged the question - why haven't I been using this much more all along? Lesson learned.

George exploring the dock:

Kisses from Yia Yia:
Good morning Sunshine! Not quite awake but quite a happy boy:

Quality time with great Uncle Dick who was in from CA:

Playing on the deck:

A guiding hand from Pop: