Thomas goes for his first solo drive!

Happy Birthday to me!

Loot a-plenty! Thanks to all!

Thomas passed his driving test!

So Monday we head to the Secretary of State to get the i.d. process going. Can you believe it?!?! Based on his early performances driving go karts, I can't... This was from a few years ago, our first Fall here in Flint. This was a few years later. Apparently Thomas is taking Grandpa to VGs to buy muffins.

Stormy weather

Incredibly hot and humid weather (for the first time this Summer, really) means, of course, a trip to Seven Lakes. We (which means me, Frederick and Jimmy) managed to swim (i.e., float) across to the beach, but then storm clouds rumbled in, the wind picked up, and everyone fled for the beach like a scene from Jaws, so we decided to walk/run back round the lake.

In the end it barely even rained, but the clouds looked pretty ominous.

July 4th part 2: Funfair!

As if the day couldn't get any better, the Fun Fair came back to Flint for this weekend. And it couldn't be any easier to get to as it is in the parking lot right next to the parking structure we use for work. Here is a picture Simon took from the parking lot.

There weren't too many rides this year that were just right for Frederick: either he was too tall or the ride was too scary.  Here is a photo of Jimmy and Frederick riding the bumper cars.  Jimmy was clearly the best driver, able to avoid all the congestion that was tripping up and slowing down all the younger, less experienced drivers.

Here is Frederick's favorite, the Ferris wheel.  I would enjoy the ride a lot more if it didn't feel like it was going to bust apart just as we got to the very top.  Shudder (literally).

July 4th part 1: Lake Swimming

Simon was so thrilled to be wearing his Celebrate the Birth of the US t-shirt that he wanted me to leave out his face, so viewers would concentrate on the flag image. Frederick made this as a present for him in school this week. It is indeed the birthday of this country today and, therefore, nothing is open and there is little to do. So Simon, Frederick and Jimmy headed off to Seven Lakes. Here is Jimmy working getting a workout. (Simon forced him to swim across the lake.) Frederick was allowed to enjoy being towed across. Doesn't seem fair, does it?Actually Frederick did swim for much of the journey. He and Emily have been swimming every day for weeks now and so heis used to a demanding workout.