Bex-&-Berks-to-Be

Standing Practice

Late afternoon standing-sort-of session with Berkeley at Month 3 and counting.

The Fault of Default Settings

Odd.

Seems that in the last few days (or more), all new videos put on the blog have required a 'password' to access them. Apparently YouTube placed all of our videos on the "privacy" setting by default without telling us.  Not a terrible thing, but perhaps it may have been confusing to a few of you who wondered why suddenly you had to break into Fort Knox to see Beckett kick a soccer ball or something.

Well, everything is fine now.  Enjoy.

Sprinkler Sprints

Papa's fraternity brothers will be very proud of young Bex for this one:

Bumbo Buddies

Big and Little Mice playing with their 'new' Bumbos, both in 'gender appropriate' colors (God forbid one kid uses the other and screws up the social balance). Beyond that, can't explain what Bex is doing with those baby bottle tongs.

Reading Time

Lil' Surfer Gal

Designing Little Dude's Little Art Studio

Finally began re-imagining Bex' bedroom a bit as of late. Wanting to off-set his constant craving for "Movie, papa; movie, mama!", it was time to finally craft a dedicated space in his room for arts-n-crafts and other creative messin' around.

This also was a great time to empty some of the toy boxes and book shelves for some gear to bring to papa's classroom for him to use when he's hanging around after school this fall. His bedroom has definitely taken a turn for the best, imagination-wise.

The Long Ladies

A Spontaneous Night at the Ballpark

The invite came via Facebook.

One of papa's education blogger friends from Canada mentioned he was in TX with a colleague for a conference.  It was his last night before flying home.  Wanted to see the Arlington ballpark where the Rangers play.  Asked if I was free.  I was.  So was Bex.  So the Long boys headed out to see Dean and Alec for a little outfield bleachers action.

Enjoying the view of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium over our shoulder:

With Dean:

Enjoying a little pretzel break up on the upper decks:

One Digital-Immigrant cavorting with one Digital-Native:

Heading down for a closer look:

Bring Your Own Monkeys

Bex and his boy Ian took their papas to the Ft. Worth Zoo recently, once again named as one of the top 5 zoos in the country. 

Fancy awards or not, all the boys knew was that it was hot in animal town.

4-Square Goofiness

A Long Overdue Visual Change

As some of you may have noticed, papa finally got around to adding Berkeley to the blog's banner image a the top of the page. 

Needed just the right image:

• where she was old enough to hold an expression
• where the pair were in good spirits together
• where the tenure of our family was expressed

Oh, and needed to finagle a copy of PhotoShop to make a few edits.

Hope the banner works for everyone that's kind enough to visit the site. 

Preschool Photo Order Envelopes Gone Wild

It's that time of year again.

Actually, it seems to happen every 2 months, which leads one to wonder if his old preschool gets a kickback every time a parent buys an overpriced (20) wallet-sized photo set out of guilt (for not taking regular photos, one imagines -- wink).

Bex' latest school photos came in an envelope that gives you the photos right away. Convenient, right? Or, perhaps, a bid to lure more folks into buying what they don't need/want by simply 'keeping' them and being conveniently charged for them in time.

Oh, if only one had a scanner.  And a few extra minutes.  Smile.

Throw a Coin in the Fountain

After the recent shopping trip to a local Mexican imports store run by Miguel (one of the great store owners I've ever had the pleasure of working with; just a gem of a guy and generous beyond belief with his prices and time/energy, too), the new 'pineapple'-topped fountain is finally in the backyard where the old flower garden was. 

Now all we have to do is get an electrician in to install a permanent outdoor outlet on the tree nearby, as well as some concentric circles of landscaped vegetation to make it all look a bit more complete.

BTW, curious where the crazy sago palm that used to be in that garden spot went? Of course you are. Why wouldn't you be?

Baba the Drum Man Visits

Beckett's summer preschool director suggested that I come back over around 10:30 am this morning.  Said, "Baba is coming."

Baba?  Baba?  Baba? 

Having zero idea who Baba was -- or even 'what' baba was -- I looked at her with a very 'help me' look upon my face, to which she replied,

"He's an amazing African drummer and storyteller.  The kids adore him.  Come see the performance."

A no-brainer.  African djembe drums.  Storytelling.  And Bex' wide eyes.

I'm there!

Videos:  Check out the last video in particular to see Bex being active.

• Vid 1:  Baba sets the tone
• Vid 2:  Baba tells a long story
• Vid 3:  Bex gets to bang a drum...and hang with Baba at the tail end

Crazy Clouds over Ft. Worth in Tornado Season

Update: Just saw this article about clouds like this that are causing people to call for a new category of cloud formations. Cool, huh?

***

Beware the Bex Attack, Jax!

Pure Trouble, No?

"Want Kicking Pants, Papa. I Get 'Em."

A quiet fascination with "kicking" class (aka Taekwando) has begun to settle in with the little man since he's seen classes taking place on his new campus. 

Last night after he got out of school, he wanted to plunk down for nearly 30 minutes to watch.  By the end, he had declared that he, too, was going to be in the "kicking" class. 

After talking to the instructors afterward, they told us that they started training their own now-black-belt son at the age of 2.5.  "As long as he's potty trained," they said he could join in the fall.  Guess you don't want a flying chop kick if the kiddo can't hold his potty break needs.

The Bubbler

At least that's what they call it here in Texas. 

Always thought it was a water fountain, but that was up in New England.

Kid just knows the water tastes goo-ooood now that he can reach it.

Papa Has to Drive

Probably have to look at what age he can get his drivers permit here in TX soon.

In Case You Like Photos on Real Paper and Such

Just realized this should have been done ages ago.  Silly (and lazy) papa!

Most of you who have wanted a photo or two of the kids/family have realized you can just "right click" and "save as" straight from the photo image here on the blog, then print it out from your computer (or upload to a photo site or service you already use).  That being said, perhaps you'd like a more robust way to see, print, buy, customize any of our family photos.  

Well, here you go. Shutterfly is what we use for our holiday cards and now for printing out our photos (15 cents each at small #'s), plus it might be time to invest in a Fathers Day coffee mug with the kiddos' muggs on them (hint, hint, hint - smile), too.

Over time, we'll be updated this specific album -- "Bex/Berks March-June 09 -- and adding new albums you can check out, order from, too.  Stay tuned. 

Follow these easy steps:

1. Try this link to immediately ordering, or
2. Just peruse the shots casually by trying the arrows below:

Click here to view these pictures larger

Baywatching

Wrapped Around Papa's Finger (He Admits)

Just like it says at the end of the video, "I love you, little mouse."

"This Woman's Work": A Tribute

I remain humbled: