Parties and such

Last weekend Sam had his friend Sam over for a sleepover. Susan let all three boys make and top their own pizzas (though Sam declined, happy to let Mommy do it). Josh and Sam really got into it. 

An overnight is a chance for them to have a lot of joint screen time, which they certainly dad. And Susan kindly allowed that when they woke up they could sneak down to the family room and play together. 

Unexpectedly, Sam's friend woke at 4 AM and woke our Sam and they went down together to play! Susan woke and discovered what was up, suggested guest Sam go back to bed, and then had to convince our Sam of the same, despite his assurances had he'd really had enough sleep.

Sadly, his lack of sleep was probably behind the virus he succumbed to Monday. He's all better now. 

This is just Josh being an alien

I thought Josh might enjoy tasting how tart a lemon is. I was very surprised when he wanted to eat the whole thing!

Got out from the basement a Playmobil castle which both boys were delighted to play with

Even now, Sam is at a "minecraft birthday party" which is just that--a young woman, serving as part coordinator, takes them through a bunch of challenges and teaches them new things. The party's for Ayden, who is in Sam's class at school. Susan, who is with them now, says Sam is in heaven. :-)

Easter and other recent events

Easter!

Andy and Juli Elliot joined us for Easter dinner. Juli outdid herself by making two cakes, one of them in the shape of a bunny. The boys flipped when the saw the bunny cake.

Coincidentally on Easter some friends from church gave Josh a doll "house" they are done with. Josh really enjoyed it. And he used it just like a boy would--by invading it with flesh-eating dinosaurs.

Juli and Andy. 

The second cake.

The T-rex is looking hungrily through the living-room window

Susan made a delicious ham which lasted many days, finally finding its end in this pizza.

Miscellany

Okay, some random photos. This is from this week. Josh likes cold baths, and Sam likes them very hot.

Before J's birthday I took the boys to a local party supply store, where Sam found these.

One of the boys' babysitters did this activity with Sam: you make an ink blot and blow through a straw to form monsters.

This is Sam W., a friend of Sam's. In this picture our Sam is under the pile on his bed. (Don't ask why.)

This is Sam and his teacher Howard doing a duet at Sam's recent recital. Sam does great at these--doesn't seem to have the concept of stage fright yet. Lately Sam's been enjoying playing, too.

So much has come and gone! Recently Sam's class had "Colonial Trade Days", wherein they chose a trade, wrote a report on it, did a presentation with props, made a trade sign (wood--Sam used the jigsaw, with supervision) and wore clothes which make you think of colonial days. Oh, and there was a presentation for the parents, complete with authentic dancing and singing. Sam did quite well.

Recently took J to the zoo while Sam was off sing a movie with his friend Ian. It was a cold day, but sunny and it was fun to get out with J alone. Here J's interacting with a volunteer who's teaching him about camouflage. 

This sea lions were glad to see Josh.

Yet another outing, back before the snow'd gone: On a Sunday afternoon Sam had a playdate with his friend Zoe, and it culminated in a hike at the nearby Corbett's Glen. 

All the news that's fit to print. Hopefully it won't be so long until the next update...

Josh's birfday

Better late than never? Below are some photos from Josh's birthday almost a month ago. Josh had a great time. Highlights included the Thomas-the-Tank-Engine cake and decorations, and the visit from Aunt Amy. He also had a friend over from school, Carter. It was fun to see how well they play together and how similar their dispositions are. 

Susan's creation--wow! (Josh helped a little with it; he put the stones next to the pond.)

Josh and Carter. Susan was originally going to let J invite a group of friends, but once J realized what was up he nixed it RIGHT AWAY. One friend is plenty.

I don't recall how their ended up being a second cake, but here it is. This one was shared with his Sunday-school class. 

The aforementioned Aunt Aunt.

Josh got some great gifts, including not a few trains and tracks.

Impromptu Columbus trip

Last week was winter break so Susan, anticipating cabin fever, suggested we head south for a one-day trip to see kin. The kin were very accommodating and we had a great time. 

And the timing was good: driving was fine Friday and Sunday, and on Saturday they had a snow storm, which made everything pretty without the pressure of having to go anyplace.

Though we did manage to eat at Le Chatelaine, and Sam and I joined Uncle Stu and Cousin Kevin for Saturday-morning bowling. 

A good time was had by all.

Nana and Aunt Amy reading to Josh

Uncle Stu spent quite some time outside with Sam and Josh, throwing snowballs and making David the Snowman. 

Daytona 500

Two photos from this year's Daytona 500.

This is an annual event at Cobbles where students of all grades run the track, and invite friends and relatives to join them, with the goal of beating last year's record. Hundreds of miles are logged, and the students get a chance to see their parents exercising, which is a great thing. 

Plus, it's fun. 

This year I went one morning and Susan went another. (It runs all week.) (No pun intended.) It lasts 40 minutes, and about a quarter of that time you are running laps. At first it feels good to stretch your legs, but by the end I, at least, am generally lying on the floor panting.

Maybe it's *not* such a good example for the kids!

On the right is Sam's friend Sam Weaver. They get together weekly for a "hang", and last week had two sleepovers in a row.

Weekend update

My officemate offered to sell me the bunk bed his boys used for years. They are off at grad school and it's time for it to find a new home. Looks Ikea-ish; quite nice.  The boys are wild about it. 

Last night Josh slept in the lower bunk and Sam in the upper (going in after J was asleep).

I got Sam's help putting in the nuts and bolts to put it together. After some protesting, he was good about helping. Nice to train in a new helper!

Keeps snowing, a little bit more each day, and the temps remain cold (-5 deg this morning) so it never melts. Very pretty!

I had two cans of Silly String unused from last summer, and finally let the boys play with them. Actually, Silly String weirded Josh out so it was Susan and Sam spraying one another. A good time was had by all, even if the cleanup time was longer than the play time.  

Started out the morning right on Saturday!

That's the news! Hope you are all well.

*Snow*

The usual update montage:

Josh got a haircut! Looks nice. It was a very snowy day, so all the senior citizens who usually would have packed the place were absent; Josh was the only customer

Been enjoying the Thomas trains of late.

I think this was a Saturday. Can't really say why Sam is wearing his hat during breakfast...

...but it's apparently a little boy thing, cause Josh did the same thing this morning.

Josh and I hang out at Eastman while Sam and Susan are at Sam's piano lesson. Every Friday at 5:30ish. Here we enjoying front-row seats in Kodak Hall.

And taking selfies.

Saturday I took the boys sledding. We met Sam's friend Ian. Perfect day for it! Mid 20s, light fluffy snow falling, not too crowded. Had a blast!

Here's Josh, just having slid down the slide in our back yard.

Josh loves his Sunday school class, and we couldn't ask for better teachers. They are volunteering out of the goodness of their hearts, and are genuinely filled with love for their charges. So don't blame them when you see how Josh describes Mary anointing Jesus' feet. And, for the record, NO IDEA where "Mavis" comes from!