Hello Friends and Family,

Link to this year's index by clicking here.


My Little Buddy, Johnny - Part 1

I introduced you to Johnny two years ago (click here if you would like to see the younger version). He is now six years old (almost seven) and needless to say, he has grown — in fact, he seems to be in a growth spurt right now. Back in July when I returned from three weeks in Florida, he seemed a head taller than when I left. Intellectually, I know he cannot grow that fast but it sure seemed that way.



Johnny has now completed kindergarden and today starts first grade. Like most kids, he would rather play and we have been giving him extra opportunities during the waning days of his summer vacation. A week or so ago, I took him to Desert Breeze Park in Chandler. Among other attractions, it has this huge set of play equipment with a tent above, the latter designed to mitigate the 100° plus temperatures of a Phoenix summer.


Johnny immediately found a friend and began a game of "Stay Away From B. David". In fact, the first photo above was Johnny pointing at me then running away with his new friend. After his friend had to leave, Johnny finally slowed down enough to let me take his picture.


Even though today was dedicated to photographing Johnny, the Santa Fe training in me required taking a few shots just for the aesthetic enjoyment of abstract patterns of light falling on the equipment.


Because the temperature was over 100° that day, Johnny had to slow down a bit in order to cool off. Ah, gotcha.


Actually what he was looking at was the splash pond with concrete animals spitting water on the slick base. A great place to cool off on a hot summer day.


And great fun climbing on the animals and redirecting the spray toward your new friends.


And then they do the same to you.


Timers change which animal is spraying water. When it changes, it takes a minute or two before the kids catch up.


So time to climb down from the dolphin and head over to the elephant.


Even with the water on the feet (and clothes), this is thirsty work.


Well, time to move on to other areas of the park.

To be continued...

 

Life is good.

Aloha,
B. David

P. S., All photos and text © B. David Cathell Photography, Inc. — www.bdavidcathell.com