More toys from Gramps

Gramps has made some fabulous toys for Sam. This toy has wooden gingerbread men who click down from the top. Sorry - I don't know what it is called. Anyway, we have very few electronic toys by choice and enjoy these wooden toys with their natural sounds and room for imagination. Thanks Gramps!

The Boys

Cory often comes over after work with a few bottles of wine for us to try. Cory is reading Sam a bedtime story.

Thomas the Train

Sam was given a well-loved Thomas the Train set and he adores it. Don't worry, we sent in the recalled trains for new ones.
By the way, I am finally up to date. These pictures were taken the same day as posting. Whew!!

More beach butt

I couldn't resist.

Beach Fridays

Most Fridays Sam and BE go to the beach in the early morning. It is way too hot to be out after that. On this Friday, we set up next to a big hole someone had dug.

We found a coconut on the beach and had a great time throwing it in the water and letting the waves bring it back to us.

Playstand is UP!

The "Playstand" is a traditional Waldorf toy that may become any type of structure in one's imagination. A boat, a store, a house, a puppet theatre, a tree house - whatever. Gramps and BE made this in Lakeland for Sam. Originally it was made to be painted and put outside, but BE rearranged and emptied out the playroom to make this fit. Sam LOVES this toy and frequently gives tours to our new guests. Sam's playroom is decorated with vintage circus paraphenalia and so you see a glowing "Greatest Show on Earth" sign behind the playstand.

Sweet Child of Mine

Bee Write, Inc.

In June, Beth Ellen launched Bee Write as a grant writing service. As of the end of July, Bee Write has 5 clients and more work than Beth Ellen can handle locally. Scott Dunlap has joined Bee Write as a Sarasota partner writer and in September we will start officially marketing. It has been a ton of fun, a ton of work, and lets BE stay home with Sam on most days. Sam is with Kathy on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Wednesday nights.

Rock on

Chicken Coop

Kathy generously gave us one of her chicken coops from the Thonotasassa house. We will have a couple of chickens soon. We expect them at the end of August. We had to put the chicken coop back together at our house. Sam has remarkable control over an electric screwdriver, and can even use the big drill for a screwdriver. He LOVES to help and when we plan well, he actually can!

Handyman Sam: Project Chicken Coop

Teddy visits!

In June, our friend Ted from California visited his hometown of Tampa. We all went to the Tampa Aquarium with Kari, Ari, Else and Donita and her family. We lost everyone but Ted. We all ended up having tapas for dinner -mmmm, good.

Baby Turtle

Tampa Aquarium

I'll have to try to get a video of Sam acting like a fish. It's pretty darn cute.

Sarasota Summer