A Virtual Visit

I had a lot of fun with my camera and video yesterday and today, and here are the results: some snippets from our long weekend, including live-action shots complete with soundtracks. :)

Mick very graciously pumped multiple buckets of water for the boys' playing enjoyment. Every time he headed towards the pump (for any reason), Maynar grabbed an empty bucket and ran over with it for a refill, and Mick so graciously complied.

Customary play involves water transfers.

"Splash!"

Modygg fished the snack-cup out of the bottom of one of the buckets, and while it didn't seem to hold and spill water as well as the mug Maynar had been using, Modygg got pretty adept at it!

 

Maynar tried to fit the basket into the bucket, but didn't have any luck with either bucket.

Modygg made himself a puddle to splash in.

Maynar took advantage of Modygg's puddle too.

Maynar found the watering can (which did not fit into the bucket), and he and I worked out a strategy to fill the bucket using simple tools.

Modygg demos his current conversational style and crawl technique.

He's really quite chatty.

"Bye!"

Time for Maynar to chase the cat!

Modygg wouldn't look that intense if there weren't food involved.

Cherries!

Maynar is the self-appointed stem-remover for all of us cherry-lovers.

He eventually started taking the first bite out of each cherry (I think he bites until he finds the pit).

Then I redistribute the remaining cherry between Modygg (a pitless piece) and myself. My pit-spitting is not so impressive as Mick's, but I'm working on it, and it often still amazes Maynar. :)

And the trampoline has been a huge hit - thanks, Grammy!

Modygg has developed quite the workout / yoga routine.

 

Downward-facing Modygg!!

I think I'm going to start not watching him on the trampoline - he makes me so nervous! :)

But Modygg has spent many happy hours on the trampoline.

We bought a spill-free bubble bottle, which so far has lived up to its lofty claim!

Poppa joined us from the inside for some bubbles. 

Maynar's puppy popped some bubbles too.

Some brother trampoline time.

And Maynar's off to chase the chickens!

Back for some selfies! He really loves seeing his own picture and hams it up. :) 

A little hard to see, but this was the end of the second day of his self-inflicted tattoos - one on each thigh. I should have been suspicious when he handed me the notepad he had been drawing on but he kept the pen ... :)

 Some more selfies!

(He made all sorts of faces.)

(pointing to the screen where he saw our pictures)

Meanwhile, Modygg had pulled a towel onto the trampoline to accommodate some lounging.

Then, we headed off for a family walk! First to the apple orchard to move the pigs.

Then back to the woods.

And another attempt at a family photo ... :)

(Modygg was getting progressively droopier.)

When we actually got into it, Maynar wanted to walk and opted for the downhill loop - our custom with the kids is the less steep uphill loop, but it was hard to resist his enthusiasm. He walked (ran) the whole way! Totally put his whining mother to shame. :)

He often falls behind due to his diligence in clearing the path (and often the surrounding woods) of rocks and sticks. Rather a daunting task in the woods!

Then he runs to catch up ... 

The walk ended with some hide-and-seek.

Back at the house, the piano (and the blanket over it to protect it from becoming a race-track) make a great fort!

And the day ends (as is our routine) with an episode of He-Man. 

Modygg reminds us of Lucky.

(In case you haven't watched 101 Dalmatians as recently or as frequently as we have:

)

He gets so excited when (spoiler alert) Prince Adam transforms to He-Man!

(Thanks for the new shirt, Grandma!)

Maynar was a bit nervous about The Librarian - was it the bushy eyebrows? the eyeglasses?

This morning began much as yesterday ended, since Maynar somehow figured out how to get He-Man playing. 

Maynar has taken to picking out his own clothes. He started out this morning only wanting pants, but then he settled on the blue shirt.

The boys all enjoyed a healthy dose of kraut for breakfast.

Maynar is very particular about which piece(s) he wants.

Modygg is much less particular. :)

Maynar did some carpentry work - left-handed!

Then, back to the porch, the trampoline, and bubbles!

They have both been trying to catch the bubbles, with varying degrees of success. I mused upon the life lessons as I watched Maynar's growing frustration with the futility of chasing ephemeral bubbles.

In other news, Mick is way better at blowing bubbles than I am! I'm not sure what his secret is.

Maynar has tried blowing the bubbles too, but he can't get the blowing down quite right.

Kraut for lunch ...

Back to water and buckets ... 

And then Maynar ran off for some alone time, while Mick and Modygg and I enjoyed the shade of the porch. When Maynar returned, he was covered in cleavers - pants, shirt, and hair! So many cleavers in his hair! Mick took a quick look and decided nothing would do but a buzz. Maynar did GREAT - we were very nervous about it, but when Mick asked if he wanted his hair cut, he nodded, and he sat still.

(He and I watched videos during the hair cut, as inspired by his previous hair-cut team. :) It worked great!)

I thought a selfie might also make for a profitable distraction. :)

I thought the new look would take us some getting used to, but he looks so grown-up! 

This afternoon, Maynar and I scooted off to the park and found that the pool was open, so we checked it out. We weren't really properly dressed, but there was a lot of splashing going on! 

We played in the GIANT sandbox and even got our feet wet!

Maynar's summary of the adventure to Poppa when we returned home was, "Big splash!"

Modygg was helping Poppa eat some of his fresh greens.

Then, inside to round out the night with The Rescuers (which, incidentally, also had a lot of splashing).

And ice pops - the best summer dessert! :)

(By the way, Grammy, the "Chicks Dig Me" shirt has been a huge hit - it is not worn without a tribute to the chick (enthusiastic pointing) and a "Peep peep".)