What goes on when I am not around?

Most evenings Akbar shares the bathtime routine with Bijan and there are always interesting and loud happenings! I discovered this picture as I was downloading this week and neither Bijan nor Akbar would explain exactly what was happening. I do know that is a duck in Bijan's mouth... hmmm?

Birthday Cake

As we have been going to so many birthday parties Bijan has discovered cake. All we have to do is say the word cake and he immediately comes to attention, stops all activity and sits nicely in his chair- all of which are rarities.

Jumpy House!

Bijan talks about jumpy houses a lot and when we are near one he asks to go in but when we get close to the door he starts to cry and says "No." But this weekend, at yet another birthday party, he finally went in and then never came out!

Here he is catching air with Ashley.
Running around with his buddy Brandon.
Jumping with his gang of friends Brandon, Miah and Gavin.

Jumpy House Slide

Once Bijan tackled his fear of the jumpy house he was on to bigger challenges- the slide!

Here he is after climbing to the top, with three kids now behind him, and Akbar inside at the bottom (with no way to get to him without trampling children) encouraging him to slide down. I was waiting at the bottom outside encouraging him to slide to me, and taking pictures of course, while he was crying!
And then he discovered the fun of the slide- over and over again...
His favorite was coming down on his belly.
And with friends...here he is with Brandon
and Gavin.

Thank You Olivia!

Bijan and his Cousin Olivia talked a lot about alligators when she was here so she picked out this cute outfit and sent it to him! We miss you Olivia!

Bubble Bath

When we first started bubble baths Bijan was a little hesitant- I think he was scared of the bubbles. Here he is now loving it...

Our favorite farm...

Okay, so I have not posted in a long time. I thought I would have more free time since I graduated but I haven't found it yet- or maybe I have just been a little lazy. But the pressure from my Mother has gotten to be too much. So here it is Mom!

You will probably have to go back two or more pages to view all the new posts so if you are not a Grandmother don't feel obligated.

Our most recent visit this past weekend to our favorite farm, Underwood- this weekend we picked eggplant, green beans, squash and cucumber- yum.

Bijan loving the sheep...
and Pumpkin, the goat! Pumpkin was trying to reach some overhanging leaves, she was eventually successful.
Usually when Bijan rides the ponies a staff person walks next to him and holds him but today Bijan rode unassisted and he was very proud.
Bijan loves to climb the haystack!

Beach Fun

Since summer has arrived we have been spending a lot of time at the beach- here are a few pics of the fun.

Bijan lounging after some rough waves.
Mommy getting in on the lounging!
Burying our friend Andy in the sand (with the help of Suzanne).
Bijan putting on the finishing touches.

Central Park and Aquarium

We had an awesome 4th of July- for our first real family get away since my graduation we headed to Huntington Beach to my Mom's house. And while we were sad that the folks were out of town we enjoyed the house, the pool and all the HB activities. Here are some of the highlights...

One thing that I always want to do while in HB is go to Central Park where there are trails, a lake and ducks (of course), a playground and a fun little place to have breakfast overlooking the lake, but somehow it never happens. So this trip we made it happen!While we were in HB we visited the Long Beach aquarium.
It is hard to see but there was a frisky sea lion playing with Bijan and I through our own little window.
Bijan loved touching the sharks and sting rays.

Swimming!

We spent hours every afternoon in the pool and it still wasn't enough for Bijan- he loved to play on the steps.

And then later he ventured out on his raft but did not want Akbar or I to touch the raft or help him- so we hovered nearby.

4th of July

Bijan discovered his love of ice cream as we let him have some after dinner almost every night while on vacation.
Watching the parade.
More ice cream (fortunately he shared with Daddy)!

Party Time

Bijan and his friends are all turning two soon and Madeline was the first in the group to have her Birthday party.

Here is the Birthday girl and Brandon.
Bijan and Brandon playing air hockey.

Bijan's version of skee ball- gather as many balls as you can carry...
scoot up as close as you can...
and shoot!
Ben (Anya's older brother) showing Bijan the right way to play.

Watermelon- Yum!

Bijan at 21 months loving his watermelon...
and at 8 months...some things don't change.

Graduation!

We are so happy it is finally over as it has been a hard year with my being in school- but I finished my Master's at UCLA and now we can take some time to enjoy family!

Celebrating with friends and family after graduation. Bijan and his friend Brandon at the water table.
Bijan's Auntie and his Cousins came down for the graduation. Here is Cousin Sophia helping Bijan with his shoes.
Emma reading Bijan a bedtime story.

The Beach

Relaxing at the beach the day after graduation!

All the Cousins in the water.

Gram's House

After all the Graduation festivities we headed to Gram's house for a couple of days.

Sisters...
We went to the park to visit with my Mom's oldest and dearest friend, who is like an Aunt to us, and her grandchildren- it was great to see all the kids together...

Olivia is pushing Bijan on the swing (she did lots of babysitting) in the middle is Auntie Cynthia and Carolyn and Scarlett is on the next swing.
The whole crew!
Sophia and Bijan coming down the slide.