Some Things Remain The Same

On the way home from Hannah's school yesterday, we drove by The Landing which is a retirement community that the kids go to and play games with the retirees. Hannah noticed this and decided to remind me that she goes to The Landing sometimes with her friends.

So, I asked her what she does there..........

'Well, we can't play puzzles,' Hannah says.

'Why not?' I ask.

'They keep forgetting how to play,' Hannah quips.

'Who forgets how to play?'

'The Landing people,' she says. Well, bless their hearts. I would imagine that the elderly living at The Landing appreciate the company but probably do forget a few things.

This reminded me of story Carson told us about a year or so ago when he mentioned going to The Landing too. He said that he played with 'Henry,' one of the retirees. According to Carson, playing at The Landing was fun but Henry was forgetful.

Carson was apparently showing Henry how he could write his name on a piece of paper and at one time asked Henry to do the same.....however, Henry would keep asking Carson if he wanted him to write his name, even after doing so. Carson would have to remind Henry that he already wrote his name and keeps forgetting.

The kids really enjoy The Landing but it's funny listening to them talk about their experiences there.

Ready for Next Season

As you all know, Carson turned 7 this month. One of the gifts he received (from Grandma and Grandpa in Elmwood) was a new baseball mitt. I oiled the mitt up for him under the guidance of Grandpa (who has probably broken in his fair share of mitts over the years) but I really didn't think Carson would take much of an interest in the process. I was wrong.

Starting that evening, he'd put the glove on, toss the ball in the glove several dozen times, stuff a ball in the pocket when he was done, then wrap the rubber band back around the glove and ball combination to keep it formed up. This continued on for the next few days, almost religiously.

A few days after getting the glove, I was talking to a friend of mine that played baseball in college. His trick was to place the glove (with baseball in the pocket) under his mattress when he slept to get the glove broken in. I told Carson about this 'trick' and he started going the same thing.

It's funny. Now Carson digs under his mattress, throws the ball into the glove a few dozen times, plays catch in the air, and stuffs the glove back between the mattresses. Although he's in mourning that the baseball season has come to a close and he can't fall asleep watching the game he loves, it looks like the new birthday present has him turning toward next season already.

The Best Daddy of All

Two days ago, Hannah brings me a book that she's checked out from the local library. She wanted me to read it to her so I take the book and she slides onto the couch next to me ready to listen.

I always start by reading the title of the book so this time isn't any different.....

So I begin, "The Best Daddy of All"

Hannah chimes in, "That's just like you, daddy."

WOW. This about brings me to tears.....Hannah scored BIG points with me. And Tara says that Hannah is wrapping me around her finger.

She's probably right.

Happy Birthday Carson

Carson is the big 7 today. He spent the day playing with his buddy Braedon, rolling around on his motorized scooter, and playing hard. Here is a picture of him in front of his cake. We invited the family down to celebrate and have some treats:

Happy Birthday Carson. The past 7 years have flown by. I'm sure the next 7 will as well.

The Wisdom of Hannah

So, the other night, I was hanging out reading the newspaper and Hannah (for some reason) decides to comment on eyes...........

'Dad, I have brown eyes just like you. They are brown. Carson has the same eyes as Mom. They are blue.'

'They are green but close enough,' I say.

Hannah proceeds to say, 'Does Echo have the same eyes as Ginger? I tried to look but they keep running away from me.'

That's funny. At least from my perspective.....a little glimpse into what runs through Hannah's brain.

At this point, I think that Hannah is in a pretty funny mood so I ask her a question:

'So, Hannah......why do you think the sun shines in the sky?'

'Um......it comes up when the moon goes down' she says. That is correct, but not quite what I was looking for so I ask again.

'Thats right but why do you think it shines so bright?'

Hannah doesn't think about this question long. 'Um, it is bright so we can see and not bump into stuff.' Now that is a good answer.

I tried a few other quesions after this but she started firing off crazy stuff and not really that funny.

Carson's Soccer Team

Carson has soccer practice tonight and a game tomorrow. Hopefully I can take a few pictures of him in action to post in the next few days.

This year, I roped Tara and I into being the 'coaches' for his soccer team which is really just a glorified way of saying 'babysitters.' Tara takes care of the emails to parents and setting up who brings treats for the kids after the games each week. I take care of herding 7 soccer-crazy boys and doing the substitutions during the game.

This year, Carson's team is rolling right along. They are undefeated with a game or two left. It's absolutely amazing to see the difference between when he started and now. He's passing the ball and pulling off some soccer moves that leave me amazed.....like a few games ago when he 'bunny hopped' with the ball around one defender to score a goal. The referee was laughing but said it was legal and was a pretty good move.

Happy Birthday Hannah

Here are some photos from Hannah's 4th birthday.....such as her birthday garb. Note the 'birthday princess' shirt:

And the look on her face when she gets to blow out the candles:

Or the way that her brother finds a way to ruin a good picture:

And, of course, the 'birthday princess' pigging out on the birthday cookie:

Happy birthday Hannah! We hope you had a great one!