Catch up time!

Over spring break our persistent, patient puzzle pro (who happens to have less of an attention span for books than big brother) enjoyed a focused, snuggly book time with Grandpa. We're so pleased he's up for longer reads each day!

Great Grandma Amba had trouble seeing the words. No problem, said Kaj! Just give me your glasses and I'll "read" to you. Our read is really more of a retell at this point, but that's beside the point. Going through San Souci's Little Pierre took twenty minutes! Amba loved every minute.

I see Grandpa sitting on the couch with his feet on that black thing, but I just can't seem to get it to work with my little boy body!

This makes me very happy! Have I mentioned I loved being a music teacher this week? I really do have great kids who challenge me in all sorts of ways. Most of them make me a better teacher, mother and person, so thank you, young people of Iowa City! A high point: Running into a boundary-testing first grader at ICPL's story time and observing him dote on Leif for twenty minutes. Talk about making a personal connection...I will be calling him to babysit in five years!

Give Kaj a pencil and a piece of paper, and you never know what you're going to get. This time he and Grandpa Hawley worked on music notation at Kaj's pace. I love this...

Left: Grandpa H. Right: Kaj Guy

Man, you're a cheerful kid, Leif!

"Huh huh...I get to ride with Ella. Score!"

"Hey, what's happening, Blondie?"

Di: "Be an animal!" I'm going to say Kaj's a bison and Annie a sweet hedgehog. The others didn't have enough time to commit to a character, I'm convinced.

After returning from spring break, Leif was scared of both Ella and Mingus! Like run-to-mom-pick-me-up-now scared. I'm so glad they're back on affectionate terms with each other.

We're SO happy that another family with a four-year-old boy has moved into our family-friendly neighborhood. Kenji and big sister Keiko have been great additions to the Raven Ct. community! So now we have three four-year-old boys on our cul-de-sac. Thank goodness they let Leif tag along!

Mom, get out the stain remover STAT! I love my new Lake Nokomis fish shirt!!!

Have I mentioned we like pirates?

Mo HAWK (eye) - groan, I know...

Arghh...

Kaj's "Water Park"

Tinker Toys, I love you.

April = 60s = A picnic in Kent Park = Where are all the people = Stay home, we're having a great time without you = Two-year-old girl arrives = Hey, you = Dirty John's Fried Chicken, y0u are the ultimate success-guaranteed picnic maker ever! (Yes, I know "= " is not really what's going on here, but we were on a roll...)

My favorite Wookie of all time

And on a personal note, I just realized I have not had a picture taken of me for MONTHS, so I Photo Boothed one tonight and changed my Facebook photo. I've been doing well with slow-and-steady weight loss (with accountability provided by WW) during the last few months, and I'm happy so say goodbye to my most extreme facial "fullness" on record. We're down 14 with just as many to go. We're moving in the right direction... 7K check - I'm 10K ready. Bring it on!