Butt-Up Nap

Dexter was so exhausted from his time with Scout that he was out for a four hour nap the following day.

New Puppy Friend

Daddy, Dexter, and I went to our friends' house for a BBQ. They have a beautiful weimaraner named Scout. Everyone was a little concerned about how Dexter and Scout would interact but everything turned out wonderfully. Scout and Dexter became fast friends (Rosie the cat was very patient with Dexter who was desperate to have a kitty friend). During dinner, Scout and Dexter ran around and around and around the dinner table. When one would stop, the other would re-initiate the chase.

Navy Pier Fountains

Dexter and Daddy got reprimanded for playing in the water but I managed to get a few good shots before we were ushered away.

Rainforest Cafe

Despite the overpriced corporate atmosphere, Dexter thoroughly enjoyed his meal at the Rainforest Cafe when we went out to a suburban mall so I could use my Macy's gift card (I got a really cute dress).

Another Free Ride for Dexter

Dexy was not happy to have to wait for the bus. He didn't understand why we couldn't get on any old bus. But once our bus showed up and he got a prime seat in the back, he was happy as a clam to ride through the city back to the train station.

Ferris Wheel

We had been lucking out with free tickets for Dexter all day (since he's only 2) but when Ben bought tickets for the ferris wheel at Navy Pier, he was told, "Everyone rides for the same price." No discount for Dexter.

Water Taxi

From the train station, we walked across the river and took a water taxi to Navy Pier.

Taking the Train

We spent a day with Dexter riding a variety of modes of transportation. First, we waited for the train to take us to Chicago.

More Bowling

We spent one of my vacation mornings going bowling. Dexter beat Daddy by 28 points. Daddy beat Dexter in shoe size.

Kelsey, the Dexter Whisperer

Last night I had a few colleagues from work over to celebrate the completion of a project with a little BBQ. On Wednesday, Ben's friend Billy called to say he and his daughter, Kelsey, would be driving through Chicago on Friday so it was a real party when they also showed up. Dexter had a blast interacting with everyone. He was great until it was time for bed. He went through the get-read-for-bed rituals with no problem, even said goodnight to everyone, but then absolutely refused to lie down in his bed. He was fussing and screaming and crying. Ben and/or I kept going back into Dexter's room trying to soothe him to sleep. No luck. As I was coming out of Dexter's room for the umpteenth time, Kelsey asked if she could go in. I thought about it for a minute and figured she wouldn't get him any more worked up than he already was so I said fine. Kelsey was in that room for 10 seconds and Dexter was silent. She came out and I asked how she did that and the 11 year old told me, "I said, 'Dexter, can you go to sleep for me?' and Dexter said, 'Yes.'" And that was that!

Billy and Kelsey spent the night and we all went for a walk in the morning. Dexter held Kelsey's hand the whole time and pointed out things (mostly cars) in the neighborhood to her, "Look at that Cadillac, Kelsey." Too bad Kelsey lives in Tennessee or she would make a bundle babysitting for Dexter!

Little Helper

Lunch at the Pub

After Blackberry Farms, we drove around looking for a lunch spot and ended up at an Irish pub in downtown Aurora. Dexter ate a ton and insisted on carrying his water back to the car. It was a LONG one block walk.

Blackberry Farms

Daddy, Dexter, and I went to Blackberry Farms yesterday where Dexter rode in a hay wagon pulled by a tractor, rode a train around a pond, rode a pony named Chip, rode on the carousel, and rode a pedal tractor even though his feet didn't reach the pedals. Dexter is an awesome rider!

BFF

Dexter met Gabby at Toddlin' Two's last "semester" and they really hit it off. Now they run and greet each other with hugs when they get to school and hang out together playing. After "school" they sometimes go to the park.

Flag Waver

We had a low-key BBQ on the fourth of July - just Dexter, Daddy, My Bologna, and me. Dexter really got into waving the flag.

Father's Day

This year, Father's Day fell during a ridiculously busy time for me at work. We wanted to make sure Dexter celebrated his father in style so we put off Father's Day for a week to give me time to make a cake with Dexy and help him make a card for Daddy. Nevertheless, we did celebrate one Father's Day tradition on Father's Day that could not be postponed...the Annual Car Show! Despite a quick run through, Dexter thoroughly enjoyed himself. He was pointing out car's and exclaiming things like, "Look at that Mustang!" I can't believe he already knows so many types of cars.