Family Time

Uncle Christopher: “I can’t believe I’m holding a real Avent Magic Super Sports Cup! And in hot pink none the less!”

Rhianwen: “Where has this guy been?”

Alden: “That skunk looks like he’s about to pee on me.”

Well, he’s been in Seattle. Which is why it was so special to see Uncle Christopher for a couple of days. Rhianwen patiently waited for him the day of his arrival and kept wanting to sit in the chair closest to our front door so that she would be sure to see him when he got there. Finally mommy was able to convince her that the time would be better utilized by playing, eating supper, and hanging out with Chris’ dreadless friend Matt (of whom Rhianwen wondered aloud “Is he going to bring his icky hair?” since he had graced us with a showing of the dreads after his cut a while back.). Matt did indeed bring his icky hair and left a choice piece in Uncle Chris’ bag to be found by him later with much disgust.

Nanny Kim, Grandpa, and Uncle Skipper came up for a double visit to spend time with Uncle Christopher and us. We had a fabulous time. Of course, we had to spend most of it in the backyard on or around the swings.

Shockingly, a family picture was suggested…who heard of such a thing on mommy’s side of the family? Daddy’s…we take family pictures as a rule and lots of them. Lighting is discussed, backdrop is discussed, timing and placement is discussed multiple times throughout the process. Pictures are reviewed, and if the baby isn’t looking, we start all over (attitude and time permitting). This family picture however, was slightly simpler with the exception that we needed a potty break after assembling down on our bridge and before any shots were taken. Despite our attempts, the camera found it impossible to catch baby’s eye. He’s much more interested in the creek.

Pretending to fly like the ladybug on Uncle Christopher’s hand.

Then daddy left for a trip to GA while we stayed home and felt the desolation of an empty house without company. Okay. It wasn’t that bad! We actually had some fun reconstructing the Eiffel Tower in our living room and being successful in that activity following it up by playing Madeline. Rhianwen, who has been taken with the NHL playoffs in our paper decided to suit up to rival any professionally designed uniform.


When she showed dad she said she had to bend her toes to get into her skates. He thought it sounded uncomfortable, but as any fashionista could tell you style over comfort is always a must.

Funny time in our house:

Rhi, finding some scissors on the kitchen table: I’m going to cut Alden’s sock!
Mom: No no no! Are you crazy?!
Rhi: Yes, I am.

Rhianwen’s last swim lesson was this past Saturday. She can float on her own, blow bubbles on her own, and jump in under the water all on her own. Now, if she could just learn how to get from the bottom of the pool back to the top with her head out.

We’ll probably put her in another group of lessons that are more advanced later this summer. We are very happy with the progress and fun she’s had with these first one. She actually met all of the goals that they were teaching, and I think Wally had a blast helping her learn.

An evening enjoyed at DQ.

Alden, desponded and dejected, wondering why he can’t have any of that glorious- looking pile of stuff.

We’ve begun reading a verse from the “real” Bible at mealtime (not a Bible story book but the real thing). Thinking back on it, I guess we should have been doing something like this a long time ago, but I’m glad we’ve started it now. I had expected Rhianwen to be bored and disinterested, but she actually reminds us to read a verse and even tries to pick one out. Once we did the Romans road which has the verse Rom. 3:23, Rhianwen recognized the number pattern and has asked for other references with that pattern for example: Romans 5:25 or 8:28 etc. At first, I had said we couldn’t just choose something randomly, but Daddy very wisely suggested we read what Rhianwen chooses and what mommy chooses too. Amazingly, she manages to pick awesome verses. I guess Romans is just one of those books that is loaded. Daddy suggested we expand Rhianwen’s horizons by informing her that there are other books in the Bible than just Romans. But she often will insist on “Paul!” meaning, start at Romans 1 and read. Fun times.