Dada's in CO, While I'm...

Dada stopped in Denver on his way to the beach and he and Aunt Julie took Pop go-kart racing for his 64th birthday and they all hung out at the pool

and drank chocolate malts while I...

Alphabet Train Set

Dada got me a new wooden train set and my E-L-I-Z-A set from Omma and Pop fits on the tracks which is great 'cuz I can drive the E and the L and say,"Watch out A. Watch out I."

Summer Fun

It has been a fun summer so far! I have kept pretty busy - playing in the sandbox, chatting in the park, going to pool parties, eating avocado and at the end of the day, getting all clean again!

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Grandma Debbie captured some of my singing skills yesterday:

Exercisin' w/ Dada

Sometimes, I help Dada work some exercise into his busy schedule.

I can hold down his legs for crunches, match him one for one in push-ups, show him how to do a proper ball squat
(note wide stance, focus, and baby hugged tightly in front), and provide some extra weight for his squats and "bench" presses.

So Cool

Some days, you can just tell I am the coolest kid around...

My Extended VdW Family

Warning: The following is a big file and will likely take some time to load.

Canton, NY & Breckenridge, CO

Da-da just returned from the Van de Water family reunion in Canton, NY where, had Courtie, Lily and I been able to make the long journey, we would have been 3 of Grandma Van de Water's 21 great grandchildren. I was glad I was able to visit many of the Van de Waters in Canton in April. This weekend, my mom and I reunited with da-da and got to see Omma, Pop, Aunt Julie, Uncle Chris, Courtie and Lily in Breckenridge for the 4th of July weekend where we watched the parade, jumped in the bouncy houses, and ate ice cream!

Weekend Fun

My dad is off this weekend in Canton, NY for the Van de Water family reunion. From all reports, they are having lots of fun, with talent shows, foot races and euchre tournaments. Since my mom and I couldn't go, we have been keeping ourselves busy around here. I learned to make a cake! Here I am stirring the flour before carefully mixing it into the rest of the ingredients. I also had a chance to read some good books to my dolls.Looks like only one of them has fallen asleep - I think I might be a natural at this teaching thing.

H...O...T... HOT!

Global warming has come to Oakland. Record temperatures the past 2 days (high 90s with no relief at night) have left us feeling sluggishand contemplative. That is, with the exception of the occasional game of sharks, fishies and tickle monsters. Thanks Anne, Dave, Kelsey and Jeremy for inviting us to the fun at your pool!

North to Arcata

Last weekend, we drove up to Arcata to see Uncle Corey's beautifully renovated coffeeshop Muddy's Hot Cup of Northtown,

to taste the "baby au lait" (steamed milk), and to go to Ro-Ro's 10th birthday party, complete with enormous inflatable slip-n-slide. In celebration of our arrival, Arcata brought worm composting to the farmer's market and threw a big party: the Arcata Bay Oyster FestivalThanks Uncle Corey and Ro-Ro for showing us the sights and Papa and Debbie for driving me up!

Happy Fathers Day!

My dad is always lots of fun. For example, this weekend, we decided to learn how to play the guitar together. Here he is giving me some tips about how to hold it. After I heard him play though, I thought there must be some other way!This afternoon, as a special treat, I took him on a solar powered carousel. I was a little bit nervous about riding around and around on a swan, but with my dada I always know I have someone to hold onto.

Happy Fathers Day! I love you Dada!

Chickens on Walker Ave

During our block party on Sunday, Esperanza let us kids see the baby chicks she's raising in her backyard. I got to pet one, and "Fee-ya" got to squeeze... er... HOLD one.

4th Annual Block Party

Today was our annual block party where we close off the street, invite all the neighbors, and eat lots of good food. This year, the big hit was the arrival of Oakland Fire Engine #10 and four of Oakland's finest who let us climb in, on,and all around the truck. It was pretty awesome.