Nesting Nugget Dog

Max isn't the biggest dog, just 36 lbs. but I am still consistently amazed by how small he can make his body--he's a little nugget of a dog when he curls up. At the lake he liked to find a shady spot with wet sand, dig a nest, and curl up. Once again this year he wasn't so sure about swimming. Getting wet, yes, swimming, not so much. However he did get in a little swimming (once elective, the others gently forced by me). Maybe next year Shelty the master swimmer dog will finally influence him enough that he realizes how great swimming is. At least this swimmer mom can hope so. Just love that creepily loyal little boy!

Swimming With My Guy

I've always been willing to swim around with Isaac on my back and when he requested it this year I agreed without a thought. Turns out kids get heavier all the time, huh, who woulda thunk it! It was a little harder than I remember it...Not sure I'll be able to do it next year. Still lovin' that he thinks I'm cool enough to hang out with and doing my best to keep it that way!

Mud Fling

One of the many perks of the lake, at least for Isaac, is the silty, soft, squishy mud right at the shoreline. He found it good for skin treatments, flinging and offering Kate's dog Alex (who deemed it worth trying). Paul captured these super cool actions shots of Isaac flinging mud. Ahh, the simple pleasures of childhood.
My brain is still on vacation, but now that I've been back at work for a couple weeks it would be nice if I could actually get my act together. Already looking forward to next year's trip!

First Day of First Grade

I still have LOTS of pictures from our trip to blog, but I'm getting off track for a moment to blog Isaac's first day of school today. I wasn't able to be there to drop him off, but Paul was kind enough to take a picture for me. I know, I know, awww how cute. I think it's going to be another great year in Jo's class! Jo has already asked Isaac to be her helper this year to teach the kindergarteners that are coming into the class "the ropes." He does well when he knows he's a leader/role model. I can't wait to see him shine!

The Meeting Place

As my first cousin once removed (AKA my dad's cousin) Tokkie pointed out when we met him at the Lake, Isaac really needs to come out of his shell more. Tokkie advised calling Dr. Phil to try to start working on Isaac's shyness. Ha! While on vacation this year, Isaac spent a lot of time talking people up. It seems that if you're in the family, you're fair game, so look out. First up to bat in the meeting place (the top of a rock Isaac took a liking to) was Rebecca (my dad's sister). I think he would have talked to her FOREVER, given the chance!
A couple days later my cousin Hannah came up with her mom Jenny (also my dad's sister). Next thing we knew, he had her up in his meeting place, offering up an earful of goodness knows what information. I suspect when she woke up the next morning she found a pile of words on her pillow that had poured out of her ears when she laid down her head! When Isaac gets going the listener need not even say "Really?" "Uh-huh." "Wow." or "Cool." He is content to rattle on without the signs of an active listener. Both Rebecca and Hannah, and anyone else he chatted up, were sweet and listened to all his words of wisdom.

Me. 2008.

Every year it seems that Paul manages to snap a picture of me that I actually like. I must admit there were a few other pictures he took this year that really weren't so flattering (let's just say they were from the back). Needless to say, those pictures WON'T be showing up here, so no need to cover your eyes!

He's a Happy Boy

Seeing Isaac with this smile on his face, well, as a mom, makes me truly blissful. Maybe it's that how he looks is an outward representation of how I feel inside when I am at the Lake. Or perhaps I just love that he is so happy. Additionally, the shadows across his face make for an awesomely cool photograph.