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.

Memorial Day: Honoring Those We Lost

Especially today, we honor those brave Americans who gave their lives while serving our country in the United States Armed Forces.  Although those we knew are quite numerous to name, and those we did not know-- impossible--we remember their sacrifices and are profoundly grateful.

Tara (in the green Junior Girl Scout uniform) and Meg (in the brown Brownie Girl Scout uniform) at Arlington National Cemetary on Memorial Day in the early 1990s.

God Bless America!

Happy Mother's Day!

As I celebrated my first Mother's Day with Clyde and Aiden, I failed to post a timely message of gratitude to our wonderful mothers.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom Lyons and Mom McBride!

Thank you for the beautiful and inspiring examples you've set.  We can never appropriately thank you for all the life lessons you've taught, the strength you've possessed, and the love you've given.  We love you, and are truly blessed to call you each "Mom".

Mom Lyons

Mom McBride

Mom Lyons with Tara, Colin & Meg around 1986.

Mom McBride with Jessica and Clyde (Tyler) around 1985.