first things first

we've been so busy enjoying the "last" of the summer and ramping up with work for fall that time has flown by!

the last thing i remember, we were in penticton and i was all on top of the day 1 & 2 photos from our trip.  that would probably be because for one whole day i couldn't figure out how to connect to the internet.  oh, the things that would get done in the world (or at least our house!) without internet access...  it would put a small dent in my factoid knowledge base and ability to impulse shop, but i would get so much more done!  

anyway, we were in penticton, enjoying the many beaches, the crickets, visiting with family, the fruit and the hot summer weather.  we spent mornings each day getting our little blanket village set up on alternating beaches (skaha one day, okanagan the next, rinse, repeat).  cole experimented with the many ways to flap, track, fling and whip sand on our blankets and ourselves, and we learned exactly how many forms ice cream can take. he enjoyed chatting up groups of teenagers and splashing about in the water and with our various inflatable toys (baby boat/turtle/dollar boogie board from the thrift store).  we even managed to get ourselves (with floaties and in shallow water) out to the floating platform on skaha lake.  

naptimes and bedtimes were a bit of a gong show - we tried sleeping in a big-kid bed and it was very exciting for cole.  it didn't really matter - he was jolly as all get out, even on the day he didn't nap at all!  contrary to the opinion i've held firmly for more than two years, the apocalypse did not come!  i wouldn't really like to do it again because i like my mid-day work time, but it was good to know that nothing terrible happened.  cole enjoyed his later holiday bedtimes - he marveled at the fact that "the sky is blue out!" at night.

after naptime each day we went on random adventures - to stops at lang, red rooster and see ya later vineyards, to the delightful naramata farmer's market, to tickleberries for ice cream, to the beach, the giant peach/ice cream stand, the boardwalk and the various delightful beachside playgrounds and parks.  

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cole was crazy for auntie patti, uncle danny and abby the dog.  every morning he woke up and asked "where are uncle danny, auntie patti and abby the dog?" and he was fascinated with abby's food, feeding her, looking for treats for her and hoping to eat her treats...  we had a great visit and dinner with auntie kathy, uncle al and cousins scott and ryan - he enjoyed pointing at everyone and calling them silly...  and he developed a fast soft spot for the luxury of the hot tub, forever asking "you wanna go in the hot tub?"  

our trip home was the best kind - uneventful.  well, except for a major barfing incident.  i've been spoiled - cole spat up only once when he was a baby, he didn't get a cold until he was nearly two and he's generally contained in terms of fluids...  fruit logs (available at fruit stands near you!) + windy roads + reading....  he had his moment, which freaked us both out, but i knew all was well when i stripped him down and put him up front in his diapers for a moment. right away he started ejecting and inserting cds, happy as a clam, asking what happened.  now, if i could only get the smell out of the car...

still no marmots in manning park, but we had a quick stop there for bathroom breaks and lunch.  cole told everyone that he was going to sleep in the car and less than five minutes out of the parking lot he was sound asleep for the rest of the trip home.

sometimes i forget that cole is two.  sometimes i he's very two - all asserting independence and creatng his identity and not eating food (except for fruit logs, apparently).  but most of the time he's just a fun little dude.  i really enjoy his easy-going personality, his quirky jokes, how he rolls with the flow.  am looking forward to our next solo jaunt!