Just Jack

I really enjoy these two pictures of Mr. Jack.

From Hollands at Home 2012

From Hollands at Home 2012

Charlie digs the zoo

Also in June we met up with some newspaper friends of mine at the zoo. And while the part where we tried to enjoy the zoo on an incredibly hot summer day with six adults and three demanding children didn't go especially well (thanks, boys!), it did mark the first time Charlie appeared to really get into the zoo. He didn't seem to be too bothered by the heat and humidity (check out the sweat and curls) and was constantly pointing at animals (especially birds) and happily enjoying the experience. His favorite, by far, was the river otters in the swamp exhibit.

Checking out the primate exhibits. From Brookfield Zoo

Rocking the floppy hat. From Brookfield Zoo

He really loved the river otters. From Brookfield Zoo

Where's your nose?

A dose of Charlie cuteness from June 20. Sorry it took so long for me to post.

From Hollands at Home 2012

Max does VBS

This year was Max's first chance to go to Vacation Bible School at church. It happened in early June, and it was pretty evident how excited was to get to share the experience with Jack — it certainly made him feel like one of the big kids. This being our fourth summer living here this was Jack's fourth time at VBS, and he still seems to get a big kick out of it. His church friends and school friends have no overlap, and he's been with the church kids year in and year out — plus week in and week out with most of them at Sunday school.

One of the adult helpers for the week is a member of our small group who also happens to be a fantastic photographer. She shared with me some of the great shots she got of Max being Max throughout the week:

Choir rehearsal. From Hollands at Home 2012

Working with Mrs. Skeens. From Hollands at Home 2012

Recreation time. From Hollands at Home 2012

Max knows what's up. Just ask him. From Hollands at Home 2012

Share Fair time. From Hollands at Home 2012

As is the standard operating procedure for VBS week, all the kids sing some of the songs they learned during the Sunday morning worship service. This was Max's first time singing in front of the whole church, and though he'd come around during his February preschool performance, he wasn't up for playing along this particular Sunday. You should be able to see Jack in a purple shirt near the back. He did a great job, with the exception of the times he sat down because he was hot. Better than passing out.

I talked to Max after to ask why he didn't sing. His answer was that he wanted church to go back to normal and if he didn't sing then his regular Sunday school teachers would come back. That didn't make a lot of sense because of how much he really enjoyed the week, but at least he didn't throw up or pee in his pants. In just a few years we'll have all three boys signed up in VBS at the same time!

Charlie's "first" trip to the pool

On June 18, we took our first trip to the pool of the summer. And though Charlie came with nearly every visit last summer, he almost always spent his time on the deck, sleeping on one of us or simply being carried around and scoping everything out from a safe perch.

Not this year.

Now he's got a swim diaper, trunks, a swim shirt, water shoes (after some unfortunate slipping) and the desire to explore. Here are some photos and a video of his real first trip to the local aquatic center. Notice how long it took for him to remove his fingers form his mouth and get fully in to the experience. We've been several times since, and Charlie enjoys it more with each visit.

From Hollands at Home 2012

From Hollands at Home 2012

From Hollands at Home 2012

From Hollands at Home 2012

From Hollands at Home 2012

From Hollands at Home 2012

Photo/video dump

These are in no way sorted well. I present them devoid of context. I apologize. At least they are in chronological order.

April 29: He did this to himself. From Hollands at Home 2012

May 1: Charlie plays with toys.

May 12: Charlie laughs while eating.

June 8: Jack comes to work with me, goes out to lunch with Pops.  From Pops and K's

June 8: Mini-golfing for our 10th anniversary. From Pops and K's

June 10: Charlie giggles while I feed him.

June 11: Right after Charlie's first hair cut. From Pops and K's

June 16: Max loves a parade. From Pops and K's

... while Charlie prefers Veggie Straws. From Pops and K's

June 16: I took eight pictures of all three boys and this is the best. Eight. From Pops and K's

June 17: Charlie naps on me for Father's Day. From Pops and K's

June 18: Charlie shows off his new hairstyle. From Hollands at Home 2012

June 18: Max is a stinker. From Hollands at Home 2012

Museum trip

I have mentioned this before, but on Kristie's birthday (yes, more than a month ago) I took the day off and we went to Discovery World in Milwaukee to celebrate Jack's birthday (which, yes, was in April). I have finally gotten around to posting these photos, so I hope you enjoy them and forgive me for the delay.



I also took this video in the Great Lakes exhibit.