Swimming

Mercy took a dip with me on Father's Day in my brother's Jacuzzi. I think she thought it was just a large bath with bigger toys and more people. She loved it.  I'm not surprised since she is a little daredevil with everything else. We just need to strap on a helmet and a life jacket and then she'll be set up for pretty much anything.

The Joy of Leaf Stomping

(from Sara)  I heard Mercy in hysterical belly laughter the other day and this is what I found.  I'm not sure if she got self-conscious when she looked at the camera, or if she was trying to tell me, "This is a private joke, Mommy."  Anyway, Mercy loves her Daddy and they have A LOT of fun together.  Happy Father's Day, Chris!

Going Somewhere?

I'll Show You Mine

(From Sara)

While I  was chatting with the teller at the bank yesterday I started to hear giggling from the people in line behind me.  I looked down at Mercy in her stroller, and there she was with her shirt lifted up pointing at her bellybutton and grinning at everyone.  Waiting in line can be dull, so I'm glad she could provide a little entertainment!  Her red-faced mom, however, had to restrain herself from bolting out the door...

Black and Blue and Smiley All Over

(From Sara)

Mercy is not normally accident prone, but she's had a lot of doozies lately.  

Mercy's current afflictions:

1) bruise on bridge of nose from bonking into the computer desk

2) large scrape on left cheek and nose from falling on her face on rough sand

3) mystery red bruise on chin??

4) nearly healed shallow cat scratch on right arm when kitty did NOT want to be pet and batted her arm away (again)

5) white line on fingernail almost grown out now from pinching finger in a drawer

6) various bruises on knees and shins from being an active toddler

7) mystery scrapes on right heel??

8) large bruise on top of left foot from PULLING THE PIANO BENCH DOWN ON HERSELF AND NARROWLY ESCAPING A WORSE DISASTER

It seems to bother me more than it bothers her, though.  She carries on with her happy-go-lucky self!  

Things Dads Hear When It's the Weekend and they Planned the Day Trip Themselves

"These tickets won't work on this train.  You're going to have to get off in Santa Ana.  Or I can sell you tickets for this train, but they're going to be REALLY expensive."  --train conductor

"What happened?" --wife

"Aw, dang it!  I just stepped in gum.  Irresponsible people!" --muttering to self

Anyways, after some delays, we made our way down to San Juan Capistrano today for Mercy's first train ride.  We walked around, shopped, and ate.  We went to a petting zoo where she got to see some animals she's only seen in books so far.  Her favorite, of course, being the cow.  When we returned home, she had her first successful bath in a LONG time.  It was great having all of her clean at the same time and knowing she got over her fear and isn't scarred for life.  Changing locations to the kitchen sink seemed to finally do the trick.  Long, fun, tiring day.

Books Are Not For Eating

Especially LIBRARY books!