Today's Toby

We shrunk Toby! Obviously, we're joking but this butterfly version of him from school was too cute to just file away.  

A rainy Sunday meant it was time to build a fort in the living room.  

  For Father's Day, Toby worked very hard to make Jason a special gift. Suffice to say, it will be well loved. For all our Dad's out there, thank you. Thank you for all the weary bedtimes, all the cooked meals, all the jokes, all the hugs, all the love. We love you and we are so grateful for you.

A quiet morning with some books on the couch.  

Since Toby has a summer birthday, we have to read to his class a bit early. He selected Llama Destroys The World.  

Toby had his 2nd Grade Promotion today. Since this is his last year at the lower elementary school, they do a whole ceremony to mark the occasion.  The entrance. Receiving his diploma. The graduation song they sang. Toby is all the way at the back. All the 2nd Graders, post ceremony. Happy Little Cheetah.  

Cackling over a dumb joke in a silly book. You like what you like.  

Tonight was the Summer Reading Kickoff Party at the library. They give out ice cream and tell you to read books. It's our kind of event.  

We also celebrated Toby's dance recital this past weekend. Pre-show seriousness. Pre-dance confidence. Their dance, March of the Toy Soldiers. Post-show flowers. Post-show brother love.  

It's possible that this was Toby's favorite part of Ben's Bar Mitzvah.  

I think this might be the first time Toby was throwing the ball himself instead of using the ramp. He remains an enthusiastic bowler.  

Some pictures from (the inside portion of) field day.  

Getting ready for field day.  

Toby doesn't want anyone to touch Slumbers (himself included) because he doesn't want Slumbers to get hot. As such, he's taken to kicking Slumbers whenever he wants him to go, including up the stairs. It's a very special bear who can take this all in stride. Slumbers, I salute you.  

Spying on Bananas (our neighborhood groundhog) as they munch on the neighbors grass.  

Toby's homework for this evening was to make an obstacle course. He had a hard time getting started, but eventually he (and Spencer) were having a great time.  

On a whim we decided to walk over to a local field to see what was going on. After running a lap around the track, they were thrilled to sit and take in some of the game.  

Tonight was the spring social for Toby's school. He had a great time partying with his classmates but he was happy to take a break to enjoy an ice cream from the ice cream truck. Life is good.  

When the book looks so silly that you just have to read it right there in the library.  

We made sure Slumbers was informed that Toby was just holding the recital bear for the picture. There will not be snuggling with any new bears.  

Photographic evidence that we were all together! Special thanks to Eliana for encouraging us to take some pictures and to Stuart for wrangling the camera logistics.  

Getting some batting tips from Cousin Davis.  

What's makes a cousin visit even more fun? Another Cousin! Cousin Davis* came to visit too. He, Eliana, and Stuart made all of Toby's Life* dreams come true. *technically, first cousin once removed. *Life the board game.  

The upside of a rainy day is hunting for (and finding!) a rainbow. (I didn't manage to get a picture of the rainbow but it was there.)  

Toby "graduates" from the lower elementary school this year. As part of the graduation festivities, each student is "pawed" by a classmate. Then that student has to "paw" another classmate. And on and on, until everyone in the grade has had the 2025 sign and the paws. (If you look closely, you can see Spencer peeking out the window.)  

Toby's homework was to read to us for 20 minutes. Spencer was delighted.  

Turns out, jumping rope can be a bit tricky.  

Saturday was the town Art and Eco Fair where they put up art from all the students in the district at the high school. Toby's submission was the Aurora Borealis he made with his teacher.  

Let's go surfin' now...