My Summer Vacation: A Photo Essay by FRD

Playing with Dad's New Toy

A Completely Ridiculously Behaved Father's Day

The weekend kicked off with a little ride out, but FRD was as skeptical of the moto as his mom is, so the boys didn't really make it past the driveway.

Soon it was time to hit the pool. Literally. This was apparently hilarious.

Then a stroll in the birthday suit. This was also hilarious.

And finally a couple of cold ones at the end of the madness while you kick back, watch some baseball, and hang with dad. Happy Father's Day Dada!

Stayin Cool

Well, actually not at all. Rather, spending most of the weekend stickier than a cinnabon. But having a really good time hanging out with super awesome Aunt Jennie and discovering a passion for baseball (a real genetic shocker) at the Hoppers Game where Freddy exhibited uncharacteristic fortitude (and even glee) upon meeting Guilford, the giant fuzzy green grasshopper mascot.

My Favorite Picture Ever

Seriously -- Are these guys in love or what?

And a couple other recent shots:

Sweaty Freddy


Freddy Undeterred by the Penguins Recent Loss of the Stanley Cup

Don't Be Fooled

If things are looking oddly civilized in these shots, they're not. What FRD calls "keaning" involves whipping the feather duster madly through his mother's pile of sweepings and then chasing after the dogs while roaring "YUCK!"

And this sweet shot of domestic tranquility

really looked a lot more like this. He knows he's being an imp, right?

Turkmentoddler

is really a more evolved dictator than his predecessor Turkmenbaby. Although still wildly unpredictable, impervious to reason, prone to rage, and the undisputed chief of his domain, he has discovered newfound reward in tossing the proverbial crumb to his subjects in the form of cheerios, toothy grins, drool-filled kisses, and what have you.

He is also much happier having learned the language of the people, as he is now able to bark "UP!" "MINE!" "HOLD!" "DRIVE!" "NO!" "DOWN!" "MOM!" "YUCK!" "EAT!" "CUP!" "ZILCH!" "DONE!" and so on to infinity, and his wishes are largely understood and obeyed. Marching in circles around the kitchen while banging a pot has also helped relieve some repressed energy.

As long as it is clear who sits in the throne, there is little trouble in the young state of Turkmentoddlerstan.

Portrait with Father and Monster Truck Jammie