the Builder

On the way back from the beach we stopped at the outlet mall in Foley. Connor spent nearly the entire time here (with Bob the Builder). He became very possessive of this spot and would not leave lest another child desire to claim it. His instincts were on target, as I observed it to be something of a child magnet, for both boys and girls.

Gulf Shores

Cheese!

Relaxing

Connor on "vacation" (do small children take vacations? do small children need vacations?)

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.

Playdate

Here are some snapshots from our jaunt to Guntown, Mississippi (just north of Tupelo) to visit Jake and baby Mari.

Summer Evenings ...

That's Connor and his next door neighbor playmate, Isabella. She just turned two. This week they've enjoyed playing outside together in the evenings.

Road Trip

Tomorrow we're going to the car museum! We also hope to visit Jake and Mari. Look for pictures .... coming soon!

The fun part is knocking them all down.

Wedding Trip

Above, Poppa and Connor approach the garden where the wedding took place. Reception festivities were held both inside the house and in the surrounding courtyard. While Connor appreciated the lovely setting, he felt constrained by the lack of open space in which to run, especially after he drank a little Sprite.
Below, Connor and Liam (his same-age second cousin) share a moment. Most likely Liam is advising on modern ring-bearing techniques. Liam was ring-bearer for his uncle, the groom, a job that Connor will execute this fall when his uncle Walter walks down the aisle.

Hanging Out

The small lawn chair was mine as a child, and Connor loves to sit in it each time he visits the grandparents. Below, Connor and Hubbard conference in a cool tent.

Tic-Tac-Toe

I am not sure how well Connor truly grasps the concept of this game, but he seemed to enjoy it and managed to convince a good number of folks to play with him. Readers may recall this earlier match, his initial foray onto the tic-tac-toe scene.

Baby Bear

This is outside the science museum: Connor posing as a bear cub.

This photo harkens back to "Connor at the park" near Osako-jo about a year and a half ago.

Dinosaurs!

On a recent stay in Jackson, Connor visited the dinosaurs exhibit at the museum of natural science. His favorite part was the "excavating" -- is that what I call it? (Kids used brushes to "uncover" the dino fossils beneath.)

Connor was fairly enthusiastic.