Leaving on a Jet Plane

 

Andrew enjoys being a "cool" drummer.

 

 

He plays his drums with attitude.

 

 

Nathan wants to be a rock star.

 

 

He wants to play for his fans.

Nathan thinks it's important to create variation in your songs.  Mozart agrees with him.
 

 

The boys suggested we go back to Millenium Trails and do it with their bikes.

 

 

Daddy went with us, so we enjoyed another hike together, like many years ago. 

 

 I believe children need to connect to nature and the earth. I believe adults need to, too. When you walk through a woods, there is no hurry. You can experience as little or as much as you wish. You can open your senses and just be.
 

 

Grampa set up the tether ball for the boys, who came up with a game of their own.

 

When the boys complained to Grampa that they weren't getting their turn, Grampa said, "It's a two person game.  There aren't turns, so there's no problem."

 

 

The boys like to pretend to drive cars.  They have promised to take me for a ride someday and let me sit in the passenger seat.

 

Gramma keeps a can of nuts in her car for hungry little boys.

 



 

Grampa and the boys use a ladder to change a lightbulb in the garage.  Once Grampa climbed the ladder, he discovered the lightbulb just needed to be tightened.  After the ladder was put away, the lightbulb went out again.

 

 

Nolan is wearing a Grampa shirt.  They are pals.

 

 

The boys still enjoy their smoothies.

 

 

Nolan can't wait to taste Gramma's smoothies.  He hopes she put rutabagas in his.

 

 

The boys understand that some foods make you healthy and give you energy.  And healthy foods have to be eaten before Gramma will give you dessert.

 

 

Nolan would like to share Nathan's smoothie, but Nathan isn't sharing.

 

 

 

The boys began their piano lessons.  It's up to their father to keep them going.  I always knew he would return to playing the piano someday.  He does a wonderful version of Caillou the boys would love to learn.  I can't wait to hear their progress on Skype.

 

 

My heart goes with you!

 

I have learned a tremendous amount from Nathan and Andrew.  I love the mind of a child.

I realize when a child laughs it is because they appreciate their life.

When a child cries, it is because they are experiencing pain or have a need not being met. It is as real to them as any physical pain.

When a child cooperates they are living in vibration with their true nature.

When they don't it is because they are blocked by fear.  They need to know we have confidence in their ability to handle the problem and we will suppport them through it.

Our goal is to help them learn to control their own happiness.

 

Being a twin provides constant opportunities for life lessons.  Nathan and Andrew see how their choices affect themselves and others.  They frequently discuss whether they've made a good or a bad choice.  When they see someone on a motorcycle without a helmet, they declare, "He made a bad choice." 

And then there are the times we make our choices right.

 

Grampa learned to nap when the children nap. 

On the Move

 

I found the secret room in Gramma's house.  If we have a crisis and she can't leave the house, we'll be able to survive for months.  She even has a stash of chocolate in here.

 

This is Grampa's magic cupboard.  It has the cutest boys in the mirror.

 

 

Nolan climbs his first step.  He tries hard to keep up with his cousins.

Nolan tries chin-ups on the coffee table.  He's in training to be fast and difficult to catch.

 

 Because Nolan is "on the move" it's time to take safety precautions.  The boys are always ready to help Grampa with a project.  Bob the Builder is their theme song.  The boys explain that Daddy took their white gate down at home, because gates are for babies.
 

We planned a going away party for Ryan Joseph, Jeni and the boys. 

They are moving to Santa Clara, California.   

Why is it that the day of any party is also the day the dishwasher breaks, or the toilet seal needs replacing, or the furnace or air conditioner quits, or the day you discover the bathroom faucet is leaking and needs replacing.

 

Has anyone seen my wrench?

 

 

Gramma is taking us on a hike, like she used to do with Daddy, Uncle Matt and Auntie Becca.  She remembered the most important thing; the snacks.

 

 

Nathan is doing his imitation of Grampa imitating a walrus with Cheeto teeth.

 

 

It's a great trail if there's a bench to take a rest on in the middle of the hike.

 

 

My legs are too tired to go on.

 

 

But at least I have some snack left.

 

 

The trails became very exciting when we met a few horses.  Our favorite was a horse named Charlie, who allowed us to pet him.  His hair was velvety and the same color as Gramma's.  He kissed our hands to say hello.

 

 

At the end of the trail, we discover they have balance beams in the parking lot. 

 

 

Two can balance as well as one.

 

 

Bogey came to stay at our house, while the movers loaded the truck.  He watches the boys from a basement window, as they play outside.

 

Ryan Joseph was planning to travel with Bogey to meet the movers a couple days ahead of Jeni and the boys.  Bogey REALLY does not like to travel.  They were concerned about him preventing human passengers on the plane from having a serene flight.  Jeni thought it might be possible for Bogey to travel if he had the benefit of sedation.  On our Gentlemen's Friday, Jeni gave Bogey his trial dose, before she left for an appointment.  I was worried about her leaving me with a drugged cat.  She explained that Ryan Joseph would be there to help.  I couldn't remember anything in his education that qualified him as a veterinarian assistant. 

I was holding Nolan, who was ready for his nap, when I noticed poor Bogey trying to get up a step with his rear legs splaying in every direction, except the one he was trying to move in.  I saw him headed for the staircase and worried that he might fall down them.  I sat on the floor with Nolan in my lap and tried petting Bogey, hoping he would go to sleep on the rug.  Instead, he got up and grabbed one of the boy's sandals and began shaking it, as if he wanted to destroy it.  I called Ryan Joseph and told him I thought his cat was having a problem.  When he came to check on the cat, Bogey started biting at the back of his pant leg.  "Jeni," he called, "the cat is attacking us."  Jeni came up from the basement, took one look at the cat, who was now swatting at her from under a bench.  "I need a broom," she said.  I looked on the floor, but couldn't see any mess there from the cat.  But I went for the broom.  Bogey came out from under the bench, so Jeni said the broom wasn't necessary.  She just needed a place for the cat to stay, so he wouldn't hurt himself or anyone else.  I suggested the laundry room and we put him in there with his food, water and litter box.  In an hour, he had eaten everything in his food dish.  Jeni explained he had "kitty munchies."  I get those without drugs.  I went in to check on him a little later and screamed when I saw him with something hanging from his mouth.  It looked much bigger than a mouse, but I was shocked we had an animal in the laundry room.  When my shock passed, I realised it was my leather mitten. 

I asked Jeni what we should do and she calmly said, "Wait eight hours."  Later, Andrew asked what the noise was coming from the laundry room.  I think Bogey was either throwing himself against the door, or he was jumping at the door knob.  I told Andrew it was Bogey, pretending he was five feet tall.  Bogey flew cargo.

 

 

Andrew enjoys a memory from the past, as he climbs into his old entertainment saucer, which has been passed down to Nolan.

 

 

Nolan is exceptional at eating.  And he eats exceptional foods.  His vegetables and fruits are prepared by his mommy and look so much more colorful than anything you can buy in a jar.  One morning I asked Matt what Nolan's vegetable of the day was.  He told me he thought it was rutabaga.  When I asked if he ate rutabaga he said, no, he didn't have any idea what it tasted like.  Nolan may be willing to share a bite someday, but so far there's never any left.

Minnesota Safari II

A trip with the boys requires a driver with quick reflexes.  "I need to go potty," requires a stop on a dime.  

On the road again.

300 sing-along songs should get us at least half way to Minnesota.

Nathan falls asleep before his monkey.

Now Gramma will have to sing solos.

It's our first story time in Minnesota.

This is the perfect way to end a perfect day.

Good thing Kevin can read upside down.

Aunt Becky needs our help to make her "To Die for Blueberry Muffins."

Aunt Becky introduces us to the app, "Talking Tom Cat."  He's so funny we can't stop laughing.
And when we laugh, he laughs.

Andrew takes a picture of his brother practicing.

Not all of his pictures turn out well.  But Gramma thinks even his feet are cute.

Ahoy, matey.  Aargh!

This is the door to my castle and I'm the prince.

Gramma used to have a tire swing, but hers had a rope in the middle of it.

A good park has to have a good swing.

A tunnel is a funnel of fun.

This is my new friend, Harper.  The people in Minnesota are very friendly.

Down the slide and into the light.

I'm helping Aunt Becky blow up a balloon.  I'm encouraging her to aim big.

Amanda is a technology wizard.

Uncle David is going to be our guide at the zoo.

He can't get out of there, can he?

My favorite fish is the stingray.

Is the gorilla a part of our family?

Do you think the lemur drank all the milk from that carton.

I wonder if there are any trolls under this bridge?

The water mill is wonderful, but they built a fence in front of it, so I can't reach it.

Polar bears are camouflaged white.  That's why I can't find him.

The first good thing about a carousel is watching it and listening to the music.

Amanda helped us mount our horses.  She suggested we ride close to each other.

My horse is a high jumper.

Amanda likes a good carousel ride, too.

The music of the Wurlitzer 153, from the 1920s  covers the sound of the motor and rattles of the brake pads, which might frighten young riders.  It uses paper rolls similar to a player piano.  Band organs are not chromatic (they're missing some of the sharps and flats), so they usually only perform in a couple of keys.  But the sound is distinctive and wonderful.

Lunch at the Minneapolis Chipotle was an absolute must.
Any restaurant serving chocolate milk gets 4 stars.

The staff there is talented, cute and very friendly.  The boys would have loved to help Kevin do his job, but he had things under control.

It's impossible to walk through a fence.

But you can get your nose through.

A ladder is made for climbing.

Tonight, we're at the "yellow park."  Daddy used to play here when he was a kid.
He even went sleigh riding here.  I don't know where they keep the snow.

I can run so fast my feet don't touch the ground.

There are ladders to climb, swings for swinging, and shovels for digging.
No wonder this is Amanda's favorite park.

The view from up here is wonderful.

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing, ever a child can do.

                                                 Robert Louis Stevenson     

.

A chance to test my strength.  Now I'm ready for my first chin-up.

Hi Charlotte, it's nice to meet someone from Minnesooota.  You betcha.

I see land ahead.  Man the oars.

We engineers are always interested in a good machine.

And sand is nearly as much fun as water.

Twins know how to work and play together.

I bet Uncle Matt, Auntie Becca and Daddy enjoyed playing here together.

After the playground, we went to a frozen yogurt parlor for the first time.  You get to choose your flavor and toppings.  Amanda has a whole set of spoons from here.

Gramma and I know there's only one great flavor; chocolate.

Aunt Becky must be a wonderful teacher.  She knows how to encourage creativity.

Aunt Becky has the coolest grocery store.

Gramma and Grampa can really get through this store fast.  Gramma has a little trouble with maneuvering the carts.  I think she thinks they're bumper cars.

We never get tired of stories.  I don't know why they keep trying to put us to bed after we finish them.

There's still time for another book before we leave.

And the traditional ending to our safari.... Snuffy's Malt Shop.