*Labor* Day

I took E to the Louisville Labor Day parade yesterday. He enjoyed the bands and the cheerleaders, wasn't quite sure about the clowns and the horses, and the cars, eh. There's one part he really liked, though. It took him a bit, but once he figured it out he was all over the swag. And then... he realized he could go out there.... and collect it... himself! (Until then he was largely benefitting from the (slightly misplaced) generosity of the little boys on either side of us).

For a little boy who increasingly wants to do everything himself, this was pretty sweet:

Note his very full hands. He wouldn't let me take anything until he was completely incapable of grabbing another thing, and then he would give me the full load.

In case that doesn't seem American enough, I offer this (obviously originally recorded to be sent to Ray. And yes, I did let him eat (a tiny corner off of) a piece of his stash. Yes, Mom, I watched him the whole time.)

Maine (part 2)

Come, join us for a peaceful interlude on Upper Narrows Pond.

Maine (part 1?)

We had some amazing trips this month. I'm still sorting, editing, even downloading and, well, it's bedtime. So... Maine. It was amazing. When your friends buy a house on a lake in Maine, go. Particularly if your friends are fun, great cooks, and have good taste in beer. Ah, just go visit Heather and Pete.

Some highlights:

Pemaquid Lobster Coop- Eamon ate crabcakes, not so much for the lobster. We got an amusing conversation amongst the other tables about how much fun they have driving their porsches, particularly at 120 mph across east Texas (near their second/third homes). Heather and I didn't tell them that the buicks that we had when we were 16 could do 120, nor did we tell them that Texas... stinks.

Ray just enjoyed the lobster. Eamon liked the crabcakes.

But really, he liked the playground, and even better: the rocks under our table.