Hello

Friday, June 06, 2008

Mommy's done with school!

Today is the day that we get Sarah back. Ever since she started teaching, the running joke between the two of us on the first day of school is that she gives me a big kiss and says, "OK, see you in June!" After Henry's arrival, that joke isn't nearly as applicable -- Sarah has been amazing -- super teacher, super Mommy, and just plain super.

That being said, Summer Sarah is a treat that I excitedly wait for every Spring. As the stress and strain of the school year lets up and the weather warms up, life is splendid. We have our pool passes, zoo passes, COSI passes, and swim lessons set up. Sarah has rehoned her yoga schedule, I'm dusting off my running shoes, and we'll be getting plenty of chances for porch time (front and back).

We may even go to a double-feature drive-in movie tonight -- with Henry! He'll see Kung Fu Panda with us, then we'll see Indiana Jones. For $16 total.

Oh Yeah Summer!

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Lots to catch up on

So, we had our 36 minutes of spring in Columbus, OH, and we're on to summer. OK, that's not true at all ... it was a really great middle of April, a colder-than-usual May (but still nice), and June looks to be it's normal mix of breezes and high humidity. The unfortunate part is that we went from regularly needing our furnace to strongly considering using the air conditioner in the passing of a weekend. So ... the spring cleaning and summer outings have to coincide. Henry's getting in the swing of things, too ...

Washing the TruckWashed, waxed, and ready!

He realizes that if he's going to be in any condition to cruise in his truck this summer, he's going to have to clean it. Which he did. The irony is that, after cleaned, he was much more interested in checking under the hood (we've relented and agreed with him that he indeed has an engine and that thing under the hood is not a oversized lithium battery).

After cleaning your rig, where are you off to (if you live in the 1950's or are incredibly nostalgic for times of old)? The Drive-in Movies! That's right, Henry has checked this off of his list. We crossed our fingers and hoped that all would be well. We chose a dicey movie for his first experience ... Iron Man. He did, after all, have an Iron Man shirt on all day, so he naturally chose it (PG-13) over Speed Racer (PG). It all worked out well, and no one should have to go through counseling (or endless conversations about uncomfortable topics) any time soon.


First Drive-in!

Soon after this summer extravaganza, Henry was invited to (and attended) his first all out kids birthday party. They made t-shirts, smacked a pinata, had cupcakes ... your basic 3-yr old free for all.


Henry getting jacked by some candyHenry opening Colby's present

The one on the left is Henry getting jacked by some candy coming out of the pinata. Great camera work, right (the orange blur on his head is a Starburst). The one on the right is Henry opening Colby's birthday present. We've convinced ourselves that he's helping, not hoarding ("helping, not hoarding ... helping not hoarding ... there, I feel better").

Last weekend we kept the party rolling by hanging out with our dear friends the Willamseseses ... wait, is that the proper plural? Chris, Kim, Matthew and Emily came down over the Memorial Day weekend to hang out. It ... was ... a ... blast! We went to Magic Mountain and rocked the joint ... miniature golf, indoor play gym replete with plastic balls that your encouraged to throw at each other (which Chris and I did ... of course), go karts on a greased track ... we gorged on the fun.


The 'Bron BoysThe kids at Magic Mountain


Lounging on the green

Then we gorged on way too much food. Burgers at Red Robin (they'll substitute any burger with a veggie patty ... they're Sarah's new hero) and ice cream at Sonic afterwards (our other new favorite place ... have you been there? ... go! Seriously .. what are you doing still reading this?).

Fan-fricking-tastic.

This weekend had the dubious distinction of being the weekend following that weekend. We've been humming all this weekend, too. Henry's bike seat came in the mail, so we took it out for a couple of spins. It's really cool, and attaches to the front of the bike. (Note to readers: that's not Henry. Just checking)

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ol-images/nursery/uploads/2007-08-09-ibert.jpg

Unfortunately, in our last trip, Henry had another first ... he got his pinky finger caught in the bathroom door at the restaurant we were at. It turned six different colors (none of them good) and he wanted nothing but his mommy to make him feel better. We weren't sure how bad it was, but he was not himself at all, so we were worried.

He brightened up on the bike ride home (the quickest family bike ride in history). Amazingly enough, it was the bugs that were smashing on his and Sarah's face that got him giggling, and by the time we got home, he was pretty much back to normal, even if his finger wasn't. We took him for a quick trip to Dr. Grammy (thanks again, Grammy ... you're a life saver!) and we taped it up, checking on it every couple of hours. I'm glad to report that the finger is coming along quite nicely. I'm pretty sure he'll be able to keep it.