Working the corner by Rikers

Dash and I had every intention of going to the park today.  But we had no stroller so we walked SLOOOOWLY and found a payphone.  After standing there and talking to an empty line, I dialed the newsroom's toll-free number and asked a friend to make small talk with him.

Two Hams in Hats!

Dash and Hugo were fighting over a hat earlier this evening, so Jen decided to pull down a whole box of hats from the wardrobe....That's when the boys started hamming it up for the camera (as well as checking themselves out in the mirror, too).  If you can't see the slide show images, click here.

Learning from your past...

Have you been following the Jerry Sandusky case?
It is a big deal in the Brown household.
Children abused over years, but at least justice was served, albeit very late in the game.
Today the independent report from Penn State came out and found that from the top down people knew he was up to no good and did nothing to stop it.  Father figure Joe Paterno included.

This was all to save face for a football program.

There were lots of justifiable reasons for not going to the police.  I know this story line all too well.
While following this case has been as painful as a car wreck for me...  I now know in my heart when I was a child and heard the excuses of why we weren't going to the police...  that then and now, the reasoning never made sense.

A child shouldn't have to understand an adult's selfish means to an end.

There is no good reason for not seeking justice.  Even if our legal system is flawed, it brings resolution.  It would have been nice for the Jerry I knew to at least face charges (that was his name too).

This very serious entry makes the blog today as a reminder to us as parents and to our friends that there are many Jerry-types in the world and you can't start soon enough in telling your kids how to protect themselves and what to be aware of.

And the biggest job as a parent is helping put Jerry behind bars.

Here's to You, Dash! Happy Birthday!

We went to our favorite indoor water park hotel for Dash's second birthday and we should have known something was up when he wasn't his usual go-getter self on the slides and in the water.  Turns out, our little guy has hand foot mouth disease which has been going around.  Our kids have had everything this last month and mom and dad have been on the receiving end too.  But as your can see we've made the most of the hot weather and have visit beaches, lakes and our local public pool.


Our little boy came into this world with a personality ready to go.  He's jaunty, capricious, inquisitive, sociable, and super chatty.  He is this family's glue, always bringing everyone together whether it be for a group hug or to break up a time out... Dashiel Quincy you are loved!!!

More swimming because it's over 90°

More from Lake Welch this evening.

Train Stuff!

We went on a Thomas the Train hunt for Dash's birthday and found a dad with three sons unloading their entire collection.  We couldn't hide the table in our apartment so it's a "Christmas in July" moment for the boys.

(Did you know each of those small trains runs $10-$15?? Jeesh.  A full size Barbie is cheaper!)

Great beach weather this weekend.  It took a while to convince Hugo to keep his clothes on but after awhile, he (like Dash) was playing in the crashing waves.

Our little streaker (above) :)

Dash playing in the fountain at our local park

a few phone images...

A few images from my phone...including "nekkid" escape from the bath tub.

Why we can't leave Dash alone with a marker for more than two minutes.

"What?"

Yesterday's Quick Trip To Lake Welch

Yesterday we made a quick escape from the city up to Lake Welch Beach (45 mins North).  The boys had a great time in their own way... 

Dash took to the water like he owned it, not caring about its frigid temperature.  Hugo, on the other hand, took a little longer to get into things, deciding that he wanted to play in the sand instead of the water.  Then the rain came and we had to make a run for the car!  And as you can see below, our boys, if not belted down, take the opportunity to let us know that the back seat really isn't their style.

 

 

 

 

Enjoying an evening with our friends

As we slowly make progress unpacking our new place, we're at a point where the kids need to be OUT (because, although they are great at unpacking, they suck at putting stuff in it's proper place...let alone putting it away anywhere--well this isn't exactly true as Dash is starting to put blocks, toys, house keys "away" into trash cans around the apartment).

Anyway, last night.....our friend Z! to the rescue. Her and her children were available for a playdate where the kids played with water in a small pool, a sprinkler, colorful toys and the doorbell.  Hugo and Dash also nibbled on battered shrimp (more batter than shrimp I was told), spinach pinwheels, cheesy-pastry thingies, and pistachio ice cream--washing it down with watered down apple-juice.  

School Portrait Show

When we heard that a professional photographer was taking photographs of the kids at Hugo's school, Jen and I both knew we weren't going to miss it.  We were fairly confident that Hugo's photograph would be in there someplace--he's a good lookin' kid, after all--and sure enough, we found him, looking directly in the lens with this cute, quizzical look of assessment, wondering what was going on in front of him.  Or more likely, he knew what was going on and was perhaps talking to the camera, or to the photographer, telling her about his day so far.

Seeing this show was a bit emotional for me (and for Jen, too).  Not only to see our son on the wall, but to be surrounded by such wonderful portraits of children.  While it's true that "spectrum" kids struggle with communicating, I was moved most by the expression pouring out from the images in the show:  anger, frustration, sadness, indifference, curiosity, silliness, happiness, elation.  All these feelings and more were plain to see in the clothes they wore, the poses they selected and the looks on their faces.  The children were clearly present, aware, and in the moment.  The exhibit served as an affirmation that in many ways these children, our son included, are already "talking."

Although he can't know it yet, Jen and I couldn't be prouder of Hugo, nor happier with the school he attends, as they patiently help him to find his voice.  It's good to know that in the best way he can right now, to the best of his ability, he's already "speaking."

Our heartfelt thanks to artist, Elisabeth Kahane, Hugo's teachers, and the School.

 

Playing in Mommy's Closet