sweet boy

blossoming artist

Maddy loves spending time in Apa's little art studio.  Apa is in the process of creating a painting for Maddy; when he showed her its progress, she insisted on watching him paint and then helping him out.

happy 4th!

Today, we headed off to the Alameda Fourth of July parade to indulge in a little patriotic spirit.  We found a great shady spot on Central Ave and watched as the dancing horses and high school bands marched by.

Look!  Here comes the parade!

maddy the fish

Maddy asks to go to the pool every day and we usually have an excuse lined up as to why we cannot go.  Today, however, was the perfect pool day because it was hot, hot, hot!

Maddy couldn't contain her excitement.  She must've jumped into the pool 50 times.

dog days of summer

After running around at the dog park and taking a dip into the bay, Baxter got a much needed bath.

What better way to top off a good day than to bask in the sun?

life after disneyland

Maddy spent the last few days in Disneyland with Amah and needless to say, she was suffering from some serious withdrawals.  (Pictures of Maddy's third, yes third, trip to Disneyland to come.)  When I picked up Maddy from the airport, she was obviously sad to be home.  After all, who likes to come home after a fun filled trip?  To soften the blow, I had a few things planned for her yesterday. 

 First, we went to Pump It Up, a place with bouncy houses on steroids.  Maddy wasn't so into the bouncy houses and slides; instead she rounded up all the balls and tossed them out of the bouncy house.  The attendants would throw them back in and she would round them up and throw them back out.  Soon afterward, we headed to a neighborhood park and then back home.  She couldn't wait to put on the new princess outfit she recently acquired from her Disney trip.  

  

My goodness.  After her nap, we went to the dentist (not so fun) and then to the pool (yea, fun!).  She was so exhausted from her day that she slept almost 12 hours straight that night.

This morning, we were off to Maddy's first swimming lesson. 

   That's her in pink with her instructor.  I took these pictures from an upstairs viewing area for parents.  I was initially concerned that Maddy would need me to be close to her, but as soon as she saw the pool, it was "See ya, mom!"  Maddy has always loved being in the water (she likes to fearlessly jump in from the side of the pool at our complex), but I never imagined how comfortable she would be with the lessons.  She dunked her head into the water and practiced some leg kicks.  

It was a beautiful and warm day, so after Maddy's nap, we grabbed some Indian food for dinner.  Because Maddy finished most of her dinner, we treated her to Tucker's Super Creamed Ice Cream.  The line was long with at least two dozen people, but Maddy insisted on waiting.  This line was a piece of cake compared to Disneyland!  

We found a table right in front of the wide-opened window to take advantage of the warm summer evening.  It was already past Maddy's bedtime, but what the heck, you're only three once.