The Bambini Visit Grandma Connie and Grandpa Charles

Fans, the bambini are spending their first nights ever away from home this week! On Saturday, we met Grandma Connie and Grandpa Charles at a McDonald's halfway between Minneapolis and Chicago, and after lunch, the bambini got in Grandma Connie and Grandpa Charles' car, and off they went. Julie cried, but managed not to do so until they'd pulled out of their parking space and were well and truly on their way. The bambini were distracted by the delights in the bag packed with distractions in the backseat of the Grandparents Trumpmobile. Ted had no such bag, so he distracted Julie with a This American Life podcast which worked pretty well.

We spent the night in Red Wing, Minnesota, a river front town along the Mississippi. Our route there took us right along the river and Lake Pepin so we saw the evidence of all the rain that has fallen up here outside our windows. We were home by ten Sunday morning, and decided to tackle putting in a garden bed around the deck. (Clearly, we are seizing our chance to live it up.)

Meanwhile, we can report that the bambini went to a horse show to see Lippinzaners, and that they got horses. (We assume these horses are of the toy variety since Grandma Connie and Grandpa Charles have said nothing about looking for stables.) Joe's has no flowers and is a boy while Clara's has flowers and is "not a boy." They also saw where Julie went to middle school and climbed the same trees she once did!

It is very quiet here at the White House. That is o-kay only because we know come Friday evening, it won't be.

Aunt Kate and Cousin Nick Visit

As some of our Fans know, we had Aunt Kate and Cousin Nick with us last weekend. They are a dynamic duo and now that Cousin Nick is at French Camp and Aunt Kate back home with a Uncle Scott, we are back to missing them. But, we will see Cousin Nick in another three weeks, on the flip side of French Camp, when he will be the sole counselor at Cousin Camp--a day camp with just one camper: Joe.

Aunt Kate and Cousin Nick were here on a very full weekend, but they were up for it! We participated in the annual neighborhood garage sale on Saturday, and had a Pampered Chef party on Sunday. In between all that, there were, for various of us, trips to the park, the pool, and various college campuses. We dined al fresco on the deck every night. Good times, as always.

Learn to Ride a Bike Class (or, Our Hero Rides a Bike!)

Before class, in Teacher Carrie's helmet.  (The first thing we learned was that Our Hero's helmet was too small.)

Fans, we (well, one of us) is coming to you tonight from learn-to-ride-a-bike-class side where Our Hero has been coasting around on a pedal-less bike like a champ having the best of times. Now some of you might be thinking, "A class?" Isn't learning to ride a bike like riding a bike? Like, isn't that an expression? (Julie at least can report that a few years back, when she'd not been on a bike in a while, Ted had to tell her to put a pedal up with which to push off, proving that riding a bike is not just like riding a bike.) REI put this gig on and most of the class is getting comfortable balancing on a pedal-less bike without the security of training wheels through games. You can see a brief clip of Our Hero coasting here.  Pedals went on at the end and well, check out this clip here. Our Hero, pedaling! Riding a bike!  (This is really the money clip; the voice you hear hollering, "I'm pedaling!  I'm pedaling!"--that's Our Hero.)

He fell twice. The first time, the two other boys he was racing around with stopped and came over straight away.  It was very much, "Man down!  Man down!  Don't leave a man on the field!"  One said to Joe, "Dust yourself off. That's right.  Just dust yourself off." The other said--to Julie--"He's tough. Yeah, he's tough." Then the first boy said to her, "Yeah, but falling on concrete still hurts."

Not more than a minute later, Our Hero was asking Julie if he could bike home.  The second time he fell, he was just going to fast and clipped the wall.  But he got right back on.  It was clear the joy of riding outweighed the spills which we all know, Fans, are great moments.

Summer Ways

We are rolling into our second week of summer--meaning warm days without school for Joe, and summer programming at the KinderCare for Birdie. So far, so good.

Last week, Joe was at Kid's Place where it turns out he knew a handful of kids from his school, or the KinderCare. Still, it wasn't surprising when he sort of fell apart a day or two in. Julie found him wadded up in his bed before bath time still hissing tears and vinegar in the wake of a low-grade tantrum.  There was still a lot that was new that he was managing as best he could. Sometimes, even at our best, life backs up on us and we all want someone who loves us to love us still as we hiss and foam. By bath time itself, he was o-kay.

This week, Joe is at a YMCA day camp--their "Sports Sampler"--with Graham. Fans, they arrived today wearing the same cornflower blue athletic shirt and it was all coasting downhill from there. On the way home, Julie learned that they played baseball today; that they caught pop flies, in gloves that you wear on the hand you don't use to throw; that they hit balls; and that the pool was broken today because the stuff that makes the water o-kay to swim in has to be just right. Julie also learned that Joe's teachers today were girls, but that he doesn't remember their names--or anything else that happened after lunch.  Also, he's not so old that he is above running at her headlong at pick-up to be  picked-up and held.

Clara, for her part will soon begin two, half-day camps that happen twice a week at the KinderCare: Art Camp and "Ball Camp"--Sports Camp. Julie had signed Clara up for Art Camp, reasoning that Birdie liked coloring, drawing, and painting, so she was sure to like Art Camp. And although this was not off the mark, Clara also said she wanted TO. GO. TO. BALL. CAMP!!!!! Julie said o. KAY!!!!! Clara said maybe other girls would sign up, too, but confirmed that she would still want to do it even if no other girls signed up. Since then, at least two other girls have signed up. Sporty Birdie leads the way?!

And so we are making our way through summer.

Of Braids

Braids are back, Brigade.  To be fair, braids are a classic hairstyle for the preschool girl set, but still, many a girl are sporting them when not so long ago it was less so. Clara doesn't really have enough hair for one braid.  Julie kept suggesting two braids--French braids close to the scalp to start before finishing in braided tails.  Clara balked and asked for one, maybe one just on one side.  Julie balked and said that wouldn't look as good as two.  Julie couldn't figure out why it was one braid or bust--until Clara said she wanted an Elsa braid, not Anna braids.  And then Julie realized she had the Frozen sisters and the Frozen phenomenon to thank for the fixation on not only braids, but one braid.  Julie's really got the hang of two French braids down either side of of the front of Clara's face now, even when Clara's head is bowed low to examine her toes, say.  But it was truly exasperating in the early going, especially when Julie would finish, and Clara would announce tearfully that she wanted one braid.  Light streamed from the heavens when Clara said she wanted one braid like Elsa, not two braids like Anna.  (Here we pause to ask what's wrong with Anna?  That's not to say there's something wrong with Elsa, but come on.  Anna's got it going on, too!)  Elsa, Anna, Anna, Elsa.  Julie had had enough.  Julie told Clara that Clara had "Clara braids" and made like Elsa, which is to say she let it go.

Of Shells

Joe's speech also still sometimes takes some funny turns.  The boys came back from Long Island with all kinds of shells: some clam shells, an oyster shell, a horseshoe crab shell, and a whole bunch of what Aunt Kate identified for Julie as "jingle shells"--thin peach discs that do indeed jingle, and which also look beautiful piled into a glass lantern.  One morning, not long after the boys were back, we were talking about the all the shells that they'd brought home, and Joe said there were also "shaver shells."  Some of our Fans might also immediately recognize these as razor clam shells.

This classic Southold picture brought to you by stringer photographer Grandpa Tom.

Clouds and Crackers

Sunday afternoon's sky

The Birds did the week's shopping this past weekend while the boys were in Southold.  As Julie was going through the coupons, she found one Ted had clipped for $1 off two Nabisco products.  No doubt he was thinking of spending it on two packages of Oreos, but--probably because Julie was missing the boys and feeling nostalgic for when she was discovering everything about Ted new for the first time, like all for what Southold was shorthand--she decided to get some Ritz crackers and whipped cream cheese, which she learned was an Ekkers snack.  She gave Clara some of both Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday afternoon, Birdie requested "clouds and crackers" as an afternoon snack.  (Fittingly, the rain had given way to blue sky, sunshine, and fluffy clouds by then, which found the Birds pattering on the deck.  Julie took the picture above while lolling about in one of the chairs with her book.)  Julie isn't sure if it was because Birdie couldn't remember "cream cheese," or she thought the whipped cream cheese looked like clouds, or a little bit of both, but in any case, obviously, "clouds and crackers" the snack shall be known as from here on out.

Birdie, on a Sunday afternoon

What the Birds Did Yesterday

They flew through a lot of rain. It was a wet day. Conditions were not ideal for the annual St. Louis Park Parktacular parade, but the Birds were undaunted. They made their way to Joe and Clara's friends Eli and Emma's house for lunch and then camped out with them ms their mother at the end of the block. Parade participant energy was low and their attendance may have been impacted by the weather. (There was only one marching band, which attempted Rhapsody in Blue, a bold choice for the early summer parade. Hang on Sloopy anyone?) The Birds wore the bunny glasses Grandma Connie and Grandpa Charles had sent at Easter which drew several cheers and comments from those  marching in the parade.

After the Birds had celebrated the Park, they made a summer cake (buckle) to take to Julie's friend Ms. Anne who had a baby a week ago yesterday. They stayed a long while. Julie held the baby and Birdie had tea with Ms. Anne's mom like a real visiting lady.

The Birds had dinner out at Hello Pizza where Julie had a moment where she observed Birdie's distinct otherness when Birdie ordered a slice with pepperoni, sausage, and mushrooms.  Mushrooms? Mushrooms. Julie (and Ted) don't care for them but Birdie gobbled them right up. But they split a salad, too, including the croutons which were divided exactly evenly.

A stormy night followed a wet day, but that made snuggling in the big bed that much more cozy.

Southold Day 3

Nice weather can really improve a day out in Southold so we were glad we got one.  Joe woke up around 7 and headed out the door saying Uncle Scott said to wake him up. So pancakes with Scott was the first activity. It wasnt soon after that we were headed to the beach. Joe was determined to build a sand castle with a moat just like he heard from the "Moe and Sara" story Ted told him the night before.  So he dug and scooped various structures, sometimes while wearing his snorkel mask. He was convinced to go back to the house for lunch and soon after we all went to Greenport. He rode the carosel three times and even geabbed a few brass rings.  We also went and toured a fire boat that was as old as Grandpa, and stopped in at the tiny nautical museum.  When we got back to the red house Joe, Scott and Ted took out the kayak for a little spin collecting some clam shells on the little island across the water.  After that everyone enjoyed time on the porch.  He greeted Aunt Susie and Uncle Les with big hugs and showed Susie how his ipad worked.  There was one last trip to the beach to swing with Nick and look at shells and sit in a big hole in the sand.  Back at the house just as dinner was ending Aunt Mary Jo arrived (also greeted first with a big hug from Joe).  Over dessert Mary Jo asked Joe to read to us, so he got a "Harry the Dirty Dog" book and read the whole book to the room. By then the little man was done and asked to go to bed, upon whichhe requested another Moe and Sara story at the beach, "but a different one."

Southold Day 2

There is nothing quite as disappointing as a rainy day in Southold, but that is what we had so we made the best of it.  The boys were up early so they took a walk along the beach before the rain kicked in.  They collected fun looking shells along the way and watched the seagulls. After pancakes by Grandpa Tom, we headed over to Orient Point (or as Ted talked it up for Joe-the end of the world) to collect a few souvenir stones for Julie, and by then the rain was there to stay. Back at the house Joe played with silly glasses, did a puzzle, and explored the attic. Joe found 3 Berenstein Bears books so he clambered up on a bed to read one, and Ted found a painting and some jam jars. After lunch Ted took Joe on a drive. By the time they got to Horton Point lighthouse Joe was asleep, so they did a car nap for a while, and when Joe awoke he dragged himself out to look at a lighthouse still half asleep. They stopped off at the grocery store to get sugar and gelatin and then drove to a farmstand for strawberries and rhubarb, and finished with an ice cream cone too big to finish. 

Back at the little red house Joe went back to playing when Lynn found a bag of balloons for him and Ted settled in to make a batch of jam. Grandpa Tom took everyone out for a nice dinner, probably the nicest restaraunt Joe has ever been in.  All things considered Joe did well. Plain pasta and lemonade were procured for Joe, and there was a guitar duo to serve as entertainment. The pinnacle of the evening was when Joe had tied his napkin around his neck and had fingers in his ears because the music was too loud. Back at the house Joe tried all his silly games on Lynn and Grandpa Tom while everyone waited for Aunt Kate, Uncle Scott, and cousin Nick to arrive. Only then could the little boy finally go to sleep. 

Southold Day 1

Joe and Ted are on their big trip to NY to visit the family home in Southold one last time before it is sold.  Their adventure started with a full day of travel on Thursday. Joe was a trooper through the long lines and long layover and car ride. We amused ourselves with books and playing with Monkey.

While the Boys Are Away. . .

The Birds will play. Joe and Ted left for Long Island this morning, and Julie and Clara already miss them.  In an effort to cheer themselves up, after Clara's swimming lesson tonight, they went to a Mexican restaurant in the same strip mall called El Patron.  It's been there maybe ever since we moved here, and Julie figured now was as good a time as any to give it a whirl.  Brigade, they were playing the equivalent of Mexican MTV.  Imagine the way videos looked in the 70s--before MTV--but in Spanish, and you've got it.  Birdie loved it.  She was dancing in the booth.  And, there was a waitress who was singing softly as she worked.  We have mentioned that Clara moves through life to a soundtrack of song? Kindred spirit in the waitress it would seem.

Now the birds are home and Julie has said that Clara can sleep in the big bed while Joe and Daddy are in Long Island.  When Julie announced this to her, Clara said, "For the whole night?!" The Birds agreed that three animals could accompany Clara to the big bed.  She selected Elsa, Anna, and a baby from the basket of babies in the green onsie.  (This last is a bit of a dark horse.)

Sweet dreams, Long Island.

Missing you in Minnesota.

Chess Class

Monday was, of course, Joe's last Monday of kindergarten.  For most Mondays of the year, he had chess after school, but that ended a couple weeks ago.  So this past Monday, Ted ducked out of work early to get Joe at "parent pick up."  Joe emerged from the school in a sea of kids but quickly caught Ted's eye and spied the bike with tagalong, which Joe loves to ride home.  Upon arriving home two minutes later, Ted asked what Joe wanted to do, but Joe had no ideas, so Ted suggested a bike ride to get ice cream, to which Joe was quick to agree.

So off they went along the trails for about 20 minutes until reaching the Galaxy Drive In (formerly Wagner's which was old school cool, but is now a burger drive in by the creator of Rainforest Cafe so it's overly kitchy). The boys each got a shake (strawberry for Joe, oreo for Ted) and ate in silence until the last slurp.  Joe wasn't even done with the last bite when he got off his stool and ran to go see the giant chess board.  So they set up a game and played.  Ted managed a victory, but maybe because he wasn't skipping around the tables between turns. So Joe got his chess lesson after all. 

Then they saddled back up and road back home, stopping briefly to collect Clara.

Both boys wish every Monday went like this.

They're Pink!

Lots of petals.

When we moved into White House, we found gardens overrun with weeds which, when we cleared them out, revealed, among other things, peonies that had come and gone.  So we waited in anticipation this spring to see what color they would be.  They began blooming and then it promptly began raining, so it wasn't until a few days later, this past Sunday, when we were outside trimming the lilacs with the bambini darting about doing this and that, that Clara stopped short in front of them and exclaimed, "Mommy!  They're pink!"  When you are a four-year-old girlie girl, there's no better color.

With lilac branches.

On a puddle walk, Saturday.

Joe's Last Day of Kindergarten

FANS!  We know: the posts--they're flowin' like mud.  It ends here and now.  So, too, today, did kindergarten for Our Hero.  A week ago Friday, he brought home his homework notebook for the last time, and thereafter, each day, more and more papers and items came home.  Kindergarten teachers are very, very good at chronicling things on laminated pieces of construction paper, perhaps spiral bound.  The dining room table is filled with a happy mess of academic detritus from Our Hero's kindergarten year.

We think he liked it.  We are basing this assessment in part on the fact that he has stated that "of course" he would like to invite Mrs. Dvorak to his birthday party in July.  (Here we pause to share that it will be at The Big Thrill Factory which is, frankly, not such a big thrill if you are over the age of, say, 10.  It is like your Chuck E Cheese, on steroids.  We suspect Mrs. Dvoark may have other plans?  Here is what she wrote to us in her final "communication folder" communique: "It has been a pleasure being Joe's kindergarten teacher this year.  It has been fun to watch him grow as a reader, writer, and mathematician!  I will remember him for his great hugs and smiling face.")

It seems like just yesterday we were walking Our Hero off for his first day with his tag on the bright aqua blue string hanging round his neck. . .The next threshold we will cross will be summer camp drop offs, pick ups, and everything in between.  We have arranged a veritable jenga of them that, of course, double as child care.  Their start is delayed by a weekend trip to Long Island where Our Hero will hold Ted's hand while Ted says goodbye to Little Red which will be a hard thing.  Good thing Our Hero is a first grader now and knows all about making your way through hard things.