just beachy

A trip to the beach today, with Grammie and Papa and the Dhas family. There was digging and floating and lounging and wave-jumping and eating and severe sunburning. Then we ate ice cream and went home with glad hearts and lobster red feet.

 

big fans

This accounts for about 98% of what Papa and Grammie will be doing while they are here... watching grandsons play baseball.

best day ever

Clara has been ready to celebrate her birthday for months, excitedly (and correctly) anticipating the gift of a desk for her room. But what she didn't know was our plan for her day. The boys had a baseball clinic and game taking up chunks of our day so we wanted to make sure she didn't feel like her birthday was an add-on that we were barely acknowledging. So we gave her the greatest gift we could think of... uninterrupted grown-up chatting time at a restaurant (read: David and I took her out for lunch). When I told her the plan, she got quiet, her eyes filled with tears, and the biggest smile took over her face so - yes - I think she felt special on her birthday. 

AND!! Look who showed up for her birthday! Grammie and Papa have come for a visit and we are very happy about it!

another birthday eve!

Another day, another birthday! We are revving up to celebrate Miss Clara, turning 7 tomorrow! She's a sweetie, this kid, and loves cozying up on her top bunk, or swinging in the hammock, or lying on the beach, or stretching out on the couch, with book in hand, ready to relax and read. She's cozy and quiet, giggly and shy, funny and smart, and usually hungry. She is a delightful piece of the Kantor puzzle and we love her so. Happy Birthday Eve, Clara! 

are zoo ready for some fun?!

(heading courtesy of Henry F. Kantor, who wrote this on Annie's birthday card... tears of joy when my kids use puns...)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ANNIE TODAY!!

We are celebrating our Sweet Annie at the zoo, by her request. So lions and tigers and bears, oh my, here we come!

Grumpy kid exhibit

birthday eve!

Here she is, Annie, last day of 8! She is a do-er and a helper and an asker and a thinker. She's a thoughtful friend and a sweet sister and a doting mother to Leo. She wants to be involved and to go places and to know what's happening and to add her input. She's so very stubborn and so very determined to do things her way. She's creative and funny and fun. She loves markers and paper and drawing and making. She's a good egg, with a hard shell and a mushy middle, and we love her so much. 

Happy Birthday Eve, Annie. Onward, to 9, we go!

the kantors

Back together for the first time since March 2020. Woohoo!