Give my hand five

Maureen asked me to "Give my hand five" after completing a difficult puzzle maneuver last night. I obliged.
We are looking forward to a super-silly fiesta with family this Saturday - it's Mojo's Dora the Explorer themed second birthday party. Fantastico!
Other upcoming events of note: Dartball this Wednesday night and Aunt Erin's and Uncle Jeff's wedding the following Friday night. Rehearsal Dinner Thursday. We can't wait!!

What were we thinking?

This is what happens when you give a two-year-old a tube of lip stick and turn your back for a few minutes.

Up, up and away

These are photos from the balloon race taking place outside my dad's back yard yesterday morning. Nothing beats seeing family, watching hot air balloons, and eating donuts (except adding in a cup of coffee, but I know you tried Uncle Joby.)

First day of school photo

Big day

Rowan's first day of school is today. They grow up so fast these days.

Twinkle, twinkle

Out of the blue this morning, Maureen yelled out "like a diamond in the sky" from her bed. She was not awake. I'm curious as to what she was dreaming.

Separate news: Rowan dances while I play the ukulele. We'll try to record this for my next entry.

More separate news: Kristin just switched real estate affiliation to Remax. They have an office very close to the house. She has a pretty picture on her new cards.

Back on the grid

150 hours. That's what we figure. More than six days without electricity due to 80 mph winds - remnants from Hurricane Ike (go to the dolberry blog - I'm sure he can explain it.) More than 300,000 households lost their power for some amount of time during the week. We lost a couple of large limbs off our big tree in the front yard, and a decorative tree in the side yard. The power came back on late yesterday afternoon and we are thankful.
This whole experience has made it crystal clear how dependant we are on technology. Work was basically shut down for a week because our phone systems are run electronically, and all of our important files and operating systems are stored and run on the computer. The gas stations that had power were backed up into the street with folks wanting to fill their tanks. The restaurants that were closed lost thousands of dollars of revenue, while the ones still open had problems keeping stocked up. Stores were sold out of C and D sized batteries and bags of ice. Charging cell phones, became a challenging necessity. Maureen couldn't understand why we couldn't turn on Dora at any time of day.
We were very fortunate that the nights were cool, and we had a gas run stove and water heater. We survived just fine, though we would rather not have to go through this experience any time soon.

Temporarily out of service

I'll be back when we get friggin' power.

In the meantime, go to http://www.dolberry.blogspot.com/ to read about rain and softball and forgotten 80's rock bands.

September images

Photo 1: We've started saving for Maureen's orthodontia.
Photo 2: In a down economy we've resorted to drastic measures.
Photo 3: Couch potato training starts early in this household.
Photo 4: First day of school (technically 2nd day, but who's counting?)

School flu

Of course we can't have Maureen go to school without her bringing home something special for her family - sore throats, coughs and sniffles. Ah, the pleasures of parenting!! (Sniff)

The reluctant spider

Back to school

Maureen started back to school yesterday at the Parents Day Out program, now in the younger twos classroom. She's not one to tell us how her day went - you have to play twenty questions to try and piece together events and you're never quite sure if she's giving you accurate information. Case in point: if you ask her an A or B questions, like "do you like apples or bananas", the answer 90% of the time is the B option. I use this to my advantage: Do you want Daddy to change your diaper or Mommy?
She is also saying "huh" as an answer to an open-ended question, and I don't think she knows the proper use of the word (as if there is a proper use for huh.) "Maureen, do you want bananas for breakfast?"
"Huh?"
"Do you want bananas for breakfast?"
"Huh?"
"Do you want bananas for breakfast?"
"Huh?"
So anyway, I think she had a good day at school. She wasn't weepy, and she was worn out. Both good signs. Rowan can't start school until he is three months old. He goes to the infant room in a couple of weeks, when Kristin's maternity leave ends. Mornings will become more of a juggling act when that happens.

Funny photo

Here's Mojo and her aunt Carrie during a live, online chat. This photo captures the moment when Carrie types "LOL" to a witty comment Maureen just sent.

Fun in the field

We had discussed going to the pool for, perhaps, one last hurrah before the end of the summer but the weather was a tad too cool - imagine that. Instead and after dinner, we ventured for a short walk to the middle school grounds down the way from us with a big red ball. Maureen has become a really good kicker. And boy, did she kick! Mommy kicked, Daddy kicked, Mojo kicked, and Rowan cheered us on from the confines of his stroller. We ambled through the field, looked at doggies, played and casually talked. It was nice and relaxing.
Kristin keeps asking me what I want our life to be like. I think it doesn't get much better than a carefree walk with a big red ball.

Rowan update

Rowan turned 2 months old this week and had his nine-week check-up this morning. He had 6 shots and, apparently, he wasn't very happy about it. Down-right pissed was the impression I got. He weights a whopping 13 lbs, 2 oz and is in the 90th %ile in weight and measured in at 22" (20th %ile in height.) So he's like a little teapot.

Rowan's getting bigger

Last count 12 pounds and growing.

August Shower part two - the shower

We had a nice time at the shower last night. It was thrown by Jeff's brother Jules (Joe? He goes by both) and his wife Rauhen, the same people who threw the big one year birthday party for their daughter Miriam back in June. It was a very pleasant evening, the food was great and the kids got to play, a lot. Maureen kicked a ball for about an hour. She and her cousin Claire got to play duck-duck-goose with a group of willing aunts and uncles. Seems like Uncle John got "goosed" more often than not.

"Doc"

In loving memory of Doc, Maureen and Rowan's great grandfather. He passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon. He was a World War II veteran, an avid sports fan, husband to Betty, father to 6, grandfather to 14 and great grandfather to 23 (by latest count - give or take a few). Having joined the family not so long ago, I don't feel I can provide a proper tribute. However, many of you can. I'd love to open the comments section of this entry for your comments, memories, and wishes for the family.

August Shower

Someone is throwing a couples shower this weekend for my sister Erin as she prepares to get married in October to Jeff. At first I think she is too young to get married, then I realize she's almost thirty. How did that happen? Anyhow, we are very excited for her and can't wait until the wedding. Jeff is a really nice guy and they are a good match.

Happy Birthday Cousin A

Yesterday was Cousin A's eighth birthday party. Here are a few pics. Pay particular attention to the last shot, where Granpa P offers to hold A's birthday money in a safe place. Good try GPP.

Other news: Maureen was the recipient of the covetted tutu, originally worn by none other than Aunt Carrie.