Hello, strangers

I needed a little break from blogging. I didn't know it was going to last two months, but here we are.
Here's the whirlwind tour of what's been going on these past weeks.

May
I went to Denver for work. It was good. I used FaceTime for the first time and it was awesome-so much better than Skype.

We took a family trip to Chattanooga for 3 days during Rowan's school break. We had a nice time and plan to go back, maybe in the fall. We stayed at the "historic" Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel. That was an experience. In this case, historic was more like long-in-the-tooth. I told Jeremy I felt like we needed to be wearing polyester and have bigger hair, perhaps driving a Riviera... and smoking. But, it was clean, quiet, and spacious. And, the kids liked the pools. I must admit that I was entertained by the reservation desk clerk who looked like a twenty-something Tim Blake Nelson sporting a Green Lantern ring, Superman ring, and Captain America belt buckle to personalize his hotel uniform suit. However, Hampton Inn will be getting our business next time.

June
We've been sick a lot this month. I think we are on the mend now.



See? You didn't miss much. I've got some funny quotes and short stories on the way. Stay tuned.

Re: Monkey Joe's

Jeremy and Rowan were on the way to a birthday party at Monkey Joe's, one of those indoor bouncy house places. Rowan wanted to know if they ever closed. Jeremy told him that the workers needed to go home and rest. Rowan's reply:


"I just don't know why you would ever want to leave that place."


Rowan thinks you should be allowed to spend the night there. He may be onto something.

Mind Games

You can usually hear a faint array of favorite hits from the 80s, 90s, and today floating from the cafeteria at work. Adele, Mariah Carey, The Police... You know what I'm talking about. Normally I don't pay much attention to what's on after I identify the song title and artist. Today was different.


This morning, when I went to fill up my water bottle, I was greeted by the hushed intensity of Kenny Loggins singing about the highway to the danger zone. It made me want to creep around the salad bar and sneakily grab my ice and water before... Well, I don't know exactly. Before the Russians nabbed me, I suppose. 


What can I say? Kenny Loggins stirs my imagination. At least it wasn't Footloose.


Please tell me you do this stuff, too. If you don't, how do you get through a Monday morning, standing in line at the post office, or other mundane task?

Deep thoughts

Rowan was telling about the field they play in at school sometimes. It's more of a grassy plaza on the college campus very close to his school. There's also a park next door to the school. Rowan told me that you can get to the park using the path from the field.


R: Bad guys don't use that path. They use another one. The wrong one. Bad guys always choose the wrong path.


I told him that he was absolutely right on so many levels. Ah, the wisdom of babes.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Raleigh!

Happy Birthday to Raleigh! We had a great weekend-long celebration. The party theme was Old MacDonald's farm with ladybugs. It turned out cute. Photos to come.

• Likes: ladybugs, hair bows, her new toy baby stroller and doll, outside
• Dislikes: hair washing
• Skills: singing complete songs, counting things
• Communication: She has started recounting stories, especially ones involving boo-boos.
• So big! Shirts 2T, Pants some 18mos some 2T, Shoes 6, Diapers 4

Dear, sweet Raleigh. Happy birthday to you. We love you very, very much.