Sizzlin' Summer Days

The boys stayed overnight after the fireworks display.  Nathan didn't enjoy the noise that accompanies them, so he and Gramma watched them from the dining room window.  Next year we're going to try Gramma's noise cancelling earphones.

For breakfast Gramma made oatmeal pancakes, which she's been making since Daddy was a toddler from Recipes for a Small Planet.  She accidentally used kefir instead of milk, since she uses it for her waffles.  There was a definite difference in the taste that was not an improvement.  Andrew gobbled his with no hesitation.  Nathan took a bite and looked absolutely shocked.  "Gramma, these pancakes don't taste too great!"  We finished them with a little extra syrup.  I thought to myself, "What a wonderful way to make a criticism painless."  Nathan expects everything Gramma makes to be great.  

When the temperatures go over 100 degrees, it's time for a dip and the hose.  

We headed to our private beach right after breakfast.

I can't wait to read Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer to these two.  I'm not sure who is Huck and who is Tom.  It depends on which day it is.

The boys love to water the bushes with the hose.  Nathan got so hot is face was bright red and his head was dripping.  I told him he had to give Andrew his turn so I could take him inside and cool him off.  We looked in the mirror, so he could see what too much heat can do.

Andrew took over and couldn't understand why we didn't want the bricks watered, too.  Rebecca found Nathan watering the bricks before the fireworks and asked if they were growing.  He told her, "Soon.  It takes time."  

The boys have discovered letters are fascinating.  They enjoy the sounds they make, writing them and typing them on Gramma's computer.  Soon they can read their own blog.

Nathan teaches his cousin, Nolan, the importance of careful aim and placement of your thumb.

Sunday we went to breakfast.  There was a line to be seated.  Fortunately, Nolan had his own seat and his own sweet potatoes for lunch.  He didn't mind the wait.

Nolan attracted attention from the little girls coming out of the restaurant.  A sign of the future.

After brunch, the boys came home with Gramma and Grampa.  Andrew said he was coming for a "Napover."
"Sleepovers," he explained, "are overnight."  

The boys discovered Gramma's synthesizer.  They're inspired by the variety of sounds and curious about the many buttons, which Gramma said not to touch.  When they asked why, I explained I don't even touch the buttons if I don't have to.

Twins are God's natural duet partners.

They take turns playing the primo and secondo parts.