More serious business

He painted his treasure box today.

Strawberry gelatto...

...is serious business.

Zack and I went to our favorite pizza place tonight since Rob is (wait for it--it's a shocker.) out of town for the week. We sat at Zack's favorite table, from which we can see the train tracks, the fire station, and the guys throwing the pizza crusts. This is also called 3-year-old heaven. 

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?

Pretty darned well, thank you very kindly! Our efforts to enrich our horrible soil seem to be paying off. We've picked quite a few cherry tomatoes already---Zack is learning when they're ready and when they need another day. We've picked a number of squash already and are waiting for tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.

I learned last year that I have to grow basil in pots to thwart the slugs. That strategy is definitely paying off this year as I've already been able to harvest an armful each of Thai and Genovese basil for the freezer, and after looking last night, I think I could do it again.

The flowers are doing so well, too. Last year I helped our neighbor cut back the (formerly) huge bushes along our fence, leading to far more sunlight for our flowerbeds. What a difference! It feels like things are finally coming together.

Zack loves to help water, pull weeds from the patio, watch the bees and butterflies, and just generally be outside with us. We try to be outside as much as possible, but the gnats have been horrible, the mosquitos are horrible, and the heat has been oppressive. There seems to be a break in the heat this weekend, so it looks like we'll be back out there again!    

Getting inked

He's starting early. We figure he'll have a full arm sleeve by Christmas.

(And Anna, before you faint, it's just temporary.)

He also wanted to show everyone the seahorse that he took to bed tonight. Look really closely in his right hand (and use a little imagination)--it's got its tail wrapped around his finger.

How in the world...

...my baby is this big is beyond me. But he has outgrown his tricycle, so here we are.

He was beyond excited to go get this today. He did really well, though going down (very little) hills was a bit scary. He's getting the hang of the coaster brake, though, and was so thrilled when he realized that he could control more than he thought he could. I expect him to be zooming around in no time.