Dinner with Uncle Alex and cousin Edie

After the brunch, we were trying to get our house slightly together before a small group came to eat Pappasitto's take-out for dinner. As I put away laundry in Collin's room, he was too quiet in his closet. When he came out, he brought with him yards of tape from a cassette, stretching around his bedroom and later throughout the entire house. So while I cleaned up one area of the house, he stayed busy creating a much bigger mess.

Edie, Collin's cousin, came by for dinner. They had fun talking to each other from high chairs.

Then when none of the adults could get Collin to take another bite, Edie tried. And look at the result!

Showing off for the older woman, Collin accepted several bites of yogurt from Edie. As the night came to an end, we realized all 3 of Collin's silkies (a square lovey that was a gift from cousin Trish which Collin now won't sleep without) were in the washing machine. So Uncle Alex read him 30 minutes worth of bedtime stories while they dried. They went through almost every book on his bookshelf (since Collin will cut you off when he doesn't like a particular book), and Uncle Alex got all the glory of the much-later-than-normal bedtime.

Engagement Brunch for Alex and Coady

Uncle Alex and soon-to-be-aunt Coady were in town for a wedding, and we celebrated their engagement with a Sunday morning family brunch. At first, Collin stared down Uncle Alex, but soon they were fast friends.

If you were sitting down within a 3 foot radius, you became part of Collin's hugging circle. Next up was Great Aunt Carla -

And Grammy -

Happy nephew, proud uncle -

Cas squeezing his way into the bearded man picture with Alex and Bryce -
The three amigos -
On to the backyard to play with more family. Cousin Carol with Collin. The Great Grandmas chatting.

Grandpa Brownie was delighted by the level of interest Collin showed in the lizard. Pretty much every visit to the grandparents' home involves some lizard time.
The hugging continues in the back with Grammy and Brownie -

Happy in the arms of Coady, such a natural with children -
Deep in conversation -
Playing with Great Uncle Bobby. I've got this hiding and seek game down.

Found! And off they go to explore the backyard -

Sharing silly secrets -

Great Aunt Carla can play the same game -

My Grammy thinks I am hysterical - Content in Dad's arms -

Working at the Car Wash

Cas said I should be embarrassed that my dad cleaned my car when I stayed with them, but I explained that I would have been embarrassed if he had been vacuuming out Cheerios and dog hair on his birthday, but the day after his birthday was acceptable. Thanks Dad! It's the cleanest my car has looked since we bought it.

Once the inside was spotless (and with a white dog + black interior and 15-month-old + mother with high tolerance for a mess, that meant HOURS later), it was time to wash the outside. Sunscreened and stripped to his diaper, Collin joined in on the work -

Car washing / sponge slinging / bubble splashing only held his interest so long. When he spotted a basketball, he was back to his passion. Too bad Dad wasn't around to help him reach the rim!

Hiding, Grinning, Yelling and Hugging on a Saturday

Hiding with Great Uncle Bobby behind chairs in the study -

Reading with Grammy in the middle of the kitchen. Superhero Me is a favorite book he seeks out and clings to at the grandparent house.

Grinning at the park with Esmae, Holden, Mackeon, Amber and Scott -

A proud grin as we cheer for Collin's independent sliding


Through the tunnel to join the big boys - Yelling to the sound of the bike horn / Esmae vocalizing with her dad

And the delightful ping-pong hugging session post bath between Brownie and Grammy -



The photo quality is terrible, due to a fast moving toddler, bathroom lighting, and a novice photographer. But the moment was so much fun, I didn't want to omit the highlight of Grandpa Brownie's birthday!