"The Broken Tree"

Earlier this summer a tree a few houses down from us was struck by lighting. I'm not sure what I expected such a tree would look like but this sure wasn't it. The tree was a point of curiosity for all of us but Alder became somewhat obsessed with it. He would talk about it often and want to tell everyone about it. I took the picture above with my phone and he knew the photo was on there so he'd often ask me to take out my phone and show people the "broken tree." He'd also want to look at it at least once every night before bed.

The tree is a couple houses down from us and right next to what he calls the "dog house." The home earned that name from Adler because it has a chain link fence that comes right up to the sidewalk and dogs that bark at passersby. Adler really loves to go look at the tree but really doesn't like the dog house, which has been a major source of tension in the little guy's life.

Just recently a developer has demolished the house that had the broken tree in its front yard. Adler has named that hose "the 'molished house" and all the activity there seems to have finally won his interest away from the broken tree. But the broken tree was definitely a big part of the latter half of our summer and early fall.

Adler's 3rd Birthday!

Adler had his 3rd birthday party yesterday. We did it at Hyland Hills Gymnastics again this year which is a fun and (relativity) easy place to host a party. I'm not sure who had more fun - the birthday boy or his brother (or maybe even their dad) but I am pretty sure everyone had a good time.

This year I decided to mostly just stick to taking photos of my own kids.  

randoms

Paddle boating at Washington Park.

Adler, watching his teacher LT, at "letters and numbers camp." LT decided his brother needed some schooling one morning after Adler thought a number was a letter. And who better to teach him than his not even in kindergarden brother.

The boys got into the Olympic spirit. We watched events most nights before bed and here (with some direction from mom) they are doing an Olympic Rings art project.  

A trip to Little Monkey Bizness was one of the last activities of the summer.

our other boy

Preschool

Adler started preschool today (I guess we're officially not counting the first attempt last year). I forced him though the same sentimental photographic documentation that LT endured last week. At first he was a pretty good sport about it, despite not standing in the right spot for my lights, he did smile and even laugh at some of my jokes.

But he quickly tired of standing for photos and decided to just do his own thing. Apparently it was a good time to do some little guy yoga.

My boys headed off to school together.