"I'm a celebrity, get me outta here!"
All clean!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Does a body good
Early this morning, Jack and I ran up to the Liberty Farmers Market on the town square to buy some honey from the nearby Mennonites. We’d been out of it for a couple days and Leslie uses it in the apple cider vinegar that she drinks each day. (Blecch!) Sure, we could’ve gone to the brand new grocery store just two minutes away!! but it’s a fun experience and hopefully the locally produced honey might help my allergies a bit.
But even better than our new jar of natural sweetness, was who we ran in to on the sidewalk: two longtime family friends from my hometown in Nebraska! (They were in the area visiting their daughters and grandchildren for the weekend.) The husband was actually one of my dad’s pallbearers 17 years ago, and gave me a big bear hug as soon as he saw me. It was a thrill to see them, chat for a bit and catch up on our families. Jackson was impressed that they knew Grandma Nancy, Cici Ninny, Uncle Lance and Aunt Laurie — and amazed that they knew Grandpa Lowell before he was in heaven. Of course, this husband and wife said that both Jack and I look like Dad, and reiterated what a great man he was. They made my day, and it wasn’t even 8 a.m.
* * *
Next up, Leslie had plans to spend the day with her college roommates, so Jack, Landon and I continued to have an awesome “guy day” together. First we went to Jack’s T-ball game at 11 a.m., and his team did really well; I can tell that they’re all improving.
(Don’t think that I’m slacking by not posting any action shots, but when Jack’s team is up to bat, I serve as the batting coach at home plate; and when they’re in the field I was taking care of Landon.)
* * *
I previously had asked Jack what he wanted to do in the afternoon, and he said, “Go to the Shatto place.” So that’s what we did.
Shatto Milk Company is a family owned and operated dairy farm about 30 minutes north of Liberty, that’s gotten really popular for bottling its milk in glass bottles. And for not using bovine growth hormone. And for getting milk from the cow to the store in as little as 12 hours. And for the gourmet taste of all its products like flavored milks, butter, ice cream and now cheese curds. And the list goes on.
I still remember the only other time I’ve taken Jack there, in September 2007. As we got close to the farm and pulled into its parking lot, I rolled down the car windows. Jack took in the fresh air and said, “Mmmm, cows! It smells like I want to eat them!”
Then, after getting out of the car, we walked toward the pasture to get a closer look. Right away Jack declared, “I want to milk a cow.” Unsure of its likeliness, I tried to downplay that possibility by thinking of the employees in the gift shop and barn and saying, “Well ... we’ll have to ask them first.” So Jack suddenly yelled to the cows, “CAN I MILK YOU?!?”
But here are some pics from today.
Mrs. & Mr. (Look closely and you can see the ring in the bull’s nose on the right.)
She's a beaut.
Jack didn’t even have time to make it to the nearest tree.
Photography by Jack.
We planned ahead, and Jack picked out Hostess Cup Cakes to bring with us. So when we were ready to cool off, we both picked out some milk in the country store and devoured it all on the deck. The ultimate snack time!
Shatto’s root beer milk (Jack’s favorite) tastes just like a root beer float.
See the translucent moon in the lower right?
Then it was off to the barn.
Jack spoke right up and asked the farmer if he could milk a cow, and the man was really nice. You could tell he was used to kids and how to help them get comfortable with the livestock.
After lots of practicing together, Jack decided he was ready to try milking her on his own. I was really proud of him for wanting to do it without any help, but just as he prepared to get in position, “Patches” moved her feet slightly ... and Jack quickly changed his mind. Oh well, there’s always next time.
* * *
Wow, what a day. Memories from the past and memories in the making. Though I never would have chosen to get laid off, it’s been an opportunity — that I wouldn’t have had otherwise — to spend extra time with Landon while he’s so little, and with Jack at a stage when he needs some extra guidance.
Before we left Shatto, a woman saw me feeding Landon a bottle (of his kind of milk) and looking after Jackson on my own, without a wife/their mom around. She commented, “Oh, babysitting today, huh?” I looked her straight in the eye and replied, “Nope. Just parenting.”
Just. Parenting.
But even better than our new jar of natural sweetness, was who we ran in to on the sidewalk: two longtime family friends from my hometown in Nebraska! (They were in the area visiting their daughters and grandchildren for the weekend.) The husband was actually one of my dad’s pallbearers 17 years ago, and gave me a big bear hug as soon as he saw me. It was a thrill to see them, chat for a bit and catch up on our families. Jackson was impressed that they knew Grandma Nancy, Cici Ninny, Uncle Lance and Aunt Laurie — and amazed that they knew Grandpa Lowell before he was in heaven. Of course, this husband and wife said that both Jack and I look like Dad, and reiterated what a great man he was. They made my day, and it wasn’t even 8 a.m.
* * *
Next up, Leslie had plans to spend the day with her college roommates, so Jack, Landon and I continued to have an awesome “guy day” together. First we went to Jack’s T-ball game at 11 a.m., and his team did really well; I can tell that they’re all improving.
(Don’t think that I’m slacking by not posting any action shots, but when Jack’s team is up to bat, I serve as the batting coach at home plate; and when they’re in the field I was taking care of Landon.)
* * *
I previously had asked Jack what he wanted to do in the afternoon, and he said, “Go to the Shatto place.” So that’s what we did.
Shatto Milk Company is a family owned and operated dairy farm about 30 minutes north of Liberty, that’s gotten really popular for bottling its milk in glass bottles. And for not using bovine growth hormone. And for getting milk from the cow to the store in as little as 12 hours. And for the gourmet taste of all its products like flavored milks, butter, ice cream and now cheese curds. And the list goes on.
I still remember the only other time I’ve taken Jack there, in September 2007. As we got close to the farm and pulled into its parking lot, I rolled down the car windows. Jack took in the fresh air and said, “Mmmm, cows! It smells like I want to eat them!”
Then, after getting out of the car, we walked toward the pasture to get a closer look. Right away Jack declared, “I want to milk a cow.” Unsure of its likeliness, I tried to downplay that possibility by thinking of the employees in the gift shop and barn and saying, “Well ... we’ll have to ask them first.” So Jack suddenly yelled to the cows, “CAN I MILK YOU?!?”
But here are some pics from today.
Mrs. & Mr. (Look closely and you can see the ring in the bull’s nose on the right.)
She's a beaut.
Jack didn’t even have time to make it to the nearest tree.
Photography by Jack.
We planned ahead, and Jack picked out Hostess Cup Cakes to bring with us. So when we were ready to cool off, we both picked out some milk in the country store and devoured it all on the deck. The ultimate snack time!
Shatto’s root beer milk (Jack’s favorite) tastes just like a root beer float.
See the translucent moon in the lower right?
Then it was off to the barn.
Jack spoke right up and asked the farmer if he could milk a cow, and the man was really nice. You could tell he was used to kids and how to help them get comfortable with the livestock.
After lots of practicing together, Jack decided he was ready to try milking her on his own. I was really proud of him for wanting to do it without any help, but just as he prepared to get in position, “Patches” moved her feet slightly ... and Jack quickly changed his mind. Oh well, there’s always next time.
* * *
Wow, what a day. Memories from the past and memories in the making. Though I never would have chosen to get laid off, it’s been an opportunity — that I wouldn’t have had otherwise — to spend extra time with Landon while he’s so little, and with Jack at a stage when he needs some extra guidance.
Before we left Shatto, a woman saw me feeding Landon a bottle (of his kind of milk) and looking after Jackson on my own, without a wife/their mom around. She commented, “Oh, babysitting today, huh?” I looked her straight in the eye and replied, “Nope. Just parenting.”
Just. Parenting.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Weekend visitors
Our dear friend Jen (the maid of honor in our wedding) was back in the Midwest over Memorial Day, and came to see us Friday afternoon — with her new son, Max! He was born less than two months after Landon and, though we've seen lots of pictures and videos of him online, it was the first time we got to meet him in person. It was great to spend time with them both.
On Saturday, Dulsey and Danny swung by for a couple of hours ... but I was working outside and didn't get any pics.
Then Paul, Patti and Macie came up Sunday afternoon to go swimming and hang out. Macie always jumps at the chance to practice her mothering skillz.
On Saturday, Dulsey and Danny swung by for a couple of hours ... but I was working outside and didn't get any pics.
Then Paul, Patti and Macie came up Sunday afternoon to go swimming and hang out. Macie always jumps at the chance to practice her mothering skillz.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
"School's ... out — for — SUMMER!"
I can't get that song out of my head. (Thanks Alice Cooper.) But Friday was Jack's last day of pre-K. And, whew, what a year! After two great years, it was also his last day at Oakhill. We'll definitely miss it, but we're looking forward to him starting kindergarten in Liberty this fall.
Instead of creating a traditional scrapbook/photo album for the students and parents like they've done in the past, his teachers went digital this year and customized CDs for each of the children — with pictures of them taken throughout the year. Here are a few of those pics that we got to see for the first time.
A pretty gutsy guy.
First in line to pet the chicken at the Red Barn Farm, in October.
Backstage at the Christmas program.
During the luau, where they got to wear their swimsuits to school!
Three amigos — Jacob, Jack and Jake.
Sampling kumquats during the foods unit.
The Parents' Tea at the beginning of May.
Instead of creating a traditional scrapbook/photo album for the students and parents like they've done in the past, his teachers went digital this year and customized CDs for each of the children — with pictures of them taken throughout the year. Here are a few of those pics that we got to see for the first time.
A pretty gutsy guy.
First in line to pet the chicken at the Red Barn Farm, in October.
Backstage at the Christmas program.
During the luau, where they got to wear their swimsuits to school!
Three amigos — Jacob, Jack and Jake.
Sampling kumquats during the foods unit.
The Parents' Tea at the beginning of May.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Triple threat
Jack had his final intramural soccer practice/scrimmage last Friday after school. He really seemed to like it, and does it all:
1.) Play offense.
2.) Play defense.
3.) Screw around while the coach is talking.
1.) Play offense.
2.) Play defense.
3.) Screw around while the coach is talking.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Children's Mercy Hospital
Landon had a little surgery yesterday (well, actually it was BIG surgery). But have you ever seen a hospital gown this small? And cute?!?
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Field day!
Ahhh, I remember it well ... the ol' track and field day. Except Jack's school doesn't have a track. So it's just field day. (And it's much less competitive than ours was.)
He was on the red team and their first activity was the "Tower of Recyclable Materials." Hey, times are tough. Or maybe the teachers are just really inventive. I'll go with both.
This was my favorite: 1.) Line up against the wall. 2.) Kick your shoe.
Next station: Bubble Wars. (It's not a public school. They can still use the word "war" loosely.)
Jack was having a blast.
.jpg)
The last activity I stayed for was some water relay. Look at that intesity!
He was on the red team and their first activity was the "Tower of Recyclable Materials." Hey, times are tough. Or maybe the teachers are just really inventive. I'll go with both.
This was my favorite: 1.) Line up against the wall. 2.) Kick your shoe.
Next station: Bubble Wars. (It's not a public school. They can still use the word "war" loosely.)
Jack was having a blast.
.jpg)
The last activity I stayed for was some water relay. Look at that intesity!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
End-of-the-year picnic
The PTO picnic was at English Landing Park in Parkville last night. Here's Landon with Ms. Trager, Jack's preschool teacher last year.
I have no clue who this child is, but he looked too cool for school sittin' in his wagon, shades on and using his silverware, right in the middle of the action.
Jack looks really tall here.
And really short here.
I have no clue who this child is, but he looked too cool for school sittin' in his wagon, shades on and using his silverware, right in the middle of the action.
Jack looks really tall here.
And really short here.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Neighborhood garage sale
Jack got into the act yesterday morning, selling coffee and donut holes.
We thought this had a better ring to it than “Daddy-lost-his-job coffee.”
Sampling the merchandise. Quality control, ya know.
In the end, he made $12.21 — for a net gain of $1.61.
We thought this had a better ring to it than “Daddy-lost-his-job coffee.”
Sampling the merchandise. Quality control, ya know.
In the end, he made $12.21 — for a net gain of $1.61.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Oakhill Zoo Crew
Both Leslie and I went on Jack's class field trip to the Kansas City Zoo yesterday. It was a great day for it, not too hot with clouds and some breeze.
Jack and his good bud Jake set off on the first assignment — to tour Africa. All of Africa.
Some of Jack's teachers.
Ridin' a rhino.
Waiting for the tram after lunch (looks like Jack was starting to get tired).
How ironic — the meerkats enjoyed watching all the visitors.
Cuddle partners.
A heap of lemurs.
After the sea lion show, we carried Jack to the car. His eyes were shut before we even got out the gate. Later, when we asked Jack what his favorite part was, he said, "All the animals."
Jack and his good bud Jake set off on the first assignment — to tour Africa. All of Africa.
Some of Jack's teachers.
Ridin' a rhino.
Waiting for the tram after lunch (looks like Jack was starting to get tired).
How ironic — the meerkats enjoyed watching all the visitors.
Cuddle partners.
A heap of lemurs.
After the sea lion show, we carried Jack to the car. His eyes were shut before we even got out the gate. Later, when we asked Jack what his favorite part was, he said, "All the animals."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)