The Zoo Revisited

Kim and the kiddos, taken by one of my colleagues at the zoo summer reading event. So cute!

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

The End of Play

This morning was the last "Tots in Motion" Parents as Teachers playtime for LB.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Trike

He says it's got a VW engine, a Suzuki front end, and a Harley frame.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

A Stroll Around The Neighborhood

I put TS in the frontpack this evening for a 30-minute walk. She fussed a lot going in, but seemed to enjoy the experience once we got moving.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Buggy at the zoo

Today was the kickoff for the library Summer Reading Program, held at the zoo this year. In keeping with our kids' theme of "Catch the Reading Bug" (and the teens' complementary "Metamorphosis" theme) the zoo did some insect displays, including an opportunity to pet a giant cockroach!

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Bowling night

This was LB's first time at a real bowling alley. I think he did a great job, given his age.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Xylophones

Earlier today, we had to bring BB his backpack at school. The music teacher let LB play with the Orff instruments.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Watch your step!

BB and LB went for a walk with me around the complex tonight. I carried TS. The storm rolling in along with the lateness of the hour created this weird light.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Blood Drive

People think I'm crazy, but one of the most satisfying things I do on a regular basis is donate blood. A tiny amount of pain and an hour of your time provide so much to people who need it.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Motorvatin'

Not sure if LB's doing Peter Fonda or Dennis Hopper here. What do you think?

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

London Bridge?

Not sure what's happening here. They might be playing together or they might be fighting over a toy.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

On Deck

Here's a photo my mother-in-law took when they came to visit last month. More to come shortly.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Oh, Dewey!

Laura Raphael was a real trouper tonight. After the tornado warning was over, she still went on stage and did a marvelous job with her one-woman show about the wonders of the Dewey Decimal System. Don't laugh. It was wonderful!

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Tornado Warning

I came back to the library for a program tonight, and just as it was about to begin, the sirens went off and we had to take cover.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.  mp3

Exercise

After dropping BB off at school today, I took the little ones for a walk around the Promenade Mall. 30 brisk minutes followed by some playtime for LB made for a very nice morning.



Locals: if you're home at noontime today, turn on Channel 6. I'll be on talking to Glenda Silvey about books and the Young People's Creative Writing Contest.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Kicking Off National Bike Month

Today was my first bike commute of the year. I tried out my backstreet route and made it to work in 35 minutes. Coming home I made a wrong turn and also had some headwind and traffic, but it was still about the same. Maybe it's downhill? Anyway, it was a lot of fun, and I can't wait for the next one!

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Socks are Done!

They're definitely too short, and I'd use smaller needles with this yarn if I did it again, but I've finished them!

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Big Step

BB has been taking the bus home for a few weeks now. Today I walked to the stop to bring him home. It's only a few blocks, and he's angling to be allowed to walk home on his own! I'm not sure we're ready for that yet, but it's coming.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Home Stretch

I had hoped to complete my socks tonight, but I'm falling asleep in my chair. Guess it'll have to be tomorrow.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Kisses for TS

On Saturday we took the kidlets to Sears for portraits. This is the best of the lot. How can you not love them?

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Playtime

"Daddy, wanna come in the house?"

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Exercise

Due to logistical snafus of the kind that ofren occur on busy Sundays, Kim and I took separate cars to church, but returned in just the one. I took advantage of this opportunity to get a walk in. 45 minutes of perambulation during which I learned that 1/8" of neoprene insole really does make a huge difference in the comfort and wearability of a shoe. Ouch.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Grandma Visits

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Anarchy in pk

I'm sure I'm not the first knitter to see the potential for anarchic symbology in a set of double-pointed needles, but I'm the first one to post it on this particular blog. :-)

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Caveat Emptor

I went looking for a bow tie today, for tomorrow night's library dinner where the dress is "snappy casual". My first lesson is that real bow ties, the ones you actually tie, run about $40 at Dillard's. Not in my price range at present. My next notion after wandering the mall fruitlessly (30 minutes of walking accomplished!) was to try Burlington Coat Factory. They often have more offbeat men's clothing. On the way there, though, I decided to hit a tuxedo rental store. They had an impressive selection of hook-on bows, used, and the proprietor offered me one for $12. This mysteriously became $12.99 by the time we reached the register, which should have been my red flag, but I bought the thing anyway. Then I went to Burlington and found a brand-new bow tie, with matching pocket square, for all of $3. I need hardly tell you that the tux shop wouldn't take my return, so I now own two slightly different black patterned bow ties. Anyone want to buy one?

[This was edited to fix the prices. For some reason, the translation from my phone to Utterz stripped out the dollar signs and, in some cases, the numbers that immediately followed. How annoying!]

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Exercise

Today was the second day of the OLA conference. I had already planned to walk to India Palace for lunch, just a brief stroll from the hotel. When I stopped at Panera for breakfast, though, I decided to leave the car there. So, I had four short ten-minute walks today, for a 40-minute total. Very satisfactory. I'm captain of our library's team for a friendly walking competition for county employees, so I'm trying to set a good example.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Black and Gray Sock #1 Complete

The top is a bit shorter than I'd hoped, but overall, it fits quite nicely. Now on to #2!

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Not exactly a book cart

I'm at the OLA conference today. One of the maintenance staff decided to decorate her custodial cart with a discarded ALA ribbon, and I thought I'd share.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Medals

My father gave me these medals today. Each commemmorates a Catholic saint who shares a name with one of my children. What a wonderful gift!

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Helping Hand

LB gave me an assist at the grocery store the other night. Even after the basket was full, he wouldn't give it up. He pushed it along the floor to the checkout.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Exercise

I walked to dinner at Which Wich with the kids last night. About 20 minutes all told.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Social Experiment

I picked out this outfit because I really liked it, and I decided that there was no good reason my daughter couldn't wear blue. It's interesting to see how people react. Even folks at church who know her seem more likely to talk about how big she is instead of how cute.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Exercise

I made a grocery run on the bike tonight. About 30 minutes all told, including the time in the store. I had intended to leave my car at work and bike home, then ride to work in the morning. Unfortunately, I forgot that I have a meeting at Central first thing, and I can't justify the time it would take me to ride from one library to the other. Not on "company time."

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Tonight's Project

I've been planning this for awhile. Almost since we moved in to the townhouse, in fact. The one place where we lost the most square footage in the move was the kitchen, and this should help alleviate that.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Exercise

I biked home from bell rehearsals tonight, my first ride in at least six months. It took just shy of fifteen minutes, and was pretty cold, but not intolerable. I think some bike commuting is in my near future. I've already mapped out a route that avoids the major thoroughfares between here and the library.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Higher Math for Toddlers

I play a little game with LB whenever I'm strapping him into the carseat. It has three buckles, so we count, "Buckle one, buckle two..." but that third buckle is always something tricky, like 48 or 5,283. He finds this hilarious. "Stupid Daddy. Don't you know what comes after two?" Today, though, I threw him a real curveball. "Buckle one," I said. "Buckle two, buckle pi." This time he didn't laugh, so I thought maybe he was distracted and hadn't heard me. A few moments later, though, I heard a puzzled voice from the backseat. "Pie? I don't have any pie, Daddy!" Wise beyond his years, that one.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Spring Rolls for TS

Here's TS mere moments after rolling over from back to front, and just before rolling back the other way. There she is, supremely supine!

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

What? Ridden on a horse?

BB's school play is being performed again, this time at a nearby retirement home. Here, some of the older kids do bits from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Socks For Me!

For the first time, I'm working on a pair of socks for myself. It's also the first time I've made socks with "real" sock yarn. I really love the self-patterning dye, with such great character.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

You Know It's Rained A Lot...

...When waterfowl are taking up residence in the gutters!

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

The Play's The Thing

BB is the Narrator in his Gifted and Talented class play, Bisclavret. It's a

French werewolf story.

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.

Not Bouncing Yet

TS is exploring her tiptoes!

Mobile post sent by yoyology using Utterz.  Replies.