Hope you've got some time....

I thought I would have had time to tell you all about the rest of summer when PJ started school three weeks ago.  I've been so busy playing by myself, though, running errands with Mommy again, and supervising the backyard hardscape crew (finally!), I just haven't had time!  So, here are a few words and pictures to get you all caught up....grab a cool drink, you're gonna be here a while!

Cooper



Timo & Moffett (July 6-12)
The two, 14-year old Chinese boys that stayed with us for one week. Yes, you read that right!  So Moms told us that a long time ago before they were real moms, they had two 8-year old Chinese boys stay with them - does anyone remember that?  Well, that company contacted Mommy this last spring and since we have more room in the new house, Moms agreed to host two students again and it was fun!  Timo and Moffett had breakfast and dinner with us each day, Mama would take them to UC Davis in the morning for classes and fieldtrips and we would try to play with them a little before or after dinner in the evenings.  They were very kind but spent a lot of time in their rooms by themselves.  On the weekend we took them to Beal's Point at Folsom Lake on Saturday and then to the Jelly Belly Factory on Sunday.  The funniest thing was that these boys kept asking for "dinner for breakfast"; they loved Mama's spaghetti with meat sauce and Mommy's hamburgers and hotdogs, so they asked for those before school in the mornings.  No thanks - I'll stick to my cereal and pancakes! :)

Cooling off at the Lake

Moms got us all huge snow cones while at the lake!

At the Jelly Belly Factory (Moffett far left and Timo)

At closing dinner with all the students and host families...that's Timo's real mom in the picture with us, too!

My BIRTHDAY! (July 13)
The day after Timo and Moffett left for more US adventures, I turned 3!  It was a really special day because: Nana came the day before, Mama took my special day off from work, Papa called me from China first thing on my birthday morning (wait, what?! Papa was in China while Chinese boys were living with us?  I'm so confused...!), presents, Funderland, more presents, dinner at "Panda Bear" (aka Panda Express) by my choice(!) and an ice-cream cake (mind blown!).  Phew!  Check out the fun by clicking here for more pictures: Super Coop's 3rd Birthday


Weekend O' Fun (July 14-16)
The day after my birthday Mommy and Nana had to go up to Oregon for a few days, so me and Mama and PJ had our own special plans and we stayed busy!

Friday was about Box Forts and staying cool

Sunday we went to Pacific Grove to visit The Villagers at their beach rental and go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium

After all that busyness, we took a short break before going to Nana Camp (July 24-30)!  Some of our high-lights were going to our favorite book store AND listening to a kid's concert while there; a trip to the amazing San Jose Children's Museum where there was not only a Thomas the Train Exhibit, but lots of other vehicles to climb in and another concert for kids by musician "Mr. G".  We had special park-time with Papa and Nana taught us a little bit of sewing.  Our fingers got to wear little hats while we used the sharp needles...what fun!  Our stuffed animal friends at home forgave us for leaving them, when we showed them the new little pillows that we made for them while we were away!  

My crazy Porter wound up on stage at both concerts we went to. He's nuts! :)

Late July through August, Porter had once a week soccer clinics with Kidz Love Soccer at the park down the street from our house. And we both took swim lessons for two weeks in early August.  You can find those pictures AND VIDEOS at this link:  Soccer & Swimming



San Diego (August 11-15)
Our yearly trip to visit Unclefer and Auntie Taylor was so much fun, as usual! We got to stay at their new house, meet the new puppy (doggie #3!), spend a day at the San Diego Zoo and time at the beach.  We can't wait to go back again next year!  You can see those adventures at this link: San Diego 2017

Random Summer Fun
In between all of these things were visits to the Sacramento Zoo with friend Olivia, Fairytale Fun and Park visits with Atticus, a hike in Novato with friends and a meet-up with Nana & Papa in Walnut Creek before they left for a big trip.

I got to be the first one to finally use Moms' new bath tub! :)

Back to School (August 21)

Brother is a big Kindergartener this year, he's so cool.  He's going to Tafoya in our old neighborhood and his teacher seems really nice.  Her name is Mrs. O'Quelly.  I'm hoping Mommy gets to start helping again soon so I can be try to be cool like the big kids! Here are some pictures and one video of Porter's new start:  PJ Goes Back to School



The Backyard

Finally, we have a little more than dirt in our backyard.  Thanks to some patience and a really generous contribution from Uncle Peter, The Paver Company came and built two patios, three little walls and an awesome walkway that goes from the patio clear around the house to the side garage door. The guys worked really hard and did a great job.  Mommy and I put out cold bottled water for them each morning and PJ and I gave them popsicles each afternoon when they were leaving; accept on the last day, then we gave them ice-cream sandwiches!  Now Moms say that as money and cooler weather is available they will slowly work on the rest.  They'll get it done eventually and for now, brother and I still love playing in the dirt that is left and our playhouse they set back up for us! :)

Good-bye back step.  Hello cute little fork-lift bringing our new pavers!