My Honest Son.

Said Wesley when I asked him why he was shoving Matchbox cars down his shirt, creating a large bulge in his belly: "I'm trying to look like you, Daddy."

Daddy's Plans.

This past Monday I had the day off, so Wesley and I went out to spend a few hours together. Our first stop was the local park, one of Wesley's favorite places. After an hour or so of kicking the soccer ball around and playing on the slides and swings, I thought we'd move on to the bookstore - another place he loves. I told him of my plans, but didn't get the response I thought I'd get. Thinking he may not have understood, I mentioned it one or two more times. Wesley finally turned to me and said, "Daddy, I know you really want to go to the bookstore, but right now I'm playing at the park." Wind, you may exit my sails.

Julia & Mommy.

Santa Claus 2007.

So Wesley was just as calm and cool about chatting with the big guy as he was last year. And his sister, well... not so much. But no worries - Julia's big brother reacted much the same when he was her age.

On a side note, you all will be surprised to hear how close I got to convincing Shannon to send this photo out as our Christmas card. Ah well, I'll keep trying.

Wesley's Girlfriend.

Wesley was getting ready for preschool and informed me that he wanted to sit next to Emma today. I told him that that sounded like a good idea and off we went to preschool. I didn't think much of this since he talks about different kids in his class on a regular basis. When we arrived at his classroom, we ran into Emma and her mom. I began telling Emma's mom about what Wesley had told me when their teacher overheard us. She informed us that Wesley and Emma are the "couple" in their class. They walk around holding hands while going from activity to activity together. How adorable is that! All I know is that I better get a picture of that for prosperity...

The Raccoon.

It occurred to me this afternoon that living with Julia is like having a wild raccoon loose in the house. Trash gets tipped over and rummaged through, drawers and tabletops get cleared of their contents and strewn about the floor, and all scraps of food get devoured.

Wesley & Julia's Dishwasher.

This is pretty much what our dishwasher looks like daily.

First Day of Preschool.

Dog Name.

The subject of having a pet dog comes up more and more frequently in conversations with Wesley nowadays. Recently I was sitting with him chatting about the subject when I asked him what he would name his dog. "Dan."

P.S. Wesley's mother immediately put the kibosh on this name.

Santa's Pizzeria.

Shannon and I have begun deflecting Wesley's requests for toys onto Santa, telling Wesley that perhaps he should wait and ask for these things for Christmas. The other day we told him that Santa was busy in his workshop making toys. "No, he's not making toys," Wesley announced. "He's making pizza."

Cucaracha.

Leaving.

After a fun weekend in Apple Valley visiting Poppy and Grandma, Wesley was in no mood to leave. As we drove away from their house, he defiantly announced "I want to stay at their house forever!" Wesley repeated his declaration several times to no avail, as we continued driving away. He then decided to change tactics, telling Shannon and I we were going the wrong way. We asked him which way we should go, to which he responded by pointing back towards Poppy and Grandma's house. When that strategy didn't work, he gave one last ditch effort - "Mommy, we need to go THAT way - there's a surprise for you there!"

Vacation Bible School.

Let's just say Wesley was very, very enthusiastic.

July 4th Camping.

A New Storm Front.

Previously, a day in the life of Julia would largely consist of sitting in the middle of the living room gleefully watching all that was happening around her (i.e., Hurricane Wesley). She has since leapt into the wonderful world of mobility, and has made it abundantly clear that while she sat still so peacefully in months past, the wheels were turning in her little head as she diabolically made lists in her head of all the things she planned on getting into once she could crawl.

Wesley's Water.

Announced Wesley from the back seat of the car as he struggled to get something off his tongue: "Mommy, I want better water with no hair in it."

Wesley's Number One Fan.

Wesley & Abby.

Yeah, they're still buddies.

Thomas and the Emergency Expo.

After a few hours at the Thomas the Train fair, we went to the Emergency Expo in Santa Clarita. It was a good day to be Wesley.

Easter Bunny.

After an unsuccessful attempt at striking up a conversation with the local mall Easter Bunny days earlier, Wesley turned his attention to the church Easter Bunny, who was more than happy to listen to him tell her all about eggs filled with jelly beans and Chuggs the Easter train.

On a side note (relating to "Chuggs"), Wesley fell hard for the old Rankin-Bass animated special "The Easter Bunny is Comin' to Town," which he took as the final word on all things Easter Bunny.