Letterboxing

We went to a nearby arboretum yesterday to do some letterboxing with friends. Letterboxing is basically a treasure hunt. People hide a box with a stamp (usually homemade) out in a public area. The clues for where to find them are listed on the internet. When you find the box, you stamp the book inside the box to let them know you found it, and use their stamp to stamp your book. Then you hide the box back where you found it for the next people to find. The kids think it's great fun!

The seekers. Boy, did we pick a hot day!

Looking for the box that Rachel's uncle hid

Found it!

Stamping

Next box--look up in the tree!

Marian was keeping a detailed journal

Aidan keeping cool while on the hunt

Picnic dinner

"Before" Pictures

We took Brennan to get some pictures taken before the big haircut. It ended up being a bad hair day for him, but at least it was somewhat curly.

The very first shot, and probably the best.

I liked the "in-motion" quality of this one.

The hair would not stay out of his face!

The last picture taken. I thought the sailboat was too cute, but by then, Brennan was DONE staying put!

Innocent angel--he NEVER screeches!

My favorite

A Pair

Aidan always likes it when he and Brennan match!


Brothers!

Glenn Beck '08

Thomas and I went to see Glenn Beck's latest stage show last night--"Glenn Beck '08: Unelectable". He is a conservative talk show host who I happened upon the day after the last presidential election--aka Gloatfest 2004. And I've been listening and laughing ever since. He also does an evening tv show on Headline News, stage shows a couple of times a year and is a consultant on GMA. Basically he's the Energizer Bunny.

And last night was no exception--it was quite an experience! He had us laughing hysterically, cheering wildly, and then the next minute making sobering points about the direction of the country to an audience SO QUIET, I actually would have heard a pin drop. I'm so glad we finally got to see him in person. It was a ton of fun! Of course, we forgot to take a picture of ourselves, but here are some from the show:

"Don't you hate it when politician's come out trying to look like the locals?"

Giving the speech you wish a politician had the guts to stand up and say.

.

At the end of the show, some local Boy Scouts were on hand to fold up the giant flag. Glenn came back out to say we were welcome to leave or stay and watch. I saw about 3 people leave--everyone else stayed until they were done and sang all the patriotic songs anyone knew the words to.

5th Birthday

It took some convincing for Aidan to believe that he wasn't 4 anymore. He was 5!


Aidan's party was at a nearby cooking place where Marian takes classes once a week. He had been so excited about it for weeks, until that week before. Then he started saying he didn't like it. I think he thought we would leave him b/c we drop Marian off for her class.

The kids made cupcakes, icing, and pizzas. Aidan did eventually warm up and make his pizza.

The girls making the icing.

Enjoying their pizzas!

First Haircut

Well, we finally did it! We took Brennan for his first haircut.

Before:

He didn't cry at all. We kept him occupied with a squirt bottle, then we turned on the portable DVD player with "Word World" playing, and finally, two lollipops, which really did the trick!

Every once in a while, he would realize someone was messing with his hair and he'd try to swat her hand away. But we were able to keep distracting him, so he never cried.

No more being mistaken for a girl with all those curls! I would get stopped multiple times in one day by people telling me what beautiful curls my little girl had. As cute as it was, it was time to kiss the curls goodbye.

After:

His hair still has a lot of wave to it. A lot more than Marian or Aidan had after we cut their curls.

I like it over here!

Brennan just pretty much deposits himself at the kitchen table now.

I think we've seen the last of the high chair.

Happy 4th of July!

Bathtime

Thomas didn't believe me when I said that Brennan doesn't usually cry when I give him a bath, compared to 99% of the time when Thomas puts him in. So I took pictures and video to prove it. Unfortunately the video won't upload. It was cute! So here's more pictures instead:

The #1 reason for being put in a bath: feeding self.

Forget the spoon! I love yogurt!