Visiting

We were lucky enough to make some new friends, Shana and Charlie (hereafter "Big Charlie" to distinguish from "Little Charlie") who were kind enough to invite us over for a bbq and some swimming.  The kids seemed to hit it off in the way kids do ("do you want to go make stuff?"  "sure!") and the adults ended up having a great time and staying way past bedtime.   

Last day of ballet

last day of school

So my little girl finished her first year of Big School which means that the school lets them out at lunch time which means that parents have to take another afternoon off work... I mean "spend quality precious time" with our daughter.  We took her out to lunch at a cafe and celebrated with a hot dog and milkshake - is there any better way to celebrate?

A new friend

While Child Protective Services may have an issue with this, they ignore the willpower of a stubborn child.  This box was left by the door to be thrown out but our son developed an extreme attachment to it and decided to bring it on the journey.  

tv

 

You can almost see their brains rotting.

a day off

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kids, we love you but sometimes we need some time with just the founders of this little family.  And so it was that your mom and dad lived the dream.  During the whole CFA studying hibernation, we consoled ourselves with the idea that we would take a day off here and there and send you to your various daytime minders while we skipped off to the beach alone to read books in the sun without having to worry about keeping you alive.  It was great!

heroes day

 

 

Our two scouts survey the competition ("Don't pee in the pool, Schuyler!")

Schuyler playing with Seth and some friends.

Mr. Balls lives up to his name.

Stay off the pole, Schuyler!

 

"bye, bye" - Charlie is constantly on vacation.

happy bouncing

Fathers day

So it's Father's Day but also the aftermath of the CFA so we kept it low key.  Essentially, all Papa wants is a good breakfast with his family.  So pancakes and bacon and kiddie laughter round out a perfect Father's Day.  I'm so happy I get to be your Daddy and I promise to do my best to be everything I can to make you bloom.

bouncelene

So, for Schuyler's birthday on April 30th, her parents and Kim and Wardie Baby got together and purchased a "bounce-a-lene".  It was a great idea.  And she was sure to love it.  Sadly, with Papa's attention and energy trained on the CFA exam, there was no real way to put it together in time for her birthday.  Or, indeed, for many weeks thereafter.  So it sat in a box in our living room for over a month while the exam took over everything we did.  Finally, today Papa found his Y chromosome and put the darn thing together (and was disproportionately proud of his achievement).  The kids sat in the blazing June heat for two hours (i.e. an eternity in Kid Land) incessantly peppering their dad with one question: "Can we jump on it yet?"  Now, it's done.  Yes, Schuyler, you can jump on it. 

Shadow dancing

Charlie... go to sleep!!!  For several weeks now, our little dude has been getting up regularly at 5am.  On the dot.  4:59am to be precise.  And it is driving his parents a little crazy.  We've been doing what we can and try to explain to him how much happier his life will be if he sleeps in until, say, 8am...(but we're willing to accept 6am) but to no avail.  So, as much as I try and seize the day and enjoy getting to see those beautiful sunrises, I'd also love a full night's sleep.  Then again, these little moments will my male offspring are pretty amazing because he's a wonderful little fellow - full of energy, curiosity, and joy.  He's so excited to kick a ball.  He's got a great throwing arm with surprisingly good aim and strength (bordering on violent assault sometimes!).  And he's got a firm love of books.  Sadly, I've not been able to give him the attention he deserves on the reading front.  Charlie, I'll give you all the reading attention you want if you let me sleep (and don't literally throw the book at me!).

That's deep, dude.

So Schuyler doesn't know how to read and write yet.  But she does love practicing her letters.  This leads to some unexpected results.  So just like a thousand monkeys eventually writing the complete works of Shakespeare, Schuyler wrote out this little diddy during her "work" after Charlie went to bed.  Dude... that's deep.

Porch traffic

Safety first!