Fruit Snacks

We topped off a nice weekend with some chocolate fondue last night.  Meggan and I did a good job of sampling everything while Amelia focused all her attention on marshmallows dipped in chocolate. Everett, however, decided to forgo the chocolate and just ate banana slices.  While I'm happy he enjoyed it, I cannot fully support that decision.

Saving Up

Amelia has been saving all the money she found, earned, or stole since birth.  Now, she has no issue with spending all my money, but she's done well with hers. Today, we decided to take advantage of the bad weather and spend some time rolling it up for the bank. Yes, I know there are machines that do this for you. However, those machines don't give your daughter practice at counting to 50 and understanding the difference between a nickel and a quarter. I knew she had lots of change and even some "paper dollars" stored in her closet. I just didn't know how much. Her final tally was $252! 

She says she is going to keep saving up so she doesn't have to work hard when she is a grown up. This, of course, means she already has a more responsible understanding of money than most actual grown ups. 

Mary Poppins

Amelia made her acting debut in a stage rendition of Mary Poppins at school today.  She was as nervous as could be this morning, but I think she did a good job with her one main line "What do you mean, Bert?" and her dancing considering she was the youngest person on stage by a good margin.

Like a Fish

After only 3 years and about a $1,000 worth of lessons, Amelia has now achieved swimming success.  She has graduated from level 3 to level 4.  I'm not sure what level she is supposed to be in, but I'm very happy that she is no longer in the same level as her 3 year-old brother...and I am sincerely proud of her for all of her hard work.....

It's Complicated

I can never figure out what is going to scare Amelia and what she's going to love. One day, she'll hide behind me if anyone new comes around and the next, she'll have a 20 minute conversation with a stranger. Another day, she'll refuse to go get a toy from her room because there's nobody else upstairs and the next day she'll hang out by herself all morning while she lets us sleep. Then, other days she screams because she sees and ant within 10 feet of her and the next day, she'll feed wild ducks out of her bare hand....

Figured Out

If you didn't spend some time learning to hula hoop today while pants-less in your cowboy boots and a polo shirt, you don't have fun figured out as well as Everett does.  If you didn't get to watch your son do it, you didn't have Father's Day figured out as well as I do.

Child Labor

Replacing the hinges on your doors is much easier (and by "easier" I mean 100 times harder) when you have such a great handyman around...

Sweet Boy

Tonight proved that quality is at least as important as quantity.  I only got to spend a few minutes with the kids this evening because I had to work late. That said, thanks to Everett, they were pretty great minutes.  First, he wanted me to write his name on his new tennis racquet (once Amelia got one, it was a foregone conclusion that he had to have one). So, he told me he would spell it for me. I humored him and asked him to go ahead. The next thing I know, he said "E-V-E-R-E-T-T" .  Meggan and I had no idea he knew how to spell his name! I couldn't have been more proud of him. Then, he asked me if I could lay with him tonight.  As I was scratching his back, he turned over, gave me a hug, and said "I love you, sweet daddy."  I'm telling you, that little guy is pure joy.

Helper

Dusting off the stroller for the first time in years only has so many advantages when your youngest would prefer to be your "helper" instead of a passenger...

Reading Buddies

Who needs parents around, when you can snuggle on the couch and have your big sister read books to you???

Trip

We decided to take an impromptu trip to the mountains this weekend. It was all we hoped it would be.  The weather was nice. The view was beautiful.  The whole family had a great time. I'm not sure what my favorite part of the trip was - that we were fortunate enough to have our own pool inside our hotel suite or that Everett yelled "I came in like a wrecking ball!!!!" (for some weird reason, he absolutely loves that song) every time he jumped into said pool.

Plan B

Meggan took Everett to the dentist this morning to get a tiny cavity filled. We were pretty concerned about him getting any anesthesia since he's never had it before. Turns out, that was the least of our concerns. Apparently, we should have focused our worry more on the possibility that Everett would go gangster, refuse to lay down, and resort to swinging at his mask and on anything else that got near him until the dentist said he couldn't do anything unless we gave him a Valium.  Needless to say, we said no to the drugs and Everett still has a tiny cavity that we decided we'd just keep an eye on for the sake of the dental staff's safety.

Improv

When you first become a parent, you think you are going to set your standards and expectations and you will force your kids to fall in line. After roughly your third day as a parent, you realize it is going to go quite the opposite. They are going to take their stands and you will be forced to improvise. Tonight, for some reason, Everett refused to take a bath because "the water makes his eyes bleed". So, rather than fight, I decided to make an adjustment.....

Toothless

It has been a long time coming, but the wait if over. The day has finally come for the tooth fairy to show up at our house.  I can't wait to see what she leaves under Amelia's pillow. Tonight, I told Amelia she used to bring me a quarter or maybe a dollar.  She said she really, really, really hopes she either brings her a puppy or a 9-foot tall backpack filled with money....I see I haven't quite taught her the secret to a happy life is low expectations...

Old Fashioned

The kids got the chance to enjoy some good, old fashioned fun today....of course, by "old fashioned" I mean from back when I was a kid....

Wrecking Balls

When the kids are gone, you realize how quiet, how relaxing, and most importantly, how clean the house is without them. They are not gone anymore....

Home Safe

The kids made it back home safely tonight. As usual, they were happy to see us and sad to see Grandma and Grandpa go.  I know it was only a few days, but I swear Everett looks 2 inches taller and Amelia has a tooth that is hanging on by a thread. I guess when you're running the streets and partying hard, it doesn't take long to age yourself.

Return to Sender

After a fun-filled few days, the kids are coming home tomorrow. How did Meggan and I spend our extremely rare free time? If you guessed working late and deciding to spend 4 straight nights painting our cabinets, you would be correct. Congratulations, you know us well enough to know we will find a way to blow a great opportunity to relax!

Hiding Out

I got a text today letting me know Ev was playing a riveting game of hide and seek with Grandma and Grandpa....

...if you can't find him in the picture because his hiding spot is so good, I'll give you a hint...their couch doesn't normally have legs.