secret life of stinehelfers

Same old Bible

2011-01-23T09:27:00.000-08:00

We have been going to church with some regularity these days. The kids get Sunday school and children's church while we have adult activities. I asked Henry and Claudia what they learned in church today - the answer was "nothing" for Henry and the burning bush for Claudia. Then Henry added - we have been reading the same Bible for four times now. When are we going to do a different Bible. (Me laughing and driving) Guess we should go over some basics.

my goodness

2010-12-27T17:13:00.000-08:00

It has been MONTHS since my last post. Not because there isn't anything to say, just finding the time to say it seems to be difficult. We have had a fantastic Christmas and I really enjoy "making memories" with the kids. Knowing this is how they will remember their childhoods. Should that be plural. Anyway ... I spend a lot of time reading magazines as I can't quite get through a WHOLE book these days. Though perhaps the right one I could. And I have decided that I would like my life a whole lot more (not that I don't like it now) if a magazine would please come and stage it and take well lit pictures of my well dressed and well behaved kids so I can keep it in my mind and live that fantasy. Do you think that will happen? Well, maybe not, but if I can just pretend that the Southern Living photographers are on their way then maybe I will do a better job of taking mental pictures of our days for me to hold tight. Gotta run do dishes ... laundry ... sleep!!!

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

2010-08-25T13:19:00.000-07:00

I have noticed lately that my services as a mother can pretty much be recorded and put on a sound loop for the kids. I am not even sure they would notice - they usually don't look up anyway and manage to tune me out. My recording would be something like this - "You are not in charge, don't do that, be quiet, put that down, no Ma'am, no Sir, step away from the baby, you are not in charge, don't do that, be quiet, put that down, no Ma'am, no Sir, step away from the baby."

Staying at home

2010-08-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

So, I don't fully know if staying at home is my nature - I like to chat (with adults) and be responsible for things (including but not exclusively kids). Some days are wonderful and others I am looking for job ads. However ... today Danny and I were both reminded of why I am here. Apart from feeling like I really know my kids, we were thinking back on when Claudia went to full time daycare. She was there for over a month and never transitioned. She cried when we dropped her off, cried when we picked her up and she would be watching out the window waiting for us. The worst of it all though was the drop off - she would slump down next to the door and just sit there either crying or just in a sad daze. Sometimes she would even lie on the floor and the other kids or teachers would actually step over her. This would go on for at least half an hour.
Henry just asked me why I didn't like being a mommy today - good question - some days are easier than others. But I guess it all comes down to that I am glad I can be here for my kids.

Hard to Believe

2010-06-15T20:10:00.001-07:00

All smiles!

Claudia asleep at the top of the stairs - this is what happens when she naps and then won't go to sleep at a normal time - she changes her clothes many times, gets into things in her room and eventually passes out at the top of the stairs!

Baby Sunshine!

Well, the baby is going to be one in two weeks. It is really quite hard to believe. He has just started crawling with a funny little scooter type thing much the same way Henry did. It is pretty darling really. He claps when he wants to be picked up, he clicks his mouth when he wants something to drink, so there is some communicating going on. We seem to be posting less and less frequently these days. Could it be because we are so busy? That and loading photos on here takes forever! The kids are good - going to camp this week in the mornings which is good for all concerned. I am not incredibly patient with three kids at home all week. Looking forward to the summer and some weeks at the beach. We will post again! Stay posted ...

Catching fire by itself

2010-03-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

Henry started singing eeny-meeny-minny-mo - if that is even how you spell it, anyway, the line of course goes - catch a tiger by its toe. The girl used to sing - catching fire by itself - which we sort of prefer. She now does a combination of the two verses. Whoever "MO" lands on is who is at that very moment loved the most by the singer. It is a fun game that can go on for a long time. I recorded this just after it was really funny. Walter is screaming, but you can still hear CJ's hip-hop and slightly messed up lyrics. And, yes, this is what our house usually sounds like. Enjoy.

Kids

2010-03-24T18:25:00.001-07:00

Hmmm ... We are at a couple of milestones with the kids these days.
Claudia is on the road to getting rid of sleeping with her pacifiers - it is about time! We are marking the days off - April 1 - not an April Fool's joke. The boppy should be gone forever. Fingers crossed. Three is also proving to be more challenging than being two. Sobbing over nothing - joy!! She is totally a sweet girl and really loves both of her brothers - one more than the other.
Walter has a new tooth - ouch - and is in a morning program two mornings a week. After a painful and tear filled start he is having a blast now. He gets tons of love and attention from all as he flashes his one tooth grin and dimples. A real charmer!
Henry is in a musical as a cow and is taking it very seriously because he wasn't at all and is now being bribed. He will get some kind of Star Wars ship if he sings all the songs. He had a wonderful day today because he got to eat lunch with the principal. His name was chosen out of the kindness box. He was nominated by two teachers for doing kind things. We are impressed! Oh - and he doesn't like having his picture taken.

Fancy is ...

2010-02-20T10:05:00.000-08:00

H: (playing with Star Wars gear) I am going to be on the dark side.
C: (putting on a tutu) I am going to be on the fancy side.

at least she asked

2010-02-05T06:03:00.000-08:00

C: Mom - can I swing Walter?
R: No
C: Can I pinch him?
R: No (smiling)
C: Can I pat him?
R: Yes

Claudia is three

2010-01-31T19:40:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe our little girl is three. She is getting so big and so ... mouthy!
Lately she has been saying things in a real Valley Girl-esque voice.
"Like, how do you know that mom, and it's not your decision." She is a very funny girl, she has lots of talent drawing, she loves carrying on conversations with anyone including herself. She is our sweetheart!

Mother of Invention

2009-12-31T04:48:00.000-08:00

Henry does enjoy science, creating things and now inventions.
H: When I grow up I am going to be a person that invents things.
Me: That sounds awesome. What kind of things will you invent?
H: Radios.

New blog

2009-12-30T19:19:00.000-08:00

Hi - now that I am home with the kids - I am doing lots of wonderful projects and to document them I have set up a new blog http://glittercrafts.blogspot.com/
Some of you might have heard that I love glitter even more than my kids

love glitter.

Anyway, I am enjoying finding things to do with the kids - and they just LOVE art projects.

Social Commentary

2009-11-23T04:16:00.000-08:00

This conversation came out of the blue.
H: Sometimes boys marry boys.
R: Oh, when would that happen?
H: If there aren't enough girls around or if no girl wants to marry you.

Halloween pictures

2009-11-17T18:51:00.000-08:00

We had a good time hastily trick-or-treating under the umbrella in our neighborhood, and had slightly less rain while going around Ardmore. Yes, I know I should have posted these weeks ago, and thanks to Jen for calling me out on that. Here goes...

Religious License

2009-11-10T17:14:00.000-08:00

Well - poetic license that is. Claudia and Henry enjoy listening to his CD from Bible school this summer. Claudia and I have been doing that some lately and she has been singing some Christmas songs at school. She has been sort of changing, sort of mixing them all together. Mea culpa.

Original lyric: Jesus is my friend.
CJ lyric: Jesus is my fault.

Original lyric: It is Jesus' birthday.
CJ lyric: It is Jesus' birthday - it is my fault.

My Danny

2009-10-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

Claudia has taken to calling her dad by his name - Danny. She actually rarely calls him Daddy. This morning she was talking to herself saying - I am going to save it for Henry and my Danny. It is sort of strange and endearing at the same time. Also, during my computer time this morning she put green tomatoes in the TV stereo receiver. A real accomplishment! Her Danny will not be pleased.

Staying home

2009-10-08T11:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I have mentioned this on facebook, but realized I hadn't on the blog. I (Rachel) have decided to quit working at the library and am going to stay at home with the kids. Henry is going to Pre-Kindergarten for full days now and Claudia and Walter will be home with me. I have mixed feelings about leaving work, but not about being home with the kids. I am really inspired to be home and am looking forward to doing crafts and singing songs and other fun kid stuff. My first official day in my new job is next Friday. I have already bought the supplies for making Halloween cards. Here we go ... and time keeps flying by!

Danny with Henry (2) and the Baby Claudia.

Car Songs

2009-09-30T06:42:00.001-07:00

Claudia enjoys singing and this morning made up her very own song, complete with swimming or some sort of flowing hand motions:

"Swimming in the water, Swimming in the ocean with your Daddy, swimming, swimming, that is a song."

Then asks - "Do you know that song Mama?"

I did not, but now I do!

Walter, Walter I've been thinking ...

2009-09-24T18:25:00.001-07:00

Recent adventures

2009-09-21T18:09:00.001-07:00

Baby Love

2009-08-17T11:03:00.000-07:00

Walter is growing and changing - we are getting coos and smiles!
Henry loves Walter, as he puts it, more than a baby blue tailed skink. Aawww!

Three's a charm

2009-07-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

A Day at the Lake

2009-07-19T19:22:00.001-07:00

We had a great afternoon at the lake - making it Walter's first trip to Hyco. He was a champ getting in a little life jacket. Henry and Claudia enjoyed splashing around, swimming and riding in the boat.

More pictures

2009-07-19T08:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay, some of these are a few weeks old. We'll get some more recent ones downloaded to the computer soon. Walter is definitely not a fan of bathing or diaper changes, as you can tell from the screaming shots of his first bath.

Be sure to read the post below for recent kid stories as well

Kid quotes

2009-07-19T08:20:00.000-07:00

Just a few quick exchanges:

Rachel: "We need to go to the grocery store today because we don't have anything to fix for lunch"

Henry: "We could just have Cheetos and watermelon"

Rachel: "That's what you had for lunch yesterday"

Claudia has inherited my fondness for baby toes (and gently squeezing them). She also has a cute propensity to use the wrong pronouns, so she's often coming up to one of us holding the baby swaddled in a blanket and saying "Where him toes?" or even "I need him toes". And the cycle begins anew...

It's a Boy!

2009-06-29T11:12:00.001-07:00

Walter Daniel Stinehelfer was born this morning at 10:36am weighing in at 7 lb 6 oz and just shy of 21 inches long. He looks great! Currently sleeping. Mom is good - pictures below!

Baby Three - What will you be?

2009-06-18T08:12:00.001-07:00

As many of you know we like to beat ourselves up and not know the gender of our kids until they are born. Same kind of scenario for names - right now we have Eleanor and Walter as front runners, but no promises.
It is funny, but Henry and Claudia both want a girl baby and are pretty firm about it.
The other night Henry said I really hope the baby is a girl and I said that even if it is a boy we will still love him. Henry said - I really want it to be a girl. No concessions there - I tried.
Then this morning I asked Claudia what the baby should be named and she said Eleanor. I said if it is a boy it will be Walter. Walter, she said, no, it will be Eleanor.
We'll see how far this whole "mother's instinct" thing works out for me.

A kid by any other name

2009-06-16T10:03:00.000-07:00

Henry talks about wanting to be a grown-up more than I would expect at the ripe old age of four. He sometimes says how he wishes he weren't a kid which is sad to me, but I know I had the same thoughts. Anyway, he and I were riding back from school the other day and had this conversation.
H: Henry and Claudia are not grown-up names. They are kids' names.
R: They are kid names now when you are kids and they will be your grown-up names when you are grown-ups.
H: Can I change my name when I'm a grown-up.
R: Yes - you can. What would you change it to?
H: (thinking) Josh.
R: Wow - like your uncle.
H: Yes.
R: Is that a grown-up name?
H: Yes.
R: What should Claudia's name be?
H:(more thinking) Rachel

Counting Down

2009-06-05T08:10:00.001-07:00

Just 25 days until the baby's due date. All my doctors visits have gone well and the baby has assumed the correct head down position. Now ... it is like watching water boil. Once there is news it will definitely be posted here and probably facebook too! Wish us luck! And for those sports fans out there - yes, soon we will be playing zone.

Happy and Messy Kids

2009-05-20T18:15:00.001-07:00

We are settling into our new home and really enjoying it. MOST of the boxes are unpacked. Danny and his mom have been painting away and the nursery is just about the last room to finish - just in time! 6 weeks and COUNTING! We have been really busy but found time to go to the zoo and Henry and I went strawberry picking with his class. Fun times!

We are lame

2009-04-06T12:22:00.001-07:00

I have no real post, I have no pictures. We are officially lame.

Our quick updates:
Claudia is a singer and is a true 2 year old and becoming more willful everyday - "Me do it!"
Henry is a super 4 year old and really enjoying school
Danny is finishing his last month of pharmacy school and has a job at Forsyth Hospital starting mid-May
Rachel is still pregnant - it takes longer to grow the third one, trust me
We are moving into a house in Winston in early May - yay! - two and a half times the size of the one in Durham - echo, echo, echo

All the news that's fit to print!

Henry, the bird savant

2009-01-13T08:29:00.000-08:00

Henry has an amazing knack of identifying all sorts of birds. The boy loves birds! We do have lots of bird books, but I am totally amazed by his memory for birds. We also have several feeders in the yard and he can name pretty much every type of bird that comes to the feeders. The other day he was looking through a bird ID book and was pointing out herons, egrets and then really surprised me and pointed to the cormorant. Wow - he is good!

Me, Claudia

2009-01-13T08:26:00.000-08:00

Claudia's vocabulary and sense of self is moving right along.
Whenever she has done or will do something she says: Me, Claudia.

R: Who spilled juice all over the floor?
C: Me, Claudia (and pats chest)

D: Who's gonna give Daddy a kiss?
C: Me, Claudia (smooch)

CHEESE

2009-01-08T20:09:00.001-08:00

baby on the move

2009-01-05T13:36:00.000-08:00

Well - as most of you know, we like to torture ourselves and not find out the gender of our kids until they pop out. So ... I would like to make an official prediction - this kid is already kicking at 15 weeks - like pow - kick! My theory here is that it is a boy. Henry kicked the fire out of me and I hardly ever felt Claudia. However, if this active kick-boxing lemon sized baby turns out to be a girl - I think we are in trouble!!

Carolina bowl game

2009-01-01T14:19:00.001-08:00

Danny, his sister Susan, his Uncle Dennis, mom Kathy and dad Dennis all took in the Carolina v. West Virginia bowl game. Sadly, Carolina lost in the last seconds.

Biltmore vacay

2009-01-01T14:13:00.000-08:00

Danny and I were able to get away for a couple of days without the kids. We went up to Asheville and got to eat at "adult" restaurants and go to a movie and take a 2 hour walking tour of the Biltmore house. Oh - and eat chocolates - for the baby! ;-)

Holiday Fotos

2009-01-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

Another shooting star or a bun in the oven

2008-12-11T08:45:00.000-08:00

Oh yes - our family is going to be expanding. We are excited to say that we are expecting another little one at the end of June. A summer baby this time completely messing up my winter focused maternity wardrobe.
I also wanted to report a strange phenomenon related to my children and shooting stars. When I was pregnant with Henry I saw a shooting star. When I was pregnant with Claudia, Danny saw a shooting star. And last week while driving home from work I saw a shooting star - I actually thought it was a plane crashing - so - we are excited that this little one seems to be blessed by the stars as well.

wow - henry is a popular name

2008-12-03T11:23:00.000-08:00

Check out this catchy - hand washing themed webpage and song!
http://www.henrythehand.com/

Pumpkins and politics

2008-11-02T10:49:00.001-08:00

Shabby chic

2008-11-02T10:42:00.001-08:00

The State Fair

2008-11-02T10:15:00.000-08:00

We went to the fair again this year with the Stinehelfers - it was very crowded but lots of fun. Saw pig racing for the first time, got the essential maple cotton candy and even rode some rides.

New Halloween PJs and a Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-25T05:38:00.000-07:00

Her new shirt says "MC Boo and the Tricky Treats", one of my favorite groups. I've got like 13 of their bootlegs. She's been practicing her hip-hop pose with her arms crossed.

Rachel went with the kids on their playschool field trip last Monday - looked like a lot of fun!

Photo Time Again

2008-10-17T18:24:00.000-07:00

Car Conversation

2008-10-08T06:50:00.000-07:00

This morning Henry was pretty chatty on the way to Nana Kathy's house. I was asking him what he thought he would do at school today and he gave me his thoughts on that. Then he said, "After I get back home today I am going to check on the computer and see if I had a great day."

Palin's debate workflow

2008-10-04T18:24:00.001-07:00

This is making it around on e-mail, but worth a post!

First Day of School

2008-09-22T19:21:00.000-07:00

Claudia and Henry started at a new school a couple of weeks ago. They are enjoying it and doing lots of art.

Camping photos - at last

2008-09-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

We are finally putting up pictures from our 2nd annual Triangle Fun Junkies Labor Day camping trip. Lots of magical animal, hiking, some sleeping, and wine and beer and bourbon for the big people. Let's do it again next year!

Claudia Jane

2008-09-04T05:23:00.000-07:00

Claudia has some new fun things she is doing. Firstly, we are all thankful that she has started giving closed-mouth kisses! She puts her lips in this sweet little pucker for you to lean into. She is also big into holding hands - which I love! It is mostly as a means to get you where she wants you, but it is very sweet.
She has been slowly growing her vocabulary. She is so pleased that she can say one thing that she just runs with it - for instance she uses "up" for all directions, including "down" - this can be frustrating for all. She can also tell you what a cat says - "maaw" - only it seems that all animals say this exact same thing! She says "oh! no!" as you can see from the little video below - and "cupcake" as every little kid should know that one!
We can't wait for more words and expressions to come tumbling out soon.

Rachel morphs into a star

2008-08-28T19:54:00.001-07:00

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity

Oh yeah! Rachel turns into Jackie O

2008-08-28T19:50:00.001-07:00

MyHeritage: Celebrity Morph - Family histories - Family pictures

Redmond Celebrity Morph

2008-08-28T19:43:00.001-07:00

MyHeritage: Celebrity Morph - Free genealogy - Free family websites

Beach Bible School

2008-08-28T08:57:00.000-07:00

Henry attended VBS (Vacation Bible School) a couple of weeks ago at the church my mom attends. There was a beach theme and he really enjoyed it. He came home singing some of the catchy tunes - "Surfin' through the Scriptures" and "Beach Be-attitudes" were favorites.
He listened carefully to the stories they told him and he was able to partially recite them when he came home. Unsure exactly what he was taking away, as a 3 year old, I asked him if they talked about God in Bible School. "No" he answered.
He did take away some of the lessons whether he agrees with them or not - yesterday he proclaimed - "Mama, sometimes I do not love my neighbor". Well - at least he knows you should!?!
Maybe next summer - "Hiking to the Promised Land" - who knows?

Sleepy story

2008-08-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

Last night after reading bedtime stories, Henry kept emphasizing how NOT tired he was. He then started trying to tell me a story that went something like this -

"Sometimes people paint horses (pause, pause)
I am too tired to tell this story." (sounds of sleeping)

A Flurry of Blogging

2008-08-17T19:00:00.000-07:00

Finally, the blogging spirit has hit Rachel and me over the head today - be sure to scroll down to see all the new stuff. First off is a video of Claudia being cute and expanding her vocabulary.

Recent photos

2008-08-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

Gardening, splashing around, climbing trees, working on the laptop... ahh, to be young again!

Howling Nellie

2008-08-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

At the cool wine/beer shop at Topsail there was a bloodhound who had quite a voice - she sang along with a harmonica.

Finally

2008-08-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

Ok - no excuse for the lack of postings this summer. Here is a smattering of pictures of beach, home, friends.

Plus some shots of the DC trip later added by Dan

Beach family

2008-06-27T17:51:00.000-07:00

We are on our last full day at Sunset Beach and have had a lovely time. It will probably take weeks to cull the 1,000 photos we have taken, so ... here is an easy quintessential family beach photo. More later.

Recent pictures

2008-06-11T19:20:00.000-07:00

Assorted shots from a stormy day at the lake, hanging out in the backyard, and going to the museum with the McLellan clan.

Be sure to check out the other new potluck post below...

June = Cookout time

2008-06-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures from our Triple Crown potluck - can't beat popsicles, watermelon and grilled meat in the summertime!

Four Long Years

2008-05-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

Danny and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary at my uncle and aunt's cabin in Surry County. We had a lovely time. We often have trouble remembering how many years we have been married since we have "crammed" a lot into our years together.

Brother and Sister

2008-05-29T19:31:00.000-07:00

Lake Woes-Be-Gone

2008-05-11T21:24:00.000-07:00

Rachel and the kids and I had a blast at the lake - on our boat ride we saw many herons, two nests, a wild turkey, and a snake by the dock. The kids played in the frigid water as well, which isn't so bad once your limbs go numb (about 2 minutes in). Enjoy the pics...

Backyard-agains

2008-05-07T17:47:00.001-07:00

Lots of fun in the backyard - in the kiddie pool, playhouse and wagon!!

Tired and cranky

2008-04-28T19:12:00.000-07:00

Henry and I were reading a story and the line read "I'm tired and cranky". I asked Henry what makes him feel cranky sometimes - "When people don't listen to me." A good point. We were talking about other things that makes him feel cranky when he posed the question to me - "What makes YOU so cranky?" - the same I said.

Henry hearts Caterpillars

2008-04-22T17:37:00.003-07:00

A safer career path than snake handlers - is there a market? Perhaps not. Luckily, caterpillars are the one thing Claudia has not tried to eat.

inaugural lake trip

2008-04-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

Yes, the water was frigid.

the NEW--seum

2008-04-22T17:17:00.000-07:00

I don't remember if we have mentioned it before, but Henry still calls the Museum the NEW--seum which we encourage. Here are some sweet shots from the other day. Claudia is just all grows up!

Another link to pictures

2008-04-01T18:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've gotten lazy and am now dumping dozens of pictures in an album, without the cute commentary. Check out the website below to see March 2008 highlights, including Easter Egg Hunts!

March 2008 Photo Album

Please ignore the Hobo pumpkins at the end, I couldn't figure out how to delete them from the group, and evidently you only get 3 free groups to work with on flickr. Guess I'll just have to create a new identity...

Car seat upgrade

2008-03-31T17:33:00.000-07:00

This weekend we bought a new car seat for Henry and upgraded Claudia from her rear facing infant seat which was long overdue. They are both enjoying the new view.

The mystery of OJ

2008-03-31T17:25:00.000-07:00

Henry is becoming more expressive and talkative these days. He was enjoying a glass of orange juice the other morning and said "this tastes like a merry-go-round" - we figured that was some tasty glass of orange juice. That was followed by - "there is poop in this straw" - "yuck, poop" - he spits. We say there isn't poop in your juice - he says yes there is - we shortly discover that he means pulp.
(This was sweet and funnier in real life than it reads!)

White coat for Dan

2008-03-31T17:15:00.000-07:00

Danny received his white coat this Sunday - symbolizing his new role as a health care provider. We were all very proud of him! Just one more year til graduation. We all went out for pizza and a little NCAA basketball afterwards. A big mess was made. It was fun.

Zoo trip #2

2008-03-31T05:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, I mentioned that we went back to the zoo a week later, so here are a few more pictures of that. Be sure to check out the headless, one-legged flamingo. I bet he'd have some stories to tell if only he had a beak.
Zoo Trip 2 on flickr

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo

2008-03-24T22:36:00.000-07:00

The kids and I went to the Asheboro Zoo for my spring break (eat your heart out, Cancun). I took scads of pictures, so I've decided to post a link to them on flickr here:

http://www.icanhaz.com/zoostine

We walked the entire length of the zoo and saw practically every animal there. The new Watani exhibit hasn't had it's grand opening, but you can walk around and look at a grand total of one elephant and one rhino from about a mile away - go 16x digital zoom! The kids liked playing in the oversized ostrich eggs.

It was so fun we went back on Good Friday, and brought along Gram. There were about 10 times as many people there then, so I'd recommend a random Monday to a holiday visit.

Woody Woodpecker

2008-02-27T20:12:00.000-08:00

Well, actually this is a female Downy Woodpecker, but I needed the cartoon reference. She has been visiting alot lately to eat our suet. I seem to recall a red-headed male a few times also, so there must be a new couple in the neighborhood.

A Day at the Museum

2008-02-22T07:59:00.001-08:00

Can I get a HELL YEAH!

2008-02-18T04:50:00.000-08:00

Carolina, State and basically any other fans can thank me and my skilled team for slaying Duke. Excellent work! It's good to be gold and black today - peace out!

Party people

2008-02-03T18:32:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Claudia's first birthday with friends and lots of kids and, thankfully, spring-like weather! The highlight of the day was the towing of a car on our street. Next year we have promised dueling bulldozers! Henry stuck it out til the bitter end - falling asleep watching the Super Bowl.

Happy Birthday little girl!

2008-02-03T18:26:00.001-08:00

Party preparations

2008-02-02T17:23:00.000-08:00

Well ... my legs are killing me! I have spent way too much time working on cupcakes and a birthday cake in honor of Claudia's first birthday. It should not have taken me this long! How did those merry 1950s housewives do it - and in heels?!? Surely not.

While fixing the sweets for tomorrow I heard a couple more Henryisms I would like to pass along-

"pupcakes" for cupcakes - this is truly adorable
"mushrooms" for marshmallows - makes sense

Signing off to rest my dogs

Henryisms for posterity

2008-01-30T07:22:00.000-08:00

Just a few funny things he says before I forget them...

"grink" = drink
"icicle" = popsicle

And here are a few recent phrases

"Anybody cannot play with my toys" - he prefers this to using "nobody can"

"I very don't want toys in here" (the tub, so he can swim) - "very" used as "really"

"with a cherry on top" - he used this phrase with me the other day and I asked how he had heard it. He said Alex had used it - how I asked -
"Henry, please leave the room, with a cherry on top."

Last night he used it again - we were talking about Claudia's birthday:
H: Did we get her a present?
R: We did.
H: Can I give it to her?
R: Sure.
H: With a cherry on top?

Ode to Haggis

2008-01-29T19:03:00.000-08:00

Our friends James and Emily hosted a Scottish celebration the other night. Fun, Scotch and King Cake were had!

Stella and licorice

2008-01-29T18:56:00.000-08:00

Claudia enjoyed watching Stella from her high chair and she enjoyed some licorice too!

More cuteness

2008-01-29T18:49:00.000-08:00

Baby cuteness

2008-01-29T18:43:00.000-08:00

Here are some shots of family fun time.

positive reinforcement

2008-01-17T12:00:00.000-08:00

Henry enjoys encouraging us. He likes to tell Claudia she does a good job crawling. He is now saying we have "impressed" him. Story from this morning:
I am putting on my socks that have sea turtles on them.
H: What is on your socks Mommy?
R: Turtles.
H: Wow - you're right. They are turtles. Where did you get them?
R: I got them for Christmas.
H: You're right. You did get them for Christmas. I'm impressed.

London

2008-01-12T18:32:00.000-08:00

A view from our hotel, some shots from the London Eye - a gigantic ferris wheel and an image of St. Paul's.

London some more

2008-01-12T18:19:00.000-08:00

We were gone for nine days - hence the enormous amount of photos. Another favorite thing was going to a show - 39 Steps. Highly recommended. Random sign shot by Danny.

Harrod's images

2008-01-12T18:12:00.000-08:00

I can honestly say that one of the most exciting things about our London visit was seeing the Krispy Kreme doughnut shop in Harrod's - blows my mind. Note the chocolate Harrod's emblem on a chocolate Krispy Kreme doughnut. I was so proud!

Bath

2008-01-12T18:06:00.000-08:00

Wales

2008-01-12T17:56:00.001-08:00

We had intended to go to Stonehenge, but it ended up being more trouble to get there than we had thought. So ... we went to Wales on New Years Day - it was great and we got to visit Tintern Abbey and a Saxon Castle, that was really huge and impressive. I now only have to visit Northern Ireland to check of my British Isles country list.

Signs, signs, everywhere the signs

2008-01-12T17:50:00.000-08:00

Danny was pretty much obsessed with recording the odd differences in the signage in England.

Bristol and Wells

2008-01-12T17:45:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the shots of Bristol and a short trip we made with Johanna, Bert and Alfie to Wells after we had a "proper" Sunday lunch. Wells looked strangely familiar and I thought to myself - this reminds me of the sleepy English town in Hot Fuzz - the movie - then I found out it was actually filmed there. Cool.

Broadcast News

2008-01-10T04:58:00.000-08:00

In lieu of sending a group e-mail - I (Rachel) have accepted a position at UNCG as Human Resources Librarian starting at the end of February. It will be an administrative level position and a great opportunity for me. I am excited about the job and the change, but it was a truly difficult decision to make. I will commute from Durham for a couple of months until we sell the house and/or Danny finishes his semester. Then we will most likely move to Winston-Salem. I will commute from Winston and Danny will commute to Durham for his fourth year of school, some days from Winston, some days from Burlington (at Chez Stinehelfer). So ... it is a bit confusing for the next year and a half, but for the long term we are excited to be closer to my family and be able to move into a bigger house. And if you know someone in the market for a cute 2BR, 1BA Duke Park brick bungalow - send them our way!! xoxo

London calling

2008-01-08T08:46:00.000-08:00

Hello all - just wanted to post a quick picture from our trip - we'll have more to come. I took this from the London Eye, which is basically a giant Ferris Wheel (about 400 feet high?) with enclosed capsules to ride in. This is a section of a panorama shot that I love taking with the digital - just ask Rachel.

Okay, one more shot. This is the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol

Overdue pictures

2007-12-15T06:06:00.000-08:00

Early morning conversation

2007-12-15T06:02:00.000-08:00

This is probably funnier to me since it took place at 4am.

H: Mama, do you love thins?
R: Things?
H: Thins.
R: Thins?
H: THINS!
R: Thins?
H: Like fish have thins.
R: Oh - fins.
H: Yeah, thins. Do you love them?
R: Well, I love fish.
H: Do you love thins?
R: Yeah, I love fins. Do you?
H: No.

one more story - photos up soon

2007-12-09T18:25:00.001-08:00

Danny: I think it would be nice for you to go a whole day without watching TV.
Henry: I think it would not. That is not an exciting (pronounced sighting) idea.