Random Vids

The best moment of Declan's life, I think, as he was able to drive Lightning McQueen at his friend Sayjay's house:



Elsie taking her time walking home from school last fall:

Reading

COLLEGE!!!

Oh, man, we told Declan and Elsie a couple weeks out that we were going to go visit Kaleigh at Tech, and every day thereafter, they'd wake up asking, "Are we going to college today?" and every night asked, "When are we going to college?"

When we finally pulled into Blacksburg, we said, "We're here" and they started pointing out the windows at buildings, yelling, "Look, COLLEGE!"

We had an awesome visit -- it was so great to see Kaleigh and the home she's made for herself there.





About four hours into the drive home we stopped for a break and this is what I got when I said, "Smile!":


But really, they were great on the long drive both ways...

Out in the World

Declan and I like going to the shoreline at City Park, to sit on the docks and watch the boaters load into the water and walk along the shore checking out barnacles, mussels, snails and oysters.


At Mt. Trashmore, the D found out he can't get enough of the classic hill tumble:




Downtown, getting ready to join the Scottish Walk -- an annual parade following bagpipers through Old Town:


Declan at the library and winning silver in his first jiu jitsu tournament:

Chores in the Back Yard

Built a couple of raised beds in the back. Very excited about expanding our gardening this year, though the learning curve remains steep. We have some good compost ready, though we still need to find soil to fill them.


We also made some pine cone bird feeders in the back. The kids loved making them... and the squirrels loved availing themselves. All four were gone the next day.

In The Neighborhood

One of the things I love about this part of the country are the incredible thunderstorms we get. They can get incredibly intense and powerful -- just beautiful. And afterwards, puddles to fish and splash in:




Walking home from school, holding hands. Awww...


Whenever possible, the kids want to ride bikes and scooters outside, go to the playground nearby or throw rocks in the water down the street:

In the House

A couple of shots from Picture Day at school:



Elsie's been adopting a lot of very cute habits, including wearing one glove everywhere. She also has to have Doodlebug Baby with her at all times -- a birthday present from the Whitneys. She's also become a voracious reader like big bro and big sis.


Both Declan and Elsie have really gotten into puzzles. Declan also LOVES doing chores with tools. Wonder how long it'll last, but it's nice that he gets excited about doing things like tightening the bolts on furniture. How long until he can mow the lawn?



And how can you go wrong with snacks and art time?

Rocket Video

Time To Post

October? Really? That's the last time I put anything here?

Okay, I'll do a quick catch up -- today -- on NANA'S BIRTHDAY!

What to do with empty diaper boxes?

Make a rocket, of course. It was cool and fun, but then Amy brought it to the next level when she suggested the tinfoil bling. Sweet.