The Boy and the Balloon (and the other bulldog)

Our neighborhood owner's association puts on a Fourth of July BBQ every year and we almost forgot about it. Luckily, we live across from the park and don't often miss the set up of big events like this. Being that it's mainly a kid oriented event, we usually don't go. Last year, we went, but took Polli... had a slice of pizza and soda, then left. We had a reason to go this time!

They put up about a dozen different giant inflated toys...you know the kind, slides, obstacle courses, ball rooms, etc. Ian is still a little small for these. By next year, he will be bigger, more agile, and fearless, but for now, he still needs us right there with him.

He mostly enjoyed screaming "bike!" every time a kid rode by on a bicycle, and was on the constant lookout for dogs. He also quietly watched the kids ride by on ponies, ate an entire giant hot dog, and even drank from a bottle of water by himself.

He was happy to sit and people watch (just like his mama), but the highlight of his day came when Shawn got him a helium balloon and tied it to his wrist. He ran through the grass laughing like it was the most exciting thing that has ever happened to him. His face lit up like I haven't seen in a long time.

He took 2 long naps yesterday and stayed up later than he's ever been up (10:30pm) to watch fireworks. I walked him around the block after dark to see what neighbors were shooting off. He wasn't afraid, but held my hand tightly, and eventually asked for "ups" and I carried him, very quiet and eyes everywhere. He seemed more interested in the kids riding by on skateboards, and snapped out of his trance when a minivan drove by and he exclaimed "busss!", which is his 2nd favorite word to "bike" right now.

He was fast asleep within 10 minutes after arriving back home. I told him that before long he would be begging to get fireworks...There's plenty of time to be interested in them later. Polli on the other hand, was a mess. I wish I would have kenneled her. She was excited, stressed, hyperventilating, and inconsolable. She's still catching up on her sleep...and a few minutes ago, was running and barking in her sleep. Still chasing the thunder and fireworks. Poor girl.

This morning, Ian and I walked to Starbucks and a little 5 year old girl came over and asked what's wrong with Ian's ear. I told her that when he was born one ear was smaller than the other, but that he can hear. She said, "oh, so it's just different, huh?". I said "Yep, and it's OK to be different. Kind of like how you have freckles and your sister doesn't". She said "Yeah, just like that", and ran off. It was cute, and made me glad to have the practice talking to kids about his ear, but also warmed my heart to see that kids are so simple. She didn't want to know how it happened, or what kind of surgery he'll need, or how we're prepared to deal with it socially... she was just curious, and got the whole "it's OK to be different" answer.

We continued around the block and passed the Karate studio, where Ian was again mesmerized by the kids kicking and yelling. For the next block, he was walking and kicking, and laughing at his new skill... a black belt in the making. The best start of all is that this morning he jumped and both feet left the ground. Another big motor skill that we've been working on. My boy's growing up so fast!

I think you can click this image to enlarge it. There were too many cute shots of Ian enjoying his balloon to pick just a few.

Ian meets one of Polli's English cousins. This bulldog is 12 weeks and really made me want another dog.

Hard to believe that 8 months ago, he had never even seen a dog before.

Drinking without help. I think half the bottle went down his shirt right after I snapped this shot, but it's a start.

Later in the day... trying on dad's hat. He hates having hoods or hats on his head, so to get it to stay on long enough for a picture was a huge feat. I can't believe Shawn's adult hat almost fits Ian. Can you believe his original file listed him as having a "high risk" low head circumference? Whatever!