Grandma picked PaPa up at the airport, then drove to Mimz home to get me.  It was before 7am and I was still asleep, so Mimz woke me up and fixed me a big sippy cup of milk for the ride to the lake.
I had another allergic breakout on my bottom.  Mimz put some medicine on it.  I must be coming in contact with something but we don't know what it is yet.  Grandma and Mommy will have to watch it this weekend.
I did not fall asleep on the drive to PaPa's home.  I chatted and listened to the plans for the day and the weekend.
Before we got started with work, I ate 1 1/2 bowls of grits.
PaPa is a worker, my favorite kind of person.  Soon after getting home we each took a broom and walked around the house brushing cobwebs and other stuff off the house and cleaning up the flowerbeds.  I followed right behind PaPa for the entire job.  Next we worked on the swimming pool.  I'll know how to take care of a home and yard and pool when I grow up because my PaPa is showing me how.  He promised Pops he would teach me and do with me all the things a grandfather should do.
I slept on the drive to Jimmy Jones Sandwich Shop near Mommy's work so she could join us for lunch.  I ate bites off everyone's sandwich.  I found out I like salt and vinegar potato chips.  
We spent almost two hours at the grocery store.  It took that long because I wanted to help get things off the shelf and put them in our cart. Ah, what my grandparents will do for me.   As soon as we got near the bakery area I asked for a cookie.  I always remember to say thank you to the person who gives it to me.  I helped unload and put away the groceries.
I had a bout of constipation, so Grandma gave me some Miralax.
 For dinner we had a leftover store-bought chicken and broccoli dish.  Tomorrow we will start eating PaPa's good cooking. 
Around 6:15pm the electricity went out.  Oh, what fun!  This was one of the highlights of my day.  We got our flashlight ready in case it got dark before the electricity came back on.  PaPa and I stayed outside trimming trees and doing other yard work until it got dark.  I had my flashlight on leading the way wherever we went.  I was wearing my crocks but my feet were dirty dirty dirty, so PaPa washed them and it tickled a bunch.  The electricity came on around 8:30.  I slept with PaPa.  Grandma found another bed to sleep in.

I had a great day at school. I got to buy a lunchable at school for lunch ($3.50)
My teachers told Mimz I was so excited to buy my lunch I ate every bite.
I showed Mimz both Hannah and Sophia and their moms when they were being picked up.
I took a short nap before I went with Mimz to get her hair cut.  Mimz was so very impressed with how well behaved I was.  (Really I always am well behaved in public.)  I was not shy at all!  I talked to everyone and even danced when I heard a song I liked on the radio. I even flirted with some of the girls, who of course loved my eyes.  Coleen couldn't believe how much I had changed.  I was so shy before.  Mimz and I have talked about how firemen and policemen are not shy and talk to everyone.  I told Mimz babies are shy and I am a big boy. Mimz told me she was so very proud of me.  Coleen gave him a DumDum sucker because he was so good.

I was busily digging in Mimz flowerbed when I dug up a worm.  I just pushed him to the side and kept on digging.

Daddy picked me up at the beauty shop so I was only there about 30 or 40 minutes.

. Daddy and I went to another place to get our hair cut This was the first time I had been to Daddy's barber.  Daddy took me over to Mommy's home so she could see my cute haircut.  I fell asleep on the way back to Mimz.  Daddy tucked me into my little bed where I dreamed about tomorrow morning when I would get to see PaPa.

This was a busy morning. 
I started by watching Mommy get ready for work. 

When she finished with her blow dryer, she let me use it on a cool setting on my hair.

 It was not that long ago that I would run out of the room if a blow dyer was turned on.

I did not like the loud noise.  I am not a baby any more!

I helped Barbara fill the waterfall with water. When it was full I wanted to keep playing with water, so I wet down everything in sight.  I was getting sweaty but still did not want to come inside.  Barbara insisted I come inside to help her get us packed for our vacations.
We gathered up clothes and toys, for inside and outside play, for my weekend at the lake.  I wanted to hear the story of Barbara going home for a visit, and where and what I would be doing during that time,  I heard that story at least three times.  Anything I like I want to hear over and over.
We have almost emptied the refrigerator of food.  Barbara is taking the little that is left to the lake so it will get eaten.
After lunch Barbara was being sneaky trying to get me to take a nap, saying it would be fun to lay on her bed and read a book or two.  I was not born yesterday.  I have heard that ploy before and it did not work then and it did not work now.  I told her I was not tired or sleepy and did not want to take a nap. So we just played a little and packed a little and almost had everything done when Daddy came to get me at 1:45 and as was expected I fell asleep before we got to Mimz home.
Mimz fixed us one of our favorite dinners: a pork chop with rice dish, purple hull peas, broccoli, and corn bread.  Daddy ate then went back to work.  I'll eat after I wake up from my nap.

***  Barbara hopes I write about my days while she is away and that my family will take pictures.  She doesn't ask for much.  I think we can do it.  ***

I was ready for school and had time to watch a bit of television before we needed to leave.
I was sorely disappointed when Hannah was not at school today.  Teacher said she was at a doctor's appointment.  But I did have a great day at school anyway. 
I sang for the first half of the drive home from school, about 15 minutes.  Then all of a sudden I was quiet.  Barbara turned around to check on me.... I was asleep.  I have not fallen asleep on the trip home from school for a long time.  Barbara managed to get me onto the sofa without waking me.  I slept for two hours.
Upstairs we read a few books while I slowly woke up.  Then all of a sudden I jumped up and came to life.  I ran, jumped, hollered, and was full of energy. 
When I decided I wanted to blow some bubbles, I got in the bathtub and Barbara and I blew lots of bubbles. 
Barbara is going to go home to Arkansas for a visit   She made sure she had either Mommy, Daddy, Mimz, Grandma, or PaPa available to take care of me so she could leave knowing I would be in good hands at all times.   She has made a list of all the things she needs to do before she leaves and things she wants to take with her. I am supposed to be her big helper getting ready for her departure.
It's going to be a big weekend for me.  Mommy, Bridget, Andy and Kristan are all going to be at the lake for the holiday weekend.

Mimz and I drove to GGM Lil's assisted living home.  I am never shy when I go there.  I will go up to the old people and talk and give them high fives.   I danced all over GGM Lil's room while Mimz pretended to play the guitar.  GGM Lil's loves my visits and I love visiting her. 
Mimz took me to Luby's for lunch.  I had fish, corn, carrots, and cornbread.  I ate it all.  What a good boy I am.
Mimz brought me to Barbara after lunch.  We got on my bed and played pirate ship and we could not get off or we would be in the water.  I would swim to catch fish (balls) for our dinner.  Our ship was crowded with Barbara, Monk Monk, my baby doll, pillows, blankie, and a couple dozen fish (balls).  I can play pretend games like this for a long time, at least 30 minutes, maybe longer.
We drove trucks and cars all around the edge of the pool table, getting stuck in the mud and needing a tow truck, having bad accidents and needing an ambulance, and going to visit everyone at the lake, work, or home.  Barbara comes up with some of the ideas, but I come up with some of them too.
I have learned where PaPa works: Nigeria.  Just ask me and I will tell you.

 Remember when I would not let anything be put on my head or face?  I'm have gotten over that.

I am a cool fireman/policeman in this picture.
I have not been willing to practice the Pledge of Allegience for the past few days.  Maybe I will come around soon.
I talked to GGM Avis and GGF John on the web cam.  I run around the room, climb on the bed and jump, I think of things to do to entertain them.  I always ask if they have on shoes and socks and they have to raise up their feet so I can see.  I show them my feet too and 99 percent of the time I have something on my feet.

I am so good at running to the potty and most of the time I will stop to wash my hands.  I don't mind not having on pants, but I want to have on my boots. I wanted to change to a long-sleeved shirt.  Mimz figured out it might be because workmen where long sleeved shirts and I so enjoy pretending to be a hard working man.
GGM Lil is trying a new medicine.  Hope that makes her feel better.  Bubba is feeling poorly too.  Hope he starts feeling better soon also.   I still talk about my trip to Vermont to see Grammie and Bubba.

I slept until almost 8am.  Daddy brought us breakfast.  Then we left to wash Daddy's truck and then to go Daddy's apartment.
At dinner time, Mommy came over to Mimz and Daddy and I fixed dinner for all of us.

Mommy took me to a craft show because they had a small replica of a fire truck there that I enjoyed playing on.

We had a sketch made of the two of us.  Mommy also took me to Chuck E Cheese where I rode a few rides and had a blast running from one ride to another.  Daddy took me to Chic-fila for lunch.
We picked up Mimz around 4:30 so we could all go to Landry's third birthday party.
As usual I was shy at first but soon I was running with the big boys and having a great time.
There was a play lawn mower that I used and I rode a little bike with training wheels.

Here is a picture of the birthday girl Landry, my second cousin, and me.After ice cream and cake all the little kids took turns at the Pinata.  When we finished Beckett hit it so hard all the little toys and some candy flew out. Everyone had a little bag to put their goodies in. Mimz has my bag in her purse because Daddy did not want me to have candy so late in the day. 

I wanted to spend the night with Mimz so Daddy let me.  Mimz and I put a DVD in the player and I was asleep in five minutes.  Mimz enjoyed her vacation but she is so glad to be back home with her boys.  (That is Daddy and me.)

I wanted to help fix breakfast and lunch so I got to sit on the kitchen counter.  I know the rules that I have to have my bottom on the counter and I have to stay as far as possible from the front edge.  I don't get to sit by the stove or where knives are.  I am not that trust worthy yet.
I would not take off my new red shirt from Poland.
After Mommy left for work I got to help load the dishwasher and start it, then we went upstairs and read three more new books.  I camped in my tent.  I watched the new Pirate Jake, Einstein kids, and Mickey Mouse shows on Direct TV.

I played in the bathtub for a long time.  Barbara put on nighttime lotion, hoping that would make me sleepy so I would take an early nap.  I agreed to lay down and read but I would not go to sleep.
We played Hide and Seek, Barbara's least favorite game because of the way we play it:  hiding Monk Monk or Baby Doll or me in the same place over and over.  She does a good job of acting surprised each and every time.
ProLawn moved today and I ran from window to window watching them.  They saw me and waved several times.
I love meatball (frozen from the grocery store) with barbecue sauce.
I finally took a nap from 5:20 to 7:30.  Daddy worked until I woke up, then he came to get me.  I was driving my motorcycle (tricycle) while I waited for him.

Cory, Bridget, Andy, and Chris won gold medals and some really good gifts in a competition. Kristan was their cheerleader.

Daddy and I stopped at Mimz home to visit before going on to school.  Mimz is tired from all the days of long walks around Poland but she enjoyed all the history she got to learn.  Mimz brought me a red t-shirt souvenir amd I got to wear it to school.

I laid down a few time this afternoon to rest, but never did fall asleep.   After a few minutes laying down I would jump up ready to play hard.  I played all the things I play every day.

Grandma brought an American flag to me so I can practice saluting the flag while I learn to say the Pledge of Allegiance. We put in up high in my big toy room.

I helped fix pancakes for dinner.  I like the little ones, Mommy likes the big ones.

Barbara went to her room and I spent the evening entertaining my mommy.

I love cornbread and was very happy to help make some as soon as I had sent Mommy off to work.
I got to beat the egg, measure the milk, pour in the cornbread mix, and stir to my hearts content.  I helped lay the foil on the cookie sheet, and spread out the mix.  I know the rule about me standing outside the kitchen when the oven door is open and I always obey.  And I got to eat all the cornbread with butter that I wanted.

We played in my room and made a wreck of it.

In this picture I am waiting for Daddy to take me to the airport so we can welcome Mimz home from  Poland vacation.  I was excited but I was also sleepy so when Mimz got to the car, I was asleep.  She was still so very glad I was there to greet her.   Mimz was very tired from her trip but she was willing to play Captain Hook with me when we got home.   Playing pirates is one of my favorite things to do.  Daddy and I went to his apartment to spend the night so Mimz could start resting and getting back into a routine.

Today I was 35 months old.  I weighed 32.8 pounds which is at the 65th percentile for boys my age.  I measured 39 inches tall, which is at the 81st percentile for boys my age.  This is per a chart we found on the Internet.

I guess all the counting practice I got climbing up and down the steps in my home has finally paid off.  Mommy washed some strawberries for her lunch and I counted to nine perfectly.  Sometimes I mess up counting, but I do pretty good for a little kid.

I was ready for water play at school, but found out water play is over for the season.  The college kids that helped out with water play this summer have left for college.  Guess I won't be pouring water on Hannah's head any more this summer.  We did play outside at school and I was sweaty when Barbara picked me up but I was so happy, I didn't care.  I did poop in the potty at school.

I played outside with Maggie when I got home.  Barbara keep making me get back in the shade.  She brought a bowl of ice cream outside for us to share.

It was another routine afternoon of play.  We play with Play Dough almost every day.  In my bedroom we played with the big letters and threw 100 balls at each other.  I have a pretty good arm for throwing.

I helped fix spaghetti for dinner.  I am a pretty good cook because Mommy said it was the best she had ever had.   Mommy and I threw balls to each other and sometimes I get so tickled I fall down.

First job of the day was to take the trashcans out to the curb. Then I had to take Maggie outside. She has learned to get up and follow me when I tell her to.
It is a rare day that Barbara will take me to a store, but today was one of those days. The first fun thing was sitting in the car for several minuets watching a bird perched on a grocery cart right outside the car window. I was fascinated and did not want to quit watching. When we did get out of the car, we walked closer and the bird flew away. There were other birds around and each one flew away as I approached. Silly birds, I would not hurt them, just wanted to get a closer look.
I did such a good job helping find all the items on our grocery list, I got a treat: ice cream! That makes three times this year that we have bought ice cream. I love it with chocolate syrup on top.

 We started out making a small garage for one truck and it kept growing and growing until I had all my small vehicles in it. 

The garage was a pace to protect my trucks from pirates.

In this video I am playing catch with my mom.

More catch.  I sometimes get so tickled I fall down.

Today was Andy and Kristan's first wedding anniversary. Hope they have many more happy years ahead.

Here I am chilling on Sunday morning watching Fireman Sam. I wish we got the Sprout channel on my television so I could watch that show at home.

I was playing like I was a fireman.  Guess I had just helped put out a fire and I was very happy.  I had a three hour nap before Daddy bought me home in the late afternoon.
I had a lot of energy to burn and I kept Mommy busy all evening.  We ran, and jumped, and laughed until I was exhausted.  I had a nice bath and later sat nicely while we read some of my new books and some old favorite books.
Aunt Bridget was in Austin with Chris' family.  Chris' dad was released from the hospital after having throat surgery to remove a cancer and he said he had a craving for some chicken enchiladas.  Bridget was given the challenge of fixing them for Chris' family of eight.  She was nervous but she prepared the dinner with fried rice and black beans all by herself.  It was a big success with people asking for her recipe.     (She did call Barbara for some advise.)

Mommy came over to Mimz home to help Daddy take care of me.

In the afternoon I attended a birthday party for one-year-old Rex.  I was shy for a few minutes, then I started having fun.  First thing I did was eat a yummy cupcake.  Then I played upstairs in Rex's toy room but the toys were for a baby and not very entertaining. 

Rex's dad was barbecuing while the little kids played with a water toy like I have in my backyard.  There were five little kids between one and three years of age. I was the oldest of the toddlers.  There were some older kids but they were busy playing their own games. My gift to Rex was a set of 6 colorful plates, bowls, cups, knives, forks and spoons, like the set I use every day to eat my meals.

Mimz sent me a text from Krakow, Poland saying she was there until Monday, then she would be on to Prague.

After the party Mommy took me back to Daddy.

Early this morning Maggie and I played outside for about 30 minutes until I decided I was getting hot.  I spent the entire time mowing or blowing.
I helped Barbara do several loads of laundry.  I like pouring the detergent into the washer, and putting my hand under the cold water.  I like to drop clothes into the machine.  I like to push clean clothes into the dryer and I really like cleaning the lint trap.  I like separating the dried clothes into piles for me, Mommy, and Barbara.
I took a very long bath and most of it I spent playing with a boat and two ducks.  The ducks were the drivers and swimmers.  Barbara just sat there and watched me in my own world of imagination.  I know that I am not supposed to t-t in the bathtub, so twice Barbara lifted me to the toilet.  I am such a good boy.  Another thing I enjoyed was looking at and feeling my wrinkled feet.

I am a good bulldozer driver.  Here I am pushing four large blocks to a building site.

Here I am pushing another block to the tower I built.

This video shows me causing my tower to topple.

I love climbing and jumping and so far I have done both without injury.
I had been waiting for ProLawn to show up to mow my yard, but I fell asleep right before they showed up.  Too bad.  I slept from 3:30  to 5:45, so I would be rested and ready to play with Daddy when he picked me up after work. 

 The only thing wrong with the picture is I had on sneakers instead of my boots.

 I was waiting for Daddy to come get me... I had been asking all day if  Daddy was on his way.

 Gallon size hat on a pint sized boy.... I love it!

Still waiting..... and the next I thing I saw was Daddy pulling into the driveway.

I am a growing boy eating a second dinner over at Mimz home.

I was the first person awake a little before 7am and that means everyone would be awake as soon as I could rouse them.   I was a handful this morning.  I did not want to eat or get dressed for school.  I just wanted to be obstinate about everything, but somehow I managed to get to school on time. 
Well, Hannah has not been bringing her bunny to school and I now know why.  She is a big girl now and does not need to bring Bunny, her lamb, or passie (pacifier) to school any more.  I sure miss Bunny.  I used the potty at school to poop, which I still won't do at home.  I keep saying I will soon, but I need a diaper on right now.

While driving my trucks around the edge of the pool table, Barbara thought I could use a set of folded sheets as a mountain.  I came up with another idea.  It was a car wash that I would drive through by opening up the two sheets.
Mimz sent me a text message from Poland today.  I did not know she could or would be doing that.  She said she is enjoying all the history.  She spent two days in Warsaw, went to a mass, and visited a monastery.  She will be spending the next four days in Krakow.  She also wrote that she misses me and loves me.   I texted back that I love and miss her also.

I don't take Monk Monk to school, but I almost always want him to go to bed with me.  It rained this afternoon, which made everyone happy.  I hope it rained in Oklahoma and Arkansas.  They really need it.
A game I want to play over and over that Barbara is very very tired of is a silly Hide and Seek game, where we hide Monk Monk, and other stuffed animals in the same place every time. Barbara and I have to find them.  She gets so tired of acting like we just found their hiding place.  I am thrilled every time.
We discovered a week ago, that I can stand at the toilet without a stool.  That makes it much better, because I do have a better aim, and we can leave my step stool at the sink.  Now I can wash my hands all by myself because I can reach the faucet and soap.

This day did not start out well.  I was constipated and the only thing I wanted to do was stand up and read.  Around 10am I got over my problem and boy was I ready to eat.  I had eggs, bacon, raisin toast, and apple sauce.  And soon after that I ate a big lunch: a ground beef, noodles, onion, and peas concoction. 
Then I was really ready to play.  Barbara and I played "bad accident" at least ten times.  That included a crash on my little riding toy, ambulance trip to hospital, Dr. Lacour with his doctor bag, cleaning boo boos, medicine, Bandaids, and shots.  We took turns being the victim and doctor. 
Hannah, my school friend, and her Bunny were here all day, in my imagination. We had a tea party for us all.
I did not take a nap but that did not affect my mood.  I was happy all afternoon and evening.  Daddy had to work late, and Mommy had a paid job doing some scrapbooking work, so Barbara and I played until we both conked out around 8:30.

Remember I fell asleep at 7:45 last night, and the question was would I sleep through the night?  I woke up at 5am saying I needed to go potty.  My diaper was dry.  Mommy convinced me it was still nighttime, so I went back to sleep.
At school I used the potty to poop today.  At home I still insist, with vigor, that I need a diaper to poop and I need to be standing up.
Barbara and I read five more new books that GGF John gave me.  I immediately want to reread each book, unless I don't like the book, but that does not happen often.  Barbara knows my tastes in literature.
I was constipated and that is no fun for anybody.  Mommy gave me a small amount of Miralax in my juice.  I'm going to try to eat more fruit for snacks instead of starchy things, maybe the fiber will help keep me regular.

 Here I am playing by myself with a Spiderman toy...

As usual I have something on my feet.  Unless I have recently gotten out of the bathtub, I will have on sock and maybe shoes.
Mommy and I played with Play Dough, pirate swords while watching Pirate Jake on TV, and we Played Hide Monk Monk, whom I still insist on calling Bunny.

This weekend I was up between 6:30 and 7am both days so Mommy had to get up early on her days off.  This morning I slept until after 8am and Mommy had already left for work.  She wondered why I wouldn't sleep late on the weekend.
After breakfast Barbara and I had two big jobs to do: cleaning up my bedroom and my toy room.  They were a wreck!  I enjoyed helping put all my toys where they belong.  Of course, as soon as we had everything nice and neat, we started playing but we put things away as we finished with them and things did not get out of hand.
GGF John sent me a some books from his library.  Barbara and I went through them and found at least twenty books that I will enjoy reading now.  We read four of the books before we turned on the television and played with blocks.  Thank you, GGF John, for the books.

 For the past week or so I have wanted to wear long-sleeved shirts.  It is almost 100 degrees outside, but I don't care, I want a long-sleeved shirt on.   I did not stay outside very long... 

I don't know what I was doing, sitting in my empty wading pool, but I was probably using my imagination playing pirates.
Mimz is going on a ten day vacation to Poland and Prague with a group of people from her church.  She does not know anyone going on the trip, but she will easily make some new friends.  She left today at 4:30pm.  I called her around 2pm.  She was already at the airport and was happy to hear my sweet voice wish her a safe trip and a great vacation.

Many months ago Barbara taught me how to put my hand over my heart to salute our American flag.  Well, today she decided to start teaching me the Pledge of Allegiance.  She was surprised when I already knew some of it.  We say it at school!  

I like to surround myself with big pillows and pretend I am in a fort.   Mommy and Barbara have to find me.
I did not take a nap.  I fell asleep at 7:45pm... hope I sleep through the night.

There will be no pictures of me on this weekend.  My mom and grandma forget to take my picture.

Mommy played with me today.

Daddy took Mimz and me out to eat dinner because Mimz leaves tomorrow for a vacation in Europe.  I told her I wanted to go with her on the big airplane.  I had pancakes and I love them.

Barbara had a good weekend.  On Thursday she drove to Dallas to visit Peggy Bates.  She woke up early to drive to Tulsa for an appointment with her financial advisor and to visit her friends Cindy and Roy Wallace. Cindy had knee replacement surgery a week ago.  Barbara drove to Claremore to eat dinner with Amy and Mike Luikey and Gail Rogers.  She spent the night at Gail's home.  She drove to Gore Oklahoma early Saturday morning to attend the annual Bates family reunion at Fin and Feather Resort.  GGM Avis and GGF John were there along with 40 other Bates'.  The kids (and some of the adults) swam, played tennis, played in the arcade room, and went boating.  Some adults prepared great meals and some visited with each other.  Next year we need to go.  I have twin third-cousins-once-removed named JoJo (boy) and Tyanna (girl) who are three months older than me who were there, so I would have someone to play with.  Barbara had a 480 mile drive back home on Sunday.

reserved

Grandma spent the night.
I cried a bunch this morning wanting Mommy to hold me but she had to go to work.  I quit crying with two minutes of her leaving.  Grandma and I went to Sam's Club.  That was fun.  She bought me some Skittles, (I'm Proud candy).  I helped unload the groceries at the lake. 

I was really good when Grandma had to talk on the phone.  I played with a bunch of cookie cutters, sorting them by color and shape.  I  napped from 4 to 6pm, then Grandma met Mommy about half way between their homes and Mommy took me home for the weekend. 

GGM Lil had her second eye surgery today.  Haven't heard how it went yet, but will post when I hear.

I said bye to Barbara and wish her a safe trip to Dallas and Oklahoma, then I went into school happily.  Barbara took my car seat to ProLawn and helped Grandma install it in her car so Grandma could pick me up from school.

Grandma was there at 1pm to pick me up and the receptionist said they were expecting her.  Barbara gave them a heads up that Grandma would be getting me today.  Back at the ProLawn office, Sonja gave me some paper and markers and I played nicely while they worked.  I did a pretty good job being quiet while Grandma talked to customers on the phone.  I normally am not quiet when people are talking on the phone.  I want to be a part of the conversation, but it was explained to me that this was business so I tried real hard to be quiet. 

Mommy came to get me at ProLawn so Grandma could finish some work and go scrapbooking.

I was super good today.  Barbara needed to take it easy because of a cold she has and she needed to pack for her four day vacation so I was not terribly demanding and she appreciated that.

I stood at a window watching a forklift unload roofing material for the house next door.  I did not leave the window until the truck was gone.  I love watching workman doing their job.  The guy waved at me three times, I like that too.

My rash is 80 percent better.  It is not itching at all.

There was a few minutes today while I was talking and singing to myself and at the end I said, "AMEN."  Barbara asked me where I learned that.   My answer was at school.

I had Barbara help me use my blocks to build a fire station for my big fire truck to drive into and when I was finished I tore it up.  It was not 30 minutes later I wanted help rebuilding it.  Barbara did not want to do it but she did.... only for me, only for me.

Mommy and I played and laughed in my bedroom so Barbara could watch some Olympics.  Later I watched the USA women win gold and silver metals in beach volleyball  I laid quietly watching until I got sleepy, then I told Mommy she needed to put a diaper on me for the night.  I am pretty sharp.

At 6:30am the first things I said was, "Barbara wake up.  I am ready to go see Hannah."  
There was no water play at school today.  I don't know why...  When Barbara picked me up from school she asked who was at school today.  I said, "Hannah was there, but she did not bring Bunny!"

I don't fall asleep on the 30 minute drive home from school any more.  I am lucky to fall asleep by 3 or 4pm.  When I get home, I generally want something to eat, then I am ready to play.  I always say I want to play outside, and sometimes I do for a few minutes, then I decide Barbara is right: It really is too hot to play out there.

Barbara still has a head cold so she asked me to play by myself while she watches.  I think she fell asleep for a few minutes a couple of times while I played.

I fell asleep at 3, woke up at 3:30 needing to go potty, and almost fell back to sleep, but decided I had rested enough and started playing again.  My current fun activity is to build a tower taller than I am out of my big blocks, then knock it over with one of my trucks. 

Mommy and I ran some errands.  One thing we did was let me ride the Merry-go-Round at the mall.  What fun!

Last night Daddy noticed I was getting a rash...

 ...this morning it was fully developed.  We don't know if I contacted something or if I ate something or what caused this reaction ....

Daddy and Mimz treated it with Benadryl and Hydrocortisone.
I played outside with Mimz this morning until it was time for us to take me to Barbara so Mimz could take GGM Lil to get her eye checked.  The eye check up showed GGM Lil was doing well, so she will have surgery on her other eye Thursday.
Barbara and I read books for over an hour, then she started feeling bad.  She has a head cold.  It didn't help that I wanted her to dance and play with me but some how she took good care of me until Mommy got home. 

I shared a bed with Mommy.  I slept well but Mommy did not.  I crowd, push, and move all around while I sleep.  I woke up with a dry diaper.
Mommy and I went to the neighborhood donut shop and I ate two donuts while we watched the people come and go.
Back at Grandma's home we read more books on the iPad.
Daddy came to get me around 11am and I spent the day with him.

Aunt B and Chris dressed for a night on the town. They purposely dressed weirdly for a Pub Run event.

Here they are dressed normally.  They look happy, I'm glad.

My diaper was dry when I woke up this morning.  Everyone is so proud of me.

If I do something one time, I will do it many times more before I quit, like climbing out of my pool and jumping back in.

Mimz and I spent two and a half hours at the park this morning.  I took my scooter and rode it from one end of the park to the other and back.  There is a service road and it is perfect for scooter riding.

I need a lot more practice on this rock climbing wall.  Just give me a month or two and I will have it mastered.

Daddy had to go to work this afternoon so he took me to the lake so Mommy and Grandma could take care of me.
Every evening Grandma spends over an hour exercising/dancing in her swimming pool.  Mommy and I joined her.  I do not mind geting my face under the water.  I could stand on the second step and dance to the music.
A funny:  Grandma handed me my sippie cup.  I said, "Thank you," and a few seconds later I reminded Grandma that she was supposed to say "You're welcome."   She did.
We spent the evening reading books and playing games on Grandma's iPad.  (Barbara has to get one!)
I shared a bed with Mommy.

We recieved calls, texts, or web cam visits from Grandma, Andy, Bridget, Mommy, GGM and GGF Bates wishing Barbara a happy 64th birthday.
It was a day of quiet play.  We played in my bedroom with my big letters and my teddy bear collection.  We read some children's books that are on Barbara's computer.  (She really needs to get an iPad for us.)  We watched Blue's Clues and Caillou.  We cleaned up my toy room and not long after we were finished Mimz came to pick me up so I could start my weekend of fun with her and Daddy.
I wore Big Boy underpants during my nap and I did not wet them.  Aren't I something?

I love the great big swimming pool Mimz bought me.  We put it on the patio so it would not kill the grass.  I love my Camp Longhorn cap that Mimz and Morgan brought me from Morgan's camp.

I like cleaning.  Give me a wipe and I'll work hard cleaning everything in sight.

GGM Lil had eye surgery this morning and she did great.  That makes us all happy.  She has surgery on her other eye in a week.Everyone is happy that I really want to go to school.  It was hard for them to make me go when I wanted to stay with them and cried when they would leave me.
Miss Janet told Barbara I did great using the potty at school.  She also commented on how much I like Hannah.  Barbara had to smile and tell her that I talk about Hannah and her bunny often.
It was a routine afternoon, with me playing rougher every day.  I sometimes hurt myself, but I just sort of laugh/cry and start playing just as rough again.

Sonja Wilson, Grandma's boss and good friend is a part-time flight attendant.  She was on this plane when it had a run in with a big bird.  They were 11,000 feet in the air and coming in for a landing.  No real problem.  A funny: Sonja said the plane had the advantage since it was going 250 mph and was much bigger than the bird.

I woke up around 2am and got Barbara to help me go to the potty.  When Mommy took off my diaper this morning, it was dry.  This is not the case every morning, but it shows I am well on my way to being potty trained.
I share my morning time either sitting on the kitchen counter helping Barbara fix breakfasts and lunches or sitting on Mommy's bathroom counter talking to her while she gets ready for work.
 

My tent is generally not in my big toy room, but we moved it in here for the day  In this picture I am watching Caillou through my window.

I played for over an hour by myself with no input from Barbara.

Pretending to be camping with my pallet, pillow, blankie, Monk Monk and my flashlight.
You may be wondering why I have on a long-sleeved shirt.... I don't know why, I just know that for three days I have insisted on wearing a long-sleeved shrit, except when I am leaving home, then I will change to short sleeves.
When I take a bath now-a-days, I want lots of things in the tub with me: train washcloth, hair rinsing bucket and lots of toys.  I get all that stuff in the tub, while Barbara gets clothes and a towel, bubble bath and my soap.  It is a big production.   Today I was interested in looking at my wrinkled feet.
I love playing Olympics.  I want to jump and run, and pretend I am racing.  Sometimes I get a little wild and Mommy and Barbara both try to get me to play something less likely to end up with me being hurt.