What is it about 2 year old kids that makes them fixate on something and just not let it go? A lot of kids go through phases, in which their obsession changes from day to day. Not Marin. There are only 2 things on this planet that thrill Marin beyond belief. Industrial sized ceiling fans and Zambonis.

When Marin was still being carried around in his car seat, we'd go to home improvement stores and let him look at their ceiling fans on display. His face would light up and he'd get the biggest smile on his face. Little did we know, the obsession would only grow! Fortunately, Wal-Mart's garden center is a treasure trove for the industrial sized fans. We went there tonight and he stood under them in awe saying, "Round and round and round". There is also one on the ceiling in his gymnastics class. To say that it is the highlight of his Monday morning would be an understatement. None of the other kids in class seem to notice the fan. I guess only my kid is weird. :)

Ah, the Zamboni. Marin has named every Zamboni in town. There is White Zamboni, Red & White Zamboni, Red Zamboni, Nash Zamboni and the all encompassing Predators Zamboni which means any Zamboni that is allowed to grace the ice at Bridgestone Arena. He is also on a first name basis with the Zamboni driver at our favorite rink. Marin is also the proud owner of a Zamboni t-shirt. He wears it every other day. He'd wear it every day if I'd let him. He is really concerned about the status of the shirt and wants to know if it is dirty, in the washer, in the dryer, or on a coat hanger. He's okay with any of the above except on a coat hanger. If it is on a coat hanger, he wants it off the hanger and on him. Don't forget the fleet of Zamboni toys too. I think he's up to 5 now. They are all identical, small scale models of a Nashville Predators themed Zamboni. Like the proud parent of multiples, he can tell the difference in each and every one of them. By the way the paint has chipped, the seat is bent, or any other sign of wear and tear that he's bestowed on them, he knows which is which.

I guess we all have our quirks. My obsessions include the internet, shopping, and shopping on the internet. I guess fans and Zambonis aren't that crazy after all. :)

Ahhh, the pure bliss that comes from being by the ocean and not having a single thing to do. You've got no where in particular to be. You forget what time of day it is, even what day of the week it is. There is no need to worry about breakfast, because you aren't awake for breakfast. The blindingly white sand meets the crystal clear water that is warmer than a swimming pool. Dolphins swim by the same place, at the same time, every day. They are so close to shore that you see the droplets of water being blown from their blow holes.

The only thing that drags you off the beach or out of the pool is the rumble of your stomach letting you know its time for dinner. The only thing you'll hear at dinner is the sound of music being carried on the breeze from the local dives, as you watch the sun sinking lower and lower. You can see the fish jumping from your waterside table. No one talks above a whisper, as the magic of the place is palpable, and no one wants to disturb it.

This is my life. For 1 week out of the year. The other 51 only dream of being this perfect.
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*A huge helping of gratitude to my mom (Mimi) for staying with Marin this year. We love you and appreciate all you do for us. We couldn't do it without you!

The sweltering heat of summer has finally left us. August is typically our hottest month, but with the abnormal 100 plus degree days of June and July, August feels like fall. We've had mid to upper 80's the past few days and it has brought the entire neighborhood out of hiding. People are doing yard work, walking their dogs, pushing their kids in strollers, going to the park, and just sitting outside on their porches again. It is nice to see life back to normal.

We went to the pool this weekend and the water was dare I say, cold?! The crowd has definitely thinned out there. Marin only likes to stay an hour or so now. We used to have to drag him out kicking and screaming. The little guy actually asked to go to the park today instead of the pool. I told him we'd go to the park again after the pool closes. Give him 2 weeks after it closes and he'll be begging to go swimming, cold pool or not.

Matthew and I will be leaving for our anniversary trip shortly. We will have been married 9 years on August 17th. I can't believe all we've seen and done over the past 9 years. Sometimes it doesn't seem like it has been 9 years. Other days it seems like 99 years. ha.ha.

September and October will be very busy months. Our calendar is already starting to fill up with travel plans, both for business and pleasure. More to come on that soon.

Last but not least, hockey season is right around the corner. When we went downtown to do Marin's photo shoot on Friday, he spotted The Bridgestone Arena and asked to go. When we told him it was not time for hockey yet, he broke down into hysterical sobs. He literally begged and pleaded with lots of "Please!!" and "Soon?!" thrown in.

Poor guy. I know how he feels. :)

Marin is just about the silliest, funniest person I know. He's always cracking up about one thing or the other. Today, he had me laughing at him laughing. That's sooo Marin.

He randomly yells out "Free Hugs!" at the top of his lungs and starts laughing hysterically as we drop what we're doing and run to hug him.

A year or so ago, we visited an aquarium and I was introduced to a Cuddlefish, which is super cute. You really should look them up. Ever since then I've told Marin's he's my Cuddlefish. He in turn gets a sly grin on his face and says he's "Mimi's Cuddlefish!" I act really surprised and offended and say, "What?!" which makes him die laughing and repeat it all over again. He laughs till he gets the hiccups during this game.

Marin can barely contain himself if you say the word kiwi. Yes, as in kiwi fruit. He pees his diaper he laughs so hard every time I say it. I have no idea why.

He also cracks up at the words buoy and chewy. If you say "chewy buoy" at the same time he laughs so hard that he can't breathe.

Ahhh, the sense of humor of a 2 year old sure is cute.

I really can't believe that school has started back in our area. We never went back to school until mid August back in the "olden days". Our schools are virtually year round now, but they don't like for you to use that term.

Back to school time has made our lives a little easier. It means that the gymnastics schedule has been altered for "fall". The class has been pushed back an hour. I didn't feel quite as zombie-esque today because of the later start time. That's a good thing.

Marin's will start a new class soon. He'll be in an all boy's tumbling class, starting in 2 weeks. This one is different from his current gymnastics class, which he'll still attend. His current class does floor exercises but also uses bars, beam, rings, etc. It is also co-ed until school age, hence the boys still using beam even though that is a "girl's" apparatus. His new class, in addition to being his first boy's only class, will be all floor exercises.

He's still doing his skating. He amazed us by taking a few steps on the ice, in his single bladed skates, for the first time this past Saturday. Now all he needs is practice and confidence, which just comes from putting in more time on the ice.

Swimming continues to be a favorite sport. Marin will develop gills by the end of the summer, I'm sure of it. He tells me he's going to "scuba" soon. When I asked him where he's going to scuba he said "the beach". In the past few days, he's learned to blow bubbles out while he's swimming under water, a skill essential for a scuba diver. So, he's either going to be the next Michael Phelps or the next Jacques Cousteau.

Either works for me. :)