Sunday, June 17, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Chris (picking up a red crayon): Hey look, Scarlett! This color is called "scarlet." It's a scarlet crayon!
Scarlett (picking up a pink crayon): Look! This color is called "Mommy"!
Chris: No, this color is actually scarlet.
Scarlett: This color is actually Mommy!
(At least it wasn't the "tumbleweed" crayon. That is so not my color.)
Scarlett (picking up a pink crayon): Look! This color is called "Mommy"!
Chris: No, this color is actually scarlet.
Scarlett: This color is actually Mommy!
(At least it wasn't the "tumbleweed" crayon. That is so not my color.)
Rockport 2012
This year's annual Schwegmann gathering in Rockport on the Texas coast was a sad but special one. We learned early the morning we were headed out of town that Father Joe (Paw's brother, Chris's uncle) passed away. Father Joe was a Catholic priest in the Philippines, where he had lived since the 1970s during his days in the Peace Corps. He was headed to Texas for the summer when he passed, and was planning to join the family in Rockport, a place he loved. Everyone agreed that Father Joe would want us to go forward with our plans, and so we did, albeit with heavy hearts.
Headed to the beach by the house we rented.
Shell hunting with Mimi and Papa Tig (honorary Schwegmanns for the weekend).
Good morning, Sunshine!
Hanging out in the pillow circle.
Swimming with Papa Tig.
On the ferry headed to Port Aransas. (Scarlett didn't believe that our car was going to be able to fit on a boat. "But it's too big!")
Port Aransas beach.
Checking out the critters in the bucket.
Pretty girl.
The beach was crawling with hermit crabs and lots of Schwegmanns.
Max's first time out on Hunt's Pier. I told Chris I thought it was getting rickety. He laughed and regaled me with tales of how back when he was a kid, the pier didn't have railing, it had rusty nails sticking out of it, it had missing, splintered, and uneven planks, and the kids used to run up and down it barefoot swinging fish hooks and waving floundering gigs. So I guess I'll take "rickety" over "lawsuit waiting to happen."
Max checks out a tiny live crab.
And then a very wiggly live shrimp, which he promptly grabbed and tried to put in his mouth. Chris's grandfather (Paw's father) used to tell the kids to spit on the shrimp for good luck before using it as bait. Maybe that's what Max was doing?
Cruising on the pier.
Max and Mimi enjoying the music at the family gathering on Saturday night. Apparently classic country really speaks to Max, who was dancing up a storm.
Scarlett points something out to Aunt Brenda. Something awesome, no doubt. (Max seems unimpressed.)
The awards ceremony for the kids' fishing tournament.
Max dips his toes in the Gulf of Mexico for the first time.
Remembering Father Joe.
Scarlett strolls along the beach under the full moon after Father Joe's memorial. Rest in peace, Father/Uncle Joe.
Headed to the beach by the house we rented.
Shell hunting with Mimi and Papa Tig (honorary Schwegmanns for the weekend).
Good morning, Sunshine!
Hanging out in the pillow circle.
Swimming with Papa Tig.
On the ferry headed to Port Aransas. (Scarlett didn't believe that our car was going to be able to fit on a boat. "But it's too big!")
Port Aransas beach.
Checking out the critters in the bucket.
Pretty girl.
The beach was crawling with hermit crabs and lots of Schwegmanns.
Max's first time out on Hunt's Pier. I told Chris I thought it was getting rickety. He laughed and regaled me with tales of how back when he was a kid, the pier didn't have railing, it had rusty nails sticking out of it, it had missing, splintered, and uneven planks, and the kids used to run up and down it barefoot swinging fish hooks and waving floundering gigs. So I guess I'll take "rickety" over "lawsuit waiting to happen."
Max checks out a tiny live crab.
And then a very wiggly live shrimp, which he promptly grabbed and tried to put in his mouth. Chris's grandfather (Paw's father) used to tell the kids to spit on the shrimp for good luck before using it as bait. Maybe that's what Max was doing?
Cruising on the pier.
Max and Mimi enjoying the music at the family gathering on Saturday night. Apparently classic country really speaks to Max, who was dancing up a storm.
Scarlett points something out to Aunt Brenda. Something awesome, no doubt. (Max seems unimpressed.)
The awards ceremony for the kids' fishing tournament.
Max dips his toes in the Gulf of Mexico for the first time.
Remembering Father Joe.
Scarlett strolls along the beach under the full moon after Father Joe's memorial. Rest in peace, Father/Uncle Joe.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Memorial Day Memories 2012
We had an action-packed Memorial Day weekend that included swimming, a trip to an old-school amusement park, and a visit from old friends.
Max surveyed the scene on Saturday before taking his first dip ever in a swimming pool. (Thanks to the Volneys for the last-minute invite to their pool when we got word that ours wasn't opening as planned.)
Despite lots of moral support from Big Sister, Max was not a fan of the cold water. Maybe after the Texas sun has warmed it up a bit more he'll be ready to dive in.
Lounging poolside is more fun for now.
Scarlett watered the plants to help them grow (plants love chlorinated water, right?) ...
... and then watered Max for good measure. Scarlett, have you not noticed that Brother doesn't need any help in the growing department?
On Sunday we headed to Sandy Lake Amusement Park just north of Dallas. I should have worn blue eye shadow, my acid washed denim jacket, and scrunchy socks because we pretty much stepped back in time to 1985. Sandy Lake is basically a small permanent carnival that includes a good selection of toddler-friendly rides, including boats, race cars, airplanes, a carousel, a train that circles the property, and live pony rides. There's also an arcade and a pool that we didn't check out this time.
The boats were Scarlett's favorite (she rode them three times).
Train kisses from Daddy.
Trying to build up the courage to ride the ponies. Maybe next time.
Max lounging at Sandy Lake.
On Monday, one of my best friends from college -- Jennifer (aka Loberg), and her two girls, Makena and Reese -- came to visit for a few days of their week-long road trip from North Carolina. The Kovacs joined us for a Memorial Day cookout and it was great fun to see all of our kids gathered together in one place.
From left to right: Reese (5 1/2), Michael (5 1/2), Loberg, Makena (6, almost 7), Max (6 months, in my lap barely peeking out from behind Makena), me, Scarlett (2), Amy, Henry (3, almost 4), and Stella (22 months).
And finally, a moment to remember what the holiday is all about. Today -- June 6th -- is the 68th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, a military operation of epic proportions. A heartfelt thank you to all of the brave Americans who fought for us that day, as well as those who have protected our families, friends, and freedoms throughout history.
Max surveyed the scene on Saturday before taking his first dip ever in a swimming pool. (Thanks to the Volneys for the last-minute invite to their pool when we got word that ours wasn't opening as planned.)
Despite lots of moral support from Big Sister, Max was not a fan of the cold water. Maybe after the Texas sun has warmed it up a bit more he'll be ready to dive in.
Lounging poolside is more fun for now.
Scarlett watered the plants to help them grow (plants love chlorinated water, right?) ...
... and then watered Max for good measure. Scarlett, have you not noticed that Brother doesn't need any help in the growing department?
On Sunday we headed to Sandy Lake Amusement Park just north of Dallas. I should have worn blue eye shadow, my acid washed denim jacket, and scrunchy socks because we pretty much stepped back in time to 1985. Sandy Lake is basically a small permanent carnival that includes a good selection of toddler-friendly rides, including boats, race cars, airplanes, a carousel, a train that circles the property, and live pony rides. There's also an arcade and a pool that we didn't check out this time.
The boats were Scarlett's favorite (she rode them three times).
Driving the hot pink car, complete with flames on the side.
Train kisses from Daddy.
Trying to build up the courage to ride the ponies. Maybe next time.
Max lounging at Sandy Lake.
On Monday, one of my best friends from college -- Jennifer (aka Loberg), and her two girls, Makena and Reese -- came to visit for a few days of their week-long road trip from North Carolina. The Kovacs joined us for a Memorial Day cookout and it was great fun to see all of our kids gathered together in one place.
From left to right: Reese (5 1/2), Michael (5 1/2), Loberg, Makena (6, almost 7), Max (6 months, in my lap barely peeking out from behind Makena), me, Scarlett (2), Amy, Henry (3, almost 4), and Stella (22 months).
Chris and the kids playing with a giant bubble wand.
Work it, Max.
And finally, a moment to remember what the holiday is all about. Today -- June 6th -- is the 68th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, a military operation of epic proportions. A heartfelt thank you to all of the brave Americans who fought for us that day, as well as those who have protected our families, friends, and freedoms throughout history.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Wired
When I was a kid, I remember falling asleep in the car and being carried inside and put to bed, even though sometimes I was secretly awake. My Mom recently told me that some of her fondest childhood memories include her Dad doing the same thing for her.
Scarlett ... not so much. If she falls asleep in the car, that's it. No more sleeping when she gets out of the car. Just screeching and grumping and maybe even a little flailing. So when we have the occasional late night or have pushed her nap time to the limit and still have a car ride ahead of us, we encourage her to stay awake until we get home. This might involve singing, tickling, and bribery.
Here are some late-night photos of a VERY wired Scarlett on the drive back from Port Aransas to Rockport (sweet Max managed to snooze through the whole thing, even though other times a muffled sneeze is enough to wake him up). I have yet to figure out how to take good nighttime photos with my camera, but I accidentally got some fun streaky effects with the lights outside of the car. Scarlett entertained us with several rousing renditions of the ABC Song and Rock A Bye Baby. (Despite having some significant musical talent on both sides of the family, I don't think we've got a future American Idol on our hands.) And mission accomplished: we kept her awake, and she crashed when we got back to the house.
Scarlett ... not so much. If she falls asleep in the car, that's it. No more sleeping when she gets out of the car. Just screeching and grumping and maybe even a little flailing. So when we have the occasional late night or have pushed her nap time to the limit and still have a car ride ahead of us, we encourage her to stay awake until we get home. This might involve singing, tickling, and bribery.
Here are some late-night photos of a VERY wired Scarlett on the drive back from Port Aransas to Rockport (sweet Max managed to snooze through the whole thing, even though other times a muffled sneeze is enough to wake him up). I have yet to figure out how to take good nighttime photos with my camera, but I accidentally got some fun streaky effects with the lights outside of the car. Scarlett entertained us with several rousing renditions of the ABC Song and Rock A Bye Baby. (Despite having some significant musical talent on both sides of the family, I don't think we've got a future American Idol on our hands.) And mission accomplished: we kept her awake, and she crashed when we got back to the house.
Taking the Fifth*
(*Alternate title: "You know both your parents are lawyers when ...")
Scarlett: Max, is this toy a horse or a giraffe?
Max: *silence*
Scarlett: No comment, Max?
Max: *silence*
Scarlett: Max, is this toy a horse or a giraffe?
Max: *silence*
Scarlett: No comment, Max?
Max: *silence*
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