Sea Lions

Since Nate's actual birthday fell on the second day of school, his class, the Sea Lions celebrated with cupcakes, but no candles. Look how cute he is.

Nate started school five days a week and the only kid from last year’s class is Sasha which makes it challenging for him-no Remi or Ronan. So far he’s doing great though there are days he doesn’t want to go, he usually gets himself ready and has a good day. After school we play with Remi sometimes, and the two take soccer on Mondays. Mack is with me a couple afternoons a week when I pick up Nate and all the kids, well mostly girls, love to play with him. Mack loves it too—he’s becoming very friendly and social, very happy to be among others and play. And Nate is very proud to have his baby bro in the classroom—his teacher said she’s never seen a 3 year old as loving toward his sibling.

Big Boy 3!

We had an early, small family bday party in Love's Folly with the Moshans, Gessers, Liebmans giving him loads of presents and helping Nate (me) make and eat the cake.  He was excited but a bit overwhelmed and wound up napping immediately afterwards, as he did on his first bday party as well.

Meanwhile...

Meanwhile, Mack grows bigger, stronger, drinking those disgusting protein shakes aka Similac Expert Care Alimentum Powder Infant Formula (TM), building muscle, teeth, confidence, eye-hand coordination, charm...

Feinblooms and Lebow Visit

For this last weekend in July, the Feinblooms and LeBows visited Love's Folly for a somewhat hectic and fun loving weekend. Highlights: Shana's paella, Felix and Nate crashing heads in the first 5 minutes, movies and the arguments of the kids about which movies they would watch, the similar temperaments of Tessa and Nate, nature walks, Nate, Felix and Tessa sleeping in the same room, Melanie gorgeously pregnant, Shana making breakfast for Nate, Tessa, Felix on morning, LeBow in the pool throwing children, Miles' high pitched squeal but devastating smile, Feinbloom sleeping poolside, and hot pool vs. cold pool. The above video is some of my very own cooking show ("Today we're doing...Smoothies!") to Nate and Felix. My secret: raw bacon aroma... 

Mack in late July

Here is Mack now, about 5 1/2 months old, starting to develop into this wide-eyed, sweet, hungry little boy. His laugh is this shrilly, noisy, guttural "EHHHHHHH!!!" kind of noise. He smells like formula. He spits up constantly and without remorse. But he is full of life and sweet beyond our wildest exceptions. Above is Mack leaning against an ottoman in Love's Folly, standing up and swaying like a drunk. His smile is fantastic. We love him so much.

Summer in Full Swing

For the first 2 weeks of July, Nate is in camp -- so we can't go far. When his boys Ronin and Remy are there, Nate -- look at those locks! -- is having a great time.  

Then it was back to Love's Folly -- of course -- for a hang with Mike, Nicole, Cylus and Maxine. Cylus could be one of the most amiable boys I've met so far, but Maxine and Nate went at it pretty hard. The parents were working!

Even at the Crab Claw, it was kind of wild.

In the end, Nate was left sort of exhausted and grouchy, as were we.

But there was little rest. We wanted to see the Gessers, and so we drove to DC, where we met for ping pong pizza. Nate and I drove Shana and Mack to Ron/Simma's place, and then we drove back to the Gessers for a sleep-over. Mae and Nate ran around chasing the cats until the kids were ready for bed.  Without a pack & play or guest bed for Nate, Mae volunteered to sleep in a sleeping back and Nate got the bottom bunk under Sadie.

Brookie put on classical music after Sadie read a bed-time story. Nate went to sleep -- remarkably -- with a cat at the foot of his bad and a pink chair protecting him from falling off. 

Then it was back to Love's Folly the next day, where we went afternoon boating to the Crab Claw where we feasted on french fries (and beer for the adults) with Captain Oha.

July Camp

Nate's in camp five days a week in two week lumps. The transition hasn't been easy. He seems OK but he's not taking great joy. He's shy in new situations. He plays around others and doesn't necessarily zero in on them. We think this is normal -- there's no concern. But there's heartbreak some mornings when Nate doesn't seem thrilled to be there and he's alone. At the end of the day, Shana says he seems kind of cranky and exhausted, as if the camp experience takes a toll on him. We urge him on nonetheless.  

Here's Nate one morning, kind of jumping around, a bit in his own world, a bit thinking about engaging one of the other little boys. You can see his mind working.