Not to beat a dead horse or anything . . .

But geez, it is hot outside.

Record breaking temperatures all week.

Record breaking heat indices* all week.

During the day, the heat is bad enough to cause power outages because the air conditioners just can't keep up.


And at night?  Usually the place of blessed relief?

It is nearly midnight, and it is still 88 degrees.  And humid enough to feel sticky just by poking your head out the door.  Add in the massive numbers of bugs and it is murderous.

Who do I contact about getting a cold wave through here?


*Grammatical note: indices is the plural form of 'index'.  I hate that the rule for any word ending in x is to change it to a c and add es.  It takes away a lot of the cool factor when you remove the x.  I vote we change this rule.  The rule should be to simply add 'es' to the end.  Way easier to remember, and we get to keep the 'x'.  From now on, you should say 'heat indexes' or refer to the 'appendixes' of a book.**

**Never mind.  Now that I see that written out, it looks dumb.  Let's stick with the old rule.

Glorious Weekend

Shopping garage sales with my hubby, giddy with the knowledge that we were alone together.

Dinner and dessert with B and Stacey at Cheesecake Factory, then wandering the bookstore until it closed, mostly just chatting.

Taking Miles to the farmer's market, and reveling in the compliments from strangers on how cute he was in his little overalls.

Long, glorious naps in the middle of the day.

Stir fry made with veggies fresh from the market.

Exploring a local park, and watching Miles' delight when he saw the "Duck! Cack! Cack!" on the lake (even though it was actually a goose).

A quiet, lazy Monday, that ended with delicious steaks marinated with a sauce I designed on the fly.

Sunshine, and cool breezes.  Long walks, and holding hands with my hubby, and the joy of toddler giggles.

Perfection.

It's Going to Be a Loooooong Summer

Miles slept in a little on Monday morning.  Until 8:30.  Which was glorious.  I got him up and dressed, and decided we should play outside after breakfast.

We walked out the door at 9:30.  It was already 87 degrees, and the humidity was so high you could chew the air.  Miles puttered around the patio for all of five minutes, before climbing the steps, knocking on the door, and saying, "In.  Hot."  Repeatedly.  Until I gave in.

He refused to step outside for the rest of the day.  Anytime I would try to take him out to play, he would cross his arms, and stubbornly insist, "Hot.  Uh-uh."

We're never going to survive summer.

Put Your Hands In the Air!

Can you tell that the roller coaster of my life has just plunged down that first, terrifying, sky-high hill?

Festival rehearsals started this week. After spending last week preparing for Special Olympics, and the weekend in Wichita for it, I came back to a messy house, a teething baby,* and a week full of rehearsals.

Tuesday was our first court rehearsal, where I got to meet all of the wonderful new court members. I may just love this court - they're all kinda awesome. Last night was Apprentice meeting - a required rehearsal for all first through third year performers. It was also awesome. In fact, based on the people I saw last night, I know this is going to be an amazing year. And tonight is Kancheskera rehearsal. It's time to start putting together a gypsy kids' show! :)

Meanwhile, I've been spending my days with Miles at home, helping him to return to some semblance of routine while I wait for word from on high that I can finally start getting paid for my job. It's probably best that I haven't been at the office, because seriously, this kid has been sleeping like crazy. And in between his 2-hour-long naps, he wants to sit on the couch next to me, nomming on cereal and occasionally laying his head on me. Putting him on the floor is acceptable for a few minutes at a time, but goodness forbid that I walk out of the room.

It really could be much worse, acutally. Having four teeth coming in simultaneously would turn most babies in to those shrieking monkeys that you can always hear from outside the zoo. Miles is quiet, and really hasn't cried much at all. He just wants to be close to Patrick or me, cuddling close for a bit of comfort. And sleeping. A lot. Which should equal more regular blog updates, but I'm trying to spend that time returning my house to some semblance of order, and preparing for each night of rehearsals as they come.

Speaking of which, I have dishes to do, a character survey to write, and lesson planning to do for tonight's rehearsal. So, adieu, until I find five minutes to post again! :)

*Seriously. Four at once. What is with this kid? He doesn't do anything by half. . .

Swimming

As you may have guessed from yesterday's photo, we finally managed to take Miles to the swimming pool. He looked so cute in his little swimsuit, with his hair spiked up like a mad scientist because of the sunscreen I had to put on his head. So, of course, we took a ton of pictures before he even got in.

Then came the Moment of Truth. I got into the pool, and Patrick handed him down to me.

For a long while, we just stood there, staring at the expanse of water. He clung to me as if anxious about this new experience, but his eyes were wide, and his eyebrows were knit in concentration. He was intrigued. Slowly, tentatively, he splashed at the water, still uncertain.

Then, Patrick joined us in the pool. Miles reached for his Daddy, and I passed him off, helping him to float through the water to him. He grabbed Daddy, but then immediately turned and began splashing. Patrick held him under the arms, allowing him to dangle in the water, and pulled him around the pool slowly. Within minutes, Miles was kicking and laughing, showing off for the two women sitting on the side of the pool.

We spent the next twenty minutes playing in the water, all three of us laughing constantly. But, eventually, it was time to get out of the pool and go home. As we walked home, dripping and smiling, Miles stared back at the pool, as if ready to go back already.

Randomivity

So I was wrong.* Apparently, I have one photo of Miles from the day of his Baptism. In his adorable little suit.

He is SO stinkin' cute that I almost want to dress him in suits everyday. If it weren't so warm, I probably would.

Oh, and if I could count on the fact that he wouldn't ruin it.

Also, might I point out that his hair is finally showing up in photographs. And that it now appears to have a slightly reddish tint in photographs. I'm honestly a little excited to find out what color it will be when he has a full head of hair. Until then, though, I will continue to speculate that it might be red. Ish.

So, I feel it's time for a random topic change. Because, ya' know, that's just how I am. And besides, I haven't quite had enough coffee to be coherent, yet.

Anyhow, speaking of warm weather,** I'm very excited about taking my boy swimming for the first time. Now, if only I could get the stars to align just right, I might be able to have everything in one place at one time on a warm enough day that I could take him swimming. And if I'm even luckier, he may even be in a good enough mood to go.

Seriously, I had forgotten what an undertaking it is to go swimming. I mean, you have to locate your towel and suit (and hope the suit still fits right, and didn't mysteriously shrink over the winter). You have to slather on the SPF 45 at least thirty minutes before going out. You have to have eaten at approximately the same time as you are putting on sunscreen, so as not to get those infamous Old-Wives-Tale cramps.*** And that's all before you leave the house.

And with a baby, it's even harder. First, you have to find the baby-sized swim suit. I thought this would be easier, given that I have a little boy, but apparently, swim shirts aren't just for girls anymore. And with a baby whose skin is fairer than mine, if that's possible, covering him up is just a wise decision.**** Then, you have to find the sunscreen. Only, with a tiny bit of research, I found that I really should be buying a specific type of sunblock. Reasons abound, but I get confused, and simply remember brand names that are supposed to be better for babies. But now that means that I have to go buy special sunblock for my baby. And swim diapers. Which, somehow, do not exist on the shelves of three different stores that I've been to this week. Once I have the baby dressed, diapered, and sunblocked (which, hopefully, will happen someday), I have to feed him. And get myself ready. And most importantly, I have to get him to the pool. Before he falls asleep from the exhaustion of getting ready to go swimming.

Excuse me, please. I'm about to have a Highly Dramatic Moment. You don't have to watch if you don't want to. Here goes. . .

Why?!? Why does it have to be so hard?!? I just want to take my baby swimming! I think he'll LOVE it, if we can ever make it. Ugh. Life sucks sometimes. :P

Okay. Moment over. You can look again. Sorry. I apparently have spent too much time around Maestro. I now have Angst.

And randomivity. I think it's time to go get more coffee.

Have an awesomely wonderful weekend!

*Yes, it happens on occasion. But I will deny it if you ask me later. :)

**I did - up there where I said it was "too warm" for him to wear suits everyday. :)

***Sure, we all know it's an old wives' tale, but who wants to risk it?

****Can you imagine an 8-month-old with sunburn? NO fun. :(