the new porch

 

 

 

it is official: CFA charter holder

 

So we wanted to do something to make the whole end of the CFA adventure real so we accepted an invitation to go to the charter award ceremony to receive the actual piece of paper that reads in part "Congratulations on giving up three precious years of your life and neglecting your wife and family in the pursuit of three little letters".  It's real now... but still sinking in.  Thanks to my wife for putting ground under my feet when I felt like I was falling - I couldn't have done this without you.

the royal court including jester

 

Another playdate with Samantha is crashed by a crazy little boy... who happens to dig playing with dolls so he fits right in.

storms & sunrises

 

 

hanging in t-town

 

 

 

I'm shaking the lunch money out of them.

peekaboo!

 

This baby is easy!

Watching Felix Baumgartner become the first man to reach the speed of sound wearing only a flight suit.

 

We always love when Kim and Wardy Baby return to these fair isles.  Not to fall completely into cliches, but there's something about being a parent that truly makes you appreciate your own parents on a profound level in a way you couldn't comprehend before.  Among other things, Kim and Wardy Baby were back because Schuyler had the week off school and they offered to take her for the afternoons - which Schuyler clearly LOVED!  I miss you guys.  Come back soon!

projects

A tea party hosted by Schuyler... everybody has a colour coded setting with wooden cake, plastic ice cream, and pretend water... mmmmm... a great way to diet.

 

 

To pass the weekend time, Schuyler and Papa picked flags from an online flag database (powered by the CIA, I believe - no, really) and drew them.  We then cut them out and stuck them on little maps we (I) drew... of course, my grand plan was that Schuyler would then develop a strong interest in geography and the differences between countries and be able to name all the flags in the world... but sadly it was much more about pretty patterns and stars for her.  (back off, Papa!)

lunch and a swim

 

 

 

We have been trying to make the most of the tail end of Summer since we arrived and have been in the pool every day since (even on school nights).  We are so lucky and the kids absolutely adore swimming... Schuyler went from being afraid to go in without seven life vests to jumping off the diving board into the deep end with her floaties on and swimming from the steps about five feet (mostly underwater) with nothing but a bathing suit.  This is gonna be good.

the playroom/office

 

Man, do we all love this space.  This was the real clincher for us.  Finally, we have two things we desperately wanted: (1) a playroom for the kid that can be shut off from the rest of the living space to contain the kid sprawl, and (2) an office area (to the right of Charlie in the pic), where Mama and Papa can play too (and Papa can rebuild his recording set up.  Mmmm.  

good morning

This is the unexpected joy of our new house.  We weren't looking for a view or a pool when looking for a new house.  How incredibly lucky are we that the house we wanted happened to come with both on top of what we wanted!  Now, it's going to be hard to live anywhere else with views like these!  It's a lot easier to get up when you know this is what you will see.

bedtime: two different approaches

Instructions:  Put Schuyler in bed and say "Good night"...

Instructions: Dress Charlie in PJ's, strap him in a car seat, and drive him around... this is when we were weaning him and Daddy was in charge of putting him to bed without the aid and comfort of Mama.  It went ok actually... initially, we'd drive him around for five minutes, come back, read a couple of books, and he would eventually stay in bed and sleep.  Now, it's just: Dress him in PJ's, read him four thousand books, and put him to bed... just like any other toddler.