A Whole Lotta Happy

We went to the State Fair last Monday. As you can see from the photos, everyone had a great time.

My 3 favorite memores of the fair are:

1. Jacqueline and Sophie dancing, giggling and screaming with excitement when we went into the animal barn. They thought it was really cool being that close to the cows, donkeys, goats, chicks, and horses.

2. Watching J&S eat their first corndog. Yes, we broke down and let them eat fried food. As Shannon said, "at least it has some vegetable matter." At least it wasn't fried butter! For the record, Shannon had a corndog too. I had a Polish sausage.

3. The painting of the teddy bear done by rubber stamping was beautiful.

Mom & Jacqueline looking at chickens...our 1st stop at the fair.

Examining the corndog closely. She ate the whole thing.

Jacqueline enjoying her lunch

Looking intently at the "oreo" cow

Pirate Sophie Pig Tails!

Pirate Jacqueline the Lover!

Exhausted kids at nap time. Sophie never napped until the ride home.

Listening to bluegrass music. There was much dancing

Sharing Dad's ice cream.

Dinner at Federals..."I'll have the Vegetable Risotto, please"

"Me too!"

Old North Durham Block Party - 2009

Shannon w/ Justin, Monika, Maria and Alex

Trying to light the heater

Saturday evening was the Old North Durham Neighborhood annual block party. It was a little chilly, but the camaraderie, good food, and a little beer provided plenty of warmth. Everyone had a great time. Jacqueline and Sophie enjoyed pushing their strollers and playing with other neighborhood kids.

Old North Durham rocks!

Trip to the Museum of Life and Science #1 and #2

This first photo is just a silly shot of Sophie.

Jacqueline playing in the kitchen at the Museum of Life and Science.

Sophie on the indoor playground getting ready to go down the slide. Museum of Life and Science.

While watching the girls last week, we went to the Museum of Life and Science two days in a row. The first day was a planned outing and we were there for several hours. The second day was a quick stop after story-time at the North Durham Library to kill an hour before lunch.

Shannon thinks I'm crazy by going so often. She thinks the girls and I would get bored. I disagree. Anything fun with J&S is entertaining. They always do something different.

For example, on Day 1 they spent a lot of time on the indoor slide and in the play kitchen. See photos. The second day was playing with the wall of doors with different types of latches and drawing on the chalkboard.

And those activities are only the smallest pieces of the Museum.

Tough Job

I have a new respect for "stay-at-home" Moms.

Shannon's back is bugging her so I've stayed home the last 2 days. Caring for Jacqueline and Sophie has been my sole responsibility. Shannon has stayed in her chair the entire time, so its not like other "Daddy Days" when she does help some.

Feeding, clothing, diapering, playing with, occupying, discliplining, and any other "-ing" 2 toddlers is tough work.

I have to admit we had our first "big" accident yesterday while I was in charge. Jacqueline took a tumble down the bottom half of the stairs yesterday afternoon. She got distracted by Sophie while walking down. She lost her concentration, turned her head to look at Sophie, lost her balance, and her hand fell out of mine. She bounced 3 times (I remember...it all happened in slow motion) on her back and shoulders. Fortunately, her head and neck were fine. She was scared, but was back to normal in about 20 minutes. Kids are tough!

So, KUDOS to Mom's around the world. Sit back and have a glass of wine, or a back rub or a massage, or all the above....you deserve it!

Very Close Up

Kootenai Falls, Montana

Nice photo after hard day work in Montana

(Taken August, 2009)