All posts by Andrew
Cream
At French Meadow this morning Sarah asked for some cream with her coffee. When the cream arrived, Maggie turned around and patted her rear, saying, “Butt!” We were confused. She pointed at the cream, and again patted her tush, “On my butt.”
She thought it was diaper cream!
Bath Snorkel
I’m a little bit close…
I’m a little bit close to being very close to being ready!
— Griffin
Griffin’s 5th Birthday
It’s been a rather extended celebration this year. We began on Griffin’s actual birthday, April 8, with cinnamon rolls for breakfast and family presents at dinner. Then he was honored at both of his preschools.
Then Sarah baked a spectacular cake for his party on Saturday, but the kids both woke up with pink eye and we had to cancel the party! (Noooooo! But we ate the cake, which made it ok.) We rescheduled the party for the following weekend and this time everything worked out, including an even more magnificent cake. (Six layer rainbow cake with all natural ingredients? No problem.) And grandma and grandpa presented a new bike. Woohoo!
Click on the pics for larger versions.
A new, bigger bike!
It has a kickstand.
It has a hand brake.
It is awesome.
Sarah’s masterpiece.
I want it. Now.
Hug for the birthday boy.
Happy guest.
More happy guests!
Everyone is singing for me!
Big breath!
Five candles.
First slice.
Six all-natural layers of joy (no food coloring!)
Hard work
Yummy!
What has Griffin learned? Birthdays last for three weeks and include numerous celebrations, multiple cakes, magic bunnies that hide eggs, lots of chocolate, and special trips to the ice cream shop (those last tidbits were for Easter and my birthday, but the distinctions may not mean much to him). We’re setting ourselves up for success here. 🙂
Heavy Breakfast
Just another Sunday breakfast at the Stocco Roy’s where we discussed slavery, the civil war, armor, and guns.
[Slavery came up because Griffin wanted to know what the song “Jimmy Crack Corn” is all about. (Good question!) This led to the civil war, but interest waned before we could delve into the rise of the KKK and Jim Crow, the Great Migration, civil rights, the war on drugs, white privilege, and the glorious post-racial utopia which we’ve created for him. (Also didn’t get to the dangers of wearing hoodies.) Instead, Griffin examined his medieval-themed placemat and asked if armor was “real.” This prompted a detailed discussion about the history of armor. Cool stuff, which led, eventually, to kevlar. At which point we had to talk about guns and what to do if he ever comes across one. It was quite a breakfast!]
Maggie on the Red Bike Rack
Before a lovely dinner at Everest on Grand, Maggie found a play structure that was just her size.
Winter Wrap-up Gallery
Clearing out a backlog of winter photos. Click for larger versions.
Maggie at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival
Seated on the ice throne at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival
“Neigh Neigh Ride” at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival
The Luminary Loppet on the Lake of the Isles, February 1
Gelato at the Midtown Global Market
Snowman Closeup
Fun in the back yard. Note Maggie’s snow boots.
Riproaring fun on the bench swing at Mattocks
Giant Snow Snail!
I love finding gems like this on neighborhood walks. What a cool idea. Wish I’d seen it when it was fresh.
Griffin lego quote
You know what I do every time someone breaks my legos or I break them on purpose? I build something even cooler!
— Griffin