Like Blakey, Like Bopa

The relationship that my kids have with both sets of their grandparents is the most amazing blessing in all our lives. Blake and my dad have all of these special little games, (Mouse in the Hole and Slide A Bump are among the top two currently) and traditions (Starbucks for Coffee Milk and Scones every weekend). These two photos my mom captured on the ferry boat yesterday. The two of them find great joy in one another.

A Day at the Beach

We headed to Lopez Island with my parents yesterday to enjoy a day at a friends beach house. The boys played in the sand, found crabs, caught a fish and rode on a ferry. All very exciting when you are 3 and 1, as well as 29 and 32! Our friend's who own the home in Lopez are named Jacque and Steve. Blake thought that Jacque owned the Island, and Steve just got to stay there. Kind of like when he goes to Nana's house, I think he thinks Bopa pays rent.

Introducing...BRUCE!!!

Maybe you have not had the pleasure of meeting Bruce, but he joined the team back in May, the morning of Mother's Day. When we were growing up, we used to receive gifts on Mother's Day, because my mom said, "I wouldn't be a mom, if it weren't for you!" I liked that, so naturally, I have done the same with my kids. Bruce actually came as a larger group, but in order to buy the shark, we had to buy the 13 other sea creatures that came with it. No one is more loved, and adored, and abused, than Bruce.

And if you didn't know that they have Vacation Bible School for sharks, you do now. Blake wanted Bruce to come with him last week to VBS. I have learned too many times that Bruce has a tendency to get left behind, everywhere we go. Be it on the top of the slide at the park, in the far corner of our backyard for a month, (June was a rough season in our house) or most recently, underneath Nana's middle seat in her SUV, where Bruce suddenly became a Hammerhead Shark. I explained that Bruce (sometimes Brucey Bear) had to stay in the car while he was at school, and his response was, "Oh Mommy, that is just fine. Bruce has his own fish "BBS" to go to anyways." Bruce Bible School? Perfect.

The first day, the two swapped stories back and forth (really, Bruce talks. His voice is just a tiny bit higher than Blakes) and shared all of the excitement from the day. "Bruce just loves Jesus, Mommy."

Day 2, not so great. I am not sure what Bruce said, but Blake decided he wasn't going. After a quick conversation over the phone with me, Dave marched him right back in. He was more than happy to tell me that day that for some reason, VBS was only two days now, not the four we had thought it was. Since Needham's are in fact winners, I decided to make him go one more day. We are not raising any quitters here, no no.

Day 3. Out he comes, Bruce and Blake sharing tales once again, but there is a dullness in Bruce's voice. Blake announces that VBS has just changed again, from 4 days, down to just 3.

Okay, you win. (that and the gift of a snotty nose that VBS gave us, left us home on Thursday.)