Soccer shower

After soccer this week Joe asked if he could take a shower instead of bath. We aren't sure how this idea came about but we decided to go along with it considering Clara had already bathed for the night. When faced with the spraying water he was tentative at first, but by the end he was literally dancing in the shower. (Video is mostly appropriate, just a little glimpse of a shimmying butt)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2ks1sjMUdA

Five

Palo,

You turned five today. You wore your orange shorts to school because that is your most favorite color right now, and Mr. Mark made you an orange crown to wear there, at least during morning snack time. That's when your class had the birthday cake Oreos that we'd brought in for the occasion. We had a birthday cake--the traditional Ekkers birthday cake--at home after school and you opened Aunt Kate's present, and said, "Star Wars Legos! Stormtroopers!" You are old enough to know what a stormtrooper is. . .

This morning, the air was heavy and full the way it can be when it's aching to rain and I thought then about how that's a bit how the air felt the morning you were born when we were leaving to go to the hospital. (I also remember sliding my feet into my Reef flip flops--the orange ones.)

While we were eating cake, you said "Thanks for making cake." I said, "Thanks for being born." You asked what being born meant. (Of course you did.) I said "Arriving in the world," while Daddy chortled no doubt at my avoidance of a more scientific explanation. (Of course he did.)

Anyway--it's true! You arrived in the world five years ago today, and made everything about our little bit of it better.

You're amazing, Palo.

Love you always,

Mommy

What's that!?!?

Joe discovered the dishwasher today. We have been in the house for a few days already, but today when Kate was loading the dishwasher and Joe was flitting around the kitchen area he saw it and asked, "what's that!?" Kate explained it and he took it all in stride like he discovers household appliances everyday. Meanwhile his parents are rediscovering dishwasher detergent (now in those power packs!) after an 8 year hiatus from that section of the store. Amazing advances for the kitchen...don't even get us started on the disposal or the water and ice dispenser on the fridge (the kids favorite DIY activity).

Pool time

As we mentioned before, Joe is getting some water guns for his birthday, so along with it we got a new inflatable pool. The deck is big enough to set the pool on it, which is nice because the yard doesn't get ruined in the process. The kids have had a lot of fun floating and shooting their water artillery especially when cousin Nick gets in the action!

Moving Day

Fans! We come to you from the front yard of Raleigh House. The movers--John and Pete--have arrived and we are watching a bit of the show. They are being quite good natured about it all and even let Joe and Clara walk up the big ramp and stand in their truck.

It's hard to believe this day is here, Fans. As always, we'll see you on the flip.