Pool Time

With the sizzling temperatures here in Dallas already reaching near the triple digits, and heat index numbers near 105, we decided to get the pool out a little early this year.

This event, of course, marks the start of summer for our kids.


Even though their mother is quite strict about sun screen, their little bodies continue to get shades darker as the days in the pool go by.

This year though, Daniel didn't want to get a tan line.

Train Ride

Last week we decided to invest the $$$ in gas to drive to Fort Worth and ride the train that circles Forest Park.

Daniel was a little concerned in the beginning, and could appreciate the conductor's excitement at blowing the whistle every time we went under a bridge.

But eventually he loosened up enough to sit on the seat beside Meredith, while maintaining a death grip on her pants.

But Peter and Isabelle thought it was the greatest day they had had in a long time. In fact, you could get a 10 minute conversation out of them if you bring it up.

Isabelle especially enjoyed all the wild life we passed so close by, Forest Park has a lot of squirrels.

WANTED

Wanted: Large, Bobble-Head Cat
Seeking large bobble-head cat, tired of the back seat of that sedan. Must be aggressive in bobbles towards sparrows and grackles, enjoy lots of sun and the occasional mud bath/gully rain. Must be good with children. Must hate the taste of garden fresh veggies, and especially seeds and sprouts.

Also accepting Bobble-Head Chihuahuas

Wanted: New, Perky Water Heater
Must be a hard worker, eager to start a job, but highly efficient and capable of self instillation.

Wanted: New Job
Must allow for excessive amounts of time off for doctor's appointments, sick kid days, lazy mommy days, trips to the zoo and daddy to-do days. Must be close to home. Company car not necessary, in the first year. Compensation must be capable of doubling our quality of life, or equal to Mike Modano's (which ever comes first). Must include perks such as trips to the Bahamas & Disney Land and Spa days for the wife.

Currently accepting all applications.

THE GARDEN

This Garden began two months ago with weed pulling and random digging (via helpful children), until we became "concerned" about early babies and dehydrated ones. Last weekend, the garden was finally finished, on a muggy, 95 degree day.



Isabelle and her seeds. She was especially excited to plant corn and carrots. Mommy can't wait for the ocra, tomotaos, zuccini, squash, basil, rosmary...

If only we would have planted sooner!


The boys handled most of the planting, Isabelle and I took care of product selection and quality control.



Daniel helped plant too.


Just kidding!

Our completed Garden!

Peter's New Do

Every year Mommy concedes defeat to the Texas heat, and gives up her little boys sweet hair cut to the all too popular big boy buzz. This year I was surprised to return from a mom & daughter's outing to find a fuzzy big boy in place of my cute little guy.

But it was the pictures I found when emptying the camera that caused the greatest concern!

Mother's Day

Here are some pictures from our Mother's Day weekend. We were blessed to spend some time with both mothers and families over the weekend.

They had a great time playing with everyone and enjoying the first "official" day of summer, at least in Peter's world. Summer time, and the swimming pool, have been waiting for a lonnnnnng time.


They also helped Uncle Matty with his work out, which has the potential of increasing very rapidly!

Munching with Aunt Mer mer.
Cuddling with Ganma.

And cooking a late breakfast for mommy.



What a blessing motherhood is!

Isabelle's Photo Shoot

After downloading the pictures from our camera recently, we discovered that Peter has decided to move beyond still shots, and Isabelle proved a willing model.

The action shot.

Over the sholder.

They really like the bear and shoes...

???

Finally, he captured the Izzie Rue we know and love!

Photos

Peter has begun exploring his artistic side, under the indulgence of his Gammy and her digital camera. His first photographic attempt yielded (literally) 128 photographs of the details of our home. We have selected the highlights for you.

The kitchen stove and tea kettle, very exciting items when combined as the kettle's squeal ignites equally shrill excitement out of the kids.

You don't often witness a bear cuddling mommy's shoes. This definitely merits documentation.

Um... the underside of our bed, obviously in need of cleaning. Humility, a side effect of Peter's new endeavor.

The Remote.

Our living room, from one of 38 different angles.

We have decided another blessing of his new hobby will be a detailed inventory of all household items, in the event of a disaster.

Finally, Peter encountered Joe joe. It seems he couldn't decide which angle favored Joe better.

Squirrel

Izzie Rue has always loved animals, and she delights in taking care of them. She found this puppy at the park while visiting my parents recently and was as much in love with it as the dog was with her (but don't worry, she didn't come home with the dog!).

She doesn't even seem to notice if the animal is alive or not, she is equally affectionate to them all!

As a result of this affection, we have been considering getting her a pet of her own in the future (the live version). That was, until our walk yesterday...

We had the good fortune of passing by a squirrel who had obviously lost a recent race across the street to a large automobile. Delicately, I answered Peter's curiosity about blood and missing limbs before pushing past the scene of the accident, thinking this a good introduction to one of the more difficult aspects of life.

It wasn't until half a block later, that I realized Isabelle's complete lack of progress in our walk was not due to her distracted nature, but because of big fat tears blurring her vision. After a little comforting, the best response I could get from her was, "but the squirrel, I'mmmm s..s..ssssad because of da squirrel..." followed by increased tears. Eventually we made it home, through dinner and down to bed, but not without being interrupted every fifteen or twenty minutes by, "oh, the squirrel!!!"

We have decided to seriously investigate the genetic history of any pet she receives, because it better live a really long time!

Silent Protest

Daniel has recently decided diaper changes are the worst form of punishment a young child could suffer. From restricted mobility, to being taunted by creams, wipes and cloth diapering gadgets, all of which he cannot touch, he is tormented by it all and currently exploring various means of rebelling. All the usual methods have been employed, and despite the screams, yells, throwing anything in reach and even alligator tears he has found little relief.




Yesterday, he brought a book with him for battle, and proceeded to read through the entire changing.

The book was C.S Lewis' A Grief Observed.

Our Little Lot

Daddy, pushing the wagon whose wheels are determined not to be pulled. The kids love this, except when Peter tries to help Isabelle and Daniel in and out of the wagon.



Peter and Isabelle were put in time-out... Daniel just thought it looked like something fun to do. He really destroyed the whole punishment aspect of that time-out session.

Now, when Daniel is really upset about something, he sits on the floor in the hallway and cries.

They also like to sit in a line to eat snack (I really don't enforce that!).