James has been my favorite kid this week! He has been my little buddy and I've missed that. I've been hard on him and protective of Daniel for so long that I don't feel like I've enjoyed this little guy as much as I did when it was just him and me at home. Well, Daniel proved that he can fend for himself when he bulldozed James to the ground the other day and I feel like I can lighten up a little and just enjoy them. This new found favoritism could also have something to do with age and the fact that James is moving away from the terrible two's and Daniel is just starting them.

James is the sweetest, most tender, thoughtful, caring, happy, fun kid, I LOVE my time with him, and I reminisce on the year and a half I had just with him!!!
btw, that shirt he's wearing is my new favorite on him and he wore it like three days straight until it was so grungy I couldn't put him in it another day. xoxoxo

 

James has also found a new love-- Christmas came early and he got his very first bike (it's a nice one so it will last through all of our kids). He insisted on red and Mikey had to call around until he found one. James LOVES, loves, loves it!  Plus, he's a natural at it. He's comfortable on the bike and I could see that being one of his sports-- just like Daddy! He's our little outdoorsy man.

Other random tidbits from the week:
-- James' friend Parker was asked: What's Mommy's name? Emily. What's Daddy's name? Honey
At dinner Mike and I were laughing about that when we saw a hummingbird outside. Naturally, James made the association and called it a "Honey Bird."

-- Daniel's new thing is giving knuckles. He gives them to anyone and everyone when we are leaving or saying "bye." And bless people's hearts, they totally humor him. I'm amazed at how many nice and perceptive people there are out there. Especially because he doesn't do it just once, it's like an entire ritual of knuckles to high five to knuckles to high five... as long as the other person is willing to do it. Well, this afternoon after daddy went poo and the boys had to see it and help flush it, Daniel held out his knuckles to it and said, "Bye poop."

-- We still have our four chickens. The novelty has worn off. Like a couple of months ago. They don't lay that great and they really do destroy landscaping. Still, we usually get an egg a day and sometimes James will go out and help me get it. Today there was one and after he got it out he went to one of the chickens, bent down and gave it a big huge hug and said, "Thank you chicken!"

-- James ate and Liked our first tomato of the season. I planted our garden so late this year and it was quite the happy surprise to go outside today and find two ripe tomatoes! We are looking forward to eating from it these next few months!

--After taking Sunny (who we love and the boys ADORE) the boys and I went to the Zoo this week. Both boys loved the bird show. James loved the red macaw and the bald eagle. Daniel jumped every time the loud parrot squawked. After the show the boys rode the carousel. I assumed they would want the giraffe since that's the one I like and always stick them on... nope. James chose the bald eagle and Daniel, well, he chose the green praying mantis. Both appropriately matched and well chosen.

-- Of course a week in the summer wouldn't be complete without at least one trip to Thanksgiving Point! We went twice and wow! are the gardens gorgeous right now! We usually just go during the tulip festival but right now all of the summer flowers are out and we had a blast. The boys were introduced to snap dragons-- my favorite flower as a kid in my Grampy's flower beds. James marked his territory on a tree. They fed the fish. And Daddy came and joined us for lunch at the Trellis.
TP was so fun that went the next evening for farm country, dinner, and a quick walk through the dinosaur museum.

-- And finally, drum roll please! Grandma and Grandpa are back from China!!! The boys were so excited to see them as were all of us! We haven't seen them for a year and they are doing great! They shared some experiences and brought back souvenirs. They held and played with the boys and it was so fun to visit with them for an afternoon.