Saturday, August 04, 2012
Passing along sad news
If you are not connected to me via Facebook or following my prayer blog, you may not know my grandmother, my dad's mom and my last surviving grandparent, died Friday morning at the nursing home she'd lived in for about seven years. I've written about it a fair amount over on the other blog, though here is a link to the post I wrote late Friday. Or, if you have about twelve and half minutes and a box of tissues, please watch this memorial slideshow I put together:
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Just Jack
I really enjoy these two pictures of Mr. Jack.
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| 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.
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| Checking out the primate exhibits. From Brookfield Zoo |
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| Rocking the floppy hat. From Brookfield Zoo |
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| He really loved the river otters. From Brookfield Zoo |
Friday, July 27, 2012
Where's your nose?
A dose of Charlie cuteness from June 20. Sorry it took so long for me to post.
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| 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:
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!
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:
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| Choir rehearsal. From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| Working with Mrs. Skeens. From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| Recreation time. From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| Max knows what's up. Just ask him. From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| 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!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
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.
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.
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
Saturday, July 14, 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.
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| April 29: He did this to himself. From Hollands at Home 2012 |
May 1: Charlie plays with toys.
May 12: Charlie laughs while eating.
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| June 8: Jack comes to work with me, goes out to lunch with Pops. From Pops and K's |
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| June 8: Mini-golfing for our 10th anniversary. From Pops and K's |
June 10: Charlie giggles while I feed him.
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| June 11: Right after Charlie's first hair cut. From Pops and K's |
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| June 16: Max loves a parade. From Pops and K's |
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| ... while Charlie prefers Veggie Straws. From Pops and K's |
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| June 16: I took eight pictures of all three boys and this is the best. Eight. From Pops and K's |
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| June 17: Charlie naps on me for Father's Day. From Pops and K's |
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| June 18: Charlie shows off his new hairstyle. From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| June 18: Max is a stinker. From Hollands at Home 2012 |
Saturday, July 07, 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.
I also took this video in the Great Lakes exhibit.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Sunday smiles at How's House
Along the lines of the last post, here are some quick shots of Charlie form How's House the after Kyle's graduation. Much like our museum trip, I still have about 300 graduation photos to go through, but in the interest of catching up, I wanted to get these posted. I had lots of great shots to choose from and made Kristie pick her two favorites.
And also I have this photo of Charlie from our house, which I want to post before I forget and it doesn't really fit with anything else.
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| From How's House |
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| From How's House |
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| From How's House |
And also I have this photo of Charlie from our house, which I want to post before I forget and it doesn't really fit with anything else.
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Kristie's birthday
We spent Kristie's birthday taking the boys to a children's museum in Milwaukee in honor of Jack's birthday (photos and video to come), but after we drove straight to Libertyville for a fantastic cookout dinner. We also got a few good photos of Charlie and a nice shot of my favorite lady on the day she turned 32.
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| Hey guys! From Pops and K's |
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| Probably not a future Harlem Globetrotter. From Pops and K's |
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| Birthday girl! 9Cake by Lovin' Oven). From Pops and K's |
Baseball at Pops & K's
Toward the end of May, the boys and Pops discovered that all three of them (or four, when Uncle Matt or K or I get involved) can play baseball together in the back yard. Both Jack and Max can throw and hit with reasonable skill, and the yard is the right side to contain their skill level. There's little concern for actual rules outside of hit the ball and run in a circle, but that's all the structure they need to have a grand old time tearing around out there. If I had my act together I would have scanned a picture of me playing backyard ball with my grandparents when I was a little shaver, but I clearly lack that kind of foresight. Maybe tomorrow I'll get around to it. For now, some photos and a video, a composite of two different sessions:
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| Not the most orthodox batting stance. From Pops and K's |
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| His hands are wrong, but he doesn't care. From Pops and K's |
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| Max is in the ready position. From Pops and K's |
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| Charlie is more interested in this rock. From Pops and K's |
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| Matt ties into a pitch from Pops. From Pops and K's |
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| Jack tries to tag Matt before he can score. From Pops and K's |
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| Swing and a miss. From Pops and K's |
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| Contact! From Pops and K's |
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| Squaring up his target. From Pops and K's |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Park time
I think Kristie posted some or all of these to Facebook, but here are some photos from a late May playgroup outing to one of the parks in Libertyville. Much cuteness.
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Photo dump
We start with three pictures of Charlie I could have put up with my last Charlie photo post if I'd been on top of my game. And since these pictures are coming up on a month old, it's pretty clear I have not been on top of my game. The first one I included solely for the expression on his face. The second I like because it shows he has recently discovered books can be for him, not just part of Doodle's bed time routine. The third showcases how happy Charlie can me just toddling around the house carrying a bag of Veggie Straws. That's something that needs to be seen in person for full appreciation.
The next three are from Max's preschool picnic. Kristie posted a few from the same event earlier. Basically the invited anyone who was in any of the park district preschool classes, and their relatives, to one of our parks on a Monday morning. There were two incredibly slow moving lines, one for a face painter and one for a balloon artist. There was a bounce house obstacle course in the shape of a circus train, which Max really enjoyed but did not make for good photos. Also, a long line. So we spent most of our time there just playing on the playground with a whole bunch of strangers.
Of course, Max being Max (and not Jack), he actually identified some of the kids from his class and played with them. He said their names (I'm still not convinced Jack knows everyone in his class) and they said his, which was kind of neat to se. The only trouble I had was trying to determine gender based on name alone — it's getting harder and harder. After all the play time, we had hot dogs and chips. It was not the world's greatest lunch, but it was free.
And here are a couple I took at the playground outside the church where Jack's Scout Den had a recent meeting.
The final picture for this round is Jack taking part in the "Invisible Bench" skit, which I have already seen performed three times (and rehearsed a few more) in our very young Scout career. Hopefully the skits improve as the boys age...
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
The next three are from Max's preschool picnic. Kristie posted a few from the same event earlier. Basically the invited anyone who was in any of the park district preschool classes, and their relatives, to one of our parks on a Monday morning. There were two incredibly slow moving lines, one for a face painter and one for a balloon artist. There was a bounce house obstacle course in the shape of a circus train, which Max really enjoyed but did not make for good photos. Also, a long line. So we spent most of our time there just playing on the playground with a whole bunch of strangers.
Of course, Max being Max (and not Jack), he actually identified some of the kids from his class and played with them. He said their names (I'm still not convinced Jack knows everyone in his class) and they said his, which was kind of neat to se. The only trouble I had was trying to determine gender based on name alone — it's getting harder and harder. After all the play time, we had hot dogs and chips. It was not the world's greatest lunch, but it was free.
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
And here are a couple I took at the playground outside the church where Jack's Scout Den had a recent meeting.
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
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| From Hollands at Home 2012 |
The final picture for this round is Jack taking part in the "Invisible Bench" skit, which I have already seen performed three times (and rehearsed a few more) in our very young Scout career. Hopefully the skits improve as the boys age...
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| From Scouts |
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