Sadly I had ripped the blu-ray incorrectly and the resulting video file did not work properly. We found this out after popcorn, blankets, and snacks were laid out for the little ones. We were then in a dash to find a movie the kids had not seen. Thank you netflix streaming for having The Neverending Story as a streaming selection. It’s probably at about the same level as Night at the Museum for action intensity, but I had forgotten completely about how dramatic the emotional aspects of the movie could be for children.

The girls were complete enthralled with the movie. We didn’t realize just how much Sophia was wrapped up in the plot of the movie until the Rock Biter appeared again later in the movie, and in a moment of sad recollection, becomes saddened and distraught at his inability to hold onto his friends and save them from the Nothing. Sophia was in tears. Sobbing actually. She was so very very sad over the loss of the racing snail. We encouraged her to continue to watch, and as the happy ending resolved the frustration and loss of the different characters, her own sadness gave way to overwhelming joy. She mentioned multiple times on her way to bed that it was the best movie she had ever seen.

On another note: While typing this, I just heard Sophia asking if Phoebe would like to play “Dolls vs. Zombies”. I’m raising my children right.

Today we were preparing to go to the pool and Phoebe desperately wanted to show me her new swimsuit. However, I was in the middle of changing into my swimsuit. As she walked into the bedroom I told her, “I need privacy please.” She kept walking toward me. “I want privacy Phoebe.” She looked at me with a confused look on her face. “Please walk over there so I can have my privacy.” She turned and looked in the direction I pointed then turned around with an exasperated look. “Phoebe, I’m changing clothes. I’d like my privacy. Please go over there.” She looked again and twisted her face in frustration. She told me with exasperation, “But I can’t FIND privacy.”

At least I know when I need privacy I have someone to help me look for it.

This is all fine and dandy as we can reach most nooks and crannies in our house. She did, however, discover a home away from home. My ported Velodyne home theater subwoofer. What’s frustrating about this is there’s no easy way to take it apart. The port is very long so reaching in to grab the little rodent doesn’t work. My thinking was lots of low bass would scare her into coming out. I tried a couple of songs and finally found the song that immediately brought her out of the subwoofer.

Hooray for dubstep.

Since memorial day will be full of Barbecue and cake we decided to use Saturday to memorialize our first combat veteran in the family that has moved on.

We toasted him with Wendy’s frosties, which he claimed held medicinal properties, and visited his gravesite.

We still love you and think about you Grandpa.

I recently sold my old camera body and most of the lenses I had been using. I also sold some old gear donated to me by a family member. Now I have a nice new body with some new lenses to take pictures of my girls and anything else that strikes my fancy.

For example: the horrified expression of a 2 year who thinks she’s about to crash into her sister.

The pollen on the petals of some flowers my wife has just planted in our front yard.

Beautiful blue eyes.

Exif data should all be intact if you want to know settings, lenses, etc.

“I like to watch you shave your face daddy.”
“Do you think you’ll have to shave when you grow up?” I ask.
“Yes”
“But girls don’t shave their face.”
“But they shave their legs when their hair is long,” she replies.
“So how old will you have to be to shave your legs?” I ask her.

“About 6 and a half.”

“Do you love Mommy?” I ask Sophia.
“I Love her all of it,” she replies.
“All of what?”
“All of her,” she clarifies.
“Why do you love her?” I ask.
“Because she carried me in her belly.”
“And nanny carried you in her belly,” she adds.
“I will have a baby in my belly!” she exclaims.
“That’ll be a while,” I say.
“Tell me more about why you love mommy,”
“Mommy’s pretty, and she makes me pancakes. Mommy plays with me and likes to scare me.”

“Phoebe, why do you love mommy?”
“Mommy a girl, like me!!”
At this point Phoebe just stared at me with a big grin. Obviously thinking something but not able to get it out.
“Why do you give mommy hugs?”
“Mommy like to cuddle, she helps me.”
Phoebe then begins to talk about mommy not being angry and about Phoebe not having accidents and that Daddy loves mommy too.
“Yes Phoebe, we all love Mommy.”

Here’s some samples.

1. No more sippy cups
2. Be modest at all times
3. Blanky has to stay at home
4. More chores

We just had a little get together to celebrate her Birthday. We’re still waiting for a time to take her to Adventureland for some Go-Karting, mini golf, and some videogames.

In the meantime I’ve been putting together the summer gift to the girls.

Thanks to Granny, Grandad, Nana, and Poppi we were able to get the larger framing work out of the way. However quite a bit of the final assembly was left to me.

Yes, you’re seeing that right. It includes monkey bars, swings, picnic table, toybox, slide, raised fort, rock wall, etc…

She then proceeds to plant a kiss on my cheek. (Full Disclosure: I had just taken her to Braum’s for a hamburger, fries, and some Ice Cream).

If you say something to her or accuse her of impertinence she will wholeheartedly refute your allegation with the best phonetic reconstruction of your accusation that she can muster.

She’s destined for politics.

Here’s a picture of her laying on our poor old cat.

After laying her down and kissing her forehead she turned to me and stated, “Daddy, you do some crazy stuff… but you also do some giggly stuff, so I love you.” It’s nice to know she can quantify why she loves me.

(Sorry for the post as a facebook note when I’ve already updated my status to share this little moment but facebook is tied to this blog, so any updates get mirrored there.)