So, that just made me realize that Connor's first hair cut isn't documented here, either. I didn't start Tatertown until 2008. So let's see them both! First up....Connor.
And now, Palmer.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Just A Little Trim
Today we took Palmer for his second hair cut and I realized that I had never posted anything about his first haircut. That momentous event took place on April 30th...about a month before his first birthday. I admit that it had to be done. His hair was long and several people on our spring break trip to California thought he was a girl because of it. We took him to the little kid haircut place in the mall (the same place we got Connor's first haircut) and they did a great job.
So, that just made me realize that Connor's first hair cut isn't documented here, either. I didn't start Tatertown until 2008. So let's see them both! First up....Connor.
And now, Palmer.
So, that just made me realize that Connor's first hair cut isn't documented here, either. I didn't start Tatertown until 2008. So let's see them both! First up....Connor.
And now, Palmer.
Its That Time of Year-The Annual Crape Shot
This year there are two more pics! One of Palmer and the crapes, and one of the boys together. Wow. They grow fast.
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Saturday, July 30, 2011
I'm Gonna Need A Helmet For This
Connor starts tackle football this week. He picked up his equipment last night and has had it all on and off about 15 times in the past 12 hours.
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| This is his practice jersey. We don't even know his team yet. We'll find out today. |
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| And this is how he ate breakfast today. |
Urban-ites
I took Connor to see his first real grown-up concert this week. Of course, he'd seen the Wiggles at a big venue and had seen other local kids bands and shows, but this was his first arena adult concert. I wanted to do this with him this summer, but had a hard time deciding which artist to go see. I didn't want to see something that might not be appropriate for an 8 year-old even though I know we both would have totally rocked out at Katy Perry or The Black-Eyed Peas. After assessing the summer's choices I decided on Keith Urban.
I grew up listening to all kinds of music and country music was a part of that. My first concert was, believe it or not, a Dolly Parton concert at Resorts International Hotel in Atlantic City. All I can really remember was the costumes and her boobs. (I'm sure Dolly would be just delighted to know this-really!) My Dad loved her, probably mainly for the boobs. But he listened to other country artists as well. I can remember long car trips listening to Charley Pride, Tanya Tucker, and the ever present Tammy Wynette. Long story short...I don't come with a closed mind about country music like other children of the 80's who grew up north of the Mason-Dixon line.
I also think that country music has changed an AWFUL lot from those twangy Tammy Wynette days. Certainly, its still there with artists like Miranda Lambert and Sugarland (and I love them both), but much of country music now is much more "pop" than country. The advent of hip hop and its influence on pop music has changed it a bit and I think that the more mainstream country artists represent a convergence of the styles. There are many more country songs that Connor and I can belt out in the car than there are pop ones...just because of alot of inappropriateness. I love Rhianna, Katy Perry, Kesha, Britney...but I can't really sing songs about getting drunk in Vegas, menages a trois and Jack Daniels with my kid. Mainstream country music solves that problem.
I was not the biggest Keith Urban fan on the planet. I loved two or three of his songs but only had two of his albums. But, I guessed correctly that Connor would love his show because he is such a fantastic guitar player. And I couldn't have been more correct. He totally rocked it out with some blistering guitar solos. He's been playing guitar since he was 6 years old and professionally since he was 15.
I've been to alot of concerts over the years. And some of those are historical. U2 Joshua Tree at Giants Stadium with 40,000 people. Third Row at Madonna's Blond Ambition. George Michael's Faith at Madison Square Garden. You get my drift. I'm not an inexperienced concert goer and I have some context. Surprisingly, even to me, I have to say that this show is probably in my top five. He's a fantastic entertainer and the energy in the crowd was kind of only comparable to what you see at U2 or Bare Naked Ladies---fans that are really really into it. And his stage setup is very open. It has ramps and he walks right down into the crowd. At one point he even went out into the middle of the floor and played one of his biggest hits sitting on a chair that eventually lifted up and began to rotate. Pretty cool.
I also think it was very interesting to note that the crowd was one of the most diverse I'd ever seen at a concert. I guess I was thinking in a biased way that somehow the crowd would be pitifully white, redneck, and disturbing. Boy, was I wrong. In our row alone we had a 25 year old black guy, an asian couple, and a pair of 60 some-old year old retired healthcare executives. One of the fans he pulled up on the stage was a gay male 20-something (who really wanted a kiss from one of the guitarists which made for a very funny interchange). It was very interesting to me that I had been so closed minded about what to expect in the crowd. But I guess that was stupid....I'm not a disturbing redneck and I like his music. Why did I think I 'd be alone? In fact, I have to say that I really didn't see any of that at all. I did see alot of good looking 20 year old girls in cut off shorts and cowboy boots, though. :)
Before the show we got some dinner and walked around near the Verizon Center and saw the equipment truck and Keith's tour bus.
They had a green screen set up that allowed you to rock it out with Keith and Connor put on a great show!
Here we are together waiting for the show to start.
And here's a shot I took with my crappy little point and shoot that shows you how close we were to the stage.
I think it was somehow just meant to be. I got these tickets only a few weeks ago and have no idea how we got such great seats...the place was sold out. Weird because I paid face value from TicketMaster and didn't go through a reseller. Also, Connor has a country song by Little Big Town that he really likes to sing....and Keith covered it! It must be kismet, because he didn't really do any other covers. Connor was so excited when he heard Boondocks coming out of Keith's guitar and mouth!
It was a great time. Connor really enjoyed it and so did I.
I grew up listening to all kinds of music and country music was a part of that. My first concert was, believe it or not, a Dolly Parton concert at Resorts International Hotel in Atlantic City. All I can really remember was the costumes and her boobs. (I'm sure Dolly would be just delighted to know this-really!) My Dad loved her, probably mainly for the boobs. But he listened to other country artists as well. I can remember long car trips listening to Charley Pride, Tanya Tucker, and the ever present Tammy Wynette. Long story short...I don't come with a closed mind about country music like other children of the 80's who grew up north of the Mason-Dixon line.
I also think that country music has changed an AWFUL lot from those twangy Tammy Wynette days. Certainly, its still there with artists like Miranda Lambert and Sugarland (and I love them both), but much of country music now is much more "pop" than country. The advent of hip hop and its influence on pop music has changed it a bit and I think that the more mainstream country artists represent a convergence of the styles. There are many more country songs that Connor and I can belt out in the car than there are pop ones...just because of alot of inappropriateness. I love Rhianna, Katy Perry, Kesha, Britney...but I can't really sing songs about getting drunk in Vegas, menages a trois and Jack Daniels with my kid. Mainstream country music solves that problem.
I was not the biggest Keith Urban fan on the planet. I loved two or three of his songs but only had two of his albums. But, I guessed correctly that Connor would love his show because he is such a fantastic guitar player. And I couldn't have been more correct. He totally rocked it out with some blistering guitar solos. He's been playing guitar since he was 6 years old and professionally since he was 15.
I've been to alot of concerts over the years. And some of those are historical. U2 Joshua Tree at Giants Stadium with 40,000 people. Third Row at Madonna's Blond Ambition. George Michael's Faith at Madison Square Garden. You get my drift. I'm not an inexperienced concert goer and I have some context. Surprisingly, even to me, I have to say that this show is probably in my top five. He's a fantastic entertainer and the energy in the crowd was kind of only comparable to what you see at U2 or Bare Naked Ladies---fans that are really really into it. And his stage setup is very open. It has ramps and he walks right down into the crowd. At one point he even went out into the middle of the floor and played one of his biggest hits sitting on a chair that eventually lifted up and began to rotate. Pretty cool.
I also think it was very interesting to note that the crowd was one of the most diverse I'd ever seen at a concert. I guess I was thinking in a biased way that somehow the crowd would be pitifully white, redneck, and disturbing. Boy, was I wrong. In our row alone we had a 25 year old black guy, an asian couple, and a pair of 60 some-old year old retired healthcare executives. One of the fans he pulled up on the stage was a gay male 20-something (who really wanted a kiss from one of the guitarists which made for a very funny interchange). It was very interesting to me that I had been so closed minded about what to expect in the crowd. But I guess that was stupid....I'm not a disturbing redneck and I like his music. Why did I think I 'd be alone? In fact, I have to say that I really didn't see any of that at all. I did see alot of good looking 20 year old girls in cut off shorts and cowboy boots, though. :)
Before the show we got some dinner and walked around near the Verizon Center and saw the equipment truck and Keith's tour bus.
They had a green screen set up that allowed you to rock it out with Keith and Connor put on a great show!
Here we are together waiting for the show to start.
And here's a shot I took with my crappy little point and shoot that shows you how close we were to the stage.
I think it was somehow just meant to be. I got these tickets only a few weeks ago and have no idea how we got such great seats...the place was sold out. Weird because I paid face value from TicketMaster and didn't go through a reseller. Also, Connor has a country song by Little Big Town that he really likes to sing....and Keith covered it! It must be kismet, because he didn't really do any other covers. Connor was so excited when he heard Boondocks coming out of Keith's guitar and mouth!
It was a great time. Connor really enjoyed it and so did I.
Mom, Did You Know That...
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Summer Road Trip-Philadelphia
After the cheese steak test, we ventured about in to enjoy the city a bit. First stop--the Liberty Bell. We kind of blew past all of the historical displays leading up to the Bell. But we got to see it up close and personal!
After that, we ventured past Independence Hall over to Signers Park where we encountered these lovely fife and drum players in period dress.
Shortly after this shot, an authoritative man entered the park dressed quite elaborately and announced himself as the Marquis de Lafayette! He advised everyone in the park of his commission as assistant to the colonists and began recruiting soldiers for the war. Vive la revolution! I note that his french accent was impeccable which was explained later when the actor engaged in a long conversation with a group of french speaking African tourists. The man had himself some french language chops!!
Not one to miss any sort of battle, Connor enlisted immediately and the troops were marched off in military parade style to a mustering area about half a block away immediately behind the First Bank of Philadelphia (and I'm pretty sure that literally meant the first bank!) Its a beautiful classical building which seemed to be housing some kind of temporary museum, but we did not venture in. I walked around it and have to say that the softening of its lines by the wear of time made it seem very inviting.
After mustering, the Marquis was joined by a colonist military leader who took over training of the troops after they had been supplied with weapons.
They were trained on posture, salutes, various positions with and out without weapons, and on a battle cry.
And at the end of their training, the Marquis returned to examine the troops, observe their drill, and provide them with their first remuneration.
The whole thing took nearly 40 minutes and Connor really enjoyed it. It wasn't something we knew about...just a happy coincidence. I was busy entertaining Palmer so I never learned the name of the organization that provided this great experience. Kudos to them...and to our soldiers. Upon his return from boot camp, our hero was glad to be reunited with his brother.
After that, we ventured past Independence Hall over to Signers Park where we encountered these lovely fife and drum players in period dress.
Shortly after this shot, an authoritative man entered the park dressed quite elaborately and announced himself as the Marquis de Lafayette! He advised everyone in the park of his commission as assistant to the colonists and began recruiting soldiers for the war. Vive la revolution! I note that his french accent was impeccable which was explained later when the actor engaged in a long conversation with a group of french speaking African tourists. The man had himself some french language chops!!
Not one to miss any sort of battle, Connor enlisted immediately and the troops were marched off in military parade style to a mustering area about half a block away immediately behind the First Bank of Philadelphia (and I'm pretty sure that literally meant the first bank!) Its a beautiful classical building which seemed to be housing some kind of temporary museum, but we did not venture in. I walked around it and have to say that the softening of its lines by the wear of time made it seem very inviting.
After mustering, the Marquis was joined by a colonist military leader who took over training of the troops after they had been supplied with weapons.
They were trained on posture, salutes, various positions with and out without weapons, and on a battle cry.
And at the end of their training, the Marquis returned to examine the troops, observe their drill, and provide them with their first remuneration.
The whole thing took nearly 40 minutes and Connor really enjoyed it. It wasn't something we knew about...just a happy coincidence. I was busy entertaining Palmer so I never learned the name of the organization that provided this great experience. Kudos to them...and to our soldiers. Upon his return from boot camp, our hero was glad to be reunited with his brother.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Summer Road Trip-Pat's vs. Geno's
On the third day of our trip we headed to Philadelphia and arrived just in time for lunch. In search of the quintessential experience, we headed to the mecca of Philly Cheese Steaks--the Pat's and Geno's corners.
Much has been made of this rivalry. No matter which steak you prefer, you gotta love these guys.
We got a steak from each. It wasn't really fair because Bob got provolone on the Geno's steak and whiz on the Pat's steak. So, you could say that it wasn't truly equivalent. Whiz is the classic choice and provo is pretty tasteless. BUT...even if the Geno's had been a whiz steak, we still would have given the prize to Pat's. Look at the meat....the Geno's steak was kind of solid, chewy slices vs. the Pat's steak which was more shredded up, tender, and juicy. Also, and this can't be discounted, the bread was better on the Pat's steak. Again, you can see in the pics that the Geno's bread is kind of sturdy, almost mass commercial steak roll. The Pat's roll is crustier and soft in the middle like a local italian bakery roll. For the Taters, there really was no contest.
All of that being said, we agreed that neither one could beat a northern Virginia Jerry's cheesesteak. On a scale of 1-10, that's our 10 and the Pat's might have scored an 8 with the Geno's at a 6 or 7. For once, the confederates get it right!
Much has been made of this rivalry. No matter which steak you prefer, you gotta love these guys.
All of that being said, we agreed that neither one could beat a northern Virginia Jerry's cheesesteak. On a scale of 1-10, that's our 10 and the Pat's might have scored an 8 with the Geno's at a 6 or 7. For once, the confederates get it right!
Summer Road Trip-The Norma K III
On the second day of our trip the boys went deep sea fishing on the Norma K III out of Point Pleasant. It was Connor's first such adventure and Bob hadn't been on one of these excursions in decades. They had to rise early and be at the dock by 7:30 and they came back around 12:45. Alas, no fish were caught and kept. Bob got one, but it was too small. But they had a good time anyway. And they got to see many dolphins.
Summer Road Trip-The Beach
We've been on an old fashioned "kids in the car" summer road trip for the past week. I managed only two quick posts from the road, so I'll try to catch up...even though I'm still not done posting about our spring break trip. Oh well!
Connor spent a great week at Nana Camp and we arrived to pick him up and spend the weekend enjoying the Jersey Shore. First up....a nice relaxing day at the beach. We went to Seaside Park but chose one of the very first beaches up near Seaside Heights so that we could squeeze in a little boardwalk time.
It was a pretty much perfect day. Not too hot. No one was cranky. There was pizza at the Sawmill and Skee Ball at the Casino Pier Arcade. A great way to start the trip!
Connor spent a great week at Nana Camp and we arrived to pick him up and spend the weekend enjoying the Jersey Shore. First up....a nice relaxing day at the beach. We went to Seaside Park but chose one of the very first beaches up near Seaside Heights so that we could squeeze in a little boardwalk time.
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| Palmer's first trip to the Atlantic ocean. |
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| I've been taking a similar picture of Connor during every beach trip of his life and he just gets more handsome every time. |
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| Chilling out later in the Tommy Bahama Backpack Chair. Lesson learned...all beach attendees, not just the grown ups, covet and demand their own beach chairs. |
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| The water was FREEZING but it didn't stop him. |
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| We snuck in a few rides on the Pier...this is is new one and is very cool. The board spins as it moves on a wavy track up to a high point and then back down. |
It was a pretty much perfect day. Not too hot. No one was cranky. There was pizza at the Sawmill and Skee Ball at the Casino Pier Arcade. A great way to start the trip!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Summer Road Trip -Two Down
Here is my little guy at his second Red Sox game vs. the Orioles at Camden Yards. He's got a huge pretzel there! The game was great. The Sox pitchers combined for a two hitter and Jacoby Ellsbury hit two home runs. But little P didn't feel great. The heat got to him and he puked and pooped profusely. He seemed fine after that, though.
Summer Road Trip-Chocolatey Goodness
We are at Hershey Park and got to design and make our own candy bars today. Connor's is dark chocolate with toffee, chocolate cookie bits, and chocolate chips. Mine is white with toffee and pretzel bits. Yum!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
I Can't Even Listen To It
On Thursday night a fan at a Texas Rangers baseball game died. A player had tossed a foul ball into the stands and in the moment the man reached for the ball he lost his balance and tumbled over the wall headfirst. He was at the game alone with his six year old son. He was conscious though bleeding profusely from the head and as the EMS crew was getting him out he was heard to be begging for someone to care for his boy. He died at the hospital.
Bob had ESPN coverage on and I had to have him turn it off. I just couldn't listen. It makes every cell in my body seem oddly electrified by sadness...and fear. As a parent, other than your child being the victim of an accident or illness, this has to be one of your most primal fears. That something beyond your control will tear you from your child and leave them vulnerable, alone and afraid.
I certainly am full of grief for this man and his family. I wish so much for them. But most of all I hope that someone reassured that father that his son was safe and cared for before he had to leave. I wish this with all my might.
Bob had ESPN coverage on and I had to have him turn it off. I just couldn't listen. It makes every cell in my body seem oddly electrified by sadness...and fear. As a parent, other than your child being the victim of an accident or illness, this has to be one of your most primal fears. That something beyond your control will tear you from your child and leave them vulnerable, alone and afraid.
I certainly am full of grief for this man and his family. I wish so much for them. But most of all I hope that someone reassured that father that his son was safe and cared for before he had to leave. I wish this with all my might.
Friday, July 8, 2011
iTouch Blogging
I just downloaded an app that let's me post to the blog from my iTouch. I find that I spend most my time on line via that device these days. I can predict more frequent posts of much lesser quality. But maybe when the boys are looking back at this one day they'll enjoy a bit more of a relaxed and on the fly view of our family life. And after all, that's why I am doing this in the first place.
Tonite is an average Friday night. The boys and I are watching Toy Story 3 on NetFlix while Bob paints the newly finished basement which has left us penniless. Tomorrow we do a roundtrip to NJ to drop Connor off for a week at Nana Camp. And on Sunday we get to do a 12 hour bowel cleanse on Palmer (gotta be at home for that!) who we discovered via x-ray yesterday has a belly full of poop.
Pretty typical. :)
Tonite is an average Friday night. The boys and I are watching Toy Story 3 on NetFlix while Bob paints the newly finished basement which has left us penniless. Tomorrow we do a roundtrip to NJ to drop Connor off for a week at Nana Camp. And on Sunday we get to do a 12 hour bowel cleanse on Palmer (gotta be at home for that!) who we discovered via x-ray yesterday has a belly full of poop.
Pretty typical. :)
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Riddle Me This
C: Mom, why is the Sasquatch called Sasquatch?
D: I don't know. Its probably a native american word for big foot or something. We'll have to Google it.
C: No, silly. Its because he's "Sassy" and he "quatches" down alot.
This made me laugh so hard I cannot even describe it. He was deadly serious in his delivery, too.
D: I don't know. Its probably a native american word for big foot or something. We'll have to Google it.
C: No, silly. Its because he's "Sassy" and he "quatches" down alot.
This made me laugh so hard I cannot even describe it. He was deadly serious in his delivery, too.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Independence Day
We had a fabulous Fourth of July celebration at Ida Lee park in Leesburg with the Wrights and the Loprestis--thanks to Northwest Federal Credit Union and a fun party they held. We got exclusive use of the A.V. Symington pool and exclusive use of the upper field near the fireworks. It was a beautiful night, despite some sprinkling of rain. Palmer even dealt with it really well! He was a little bit scared but got over it quickly.
I read an article earlier in the day about taking pics of fireworks without a tripod. I followed the advice and we got some good pics--Bob too some, too!
I read an article earlier in the day about taking pics of fireworks without a tripod. I followed the advice and we got some good pics--Bob too some, too!
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