Bob the Builder? Amateur!

I apparently forgot to post this one...

This is how Collin builds a cabinet.

Step #1 - Line all of the screws end to end

(Uncle Jed apparently still needs directions...)

Step #2 - Smile patiently while Mommy takes yet another picture

Step #3 - Instruct Uncle Jed on the "proper" way to hold a hammer

Step #4 - Repeat until they get it right

And wouldn't you know it, all of Mommy's picture taking DIDN'T include one of the finished product. Oh well, it's standing up in our garage.

The Fanny Dunker

Water adventure number two at Bear Lake, came courtesy of this little beauty. This little two man sailboat belongs to a friend of Grandma Great's. It's called The Peanut, but while I was growing up, we knew it as the Fanny Dunker. It's a name well earned. At one point or another, this boat was responsible (okay it could have been the owner) for "dunking" me and each of my siblings into the chilly waters of Bear Lake.

Uncle Matt was more than happy to take a very eager Collin for a ride and I agreed, after making him promise me that Collin would go dunk-free.

Leaving him alone in the boat? Yeah, that's off to a great start...

But in the end, Collin's fanny remained relatively dry and I now have a budding sailor on my hands.

Kyaking - Who Knew?

On our second day in Bear Lake, we were up bright and early (and I do mean early) Saturday morning, ready to hit the beach. Well, in this case, rocks. The water level was up so high this year, the beach disappeared. At first I was a little worried that Collin wouldn't have anything to do all day with all the sand gone, (yeah, I don't know why I worried about it either...) when in swooped Uncle's Nate and Matt with various water toys.

First up was Uncle Matt's kayak. Matt was a little busy setting up a sailboat, so of course, Collin turned his big pleading brown eyes to Uncle Jed who talks a big game, really never says no. Collin was so excited to go, and so afraid he'd miss his turn, that he promptly ran over to it, jumped in and waited "patiently" while Uncle Jed put the oar together.

Once that pesky little task was out of the way, they were off to the water. It took a little talking to convince Collin that Jed actually had to be in the kayak WITH him. He was convinced he could do it himself.

Okay, it took a LOT of talking, and finally, mommy picking him up and moving him.

But then, they were off! I lost count officially, but I'm pretty sure Collin rode in that kayak at least 11 times. Who needs sand??

Let Me Do That For You

This summer found us at Grandma Great's cabin in Bear Lake for a weekend. This time we were there with a BUNCH of family. The first, night, I was having trouble convincing a very sleepy, but very STUBBORN Collin that it was time to brush his teeth and get ready for bed. Enter the ever so patient (and apparently not afraid of a little pain) Melyssa, who volunteered to let Collin brush her teeth first.

Now THAT friends, is true devotion! (And she's pretty darn cute too, isn't she?)

Thanks Missy! I'm not sure even I would have let him put me through that!

Sleep Well Old Friend

This last week, we lost our friend Tucker.

We didn't know he was sick, but apparently he was REALLY sick. Although there were times he made me absolutely CRAZY, I'll miss him. He's been one constant in an ever changing world for me for the last six years. He and Collin got off to a pretty rocky start but, before long, became the typical "boy and his dog" with all it entails.

So long old friend, I'm glad you're not hurting anymore. Thanks for being our friend, companion and pseudo-guard dog. Oh, and if there's a garbage can in Heaven that someone thinks they've locked up tight, I'm sure you're enjoying the opportunity to prove them wrong. We love you Tucker and we'll miss you!

I Thought We Went To The Same Place...

I know I drove the car. He was holding my hand when we walked through the door. So how is it we managed to have two TOTALLY different visits in the same office? Let's review shall we? Collin rode on a magic space ship. I sat in the dentist's chair.

Collin got his teeth counted. I got the "scraper of DEATH" (okay, I might be whining just a little bit, but have I mentioned I'm not good with pain in my mouth?)

Collin got to teach the sweet hygienist how to brush her teeth. I got told I had a cavity. (I haven't been to the dentist in about 12 years, so I don't know why that news surprised me...)

Collin got to play with water pick and hear how the drill worked. Me? Yeah, I got the practical application.

Collin got handed a toy when we left. I got handed the bill. Collin said "that was fun, can we go back tomorrow?" I just bit my the inside of my still numb cheek and smiled.

Look Out World, He's On Two Wheels!

A while back Collin's friend Zaden learned to ride his bike without training wheels. He was so excited, he came across the street to show Collin. Collin, being the ever adventurous soul that he is, asked if he could try. I tried to explain that it only had two wheels and he would fall down, but he insisted he could do it. I finally gave in, thinking he would fall over once, decide that it hurt and go back to the relative (and I do mean relative) safety of his scooter. He hopped on, and in true jaw dropping Collin form, proceeded to ride the bike up the street. Oh boy. The two things he couldn't do? Turn and stop. Kind of important skills to have in the bike riding department, so while he practiced on Zaden's bike, he got the opportunity to "earn" a bike of his own.

The challenge was to listen to mommy and to sleep in his own bed for two weeks straight. It seemed like a good idea at the time... :) He got a sticker to put on his calendar for every day he made it through. Two very long weeks and 37,492 "mommy, can I ride my bike now"'s later, and no I am not rounding up, we finally made it!

I'm not sure which one of us was more excited to see that last sticker go on, but the blessed day finally arrived! Unfortunately, mommy didn't have the right tools to take off the training wheels. Okay, let's be honest, mommy didn't have the slightest idea what the right tools WERE to take off the training wheels, let alone whether or not she had them.

So we had to make do for a little while until Zaden's daddy could come save the day and turn it into a Big Boy Bike.

Then off he went! Word of warning, he still can't stop, so if you happen to find yourself on the same sidewalk, you might want to dive for cover. No really.