Gaga for Glee

We've been listening to a lot of Glee around our house lately. Clara has become particularly fond of Glee's rendition of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" and surprised us one day with a serenade. Here we were lucky enough to get it on tape. Jack seems to prefer "Bad Romance" as you can see by his reaction to it when it follows on the playlist.

"Poker face"


I'm Marvelous

Goodbye, Libby

Today we said goodbye to Nay-nay and Pop-pop's dog Libby. :( She was 14 and lived a great life.

It was always great to see her smiling face welcoming us home.


Libby with her new bed


Family portrait


Libby and Sydney - they did a lot of lying around...








with some play too.


Trying to blend so as not to get kicked off the bed.




Christmas with Libbers












Basking on the back porch, goodbye Libby.

School and a hair cut! Two bits.

End of August marked 16 months from Jack's birthday! These videos show a day in the life of Jeekbo engaging in some of his favorite activities.

16 months old with his tea pot


Jack and his new obsession... light switches! He pulled Clara's chair over to the table and climbed up himself. This is how he was when I came around the corner, so of course I needed a video :)


Jack dancin', babblin', and just plain be-boppin' & skattin'


Beginning of September marked another important milestone in our family, Clara's first day of pre-school. We hit a rough patch initially, but things were sorted out by the time she had to take the leap and go all by herself, and she did awesome. Now she absolutely loves it. Here she is the first day, on her way out the door!


Afternoon tea & crumpets (snack) post-first day of school (I thought the weird head-dress was cute).




After getting through the first day of school hurdle, I decided it was time for haircuts! Clara was a snap and sat through hers glued to PBS. Jeekers was more of a special occasion since it was his very first! *sniff, sniff* Here are the before pictures...


Bye, bye baby mullet.


All done.


You can see both of the kids cuts better in this early morning shot of their play-doh activities.


Don't they look dapper?

Emerald Isle, 2010 Part Un

Mid-August we headed to Emerald Isle with Nay-nay & Pop-pop, Memo & Augs. We had beautiful weather and a great time playing in the sand and surf everyday.

Clara was not feeling the love for the camera this week, so there are not many shots of her. She did really enjoy her new inner-tube, giving her some freedom and security in the ocean.


With Luc


In the ocean with Daddy


Drip-castle time!


Family picture time! (of course not a chance of getting Clara to glance at the camera)


Kids with Daddy


Now Jeekers very much enjoyed the beach and showed his appreciation to the camera in spades!

With Daddy


With Pop-pop close-behind


Watering can in tow


Chasing his shadow


Jack and his shadow


One of the fun beach activities was the formation of Camp Pop-pop. It took several incarnations over the days, but the premise was the same - fun for the kids under the umbrellas so we could sit in our chairs and watch them. :)

Camp Pop-pop in all its glory!


Jack slightly sandy after face-planting.


Quick rinse-off


In Camp Pop-pop's famous crater.




Jack carrying his bucket back to Camp Pop-pop


Getting his foot buried...


and unburying it


Posing with his tea pot


Campers in action


Rest of the staff and campers


Atop the mount at base camp


Back at the cottage:
Enjoying his perch on the bar stools


Hanging out on the stairs, a preferred play spot


The only time they were happy to be in bed...


Just twisting some knobs.


Multitasking with Memo: eating goldfish and playing with her necklace at the same time


The apocalypse!