Evan Laughing

Vivian makes Evan laugh like it's the only thing left in the world to do.

He could be grouchy as a rattle snake when she makes a funny face. And then he cackles and laughs and just falls apart. This happens many times a day. In this iPhone video, Jo captured a few seconds of the craziness.

Zoo

Vivian walked by the hippo exhibit and suddenly realized that she was literally inches (of thick plate glass) away from a gigantic sleeping hippo. If you look carefully at the first photo, you will see her reflection - and the startled look on her face. By the time I took the second photo she had calmed down a bit - but still needed Mommy to stand beside her before she agreed to pose for the photo.

Which meant that Vivian was more prepared for the polar bear. This was a huge animal with paws bigger than dinner plates. The bear was right up against the glass as she played with a big plastic ball that she'd push deep into the water and then jump and grab as it floated to the surface.

There was time left over to goof off and coax Mommy into buying her something from the gift shop. Evan was not really very interested. He took it all in - but with a look on his face that seemed to ask "but why?"

Beach Bums

The kids are taking advantage of the heat wave across SoCal and getting their beach vacation finally. Here are some pictures. The last one is from early this morning. Evan didn't adjust to Pacific Time very well and was up from 4:45 this morning.

God Made Them All

It's early morning by my standards. Jo has gone to Crossfit. Evan and I are enjoying a few quiet moments before Vivian wakes up. When she does, she finds us on the armchair. Evan's attention is riveted to the upper branches of the big pecan tree outside the window. A dozen doves and three squirrels are providing the entertainment.

Vivian makes herself comfortable in the armchair 0n top of everyone. Usually Evan reaches over and hugs and kisses and slobbers all over Vivian as soon as he sees her. Today he's still staring out the window.

Vivian: "Daddy - what is Evan looking at?"

Me: "Squirrels and birds on the pecan tree"

[Vivian looks out of the window for a few seconds]

Vivian: "God made them all"

Me: "People believe different things. Feel free to believe that"

Vivian: "I believe it. And Ms. Sally believes it too" [Ms. Sally teaches chapel at school]

Me: "That's good"

Vivian: "You don't believe that, right Daddy"

Me: "That's right"

Vivian: "Evan believes it"

Me: "It's hard to say what he believes in because he can't tell us"

[Silence. 30 seconds later...]

Vivian: "Once Evan starts going to church he'll believe it too"

[She laughs. Evan and I join in]

Me: "Yes - I think that's how it works"