Diet Coke with Lime

A Boy of Few Words

The snow is long gone... but the memories live on.

That's the great thing about photographs and blogs.

Photographs - snapshots of our memories - can be shared at any time! Of course, I am still working on getting over my built-in need to do everything in order. Doing thing out of order or haphazardly goes against every bone in my body.

One day at time, right?

The other day I posted two stories. Believe or not that was a breakthrough for me. It was difficult. I had to mentally control my urge to save the second post for another day. I'm still not sure what the big deal is about posting two stories on the same day, but I'm sure whatever it is, it's significant.

Anyway...

...here is William.

Not a skier yet.

Dave bought all of the equipment for both boys. Yet as expected, William wants to wait.

Maybe when he is seven, he said.

He is always very content watching his brother be adventurous.... play sports... hang out with other kids.

William is a keen observer. 

He enjoys sitting with me as I take pictures.

He is calm.

He is reflective.

He is often a boy of few words.

Yet alone in our home, he will tell you everything he sees.

He is the ultimate commentator.

He always enjoys himself.

It's just his way of living.

A mighty fine way of living if you ask me.

I enjoy spending time with William a lot.

And when the moment is right, William chooses to join in.

Like... Mr. Daddy Chairlift, will you please carry me up the hill too?!

Good thing Dave's been working out a bunch.

Such lucky boys.

.

Jack's First Ski

There comes a time in every kids life...

When someone puts funny boots on them, attached skis to them, and pushes them down a hill.

My brother did it for me. Dave did it for Jack.

The big difference was my boots were made out of leather, my bindings had wires, and my skis made out of wood. 

It's amazing how some things change...

... and some don't.

Bend your knees!

Sit in a chair!

Don't lean forward... don't lean back...

It didn't take much before Jack was sailin' down the hill.

Colorado-style... Bronco jersey and all.

It was warm. The snow was soft. It was perfect day to learn how to ski.

As Jack proclaimed, This is better than sliding!

I love kid's perspectives.

Then I thought I was going to faint when I heard Jack ask Dave to make him a little jump.

What?! He can barely make it all the way down the hill!

Dave built it. And Jack went...

Oh the anticipation.

The thrill of it all.

The oh my god am I going to make it?!?!

He lands.

A little back but pretty darn good for catching air. Maybe two inches of air, but air none-the-less.

Whoopee.

...and then, yikes.

Crash.

But man was that cool.

A sore butt.

One more Daddy Chairlift to the top.

And we called it a day.

Boo!

Halloween has never been a great time for taking photos for me. At least, artistically. However, the snapshots I do take are a slice of life that you just can't capture at any other time.

This year the boys were set on their decisions the moment I asked, What do you want to be for Halloween?

Jack, a ghost and William, cookie cars!

Both Will and Jack continue to call the Cars movie stuff, Cookie Cars. Way back when, we used to by Rice Krispies treats that had Cars movie images on them. When they asked for one, they'd say, Can I have a Cookie Cars? Translated... Can I have a Rise Krispies Treat with a Cars movie image on it?

Just a little bit of Jack and Will vocabulary. We have lots.

The best part of this decision was Will's costume.

It was clear I could make a ghost. Although I have to thank my friend Annette for suggesting I paint on eyes before cutting the holes in the sheet. I wouldn't have thought of that.

It was clear, at least to Dave, how I was going to make a car?! You see, I didn't have to.

This is William in 2006. Notice anything familiar?!

Gotta love it. That night back in 2006, it wasn't easy to get William to put on his costume. When the boys were babies, Halloween was easy because they would wear anything I put on them.

Then came the phase - You want me to wear what?! This phase involved bribes and coaxing to get them to put on their costumes and walk to the four houses in the cul-du-sac. I guess they just hadn't put it all together yet.

Last year was the first year I think their desire for candy gave in to the silly idea of costumes.

Now they get it.

We made it the entire loop this year.

Round the cul-du-sac, down the next street and back again.

Jack was having a bit of a hard time as a ghost. All the steps and not being able to see - the combination was not good.

After about 15 houses...

We gave up and did the old Mom is carrying my costume trick.

No one seemed to care.

Me, on the other hand, you might wonder what I was thinking.

A few stares made me realize...

That I maybe should have ditched the cape.

After trick and treating, we headed over to our neighbors for a Halloween party of sorts.

Dave made quite an entrance.

Everyone loved... well, commented on... his Sans-a-Belt pants which were about one size too small.

Suburban housewives and men in tight pants. Need I say more.

Me on the other hand, I dumped the pointy hat and horizontal stripes for feather boas...Now I just needed a tiara and I would have been set.

Well, I'll end this scary night tale with a final note...  

Now I know why I never should cut my hair with bangs.