Gramby & Su-su Hold Down the Fort

At the end of May, Brec and I traveled up to Boston and Cape Cod five days to celebrate the wedding of Anna and Ahmed and visit old friends from our Cambridge days. Gramby & Su-su generously agreed to come down to our house and stay with the children since Clara was in her last few weeks of first grade. We left Thursday afternoon after school.

First night at dinner and everyone made it to the table.

A little time in the back yard after dinner. Meghan rides the roller coaster backwards.

Fresh from the bath party in Meghan's room. Looks like someone is trying on Su-su's glasses.

Friday morning Jack takes some pictures with his camera in the backyard.

A trip down to the park is never complete without a hop on the hugie mama rock.

Twisty slide fun.

Swinging with Su-su.

Smiles on the slide.

Nap? who needs a nap?

Friday night was the school's Spring Fling! Jack goes down the slide.

Clara goes down the slide.

Saturday was another pretty day with lots of time to play in the back yard. Clara plays Harry Potter with her broomstick.

Jack sings in the treehouse. (Gramby captures some classic footage in this one)

A little clock art before bed.

Sunday trip to Pullen Park.

Carousel time.

Train ride!

Not sure what is going on here, but for some reason Clara has a parrot on her head.

Meghan looks on as Jack, Clara, and Gramby ride the paddle boats.

Meghan takes a turn on the tortoise.

Back on the train, this time with Grambles.

Bathtime bubble fun.

Clara makes some music after dinner.

Monday meant back to school for Clara, but this was Meghan & Jack's first week of summer vacation. Meghan gave Gramby a run for his money on the swing.

Last but not least, a welcome home with birthday cards. Thanks Gramby & Su-su for keeping the kids and making sure they had tons of fun in our absence. 

Memorial Day Weekend

Jack and Meghan began our three-day weekend with a Saturday morning tea party.

On Sunday the children went with Daddy to the NC Museum of Natural History downtown. Here's the two-toed sloth slothing.

Meghan smiles.

Clara hugs a dinosaur leg.

Checking out an exhibit about DNA! Important stuff.

Daddy can always be counted on for an ice cream treat.

Monday's adventure was a trip to the Art Museum.

Checking out the cool dragon fly.

Taking a rest in the school desk art exhibit.

Last but not least the kids gather for a picture in... where does it look like they are? :)

Candid of Jack and his dog "Rusty" sleeping. Rusty gets to sleep in his dog house on the bed.

Butterfly Garden

For Clara's birthday Gramby & Su-su got her a butterfly garden kit. There were five caterpillars that Clara named Ted, Rose, Polly, Ella, and Will. The key in the top left corner depicts which caterpillar, described by its shape in the container, is which. After a few days the caterpillars made cocoons, and we pinned them into the netted container to watch and wait.

They're starting to emerge as butterflies.

Fly away!

The cocoons are left behind.

Camp Seagull / Mother's Day (5/9 - 5/11)

After Jack's miraculous rally at the Mother's Day tea at his preschool, he succumbed to the cold and had pretty rough rest of the week. Meanwhile Brec and Clara were planning on embarking on their Y-Guides spring weekend campout to Camp Sea Gull. 

At the end of the weekend, Clara talks about her experiences.

Now Clara narrates the landscape.

By the time Clara and Daddy returned home, Meghan had come down with whatever cold Jack had. Poor baby.

But by Sunday everyone was feeling well enough to go out to dinner for Mother's day at Beaseley's. The kids checked out the view out of the "cave parking lot".

Last but not least Clara complete this sheet at school. What a joy that I get to do my favorite thing every day of the year.

First Weekend of May (1 - 4)

After a rounding up April with Memo's birthday, we're on to May!

5/1: Meghan was enjoying the gorgeous weather and showing off her big tails in the Whole Food parking lot.

Later though she was being coy about having her picture taken.

Thursday evening we went to the elementary school for Clara's First Grade/Kindergarten Concert.

Then Friday Meghan was looking cool in her shades on the way to Roanoke park.

Later on in the backyard 

Look how lovely our yellow knock-out looks!

Somebody sneaking up behind Mommy to get his picture taken.

On Saturday afternoon we took a trip to the park and wanted to bring along Clara's new bike that she'd gotten for her birthday. Meghan wanted to give it a try too.

On the a boulder at the park.

Clara was adamant that we not film her riding her bike

So we have to try and capture her in motion on the sly.

And she's off! with her Rosalind running after her.

She caught me red handed.

Then on Sunday afternoon Jack went for his first non-Delshay haircut. 

It certainly was no "haircut de Delshay".

Meghan going "regular high".

Meghan swinging on her tummy.

You know it's spring time when there's delicious dinner on the deck.