July 4th

 We had a really laid back July 4th.  We got the kiddie pool out for Dieter and Clara came to join him.  

 He had a good time spraying and splashing her.  

 Then he watered the trees with his little watering can. 

laying out in the sun to get dried off.  Don't you love the contrast in the color their skin tones?  He is white, white, white like his momma.  

 Later on we had a bbq with the neighbors and had fun doing fireworks.  I saw this idea on Pinterest on how to help toddlers and kids do sparklers without getting burned.  it worked out really well.  Dieter had fun doing sparklers. 

He liked the sparklers but he didn't really like the rest of the fireworks.  He stayed safely on my lap and watched from afar.  

just walking around with my hands in my pockets

 Dieter has discovered the pockets in his pants.  It is so cute when he starts walking around with his hands in his pockets.  He likes to think he is a grown up.  It is endearing....sometimes.

Houston we have a problem

Dieter recently discovered that the washing machine makes for a great toy.  He sits in the barrel and moves it back and forth.  

35

 I had a lovely birthday!  It started off with a 20 mile bike ride along the American River with some friends.  Wes and Dieter took me out for lunch at a great burger place in midtown.  Wes was still suffering from the nasty virus so I took Dieter out for ice cream.

While on my bike ride I got a birthday text with this cute picture attached.  Daddy took him to the park to entertain him while I was on my ride.  He and his daddy know how to melt my heart!

Little Daniel Boone

 Wes bought this raccoon hat for Dieter while in San Antonio.  He looks so adorable in it.  I'm not sure how happy he is about to wear it (as noted below in the last picture).  

sick in San Antonio

Wes had to go to San Antonio for a work conference.  He was sick most of the time.  I felt so bad for him.  That awful virus Dieter caught, passed on to Wes too.  By the end of the trip he felt ok enough to check out a few sites.  I think he was quoting PeeWee Herman the entire time.

hand foot and mouth virus

Our poor little guy got caught the nasty hand, foot and mouth virus.  He had a horrible 10 days or so.  It wiped us all out.  I must say, I didn't mind all the cuddling time I got with him while he was sick.  Wes picked up the virus too.  It is nice to finally have a healthy home, but I miss the cuddly boy.

Graham Crackers & Milk

 Dieter loves to dip his food.  When I showed him he could dip something into milk I think I totally changed his world!  Some mornings he wakes up asking for graham crackers and milk in his non-speaking sort of way.  He doesn't say many words, but he does know how to point (and demand) for what he wants.  Some mornings I let him have it mostly because I want some too!

 I love his little toothy grin!  And I love how he uses the step stool as his own little picnic table.