Last Day of School 2019

It's the end of the school year for Ryan (1st), Laura (4th), Mom (16?). 

Laura considers this year her 'most fun' year and is super sad about leaving her friends and teacher.

On the other hand, Ryan "doesn't care" about the end of the year. He is looking forward to soccer, golf, fishing, and building Legos and Playstix.

We are looking forward to incorporating chores into their daily activity.

Jump Rope For Heart 2019

Ryan is in the lime green shirt. Sorry for the poor quality - poached this video from the school's app.

 

First Day of School 2018

Similar to last year, here is another video of the kids at the bus stop on the first day of school. Once again Ryan is secretly excited but won't show it, and Laura is genuinely pumped to see her friends. 

A Whitetail Friend

First Day of School

Ryan is off to a great start with his feelings toward school. An early morning stinker! Good Grief. I failed to remind him he has 13 years to go.

Laura - well, she's excited as usual. She only ate half a cinnamon toast because... "My tummy hurts. I am soooo excited!"

Photo Gallery

Ryan at Lunch - First Day of Kindergarten

Infomercial Spokesman

Step aside Billy Mays, there is a new infomercial cat in town. Spokesman Ryan explains how to play with this Lego set.

Egg Decorating Contest 2016

2016 Champ

The annual family egg decorating contest resulted in an unlikely winner.

The champ goes to a little girl who was so nervous that she passed on cake and treats!

Watch the video below and pay attention to Laura covering her eyes and turning away as Jane, the judge, repositions the eggs on the tier.

As uncle Matt would say, "Goobers!"

Superhero Stories Told By Ryan

Ryan is Happy!

Mom had mention in an earlier post that Laura has immersed herself into pop music. She sings along and dances to the music. Little Observer Boy has noticed his big sister and joins in the fun!

In fact, when Mom broke her toe, the kids and I had to kill time while she was getting assistance in the ER. We went to Old McDonalds for a shake. Ryan and Laura both put on quite the performance by belting out "Don't Go Crying To Your Momma.." aka Ain't it Fun by Paramore. They turned quite a few heads.

Here is an example of Ryan singing "Happy" by Pharrell Williams.

A Princess Quiz for Ryan

A short clip of Laura quizzing Ryan on Disney Princesses. I was absolutely shocked to hear him identify them all. Impressive. Way to know your women, Ryan!

Face-name recognition is a clear cut trait from his mother!

Ah-Goo-Ga!

A Commonly Used Term

Laura has come up with infamous words like, "dokie" and "absquala." Ryan has now come up with his own, "Ah-Goo-Ga." Even though the word origin and definition is unknown, we still find it very entertaining. 

Wedding Experience

Laura's First Wedding Experience

For my four year old daughter, this night was a magical, memorable moment. This girl has been mesmerized by the Disney Princess' basic premise = beautiful girl falls in love with handsome boy and gets married.

If you weren't there, I don't know how to articulate the magnitude of what transpired tonight for Laura. She was in a different world. I suppose she was actually experiencing everything that she has read or watched in a princess book/movie. 

Laura was transfixed on the first dance. She intently watched each bride/groom kiss. She was enamored with the bride's beautiful, white dress. She had the gooney "Love Eyes." 

Then when it came time for our dance, well, this happened...

Labor Day Pontoon Ride

Ryan's Pontoon Ride 

The family went down to Grandma Nells and Papa George's house for Labor Day weekend. It was our final chance to squeeze in all the summer/lake fun.

Laura was harvesting apples from the apple tree with Grandma Nells while the rest of us took a late afternoon pontoon ride. 

It's Hot, You Need A Pool!

Sticky. Sweaty. Scortch'n Hot. = Pool Time!

Oh man, it has been hot! We've had the pool up for about a week and been using it quite extensively. I don't recall Ryan in the little pool last year, so this might be his first time in it.

Love his dino suit!

Can't avoid the heat, must embrace it.

I warned you not to jump.

Missing from this video: shaking my head "no," angry face, and an eye roll!

Ryan's Bedtime Story

Bedtime

Fishing Trip 2013

Canada Fishing Trip on Father's Day

I hope we don't continue this tradition but it's looking like we will...fishing on Father's Day. This year's trip was the best ever (for me personally). I caught my largest walleye (23.5") and largest fish ever, muskie (42"). I caught a personal best 100 fish on this trip (80 walleye, 12 muskie/pike, and 8 other species).

Even though I had so much success and fun fishing, I really missed my kids. Goes without saying, I missed Mom too.

Before I had left, Ryan was just starting to walk. Seven days later, he's a little man stumbling and bumbling his way from room to room! That's a big change in one week.

But the reason why I missed my family so much was because of something Laura did. She secretly stuffed a beautifully written letter in my duffle bag and I opened it up on Father's Day. Here it is...

Laura's Father's Day Note 2013

Isn't this the best? I love it!

Since this was my best fishing trip ever, I should document it. I highly doubt I will catch a bigger fish in my lifetime...but it's sure worth trying!

A shot of Bobbies Bay from our cabin at Sportsman's Lodge on Oak Island.

Eating lunch on a secluded island.

My largest walleye. 23.5". Rewarded with a deer stick.

12 year old Max lands the largest walleye this year 25.5". First time on this trip. Lucky!

Walleye fishing was slow so we decide to try for pike.

Caught this 42" Muskie on a white spinner.

Took many runs and fought hard! Great fun!

Here is a very short video clip of the fish. Had to get this beast back into the water.

First Steps

Ryan is almost walking. Almost. And you can see that he really wants to. In the basement, he takes the lawn mower or car and pushes it around the room, then lets go to take a few steps. Upstairs, he launches himself off the couch or ottoman.

A couple of days ago, we watched Ryan take about 8-10 steps! Too bad the camera was in another room, it was a great moment. Mom and I tried to recapture that in the video below.

This video shows a couple of walking attempts but more importantly what Ryan likes on the main level. He wants to be chased, climbs stairs, pounds toys, pulls on drawers, and sticks fingers in outlets. You know, boy things!

 

Ryan's Birthday Party with Family

And now let the mess, excuse me, eating begin!

Baseball Cupcakes

Godfather Matt

Ryan's First Birthday

Ryan Is One Year Old!

Pizza Party at Daycare

Happy Birthday, Ryan!   

He started his birthday celebration with a pizza party at daycare and then came home to presents and a chocolate cupcake. 

In this video, you will see him eat, smash, throw, and smear a cupcake. Unlike Laura, this little guy eats both frosting AND cake!

On Sunday, we have a double header lined up, Mother's Day and Ryan's Birthday party. It's going to be a baseball-themed birthday. 

Be prepared for classic baseball food, snacks, drinks, games, and gifts. I am very excited. 

Ryan is standing and grunting

The Table Is Back!

You may remember when Laura was one year old, we had a musical/sound table (from Miss Meghan) to entertain her while she learned how to stand. By the time Laura was one, she learned to walk and this table became obsolete. 

Lately, Ryan has been crawling and pulling himself up on any and every object in sight. It was a no-brainer that now was the time to get this musical table back from Ms. Meghan.