NC Zoo

It was a beautiful day to visit the NC Zoo with Nini. We were especially thrilled to see an elephant at close range*, a male elk with a huge rack large pair** of antlers, giraffes, bobcats, puffins, chimpanzees, and lions. There was also a really great playground.

*DAD's EDIT: I did not attend, and the report to me from L was as follows: "Dad! We got to see an elephant [urinate] AND [defecate]!!

**EDIT #2: I can see this post is going to result in disappointment for certain Google searches. Sorry, freaks.


"Hook, Nini."

Miscellaneous

It was a bittersweet moment when, a couple of days ago, Milo pronounced Lucie's name correctly for the first time. Actually, it still comes out more like "Hucie" than Lucie. But we will miss him calling her, "Hooey."

In other news, on Christmas eve, Lucie reported feeling a sort of pain. I asked her if she was nervous about Santa Claus coming, and she said, "Sort of nervous, and sort of excited." I asked her if it was a physical pain, or if she just felt mentally uncomfortable. She said, "It is sort of uncomfortable and sort of comfortable, at the same time." I said, "Lucie, all kids feel that way on Christmas eve. It is totally normal." Lucie said, "No it isn't, this is totally over the top."

Locomotion

On Christmas eve, Lucie officially became a bike rider. She rode unassisted for the first time earlier this year, but Monday was the first time she ever said, "I want to ride my bike some more!"


Here's the thing that did it. James turned us on to the "like-a-bike," a wooden, pedal-less, brakeless vehicle that helps kids learn how to balance on two wheels. We got one for Milo, but he's still too small for it. Lucie quickly learned how to careen around Orchard Park on it.

(I tried riding Lucie's bike in like-a-bike fashion, without brakes. It was terrifying.)


Milo quickly learned how to careen around Orchard Park on this...


...and this. (Actually, he can't reach the pedals yet.)


Before long, Lucie was careening around the park on this, unassisted.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you.

Thanksgiving

We were happy to be able to spend Thanksgiving with family in Black Mountain. We have much to be thankful for.


Confidential to Aunt Jane: If your friends start asking about strange emails you've been sending, you can refer them to this picture.


The weather was beautiful. We planned to hike up Lookout Mt. on Friday, but were dissuaded by signs in Montreat warning of an aggressive bear sighting and the beginning of hunting season. So we did the American thing and shopped instead. The kids were very excited when this swan headed straight for us.






We got this "bike guy" for Milo at Ten Thousand Villages. Milo put quite a few miles on him.

Lucky dog Roxy got to come along on this trip. She was in heaven, getting to be near everyone, eat Thanksgiving scraps, and play with Laura's dog, Sandy.


On Saturday we went to the Folk Art Center. This wood turner made a top for Lucie.




By a crazy coincidence, we ran into Zoe's family here. We took a short hike with them along a portion of the Mountains to Sea trail, which intersects with the Folk Center parking lot.


Banana splits!






Don't worry -- Mom helped him eat it.

Thank you, everyone. We had a great time and hope we see you again soon.

Bowling and birthdays

Lucie went to a bowling birthday party on Saturday. She bowled a 74 (with the bumpers in).




Ethan likes Milo.


Each child had their own bowling style. Max's was to fall to his knees and skid. Lucie's was to walk to the end of the lane and lob the bowling ball like a shot put.




Saturday was also Daddy's birthday. He cooked delicious veal shanks and risotto for his family and friends. Here we've just finished the chocolate cake course.

One random note. As I counted out the candles for Chris' cake, "one, two, three, four, five, six, seven" (a nice divisor of 42), Milo kept going, "eight, nine." Who knew he could count?

Pumpkin carving

Lucie designed this pumpkin, and Chris did a pretty wonderful job carving it. He was unable, however, to duplicate the pencils-as-eyebrows of the original design.

Orchard Park

On a recent beautiful afternoon, we took the dog and kids to the park.


Lucie is improving at riding her bike.


Milo loves the slide.


There was quite a bit of static electricity.

State Fair

We played hooky last Monday to go to the State Fair with Nana, Papa, and Uncle Brian.






Nana, Papa, and Lucie talk to a robotic cow driving a tractor.


Milo's first ride


Ready to go again


Brian kindly rode the swings with Milo, even though they made him feel queasy.



Nana bought the kids a turn at the fishing game. Later, Papa won a squirt gun race and scored a stuffed dog for Lucie.





"Hi, Papa, Nana, and sleeping Milo!"


Don't forget the free hushpuppies on the way out

Jack and the Robbers

The most recent YPPC Munchkin production was a North Carolina version of the Bremen Town Musicians. Lucie played the part of one of the dogs who joins Jack on the road to seek his fortune.


The dogs lie in wait under the table, ready to bite the leg of the robber.




While Jack sleeps, some of the animals go a little nuts.


Curtain call