Doomed

2014

I recognize this pose.

It reminds me of another little Houdini who lived at my house once.

I think Houdini number one

is whispering his secrets to Houdini two.

I'm doomed.

It's Tough

2014

At 10 months, 

Isaiah knows how to

lay back,

put his feet up

and take a break from all the crazy demands of infant hood.

It's tough being the baby.  

Especially around here.

Conquering the Galaxy

2015

As a Christmas gift to Joe, I promised to try and conquer the galaxy,

and waste an entire (read 12 hours) Saturday doing it.

The craziest part is that we were able to convince others to participate in this nonsense with us.  I guess we're not the only ones with a penchant for conquering the galaxy.

Thanks David, for providing the game!

For those curious, the game is Twilight Imperium.  The rules will only take you a few hours to read.

10 Stories Up

2014

Joey at age three.

Hard at work on his own

lego masterpiece,

complete with windows 10 stories up,

perfect for playing

peek -a- boo.

Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

2015

One February afternoon, with friends Zach and Andrew in the snow.

Zach, Aliyah, Theia, Andrew

With the snowman complete, they started on the catle walls,

which resulted in a cool wall spanning the whole backyard

and a very brown looking backyard.

Who Needs 'Em

2015

I amazed, lately, at how much these two have in common.

Who needs clothes

when you've got your froggy boots?

Naptime Fairies

2014

The naptime fairies visit our house on occasion.  If you don't recognize them, they're most often dressed like three little girls I know.  On one visit to Isaiah's room during naptime they worked their magic and this is how I found the room

when I went to get him up from nap.

And this is how I found Isaiah.

Peeking out,

happy as a clam, and in no hurry to leave his cozy fortress.

Five Out Of Six

2015

In January, I finally convinced Joe, after several months of persuasion, that it would be a good idea for him to build a loft in the girls' bedroom.  I have no idea what possessed him to agree with me, but in mid January, phase one of the loft was complete.

And the kids couldn't have been more excited.

Well, except for Isaiah.

But everyone else liked it.

With six kids, you can't win 'em all.

Sometimes you have to be happy with

five out of six.

Face Up

2014

It isn't the first time we've seen a dolly in the sink.

The difference is these two got it right.

Dollys take baths in sinks.

Next we can teach the proud parent

how dollys take baths

face up.

At The Table

2015

Sometimes, mostly because we're lazy and don't want to strap Isaiah in his booster seat at a meal, we let him sit at the table.  Please do not read the following blog post and expend any mental energy trying to explain to us how it would be easier to just strap him in his chair.  The not-strapping-him-in-his-chair decision is not rational.  It makes no sense to let a one year old loose at the table.  I recognize this.  It just doesn't alter my behavior.

This is what a meal looks like when Isaiah is let free at the table.

Do you see the gleam in his eye?  

 First he gets down, but not before he gets a bite to eat.  He does like to eat, he just doesn't like to sit still to do it.

Then he finds his blanket, sucks his thumb, climbs the step stool and surveys his kingdom.

With that out of the way, he moves his stepstool to a more convenient location...in front of the counter.  I told you he likes to eat.

Next he steals whatever food he can possibly scavenge from the counter

and quickly eats it before anyone catches him.  Then he pretends to be helpful and pick up the washcloth to wipe down the counters for mommy.

When I shoo him down and tell him to sit back at the table.  He usually observes my suggestion for a few brief moments before he climbs down, gleam in eye, to start the fun again.

Scuppies

2014

Six crazy kids,

all in a row,

at bedtime,

sportin' their scuppies.