PEZ

The boys have a modest collection going. It's so funny to me and I can't pinpoint why.

Maybe because the candy comes out of the necks? If it came out of the mouth that would be like eating what the dispenser threw up, which would be gross. I guess it had to be the neck.

Maybe it's because they have no arms and even when you're holding one gently they look like they've been captured an are being held hostage?

Maybe because PEZ sounds funny and doesn't rhyme with anything?

In any case, we're having fun with it!

Weekend Warrior

There are so very many kinds of husbands.

I, for one, am glad I got the kind that makes pancakes from scratch every weekend before he pulls on his Carhartts, fixes what needs to be fixed, builds a piece of beautiful furniture with power tools, drinks a single fancy beer because he really and truly enjoys and appreciates the taste and then tickles and chases our boys around the house before he tells them to put on their helmets and saddle up their bikes- we're going to the park.  Someday we'll have a wealth of wonderful memories and very special heirlooms to hand down through future generations of our family.

I wouldn't trade that for anything.

ian

This child is amazing. In a period of 2 days he learned to use a kickstand for his 14 inch two-wheeler, figured out he was able to reach the keypad for the garage code that he's had memorized since we moved in and successfully navigated the monkey bars at our school down the street without assistance.



He has known our address and phone number by heart for over a year, too.  He showers independently, brushes his own teeth and makes (Eggo) waffles for himself and his brother for breakfast!



I don't know where my baby went but I love this smart, sensitive, brave boy every bit as much.

henry

This child is amazing. He builds and builds and builds and then he summons me to marvel at his creations and I am repeatedly blown away by what he can create. Literally anything he ever thinks to make from his beloved Trio blocks looks exactly as it should in an unbelievable way.  I have picture after picture on my camera of his Trio creations- they impress me that much.



This boy dreams big, feels big, smiles big and loves big.

He will be happy; I will never worry about that. It's in his soul. He will find happiness and bring happiness, always.

I don't know where his outside-the-box thinking will take him but I know wherever that is he will love it.  He'll make sure of that.

I have never met a child with a personality that simply radiates like Henry's does. It's a wonderful thing.

Geronimo!

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

We hope you do something fun to celebrate your special day! We're sure Grandpa is baking you a cake... ;)

"Brown Jeans"

Henry told us one evening recently that he was going to "start his day like Grandad." Joe asked him what he meant by that and he said "You know, wear brown jeans, a t-shirt and wash my face." By 'brown jeans' he meant khakis and he did, in fact, lay out khakis and a t-shirt before he went to bed.

He walked into our bathroom the next morning like this...

...and proceeded to climb up on a stool and wash his face!  When I asked what he would like for breakfast he looked at me, exasperated, and said "an english muffin!"  (This is what he knows Grandad eats every morning before work.) He skipped right over his tennis shoes and chose his nice brown Sperry's for school that day, just like Grandad wears. This kid was cracking us up.

He ended up pairing his khakis with a K-State jersey and I think he looked quite handsome all day!

*Please note: Grandad does not roller skate after work to my knowledge.

We did find Henry's emulation amusing but it was also so touching.  He obviously holds Grandad in very high regard and desires to be like him. This is a wonderful thing, by all measures! I would love nothing more than for our sons to grow up to be men of such impeccable character; to grow up to be as intelligent, kind, generous and confident as my father. If ever I knew a true gentleman, it's him.  Keep it up, Henry.  If you follow in your Grandad's footsteps you'll be on the right track forever, little man...