July 4th

Happy July 4th everyone! After a late breakfast we went for a mid-morning swim at Aunt May May's pool. Will swam by himself today for the first time! This may seem like no big deal for a 2 1/2 year old but just three weeks ago he wouldn't get in the pool even with someone holding him so this is a huge accomplishment. He was so proud of himself and even ventured out to the deep-end alone several times. This is great news for me, meaning now I can actually enjoy going swimming without having his arms snake hold around my neck like a little anaconda.

Other dramatic news of the day: We think a little black cloud must follow Will around on July 4th. Last year it was a head-first tumble down a flight of concrete stairs resulting in a scraped forehead, nose and lip. Today it was a duck attack. Yes, that's right, a duck attack. When we left the pool and were loading the car up Will stepped up into a patch of bushes next to the car and was walking around in them. He unknowingly stepped onto a duck who was apparently using the bushes as a hiding spot (for herself as well as some eggs we think.) The duck flew up out of the bushes and started attacking Will, pecking him in the head and flapping it's wings as he helplessly but unsuccessfully tried to defend himself and escape. My sister and I stood by, too stunned to even move and were yelling helpful things like, "oh get off- stop- no- move Will..." it was actually Matt who saved the day, and Will, by leaping through the bush to swoop him up in one giant move. Now if you know anything about us, that in itself is comical. Here I am, an ex-ER nurse who's seen every kind of horror imaginable, and I can't even compose myself to save my son from a little duck. Matt's usually the one panicked, dramatic, flustered. But I have to give it to him, he remained calm and of course looks like a hero to his little guy!

We're off tonight to grill out with friends. More pics to come as the day is already shaping up to be quite eventful and it's not over yet.....