Yesterday on the phone, Tommy asked my mom when she was coming to our house. She told him that she'd see him in Kentucky in 2 weeks, and then again in Colorado at the end of the month, but that she wasn't coming to our house until September when Thora is born. This was not a satisfactory answer for Tom. He's accumulated too many new things since she was last here and he needed to show her everything. And he did--over the phone. Which meant that, of course, she saw absolutely nothing. I told Tommy to let Katie have a turn talking to Grandma and I'd follow him around with the camera so we could take pictures of everything and send them to Grandma. This is what we came up with:
A tool box from a garage sale. I got it for him last summer, but gave it to him earlier this year when I was fed up with having too many toys and decided to get rid of his tool bench. He never used the bench anyway, and just carried his tools all around the house fixing furniture and walls. Now he's better equipped for the jobs he does.
The "Happy Father's Day" chess set I gave to Shad. Shad did his own shopping online so that he got exactly what he wanted; I approved the purchase and hid it until Father's Day.
A small handful of Tommy's bedside cabinet's shelf top collection. There's the green motorcycle, a blue car, Tigress from Kung Fu Panda, and Simba.
Tommy got his very own library card! He's super proud of it, keeps it safely on the cabinet by his bed, and carries it in his pocket when we go to the library. He checked out Kung Fu Panda 2 all by himself last week.
Katie upgraded to Tommy's tricycle. Looking at it lately has been like nails on a chalkboard for me. I'm tempted to get a can of spray paint and give it some new life.

Tommy's new racing bike! I mentioned to Vern and Pris that we were looking for a training bike for Tommy (and one for Katie to use next summer, too). They found one at a garage sale that very weekend. The following Tuesday was a Priesthood leadership meeting in Kearney, and Vern was able to pass the bike to Gene Carter, who lives here in Norton. We drove to pick it up from Gene on Wednesday and I told Tommy that Nana and Bumpa had sent a special birthday present for him that they found at a garage sale. He was so surprised when he saw this awesome blue bike with racing stripes on the seat, and racing flags on the wheel guard. "Oh, Mom! Nana got me a blue racing bike!!" On the way home I passed him my phone and he called Nana to give her overflowing thanks. He just couldn't contain his excitement and gratitude. We go on walks/bike rides almost every night and he does very well, except for going down hill because he's not quite comfortable with the hand breaks. But we help him.

Dancy is getting more interactive in playing outside. She's exploring using this lion, as well as the slide and playhouse behind her.
Love Tommy Spider-Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan (he typed that)