Life is Good

My old commander in days of yore at the 109th Airlift Squadron used to say that it's important to know when you've got it good. I've got it good. Of course, I didn't need this to tell me that; all I needed to do was to glance over at my lovely bride or my bouncing baby boy--or, if they happened not to be in the room, the large stack of very interesting books I'm getting paid to read this semester (that's looking on the bright side of studying for prelims--not hard to do when you really love your work!). Life is indeed good.

A Weekend with the Kinsingers

We went to Washington DC this weekend to visit Chris, Maria, and Joshua Kinsinger. David and I enjoyed catching up with Chris and Maria and discussing baby names for Beta Kinsinger (due to arrive Christmas Eve!). Graham and Joshua loved chasing each other and playing duets on the piano.
We took the metro into the city on Saturday and visited the Smithsonian Zoo. It was Graham's first trip to the zoo. He enjoyed the animals, though the ceiling fans in the elephant house were very interesting as well. Graham also learned to climb stairs this weekend. We are thankful that we live in a one story house!

GPoD: 8.23.06

First Haircut

Graham got his first haircut yesterday. He didn't enjoy it much. I shrugged and told him that it wasn't my idea.
Sarah snipped up to her usual standard (I say "usual" becuase she's been trimming my pate for the last year now). And now Graham is looking a bit more trim, our viewers will be happy to know. Ah, well. He's still a cute kid.

Currently Watching...

This summer has been our Summer of Classic Film. Sarah and I have been watching old movies from days of yore for the last few months and having a marvelous time. It all started when we found The African Queen in our room at the B&B we stayed in for our anniverary in Duluth. Since then, we've gone on a tear: To Catch a Thief, Roman Holiday, The Maltese Falcon--the hits just keep on coming. For Sarah's birthday, I ordered a boxed set of 16 Cary Grant movies from an ebayer in China--16 DVDs for one penny (plus $30 shipping and handling--but still, that's less than $2/film!)! They finally came on Friday . . . about six weeks after I ordered them. So last night it was North by Northwest. What'll it be tonight? Reading, most likely. We need to pace ourselves. Classic cinema is great stuff, but I'm rereading Paradise Lost and it's getting to the most exciting parts.

GPoD: 8.19.06

Clarification

We've been getting a good deal flak in the comments below (from the Slinger of the family I might observe) concerning Graham's "long" hair. He does not have long hair. True, his current mop wouldn't pass muster at an open ranks inspection, but then again he's not in the military, Adam. A baby with a buzzcut looks ridiculous.

Why are we letting his hair grow?

Well, for many reasons.

First and foremost, he just looks cute. His hair is curly and wavy when it's longer, an effect that would be wholly lacking if it were cut short. Why, his little mullet might almost be described as Hockey Hair, a fine Minnesota tradition.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, there's a family tradition to uphold. You see, Graham's father didn't get his hair cut for the first time until it was much...

much,

much,

MUCH longer:


If it's good enough for the old man, it's good enough for junior.

Correction: It has come to our attention that the post signed "A" was in facted authored by "Aa," who for unknown reasons declined to identify himself properly. Our apologies to A. The Editors.

Oh, this is truly hilarious. Thanks to Sarah Sours for this clip:

GPoD: 8.17.06

Graham posed for a few pictures today...

Back from the Mountains

We got back last night from a lovely weekend in the mountains at Lake Junaluska. The weather was cool (70's during the day, 60's at night), though it rained most of time we were there. This was just as well, however, as we spent the time playing games, watching movies, and getting caught up. There was plenty of fetching scenery...


...lots of good food and drink...


...more birthday gifts for Graham...



...a good deal of horseplay with the tot...


...a fair amount of posing for pictures...


...and plenty of strolling by the lake.

On Holiday

We're off for the weekend! We are leaving today right after lunch for a long weekend at some friends' cabin in Lake Junaluska, NC. We'll be back next week with pictures of our little mountain munchkin and stories to tell. Till then, Finks out---

The GrahamCam: Assisted Locomotion

As this footage shows, Graham is now able to cover considerable distances of open space using his baby walker to steady himself. No corners yet, however.

GPoD 8.6.2006

Graham has decided that since he's now a very grown-up one year old, he no longer needs to wear pants when he doesn't want to. His newest trick is stripping them off and running around in his diaper. How clever.

A Long Expected Party

Today Graham had his first birthday party--just a small affair for a few friends and neighbors....

The theme was based on Graham's favorite book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle.

Graham wasn't quite sure what to do with the candle. So we blew it out before he could grab it.

The caterpillar cake was a hit, however.

There were cards...

...and of course there were gifts...

...and there were plenty of friends to celebrate Graham's big day.

And then it was time for a nap.

Happy birthday, big boy!

Happy Birthday, Graham!

What a year it has been....

One Year Ago Today....

An Unexpected Party

Graham's spirits were as high as ever this weekend--even without his daddy. He was entertained at length by two primates escaped from the zoo, though later that weekend he had his fingers nipped by a wild stallion at my parents' house. Not to miss an opportunity to celebrate (in my absence), the grandparents staged an early birthday party for Graham, complete with cake, candle, song, etc. Graham at once realized the significance of all that whipped cream piled atop his cake, and lost no time in using it as a mousse for his hair. The cake was so good, in fact, that we see him here licking the plate--more whipped cream!