The highlight of the summer was our family reunion at grandpa’s house. I spent a week with my Uncle Terry, Auntie Alice, and my cousins Tami and Alexa. We went to Okanagan Lake every day and practiced swimming to the dock. The girls are really strong swimmers and terrific coaches! We played in the sprinkler, caught spiders and grasshoppers, went to the petting zoo, and baked cookies and birthday cakes with grandma.

What a wonderful surprise when Uncle Doug arrived, unexpected! Auntie Gail also surprised Terry with a beautiful fish quilt that’s almost as nice as the “I Spy” quilt she made me when I was a baby (which I still sleep under!).

It was good to get back home though because I always miss my friends, especially Dashin and Branson. I like to go swimming and bike riding with them. I love learning so many new things at school. Did you know there’s another world under the sea, and that the ocean has a midnight zone? I also enjoy going to the gym for Parents’ Night Out, cuz there’s a pizza party and crafts. I have a pretty busy social calendar, actually. At the end of every day, I bring home presents for mom and dad… things I’ve made all by myself.

I spent many nights spinning on the disco floor of the Burning Man trailer this summer, as mom and dad prepared for their trip! Dad built speakers that inspire me to break-dance!

The Grandmas came to look after me for 10 days, while mom and dad partied with their friends. They did a terrific job, putting a little more dough on my belly and arranging play dates for me. We played CandyLand and Dominos, and made lots of puzzles, and I looked after Meggie the Dog.

I always look forward to crazy weekends with Jason and Eliza (who just got engaged!). We have silly times together, drinking bubbles on the beach, shooting at targets, and breaking plates 😉

Here’s a blast from the past… Cinco de Mayo with Jason and Bryce : -)

Mommy’s trying to work a little less these days, and Daddy and I like to surprise her with flowers.

Heatwave, Blaze, and Chase are my new favorite friends. And I scream “Bumblebee!” every time I see a yellow mustang. Transformers, transform! Power and energize!

I’m also looking forward to my Karate lessons in October. Lego is still a huge part of my life, and I continue to master my building skills.

Summer is winding down, and I’ll miss the rides at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

But Fall is fun too, and we’re making use of the Burning Man trailer by spending weekends in Half Moon Bay… fishing, kayaking, and chasing sea lions.

Two funny things I do and say that make mommy laugh:

• yelling “Porcupine Power!” and shooting quills out of my back
• threatening “Skunk Power!” and spraying stink from my bum
• inquiring “Why is my penis straight?”