Hollis turned 2 a month ago. Where does the time go? No, really, tell me. I feel like I have less and less time each week, each day. When Hollis was just 2 months old I spent several days canning plums and apples with a dear friend and her infant. We took shifts over the stove and over mill while the other tended to the little ones. At times I would prepare the fruit with Hollis asleep on my lap. Last year I canned much less and this year I have no time to can at all. We barely have time to socialize outside of playdates. The only two events we have hosted have been Hollis summer birthday bashes. This year we threw a big party at the Thompson Shelter in Avery Park. It was cool day with clear skies. Hollis ate several cupcakes and played in the sandbox like a wild dragon.
Hollis and I try to get out and about as much as possible but still there are days where we would rather play at home inside building lego castles and elaborate train routes taking over both the living room and dining room. Hollis like to construct and maybe even more deconstruct. He enjoys his time in imaginary play that includes knights and ninjas and well I do to so it works out well for both of us.
Hollis remains very verbal and enjoys recounting the events of the day, letting me know what color everything is, and sending greetings and salutations to friends and neighbors.
This spring and summer I am proud to say we have gotten out on several camping trips. I am proud because this is a goal I have set for our family and we are making progress. We purchased a 6 person family tent to provide us liveable shelter in any weather, so far the weather has been good to us. We got out to the coast and camped at Washburne State Park in June, Skull Hollow for the Sunrise Classic Half Marathon in July, and here we are camping out at Marys Peak in August. The boys thrive in open nature, so hard to come by in our day to day activities.
Hollis is a high energy little man, he is passionate about doing what he wants when he wants and now he has the words for his demands. He is hard to distract and not much of negotiator, I wonder if this a typical 2 year old behavior or if he is just that stubborn. He is very kind and gentle at the same time. He often says "no thank you" when he doesn't want to play what you want him to play, and "I sorry" when he accidently hurts someone or hurt their feelings.
The Baby Swap was one of the best things I ever joined. Hollis's buddies Ayla and Anni have become more like family than friends. Watch their love grow has been a true treasure. The teach and excite each other, they share and sometimes they don't. They look forward to their time together often screeching in sheer joy when they first get together. I love them all so dearly and couldn't ask for a better crew to parent with.
All in all life is great and we all doing so very well.
Hollis turned 2 a month ago. Where does the time go? No, really, tell me. I feel like I have less and less time each week, each day. When Hollis was just 2 months old I spent several days canning plums and apples with a dear friend and her infant. We took shifts over the stove and over mill while the other tended to the little ones. At times I would prepare the fruit with Hollis asleep on my lap. Last year I canned much less and this year I have no time to can at all. We barely have time to socialize outside of playdates. The only two events we have hosted have been Hollis summer birthday bashes. This year we threw a big party at the Thompson Shelter in Avery Park. It was cool day with clear skies. Hollis ate several cupcakes and played in the sandbox like a wild dragon. 
