Wasn't it just Memorial Day???

I truly am aghast that it is mid-August. The only reason that I figure I cannot explain how the past two months have snuck on by is that in direct opposition to our winters here where time creeps by hour by hour as the frigid winds blow and cabin fever is easily acquired, Minnesota summer days are less scheduled and we spend every possible waking (and not working) hours outside. This is also my reasoning for having a blog absent of entries since I have been spending far fewer of my "me" hours actually sitting at the computer. We eat alfresco almost every night and I have kept to my word about watching less TV this summer and reading more. Cole helps me water the flowers and Dave with the garden after dinner. It is amazing when the sun doesn't set until almost 10pm how much more TIME you feel you have. From November through April (at least here in the tundra), the days seem to end at 5pm and everyone hunkers down for hours vegging out before bedtime, hence my more prolific winter postings.

Anyway, Cole and I have made use of the long days and have explored so many new playgrounds and parks this summer in attempt to make use of the wonderful weather we have had since May. It has not been a hot summer and though it has been fine to run around and play outside, it has not been a great pool/beach summer. So we have taken to coordinating playdates with our friends at some great outdoor venues this year! Compared to even last fall, Cole is leaps and bounds a far more adept climber and confidently scales the ladders and jungle gym bars with ease. He has little fear (which is good and bad I guess) and I try to let him play without too much of my motherly caution ringing out.

Dave built a cool sandbox for Cole in June and not one day goes by when Cole doesn't ask us to "come play in the sandbox with me" with those Coca-Cola eyes and lilting voice just begging for us to come and get sandy. He gets quite bossy though once you have joined him, indicating what he wants you to do and build so maybe he'll be a CEO or architect someday!

Cole also has become quite the Pele with the soccer ball. He has a straight shot kick that is direct and on target 9/10 times. His ability to aim and shoot with such strength has amazed Dave and I. We both played well during our days on soccer teams so Cole must have our combined DNA with this skill. He also has quite an arm as exhibited both outside where we are allowed to throw balls to Tucker as well as inside where we are still learning that we roll the ball as explaining to him that outside we throw and inside we roll is like expecting him to understand the difference between inside voice and outside voice. This is what I frequently see on his angelic face as he is told once again, "Cole, please stop shrieking, we are inside, we need to use our inside voice"...blank stare....processing processing...does not compute.

I DO IT!!

Cole could be a great Nike spokesperson since just about everything he responds to with "I DO IT". This reply is standard for opening & closing doors, buckling his carseat strap, getting into and out of the Volvo, retrieving his sippy cups from the refrigerator, pushing play on the DVD player, putting toothpaste on his toothbrush, wiping his face with a washcloth, entering and exiting the bathtub, sliding on his shoes, pulling the mail from the mailbox, holding Tucker's leash and the list continues...of course, he shrieks like a wet hen when he doesn't get to do it and I cringe when I hear myself state "Cole, you can't always do everything yourself, sometimes Mommy or Daddy has to do for the sake of time (or more truthfully for lack of patience) knowing that a meltdown of grand proportions will take center stage. Of course he has his moments when he rather "Mommy DO IT" which typically is when he makes a mess and wants me to clean it up, wants me to carry his truck and/or him after he gets tired with 20 minutes more to go of our walk with Tucker or when I'm driving and can't pick up whatever he has dropped.

I love his independence as the apple hasn't fallen far from the proverbial tree however, the foot stomping whining that ensues when he can't do it himself sometimes has me wanting to say "FINE YOU DO IT, YOU DO IT ALL" in a adult version of a tantrum. As a parent I have these thoughts daily but I remain calm, cool and collected (most times) and let him have his momentary lapse of composure. Like a switch he shuts off the tirade as quick as it starts on most occasions as his distraction tendency is high which is lucky for me.

I just wish "I DO IT" would be attributable to going potty on the potty *sigh*...but I guess he isn't ready for that amount of responsibility quite yet!