Can you say "hot"?

So, we picked quite a week to begin a commitment to spending more time outdoors. 100 degree temperatures with 106 Real Feel temperatures - need I say more? We spent a good bit of time outdoors on Saturday, going to the arboretum, spending the afternoon on the deck in her swimming pool, and going on a family walk. We planned on spending equal amounts of time outside on Sunday but found it to be just too darn hot. We did have a nice time "liming" with Jean and his newlywed wife, Aliyah, indoors though. Despite the unaccommodating weather, we will persevere with our mission to try new activities outdoors - with plenty of fluids, sunscreen, and indoor rest periods, of course.

It seems that in the past week, Lily's language development has taken a giant leap. Her teacher even noted on her Tiny Tidbit report today that she has noticed Lily's words becoming clearer every day. Three-word phrases (like "Hey you Ra Ra") have become more common, and most notably, she has started saying various phrases spontaneously and in context. It used to be that most of her language was centered around things she saw in the environment or books. For example, she would see a puppy and say "puppy" (one of her most clearly pronounced words). Or she would point to pictures and say "E-sa?" ("What's that?") It seems that we have moved past the point and name phase now. Just tonight, she said all of the following phrases that made me take pause: When she dropped her cover up on the ground, she commented "Oh, shoot" (clear as day). While Carl was giving Lily a horsey ride (thanks Ingrid), she reminded herself to "Hold on". She also pointed to the computer and commanded "pictures - Lily". The ultimate, though, is that she now says "I love you". I really feel like we've reached a new level of communication, and while exciting, completely blows me away.

I decided a few days ago that we truly have no idea how much this cheeky monkey actually knows. Lily has a habit of requesting to give Terra a treat, then taking off with the treat, and hiding behind the door of her playhouse, all for the sake of teasing Terra. In order to "trick" Lily into giving Terra the treat, Carl told her to put the treat in the mailbox of the playhouse. She immediately followed the request, while Carl and I looked at each other in wide-eyed amazement (and Terra snatched the treat from the open mailbox). We just didn't realize that she could comprehend - and follow - the direction. It's the little things that happen every day that add up to really be something.