Fairhope Pier

Click here to view the pier via webcam.

Fairhopers Community Park

We discovered a nice playground in Fairhope, right in town beside the K-1 school. The fence above features scenes depicting Fairhope's history. Cute.

I've been going to Fairhope practically my whole life, and never realized that it was founded as a "socialist experiment." From the City of Fairhope's website (pardon the history lesson, I just can't help sharing):

Fairhope began as a dream in the minds of a group of individuals who were seeking their own special utopia. The first Single-Tax colonists (so called because of their belief in the economic theories of Henry George, who advocated no taxes other than a single land tax), looked at land throughout the South and Midwest before settling in 1894 on a high bluff overlooking Mobile Bay. According to legend, one of the group said the new colony had a fair hope of success, and the community of Fairhope was born. Based on a spirit of cooperative individualism, the Single Tax Colony attracted supporters and financial backers from around the country, drawing an eclectic assemblage of industrious, creative, and free-thinking people to Fairhope.

The city of Fairhope was established with around 500 residents in 1908, taking over responsibility for all municipal services. In the 1930s, the city became the caretaker of Fairhope's greatest assets, the beachfront park, the park lands on the bluff above the beach, Henry George Park, Knoll Park, and the quarter-mile long pier, all gifts of the Single Tax Colony, which continues to have an active presence in the city to this day.

Avent Park Revisited

After visiting with George and company, Connor was treated to a romp at the park before dinner. Wish this pic was a bit more of a close-up, but I suppose it's nice with the playground as backdrop.

In Oxford I like taking him to Avent Park and in Jackson, Laurel Park (where we never fail to run into Mandy and Hayden).

Here's a babier Connor nearly a year ago in the same swing. (Last summer it was Elmo sandals, this summer Lightning McQueen crocs.)

George is One

This is George, on his first birthday. Beautiful child.

Despite the age difference, they enjoy each other's company.

A Thoughtful Nap

Connor in July

The long, hot days of summer keep us from going out to play until later, and it's sometimes past eight before the sun sets and we come inside, only to begin another busy day the next morning at 6 (on summer school schedule).

Connor is growing and maturing at a rapid pace. Lately I've noticed he's started making jokes of his own. I keep saying we need to write down some of the things he says (I will try to do a better job of this) .... Plus he's at that precious stage in life when even things said in sincerity are funny, because they sound so precocious. About a week or two ago, I don't know where this came from - school? or is it simply an inevitable stage of human development? he started the "Why?" (answer) "Why?" (respond) "Why?" in rapid succession until he has you stumped.

The pictures above are from last night: Connor and Isabella. For her second birthday last month, Isabella got a Barbie jeep, with a real rechargeable battery and radio. Connor has mastered the art of driving and all that it entails: starting, stopping, steering, reversing (thank goodness, because we grew tired of walking beside the jeep to "co-pilot"). So while he can't yet properly ride a big wheel, he can operate a small motorized vehicle.