"When I Got Here" by Ciala

   Me and Lauren got here (I think) around 10:00.As a greeting Aiden threw up on me as soon as I picked him up. Meghan wasn't in the room and when she came back I told her about the greeting. I had to change out of my clothes. But Aiden is very interested in me. He looked at my glasses and was distracted by them, that meant Meg was able to cut all his nails at once! Meghan said it was probably the first time she did that. And when Aiden is fussy I distract him with my hands. He thinks it's so cool. But all I do is move my fingers in a weird way. Well I try my best.      

Waiting for Rain and Youthful Perspectives

Ciala and Lauren are here!  We decided it would be fun to have the girls post their own commentary describing our summer activities.  Though our first posts are comprised of photos from only the first day and a half, we've been keeping quite busy!

The girls donned their aprons, and Lauren kept Aiden busy...

so that I could assist Ciala with our pancake breakfast.

Lauren uses the demonstration method to instruct Aiden in tummy time.

The summer heat and recent lack of rain create thirst in girls, dogs, and plants alike...

Wet trampoline jumping helps!

Kona begged to join in...

And she begged...

So Clyde finally agreed!

Clyde caught some great moves on film, like Ciala's rockstar guitar.

And Lauren's skater girl.

Lauren touches the treetops.

And Ciala pauses to give us a sweet smile.

Ciala poses with Kona (not an easy task).

After a driving lesson, Lauren is unleashed (in the backyard).



Summer, Smiles and Ceiling Fans

The North Carolina summer is heating up, and the McBride family is thoroughly enjoying grilling weather!  I find myself reluctantly boxing up another pile of outgrown baby clothes and trying to capture Aiden's ever-more-present smile on film.  Unfortunately for me, he has inherited Clyde's ability to sense an approaching camera, and uncooperatively changes his expression just before I snap a photo.  The cell phone camera is our only alternative until we can plot a more effective offensive with the good camera.  He vocalizes constantly, and his arms and legs are a blur of motion.  He is becoming much more interested in and interactive with his surroundings.  Currently, the most fascinating fixtures seem to be the ceiling fans. 

Ciala finishes the fifth grade this week, and Lauren completes second grade.  We eagerly await their summer visit (four more days!).  Last summer they developed several games involving the trampoline, Kona, and spray from the garden hose.  We are confident they will expound upon their previous creativity to invent new games this summer. (Clyde: prepare to resume your roles as resident waterfall-operator and Kona-wrangler!).  

Clyde is midway through the 8-week Advance Course at Camp Johnson.  This physically and academically intense course is for Marine gunnery sergeants.  The girls find it hilarious that Daddy has homework!  His mornings begin ever earlier, and we are grateful for his endless energy.

I enjoy striving to keep up with Aiden.  He delights in constantly challenging me to a match in the old laundry contest--though he is far more adept at creating dirty laundry than I am at cleaning it again!  I have also been spending time researching our family history and family tree.  This new project has become surprisingly more enthralling than I initially anticipated. 

No family update is complete without a mention of our most outwardly-spirited member.  Kona enjoys weekdays in the backyard with young playmate Abby (whose "Mom & Dad" both work outside the home during the day).  Kona and Aiden have a calm ambivalence toward each other, though Kona's curiosity occasionally results in a lunge to sniff or lick.  She cannot wait for her much more enthusiastic buds return--Ciala and Lauren, please hurry! 

Aiden's first smile.

Dad knows how to make Aiden smile.

Aiden during tummy time.

He has found a way to scoot himself around.

Ciala, Lauren and Kona play on the trampoline last summer.

The girls give Kona's water game a try...

Fun in the sun--we can't wait to do it again this year!

Another smile that disappeared when I ran to get the other camera...

Aiden laughs as his limbs remain in perpetual motion.

Tired baby.