Swimming for Fathers' Day

Sunday we went to Grandma Lynn's to go swimming on Fathers' Day. Jake had a great time.

We've decided that the July 4th weekend will be potty training weekend. I've ordered pirate undies and we're talking about him dropping diapers and using the potty. Last night, after running around in the play pool au natural for a while, I gave him some big boy undies to wear. He was super excited about them. However, the only undies we have are SpongeBob (thanks Uncle Bri and Auntie Kirs), so I had to let him watch the show because he had no idea who SpongeBob was. He wanted to watch again today, but it didn't seem like it was going to become an obsession. I hope.

Yeah, he had an accident, but that's going to happen and it was a good demo of why you can't pee in the undies like you do in the diaper. I'm sure it will sink in over the long weekend. While I'm excited not to spend $80 a month on diapers any more, I'm a little freaked out at the amount of work it's going to be. Oh well, nothing lasts forever!

Beach Blanket Babylon

Jake has been bugging us for weeks to go to the beach, thanks to Dora and Diego's many adventures there, so we made the trip this Saturday. We ended up going to Moss Beach, which is supposed to be about 2 hours away. Google Maps has clearly never crossed the Bay Bridge (odd for a bay area company) and didn't know to add 30 minutes for bizarre traffic issues. It took us 2.5 hours. But it was well worth it! I can honestly say it's one of the neatest beaches I've been to and certainly the most kid- and family-friendly. There was sand for digging (wet and dry), rocks to throw in the water, 50-60 feet of tide pools with very accomodating hermit crabs (one came out of his shell and tried to crawl on my hand, until I dropped him), and little rivulets flowing down from the hills for kids who want water but are scared of the waves (like a certain 2 2/3 year old who shall remain namless - unless you look at the title bar of the blog). There were a lot of families there and we even had seals on the same beach, albeit a ways down, which is where I like my 1 ton marine mammals anyway.

It was a lot of work, but the beach was great - and 30 degrees cooler. Must remember that for later this summer. The only disappointment is there were no clam shells. And no sharks. I think he really wanted to see a shark. Maybe the aquarium next time.

We got there about noon. We stayed until 3:30 or so. Jake didn't nap on the way or while we were there. Needless to say, there was a brief crash when we got to the car. Mid-milk even.

Sunday we went to the zoo and I put up pickels. We'll see how they turn out and if Jake likes them as much as store pickels. All in all, a hot but fun weekend.

Thursday Daddy and Mommy got a guitar. Jake has to play it at least once a day. He' very excited to get his own real guitar (which he very much wants to be electric). I'm excited about starting lessons in a week, but sad to have to cut my nails off. But art - and parenting - involve sacrafice!

Shibas, shibas everywhere! What's a pirate to do?

For those who don't know by now, Jake is a pirate. Arrrgh!! Admittedly, a ver cool pirate. I just love this picture.

He went in a bounce house for the first time at a party we were at last weekend. He loved it. Not quite as much as he loved getting wet playing with a sprinkler that lauches a rocket, but a lot.

This weekend was the annual Shiba Party in Novato. We piled both the puppies into the car, with varying degrees of panic, and set off. Jake felt the need to narrate for Kiba when we set out: "Kiba, we're on the freeway. That's a truck, Kiba. They're loud. Kiba, those are trees..." It was so cute I thought I was going to pop something. He spent the whole trip petting her and giving her hugs. The girls did really well at the party, but we only survived because we still had the loaner pen from when Kiba was spayed. If you read this, Chris, THANK YOU. We owe you our sanity! Yesterday we just hung out at the house after the morning trip to the park and farmers' market. I filled Jake's pool and he and Kiba both went swimming. They're so cute together! They still have issues because she is incapable of remembering which tennis ball is hers and which is his and she does still get a little nippy, but most of the time Jake loves his puppy! She's even allowed to play pirate with us. Of course, she's the shark, but who can blame a 2 year old for a little type casting?