Rock Bridge

Dex loved walking across the huge stepping stones in the pond (the "rock bridge" as he referred to them).

At one point, I pretended I was stuck and Dex immediately came out to rescue me. "I'll help you, Mommy! Here I come!"

 My hero!

And on with our stroll.

Acorn-Climbing

Dex got some help from Daddy getting up the big acorn.

But he climbed up, around, and down the smaller ones all by himself.

Tree House Obstacle Course

Dexy is not reckless but not fearful when it comes to challenging physical tasks (much improved from when we couldn't get him to even try to climb the playground rock wall this summer!). Steady and sure was his approach.

It was fun to follow Dex through the tree house obstacle courses!

Pointing Out the Frog Pond

Leading Mommy and Daddy through the Maze

Last Sunday we spent the morning at the Morton Arboretum (Ben's church gig was moved to the afternoon due to the Chicago Marathon). Dex and Ben have been there before but Dexy relished showing Mommy around - especially through the shrubbery maze.

Dexy was not happy to stop for a family photo but we didn't know that until we looked at the picture we took!

Enjoying First Artichoke

Dex was really excited when we picked out an artichoke at the grocery store and I explained that after cooking it, we would eat it by pulling off its petals and scraping the fleshy part off with our teeth. The fact that Daddy had never had an artichoke this way made it even more exciting!

 Scrape.

 Evidence of scraping.

After eating all the petals, we had to get through the pricklies to eat the heart - also quite exciting! I can't wait to see his first go at a lobster!