dinner alfresco Sophie solo kite flying for the first time apple picking throwing bad apples in the cornfield teaching the art of swinging a baseball bat James to Pop Pop: “Hat, please.” He wore it for the entire game. “Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well.” —George R.R. Martin
Our visit with extended family continued the next day, at my grandma’s house. The children drew pictures on the patio with chalk. My mom gave Emilie and Wendy each a handmade lap quilt, which you can read about here. The children ran through the “sprinkler” (ie the garden hose). There was porch fun and … [...]
and you’re the father of a 4-year-old and two 2-year-olds and you’re married to me you get: (1) a Graeter’s ice cream cake as requested but with 33 candles on it that melt everything in the name of tradition. (2) take-out Indian food because, let’s be honest, you’re the better cook. (3) two children helping [...]
Seriously. “It’s no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase ‘As pretty as an airport’ appear.” —Douglas Adams
We didn’t tell the kids about our day trip to Disney World until the night before we went. Sophie was excited in a I’m-not-quite-sure-what-you’re-talking-about-but-I-like-Disney-movies-castles-princesses-and-Kings-Island-so-it-sounds-fun way. We rode the carousel, and waited a very long time in a very hot line so Sophie could meet Rapunzel. (She told Rapunzel she’s growing her hair just as long.) [...]
“Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think.” —Robert Henri
Grandma’s homemade strawberry cake the pool full moon on the dock brothers Sophie Owen, Sophie, James more fun on the dock Aunt Fran cooking dinner more fun in the pool dessert! pillow fight with Uncle Jim Owen, asleep in the pool (we were, of course, with him at all times) Uncle Jim and Andy Max [...]
Sophie insisted on being held when near the water. Owen wanted nothing to do with the beach, and instead was content sitting on the beach blanket Nini made, eating Goldfish crackers and drinking water. Sophie and Paw Paw Andy and James Aunt Fran Andy and James Sophie, loving the playground more playground fun Aunt Fran, [...]
very spring I look forward to the small field of daisies in my parents’ yard. Early May Nini brought out three Mason jars and the kids delighted in walking in the field, picking flowers and making bouquets. James struggled with the picking. He’d find a daisy, grasp it, pull and then yell (so loudly) “Help, [...]
