Bottle-less

For the past few weeks, Olivia has successfully kicked her bottle habit.  There was some resistance to taking milk in the sippy, even though she guzzles water from them.  But we are now completely bottle-less and totally on the sippy cup for all beverages.  Such a big girl.

Somebody figured out how to use Photo Booth on my mac....

(Whenever I wonder where Liv gets her goofy personality, things like this easily remind me.)

Summer Fun

The Life of a City Kid

This is our "yard."  Sadly we only have a small patch of common grass at our condo, so Olivia does much of her playing outside on our front porch.  Between the water table, baby pool, sidewalk chalk and countless buckets and shovels, it's the best we can do until we one day move to suburbia.  For now, Olivia seems pretty happy with the set-up.

Lasting Words

Three years ago today my dad passed away.  Some days it's hard to believe how long it's been and how life changes in a short amount of time (for example, there are three more grandbabies in the family since then!)  Even though it's easy to focus on the sadness associated with today, I generally try to think about all the good times and laughs that my dad provided in my life.  Not only did my dad provide humor and jokes, he was like no other man I've ever met in his accomplishments and varied interests. Usually around this time of year, I like to read through some of his poetry books.  It reminds me that we're left with the rare gift of his words that we'll be able to cherish forever.  I think that makes us pretty lucky.  Below is one of my favorite poems dad wrote and a picture that always make me think of it.

"Three Children"

by G.E. Murray

Three children rocking on a porch of Sundays,
A vacation wind quickening them
Into blue nudes. By the pact of midday sun,
They resemble the instant
Before lightening splits an elm in pieces.

No, thank you, they resemble nothing
But warming domes on the afternoon dreamless
As sand in their play shoes. They doubt
Any animal they ride could pretend
Beyond lessons of exquisite balance
Or sure pastimes of transport. They remain
Lotions pouring everywhere.

As if from time to time they sit at the center
Of running lights, in some boat, gathering
Smiles in a spray of unearthly attention,
This scene is curtained, kept moving

Finally by the beacon of a single train
Their father once saw rumble
Through a childhood far away.  They are
Young sleepers on that train,
Sharing a preferred berth between stations,
Bearing down, gusting like a blast from air brakes,
Too soon to vanish.

A jay flies up to where they were just rocking.
It knows we are like them.

The Budding Artist

3rd Annual Talent Show

The opening act....
"Bieber Fever" by the kids


Basketball passing by Brendan and Finn


Cheerleading by Ellie


Hockey Playing by Seamus


"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" by Saoirse and Colin (with a little help)


Balloon Animals by Aunt Meg


"Lucky Dogs" by Nana and the kiddos