Summer went out with a bang...

 

Well, actually, if you want to be technical about it, Summer went out with a splash, a dance, a parade, a flutter, and a "too-too"!

First time swimming:

Mommy and Daddy took me up to New Jersey to go see Pop-Pop and Mama.    Pop-pop took Mommy, Daddy and Me to the "Pond" - a fresh water mini-lake with an actual sand beach.  At first I was too busy playing with the toys, but then I spotted a water volley ball and I HAD to have it, so off I went! 

Mommy and Daddy wanted to see if I was OK with splashing water.  Silly Parents - of COURSE I'm OK with splashing water!  Spin me around, fling me up, whatever - the splashier the better!

The water was pretty chilly though, so we did have to get out eventually.  Personally, I think I look good in blue (skin) and goosebumps, but I lost that argument.  I made the best of the situation by exploring the playground.

I also saw my first tetherball setup.  I didn't quite understand how it worked, but I was totally digging the fact that I could throw the ball and have it come back to me!

Sporting my first tie

Uncle Shane and Aunt Katie were very nice and invited my to their wedding, so of course I had to dress the part!  I looked very handsome, if I do say so myself.  Of course, there was dancing and play time between when Mommy dressed me up and when the pictures were taken, but I still rocked it!

The big wedding weekend, I showed off my ever improving kicking skills (of course, caught up in the moment, Mommy only videod the tail end of my exploits) and I also took advantage of some down time with Pappy and cousin Samantha.  I gotta say - I do love a good golf cart ride!

My Second Labor Day Parade

Well, maybe Labor Day was the "official" end of summer, but to me, it's just an excuse to see interesting things and play with the kids in the neighborhood!  I thought the height of excitement was being able to run on the sidewalk next to the parade...

checking out the very cool firetruck (above)

 

But then I got to go to the "big" playground!  I played with my friend Evie, got to slide down the "big kids' slide", and thought the basket ball court was a great place to practice running.

Playing with Flutterbyes (a.k.a. butterflies)

 All summer long I have been fascinated with butterflies (or as Mommy thinks they should be called - Flutterbyes).  I see them playing in our back yard and in the park and I try to follow them around.  I love the colors and the way they just kind of meander around.  Well, Mommy realized there was an actual Flutterbye exhibit just a mile or so from our house.  An enitre greenhouse chock FULL of all sorts of flittering colorful friends.  I was in heaven...

One of my new favorite things - Trains!!!

Lately I've loved playing with trains - the noises they make are just so much fun!    As far as Mommy and Daddy were concerned, it came on gradually.  Yes, they knew I loved my train toy, and that I loved playing with trains at daycare,  but they didn't think anything of it.  I tried to let them know I REALLY liked them - whenever I hear a train in the distance I let them know by pointing and saying "too-too".  Of course, saying "too-too" out of nowhere used to make Mommy smile and laugh and say something like "No honey, this is a (fill in the toy name), not a choo choo."    I just nodded, said "too-too" again to let her know there was, in fact, a choo choo train coming, and went about my business.  Eventually Mommy figured out that my hearing is WAY better than hers, and I was telling her that a train was coming into the local station - a good 3-4 minutes before she heard the whistle!  Once she figured out I knew what I was talking about, everything fell into place.

Mommy started looking for train shows - something we could all go to so we could check out "real" trains up close.  Imagine her surprise when she found out there was a real working model train show just on the other side of the local tracks!  I was enthralled...

Of course, into every life a little rain must fall...

Now that summer is over, rainy days are here again.    Yeah - I don't like rain.  It messes with my back deck playtime.  I decided that the puddles HAD TO GO!!!  I busted out the broom and tried to wipe all the water away.  It didn't work, but not for lack of trying. :)

 

As this post ends, I leave you with a peaceful thought... 

Take time to watch the birdies. 

And do it properly.  

It may have taken me a solid 15 minutes to get my chair exactly as I wanted it, but the reward of watching the birdies eat the food Mommy and I put out on the deck was totally worth it.   

Stay Tuned for my Halloween Exploits!