Emi celebrates my 43rd . . .

. . . by scaling heights and enjoying (?) a bowl. But the highlight was a breakfast bagel at the Ol' South Pancake House.

Emi's Fifth Fourth

For Emilio, it was a Mama-loving, sun-squinting, tube-sliding (monster-escaping), camera-waving, water pistol-squirting, fireworks-watching, finger-sucking, John Dan lap-sitting, headphone-wearing, sparkler-igniting Independence Day.

But the highlight was a first-time, late-night tour of a Grandmom's cottage and John Dan's house. Emilio was very eager to see John Dan's room and toys and somewhat less interested in the rooms he had to go through to get there. When Grandmom invited Emi to spend the night some time, he said he would be happy to, as long as Mommy, Daddy, Nina, and Pablo would be joining him (he has yet to spend a night away from one of us).

In the video above, Emilio solicitously encourages me to close my eyes underwater so that I won't lose another of my contact lenses (an adventure I underwent earlier in the summer). Thanks for looking out for me, Em!

To Infinity, and Beyond!

Emi goggles up; bites, then befriends giant gator; launches himself into the deep; treads water with begoggled cousin; and boards uncle.

Ride 'em, Gatorboy

Ada Law and Order

Emi got in trouble today at school, and when I asked him about it, he couldn't get his story straight. I thought I might film the interrogation to show him the maddening circularity of his narrative, but he ended up tying the interrogator in knots. I don't think the camera intimidated him. He later asked if we could film a Part Two.

Water Rodeo

Dino, Dino's maker, and the Tri-State Muralist

What a Father's Day! An in-bed serenade from the rb-3 followed by a group-hug; a basket containing an assortment of gifts chosen by my eldest and his mother, including: a bag of chocolate chip cookies, a vanilla-scented candle, dental hygiene instruments (for those of you who don't remember--Emilio's abuelo is a dentist); a book I wanted (The Dreams of Ada by Robert Mayer); and an Ada-themed documentary DVD: Death of the Old West. Later in the day, Emilio gave me Dino (see image at left), the amazing, peace-loving, tye-dyed T-Rex on a string, painted by the artist on Dad's shoulders.

After dressing and attending to my own dental hygiene, I went to the hospital to take Dad (who was accompanying Mom and her two new knees) a passel of meaning-laden gifts: the morning paper (so that his hopes--in the Rangers--will always be born anew); a box of Krispy Kremes (so that he will always have something to share with his son; I promptly ate one--helping this wish come true), Hot Mexican Cheeto Knockoffs (so that his interest in Latino culture will remain strong), Spicy Cheese Nips (so that his life will remain spicy), coffee-flavored candy (so that he will always have coffee breath), peaches (so that he will always feel virtuous--fresh fruit being a healthy snack), and last of all, a customized t-shirt (so that wherever he goes, people will know that he is a Tri-State Muralist).

But the best gift from me and for me were tickets to see Toy Story 3 with Emilio. Thumbs Way Up from all three of us for this one. Afterwards, we dropped Dad off at the hospital, looked in on Mom, and then Emi and I joined the rest of the rb clan for a swim at Aunt Carolyn's pool before we headed back to Oklahoma.

Thumbs Way Up for my fifth Dad Day as a dad!