Playing around

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There were all kinds of awesome things about my visit to see my grandsons in the desert. One of those low on the list of greatness but still quite cool was having the time to play around with my iPhone camera. And the iPhone apps that include cameras. And camera effects.

Here are a few of my favorites taken with my iPhone during the visit:

 

I love my iPhone and the oh-so cool photos it can take.

Of course, without the oh-so cool subjects, those photos wouldn't be nearly as interesting. Or cool. At least not to me.

Today's question:

When was the last time you had photos printed, not just saved as digital files?

Hero with a side of sass

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Bubby, at three years old, is heavily into make believe and pretend play. Especially when it comes to being a garbage man, police man, or firefighter — his heroes.

In light of that, I purchased Bubby a "big brother gift" of hero hats to go along with the "little brother gift" of a tummy-time mat for Mac. Not surprisingly, there were no "garbage man" hats to be found, but I did find a police man hat and a fire chief hat (the latter with lights and annoying as cuss sound).

Apparently, it takes attitude to be a hero, and Bubby wears the hero attitude as well as he wears the hero hats:

I especially like the "You-gotta-be-joking-with-that-lame-excuse" look from the cop in the lower left. I've seen that one before — only not on Bubby, unfortunately.

Considering all the practice, Bubby clearly will one day be a hero to be reckoned with.

Today's question:

What line of work do you consider heroic?

Big three

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Over the weekend, Bubby had his first of several celebrations scheduled for marking his third birthday. What a remarkable year it has been, filled with fun and firsts as he moved from toddler hood to the big three.

Bubby had his first move to a new home, this one with a dedicated playroom:

Bubby, Mommy, and Daddy had their first real family vacation, to Sea World:

He colored Easter eggs for the first time:

He had his tonsils and adenoids removed:

And he got his very first big-boy bike:

Through all that, he attended his very first full school year of preschool:

Then summer arrived, and Bubby took his very first swim lessons:

But the biggest change of all for Bubby as he transitioned from age two to age three, was going from being an only child to a being a big brother. All indications are that he'll do just fine:

Happy birthday to my incredible Big B! May your third year be the best yet!

Photos: Thank you to Megan for letting me steal most from her Facebook page!

Today's question:

What has been the highlight of your past 365 days?

Double takes and doppelgangers

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When Bubby was born nearly three years ago, he weighed 6 pounds, 13.9 ounces and was 19.75 inches long.

When Baby Mac was born nearly one week ago, he weighed 7 pounds, 11.5 ounces and was 20 inches long.

You'd think the extra pound or so would make a difference in looks. But it didn't, not one single ounce.

As proof, get a load of this — Mac is on the left, and Bubby, at pretty much the same age and in the same baby seat, is on the right:

Non-twin babes can't look much more alike than that, I say!

Be prepared for the double-takes and doppelganger references sure to come, here on Grandma's Briefs.

Photo comparison borrowed from Megan's Facebook page.

Today's question:

Which of your family members look most alike (immediate or extended family)?

The Saturday Post: Inspiration from a wee one edition

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As I noted earlier in the week, Bubby recently got a big-boy bike and is working diligently on mastering the two-wheeler. The youngster in the following video has apparently done exactly that and, considering his success, offers wise words for Bubby and other bike-riding novices. They're also wise words for anyone — young or old — needing a reminder that practice and belief in oneself are all it takes to accomplish great things.

Today's question:

When do you feel most "happy of myself"?