Soren got to feed the prehistoric turtles (and feisty fish!) at the Cincinnati Nature Center. Here in the Ohio River valley, the idea of "nature" is a lot different than the Pacific coast. We're in a swamp. Think: lush, humid, dense, hot, and DENSE. Everything grows everywhere. The rivers and lakes were brown from 2 days of intense downpours. It's definitely a different aesthetic than I grew up with, but I'm getting used to it. Sometimes, I even like it.
We went for a day trip through a series of trais, throwing fish food, looking at plants, walking in the shade of old and tall trees. Soren couldn't have been happier (though, he was a bit tired).
My dad, teaching the ways of the world.
I've said it before, but he has an uncanny connection with his Grandpa. Pretty fascinating!
After throwing in handfuls of turtle food, Soren wondered if the swimming critters would like to taste his hat. Notice that it is conspicuously absent from the following pictures! Here is my dad rescuing said hat.
Soren feeling deep regret. Deep, deep regret.
Of course, Grandma is pretty cool too.
Big guy, little guy.
And my sworn enemy made many an appearance.
I am currently losing to my 3rd batch of poison ivy for the summer.
Look at that crazy hair! Still so light, still so slight.
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The things that i never thought would happen: doing a photo shoot with a Graduate student on campus with a 2 year old toddler strapped to my back!!
My Uncle Dave playing "Find the Something" with Soren. He likes to choose which hand you hide things in! Downtown Sonora is surprisingly coming into its own. Weird...
My Grandma and Grandpa were tickled to show Soren around their new place, and he was immediately intrigued by all the lights that he could turn off and on. My grandpa ended up going into the hospital the day before we flew out, so I was doubly glad that we spent some time with them both.
The Yuba City Fairfields!
This is one of Soren's custom signs. It's hard to describe what it means. It can mean "All gone," "Where did that go?", "What does that mean?", "That's amazing!", or "Don't you think so, too?"
Ranch houses! Who ever would thought I'd find them charming?
Future Fire Fighter! Get that pension, boy!
Like every other kid in the galaxy, he loves slides.
Here he is, investigating the lights inside the fire engine.
Strawberries, maybe?
Home at last!
