"Happy Fathers' Day!"

That's really the best I can do for a Fathers' Day post. Tyler is galavanting around the NC/TN mountains and riverbeds doing man things, my dad is working, so we traded voicemails, and Tyler's dad is in Canada, and we missed each other on Skype. So, I'll leave it to the WWW to send a message to the fathers in my life - thank you for what you have done and continue to do for our family. We love you!

Ben and I have had a nice, r e l a x i n g weekend for ourselves! Saturday morning was our second swim lesson, and even though he's not quite up to par on the actual skills, so to speak, Ben smiled the entire time and only fussed when it was time to get out! We've seen a bit of hope that it will translate to happier times in the tub...which is all I'm asking for at this point.

Then after a quick stop at the playground with Kelley and Carter (also in swim class), it was home for lunch and nap. Later on, we moved to the deck to have some fun out in the late-afternoon sun.

"Show me your belly, Ben!"

One hand lifts shirt, the other proudly smacks his belly.
Enjoy that move while it's still cute, Bud!

Soon, Kelley and Carter joined us and we eventually cooled off in the A/C.

Keeping the mind sharp with an abacus and literature.

So studious, these two!

Amy and Simmons hosted a fun cookout that evening, so Ben and I gladly accepted the invite for food and sandbox time. Well, in Ben's case, just the sandbox...What food? What other kids? Ben was happy as a clam to sit in the box and move sand around for the entirety of the evening. Mr. Rodney even taught him to make a sandcastle!

Caught in the middle of a sand transfer.

Finally I lured him away with the promise of baked beans (?!), but his interest quickly waned and he joined Hope and Travis to balance up the register.

A late night like that should lead to an late morning, but Ben tends to fly in the face of conventional wisdom when it comes to that theory. Which is why it was easy today to capture moments like this (on the way home from church):

and also this (when I was sitting instead of carrying him):
He did rally for a time however to work in the pool.

A great weekend with my little man! The big one just got home from the wilderness...I'm sure it won't be long until the little one tags along on these trips, which I know will give the big one the happiest Father's Day yet!