Hold to the Rod

She blasts through the Isaiah chapters in record time!

Growing into a Dad

Grant: Mom, my neck is a little bumpy right here. (points to neck area, under chin)
Me: Here, get in the light so I can see it. (I verify - seems like a mild rash)
Grant: It's okay - I'm just getting to be a daddy, so it's a little bumpy.

(An hour later)

Grant: Mom, I'm gonna have to shave right here because there's little sparks!

Happy Father's Day!
(From a few kids who idolize their dad.)

Bow Hold

We haven't written anything about the boys playing violin on our blog. I'm not sure why. I guess we've been waiting for them to do something AMAZING. But the truth is, this whole last year has been amazing! Miraculous, really. We're putting together some video of what they've accomplished since starting lessons just after they turned 3 (a little over a year ago.) But for now, here is Grant with a great bow hold: bent thumb, finger over the "frog eye", pinky on top of the bow...
All year, their teacher (Sarah Oehler - a truly incredible and talented violinist and teacher) and I have been trying to get him to hold it the right way. Cole caught onto this much earlier. But Grant finally reached a moment where he wanted to master this detail on his own, and he's very proud of it. Grant has incredible pitch, and can follow notes on a page with his voice. I got a tear in my eye one week when we was doing it at a lesson. They each have different strengths, but both boys have surprised and impressed me as they've allowed practice to become part of every day, and part of their lives.

Here's Cole:
Now, stay tuned! (no pun intended)

Public Alert!

Be on the lookout for a deceptively youthful gang of bikers. They go by the name "Mom's Angels".
Suspect 1: Cole AKA "Coleoptera" "Beetle Boy"

Suspect 2: Grant AKA "Grantelope" "Sweet Cheeks"

Suspect 3: Bryn AKA "Brynderella" "The Instigator"

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Exhibit C:

Surveillance Video:

Suspected detonator hidden in nose?


Please consider them armed and sticky (and 66% training wheel free).

Look Ma! No training wheels!

I arrived at home after work tonight to find the following in my driveway:
Despite the poor cell phone video quality, you get the idea. He's pretty pleased with himself.

Okay, I'm pretty pleased with him, too.

How about a celebratory cupcake?

Anyone Need a Friend?

How about a New Era?
Bryn loves reading books but magazines seem to hold her interest even better. It has become a common sight to find her sitting on the floor slowly turning pages and excitedly pointing out all of the animals she finds.