We use Flickr to organize our pictures. But sometimes, Andy uses Picasa as a filter. It has a cool face recognition tool—and lately, it has been mistaking Sophie for James and vice versa again and again.
As shown here.
“A man finds room in the few square inches of his face for the traits of all his ancestors; for the expression of all his history, and his wants.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
and you’re the father of a 4-year-old and two 2-year-olds and you’re married to me you get:
(1) a Graeter’s ice cream cake as requested but with 33 candles on it that melt everything in the name of tradition.
(2) take-out Indian food because, let’s be honest, you’re the better cook.
(3) two children helping you blow out the 33 candles on your cake.
(4) plus one more, from afar.
(5) help opening your presents.
(6) a big, soft, gray blanket because your daughter, while shopping in Target for you said, that you “like blankets.”
(7) a fedora because your daughter, while shopping in Target for you said, “you like hats.” (I tried to explain the difference between a baseball cap and a fedora, but she would have none of it—simply because this one had blue on it and she knows, because she’s asked you at least 100 times, that blue is your favorite color.)
(8) homemade cards.
(9) a child who promptly steals one of your presents for their own amusement.
(10) children who fight over said present, resulting in a hat party.
Happy birthday, my love.
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“Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope.” —Bill Cosby
Seriously.
“It’s no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase ‘As pretty as an airport’ appear.” —Douglas Adams
We didn’t tell the kids about our day trip to Disney World until the night before we went. Sophie was excited in a I’m-not-quite-sure-what-you’re-talking-about-but-I-like-Disney-movies-castles-princesses-and-Kings-Island-so-it-sounds-fun way.
We rode the carousel,
and waited a very long time in a very hot line so Sophie could meet Rapunzel. (She told Rapunzel she’s growing her hair just as long.)
There was nap time.
And 3-D glasses time.
And lots of rain. Lots and lots of rain. $56 spent on ponchos worth of rain.
So we took lots of breaks inside restaurants,
and riding indoor rides, such as It’s a Small World (which James loved—he kept screaming “Look, Daddy, look!” the entire time).
All the kids loved the castle. And still, anytime Owen sees a building that’s the least bit fancy now, he yells, “castle!”.
We had one meltdown, while waiting for dinner. It involved me taking both boys out of the restaurant and then standing their helplessly while they flung themselves on the ground, crying (it didn’t last long). So I thought we were done. But while leaving the park, I noticed a perfect spot, empty on the otherwise crowded main street, perfect for watching the evening parade. I debated. I knew the kids would love it, but I also worried I was asking for another meltdown. But then I thought about the fact that we were at Disney and that I don’t know if we’ll ever be at Disney again. So I bought light-up toys. And Mickey Mouse-shaped Goldfish crackers. And little cars for Owen to play with on the street. We stayed.
They loved it. All of it. Despite the heat, long lines and rain. (Thank you, Grandma and Paw Paw, for a most wonderful trip.)
“Laughter is America’s most important export.” —Walt Disney
We had dinner at Don CeSar and then took a long walk on the beach.
The rain gave way to a beautiful sunset, a beautiful night.
The next night we went out after the kids went to bed, to Mahuffer, the most fantastic dive bar I’ve ever seen.
There, we met up with an old friend from high school, Tom, and his girlfriend. It was so nice to catch up.
And thank you, Grandma, Paw Paw and Aunt Fran—it was so nice to have some kid-free time, too.
“For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it’s always ourselves we find in the sea.” —e.e. cummings
“Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think.” —Robert Henri
Grandma’s homemade strawberry cake
the pool
full moon on the dock
brothers
Sophie
Owen, Sophie, James
more fun on the dock
Aunt Fran cooking dinner
more fun in the pool
dessert!
pillow fight with Uncle Jim
Owen, asleep in the pool (we were, of course, with him at all times)
Uncle Jim and Andy
Max and Uncle Chris
Aunt Lynn
Uncle Jim and Jared
rain
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Kudos to the person who came up with the idea of renting baby equipment to vacationing families. We rented two pack-n-plays and a big bin of toys from Visiting Baby and it was worth every penny. In fact, we saved money not having to check two pack-n-plays and the new-to-the-kids bin of toys was most welcome on rainy days.
All of our kids were in one bedroom. Sophie was in a twin bed; Owen and James slept in their own pack-n-plays. The first time I put the boys down for a nap they giggled—for an hour. I thought it was the novelty of vacation, of having flown on a plane, of a new place, of a new sleep environment.
No.
Turns out I left their airplane backpacks within reaching distance. They not only reached them, but they dumped the contents into their pack-n-plays, passed items back and forth and then, after a good hour of this, finally fell asleep on top of everything, covered in stickers, having eaten snacks and dumped out flash cards.
“Yawns are not the only infectious things out there besides germs. Giggles can spread from person to person. So can blushing.” —Vera Nazarian
Sophie insisted on being held when near the water.
Owen wanted nothing to do with the beach, and instead was content sitting on the beach blanket Nini made, eating Goldfish crackers and drinking water. Check out all the places to visit in West Palm. There are also websites like HotelsForFamilies that compare hotels, making it easier for parents to find the most suitable hotel accommodations for their families.
Sophie and Paw Paw
Andy and James
Aunt Fran
Andy and James
Sophie, loving the playground
more playground fun
Aunt Fran, Jill and Marty
James
“The waves of the sea
Help me get back to me.” —Jill Davis
scene: Owen and Nini, sitting on the front porch swing
Nini: “I like your toes.”
Owen: “I like your head.”
“Conversation should touch everything, but should concentrate itself on nothing.” —Oscar Wilde
