Hazy, Lazy, Summer Days!

It's another hot one today!  With no end in sight to the hot and hazy days of summer.  My body and soul crave the breath of cool air in my lungs.  Grabbed the little love of my life, a few snacks, my fold up chair, and headed to the 'stream park'.  On go the water shoes (his, not mine!) and off into the stream he goes!

Tons of rocks, Nana!

 How lucky am I?  Sitting back in the shade of a huge maple tree, watching Aidan pick up rocks and fling them into the water.  Life is good!

More rocks, Nana!

Butterflies flitter.  Dragonflies glide along on the warm breeze that flutters through the trees.  Falling leaves land in the water and I watch as they float and skip their way down the stream.  I have to momentarily close my eyes and take in all the sounds.  Or lack thereof!  All I hear is the rustle of leaves in the trees, a few birds singing off in the distance, and the water babbling as it rushes over the boulders in the stream.  Ahhhh!

Plop, Plop, in they go!

Oh yes...and the sound of rocks landing...ploop, plop, into the water they go, hurled through the air by my dear little grandson.  Rock...after rock...after rock!  He never tires of it.   I dreamily imagine him a famous baseball pitcher some day, making tons of money, so he can look after his old, drooling nana.  Hmmm...
This is a good summer's day!  As Aidan like's to remind me..."Life's Good Nana!"
Indeed it is, little one!

Happy Birthday, Aidan!!

Today...is my beautiful grandson's fourth birthday!  What an amazing journey it has been so far!  I cannot imagine my life without him in it.  He is such a happy boy!  So loving and giving.  So innocent and full of wonder at everything around him.  Now that summer is here, and we're outdoors most days, there's a whole new world out there to explore!  Birds, ants, bees, rocks, flowers, clouds...

Hangin' out at the beach.

 As often as possible, we head to the beach to throw rocks into the lake, which apparently, to a four-year-old, is the most exciting thing in the world to do!  For a little variety (and for his Nana's sanity!) we have been exploring local parks and pathways, finding streams and rivers in which to throw more rocks!

'Meditating' in the park.

What to give a four year old for his birthday?  He has so many trucks and cars, and books about trucks and cars!  He has water toys, a sand box and a tricycle.  Hmmm...decided now would be a good time to invest in his future education!  So, off to the bank we go and sign up for an 'education savings fund'.  I know it's not a very exciting gift, but when he's eighteen or so, I think he'll be happy (I KNOW momma and daddy will be!)  to have the money to help him through college or university.  And now for each birthday and holiday, Papa and I can put some money in the fund, instead of (more likely as well as!) buying more toys.

It's great to be FOUR!

Well, we didn't end up adding to the toy collection this year!  Along with the 'moola' deposited to the education fund, this years birthday gift is a 'Bob the Builder' DVD, and...a bag of river rocks from the dollar store!  I just know we're going to need them...by the end of summer there won't be too many left at the beach!
Happy Birthday, my beautiful boy!