Uncle Michael Post: An Old Text

I got this text from Susan one day and the picture came by email some weeks later (apparently a repeat performance):

Em fell asleep in the bathtub today with his little face smooshed against the side.

Cracked me up.

Drained it and left him til he woke.

The 5-Year-Old

[Uncle Michael asked how Greeley was doing with reading; whether she was reading little words.]

She calls them popcorn words - "and," "the," "green," "yellow." She's always asking how to spell and sounding it out. I think she enjoys learning like Atlee does.

[Uncle Michael was of the opinion that she likes learning in that it will eventually strengthen her quest to take over the world and subject humanity to her every whim.]

Eager Reader

The book Atlee brought home for homework tonight?

Bunnicula!! :)

Sandy Aftermath

In addition to the other damage, we also have a Gree-sized knee hole in the bedroom drywall from Rich throwing her off during a family wrestling match.

Storm Prep

We have 10+ gallons and a case of bottled. My plan later today is to fill the bathtub too.

Here's how that last turned out:

[Uncle Michael asks: Are you going to have the kids shower before, since they might not have a chance after?]

I made 3 and 4 do it last night. Rich and I did. 1 and 2 are dragging their feet. If we lose power for a week - they will be gross and stinky.

1:43pm
#2 showered. #1 stalling to this afternoon.

New Visitors

With the new flowering plants near the door (a gift from neighbor Mary that we don't know the name for), we've had a new set of visitors right at the door. Shea is not appreciative.

The plant might be Obedient Plant, otherwise known as Physostegia Virginiana.

Garden Photos

These pictures are from August 31st.

The Garden Transitions Into Fall

 Uncle Michael rolled the biggest pumpkin so it could get some sunlight on its bottom.

Pumpkin 2 still looks wonderfully flush. Uncle Michael is pretty sure he accidentally detached one of them when he twisted it to get even sun.

The tomato plants are still bearing fruit, even though they collapsed under their own weight.

Once the corn lost its fruit, they quickly died.

This tomato was a little rotten, so it got thrown back in the garden for fertilizer.

As did these two.

As you can see, the vines are starting to die.

 

Tomatoes still growing on the vine.

Some of them aren't even ripe yet (although that red one looks lovely).

Everybody's Favorite New Toy

Here I'm receiving mixed messages. (To be fair, last time I got on and jumped, it ripped.)

Tuesday A Week Ago

Some fun in the backyard with everyone's new favorite toy, the trampoline.

Gree spontaneously made up a dance routine.

A Rainy Day Is Joy For Children

There was some torrential rain on Saturday and afterwards Emmy and Atlee went out to play in the puddles. They keep saying "two" because I was trying to get Emerson to count the pumpkins and he kept starting from two instead of one and said there were two pumpkins instead of four, so it became a joke to him.

Daddy brought out a boat for Emmy to play with!

Zoe was outside, too, but not very interested in the action.

Wilson was also outside,too, but was content to watch.

Then we started playing "Red Light/Green Light." Here's Emmy as the leader.

Unfortunately, he liked it so much he refused to give up the position.

And then Gammy came out following her dogs and here Emmy chased them a little.

A Rare Sighting

Last weeks, scientists caught a rare glimpse of something they are calling "The Emmy Bird," which flashed by their driveway observing post before disappearing back into the wilds of Riordonia.

Culinary Lessons: Shea Fries Some Eggs, Part II

Culinary Lessons: Shea Fries Some Eggs, Part I

August 6, 2012

Emmy Talks to a Toad

Emmy Declares His Relationship Status

Bathtub Baby

Although he would deny he is a baby if he heard me say it.

July 9, 2012

- Uncle Michael

One Night on The Porch

Daddy was cooking on the grill and the little people wanted to be a part of it. (July 13, 2012)

Zoe is not impressed. (Is she ever??)

 Emmy attempts to help unwind the table umbrella. Notice his excellent positioning.

 "If I can just wind this thing here..."

 "This should totally be working."

"I don't know why they always tell me not to touch stuff like this. It's not like I could fall and bring the whole thing down with me!" [snort!]

Now Greeley gets a turn with Daddy (although it seems Emmy does not approve of this).

"Where are the grill faeries, Daddy?""Does this work by magic??"

 Wilson: "Is there food around here? I had the distinct feeling there was food somewhere nearby."

 Wilson: "Maybe it's over here."

 Almost!

"If! Only! I! Could! Reach!"

-Uncle Michael

Non-Stop

Emerson went to bed after everyone else, stomping around in the dark at 11:30 or so as Atlee and I tried to sleep in the living room. This morning he was shrieking with some emotion before 8am. I said to him "I can't believe you're up again, already," and Atlee said: "He's a very, very, very energetic boy."

She continued: "If a regular boy needed two batteries to be energetic, he has five."

- Uncle Michael

Home Again, Home Again!

"Hello, Wall!" Atlee shouted as she ran up the stairs and, I presume (I couldn't see) hugged the wall. "It's so good to see you again."

"And hello, stairs!"

Emerson, who came in the door a few seconds after her, started his own greetings:

"Hello, oven!"

Figures he would pick the most dangerous item in the house, right?

-Uncle Michael

A Game with the Fun Uncle

Here's a game Emmy likes to play. I think it speaks to his future as an extreme athlete.

Scenes from Gree's Birthday Party

The food was pretty awesome; that's why I kept taking pictures of it. All these delicious little ham sandwiches - and deviled eggs!!