Three real men (click for larger view).
--Daddy
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Events
Reed is beginning to lose his 1st tooth --one of his central incisors on the bottom. It wobbles back and forth rather easily and the adult incisor is coming up fast behind it.
--Daddy
--Daddy
Friday, January 28, 2011
Shit Reed Says
I hear Reed waking up this morning...I have been away 4 days so I hurry up th talk with him.
"I wanna zoo in our backyard, Dad."
"A zoo?"
"OK I just want hyenas."
"Hyenas are brutal, vicious...probably illegal to own and not safe."
"OK, I only want two."
--Daddy
"I wanna zoo in our backyard, Dad."
"A zoo?"
"OK I just want hyenas."
"Hyenas are brutal, vicious...probably illegal to own and not safe."
"OK, I only want two."
--Daddy
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sledding with Reed
We still have almost 2 feet of snow in the backyard so the boys and I were out playing in it yesterday. It was 18 degrees F so we were well-bundled up...well, at least the boys were.
Inexplicably, the boys had me gathering ice chunks that they were putting in their club-house. They were licking and eating the ice. Yum.
I pulled them both around on the sled a bit and it was tough work, the snow being deep with a crunchy layer under the top 5 inches of snow.
After a half hour, Hunter was shivering and I ushered him in the house.
I continued to drag Reed around the yard. The loose rock dividing wall that surrounds the yard was covered with snow and looked to offer a short, fun downhill sled route. So, I took Reed to the top and pushed him down. "Awesome, Dad, can we do it again?"
After a few more trips, Reed wanted a longer run and we headed to the front of the house. Plenty of snow, an incline, but the bottom of the slope would dump Reed onto a snowless street.
I had tried to get Reed sledding b4, but he always declined. Now that he had a small taste, he assented to go up to the hill by Manito School --his school.
When we got there, there were a few older kids plying the gentle slope with flexible sleds. One of them tried to ride his like a snowboard and we saw him wipeout. Reed was intimidated by these older kids and would not get out of the car. "They'll just say, little kid, little kid."
There was no convincing Reed otherwise so I climbed back in the car, frustrated and decided to visit a couple of other spots.
As we drove on I thought of how I was always a rather meek kid., and never found it easy to mix with other kids. I'd often rather be alone than making new friends...than exposing myself. Even now, when I travel I am happiest when I have a place to myself. The beach at sunrise, a hiking trail, a photo spot... Is Reed's behavior handed down from my DNA or is he emulating me?
I drove off towards a couple of Oakland schools rumored to have good hills. Dogwood School has a long, steep hill but maybe a little too much for a beginner like Reed. It made me nervous looking down the alabaster incline. The slope must be over a 100 yards long. There were a pair of Dads here with a couple of kids each. Little kids Reed's age and younger. Reed took a look at the slope and just shook his head no. As I got back in the car I noticed a sign: No Sledding or Skiing.
Next stop was Indian Hills HS. Must have been a sporting event going on inside as there were cars parked everywhere. I spied a gentle, short slope, with no one nearby, and decided to circle back and find proximate parking. As I did, Reed said he wished he was in high school, so he could be with his cousin, Aaron. I explained Aaron went to a different school, a middle school, that was 90 miles away. "I wish he'd come up here," he said.
We parked the car and headed to the slope. It had gotten a little colder and there was a breeze now. The snow here was tightly packed and icy. There was a small ramp at the bottom of the hill that prior adventurers had created.
I placed the sled down and climbed on the thin, plastic shell. I wished I had on another pants layer as the cold chilled my bottom. Reed climbed in front of me and I pushed us off with my hands, realizing my gloves were sodden. Reed whooped and hollered as we swooshed down the hill. At the bottom he jumped up and was practically dancing with excitement.
We climbed up the hill, Reed with more difficulty than me. "Don't point your toes up the hill," I told him. "Point your feet sideways a little, you'll slip less. Reed didn't listen and crawled up the last few feet of the hill.
I placed the sled down to the left of aforementioned ramp, not wanting to vault Reed off of it. He sat I gave him a small push and he slid off! I watched the sled make a graceful turn to the right directly onto the middle of the ramp.
Reed caught a bit of air but landed squarely. He howled with delight, "AWESOME!"
I reveled in one of those rare moments that will forever be at the top of my memory where it will delight and haunt me forever.
Reed wanted me to do the jump next. I remembered riding a sled with my Dad once, where we hit a jump and came down hard, hurting his back. "Sure!", I said. Seconds later I slammed down hard enough to know I would hurt in the morning, falling over backwards into the snow. I could here Reed laughing hysterically as I slowly rose to my feet.
Reed made a bunch more runs and now the sun was behind the hill. We were cold in the shadows and there was a constant breeze.
"3 more, Dad!"
3 more became 5 more and for the last ride of the day, Reed wanted to ride together down the hill. I held him close and the cold disappeared, it was as if we were basking in the sun.
As we walked up the hill one last time I took note, with some satisfaction, that Reed had turned his feet sideways a bit and was able to make it confidently up the hill. I fastened my had about his head and we climbed into the relative comfort of my car.
We headed home started down Mountain Avenue, a long hill.
"Look at this hill, Reed. Imagine if it was covered with snow and we could sled down it?!"
"Yea, Dad, we could go forever and ever!"
That'd be just fine with me.
PS: written at 30k feet on my phone while flying from EWR to CLT
--Daddy
www.aesthetestudios.com
Inexplicably, the boys had me gathering ice chunks that they were putting in their club-house. They were licking and eating the ice. Yum.
I pulled them both around on the sled a bit and it was tough work, the snow being deep with a crunchy layer under the top 5 inches of snow.
After a half hour, Hunter was shivering and I ushered him in the house.
I continued to drag Reed around the yard. The loose rock dividing wall that surrounds the yard was covered with snow and looked to offer a short, fun downhill sled route. So, I took Reed to the top and pushed him down. "Awesome, Dad, can we do it again?"
After a few more trips, Reed wanted a longer run and we headed to the front of the house. Plenty of snow, an incline, but the bottom of the slope would dump Reed onto a snowless street.
I had tried to get Reed sledding b4, but he always declined. Now that he had a small taste, he assented to go up to the hill by Manito School --his school.
When we got there, there were a few older kids plying the gentle slope with flexible sleds. One of them tried to ride his like a snowboard and we saw him wipeout. Reed was intimidated by these older kids and would not get out of the car. "They'll just say, little kid, little kid."
There was no convincing Reed otherwise so I climbed back in the car, frustrated and decided to visit a couple of other spots.
As we drove on I thought of how I was always a rather meek kid., and never found it easy to mix with other kids. I'd often rather be alone than making new friends...than exposing myself. Even now, when I travel I am happiest when I have a place to myself. The beach at sunrise, a hiking trail, a photo spot... Is Reed's behavior handed down from my DNA or is he emulating me?
I drove off towards a couple of Oakland schools rumored to have good hills. Dogwood School has a long, steep hill but maybe a little too much for a beginner like Reed. It made me nervous looking down the alabaster incline. The slope must be over a 100 yards long. There were a pair of Dads here with a couple of kids each. Little kids Reed's age and younger. Reed took a look at the slope and just shook his head no. As I got back in the car I noticed a sign: No Sledding or Skiing.
Next stop was Indian Hills HS. Must have been a sporting event going on inside as there were cars parked everywhere. I spied a gentle, short slope, with no one nearby, and decided to circle back and find proximate parking. As I did, Reed said he wished he was in high school, so he could be with his cousin, Aaron. I explained Aaron went to a different school, a middle school, that was 90 miles away. "I wish he'd come up here," he said.
We parked the car and headed to the slope. It had gotten a little colder and there was a breeze now. The snow here was tightly packed and icy. There was a small ramp at the bottom of the hill that prior adventurers had created.
I placed the sled down and climbed on the thin, plastic shell. I wished I had on another pants layer as the cold chilled my bottom. Reed climbed in front of me and I pushed us off with my hands, realizing my gloves were sodden. Reed whooped and hollered as we swooshed down the hill. At the bottom he jumped up and was practically dancing with excitement.
We climbed up the hill, Reed with more difficulty than me. "Don't point your toes up the hill," I told him. "Point your feet sideways a little, you'll slip less. Reed didn't listen and crawled up the last few feet of the hill.
I placed the sled down to the left of aforementioned ramp, not wanting to vault Reed off of it. He sat I gave him a small push and he slid off! I watched the sled make a graceful turn to the right directly onto the middle of the ramp.
Reed caught a bit of air but landed squarely. He howled with delight, "AWESOME!"
I reveled in one of those rare moments that will forever be at the top of my memory where it will delight and haunt me forever.
Reed wanted me to do the jump next. I remembered riding a sled with my Dad once, where we hit a jump and came down hard, hurting his back. "Sure!", I said. Seconds later I slammed down hard enough to know I would hurt in the morning, falling over backwards into the snow. I could here Reed laughing hysterically as I slowly rose to my feet.
Reed made a bunch more runs and now the sun was behind the hill. We were cold in the shadows and there was a constant breeze.
"3 more, Dad!"
3 more became 5 more and for the last ride of the day, Reed wanted to ride together down the hill. I held him close and the cold disappeared, it was as if we were basking in the sun.
As we walked up the hill one last time I took note, with some satisfaction, that Reed had turned his feet sideways a bit and was able to make it confidently up the hill. I fastened my had about his head and we climbed into the relative comfort of my car.
We headed home started down Mountain Avenue, a long hill.
"Look at this hill, Reed. Imagine if it was covered with snow and we could sled down it?!"
"Yea, Dad, we could go forever and ever!"
That'd be just fine with me.
PS: written at 30k feet on my phone while flying from EWR to CLT
--Daddy
www.aesthetestudios.com
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Mom's Relaxing Bath Time
After a hectic day working at home with the kids, come 5:30 I decided it was time for a bath. As I just start to settle in, Reed walks in. Hey mommy I never get to take a bath with you. Reed yells down to Hunter to let him know they are talking a bath. I am soon sitting at one end of the tub as the two boys climb in. Reed and Hunter both say this is fun Mommy, meanwhile I am squished into one end of the tub.
--Mommy
--Mommy
Mom's Relaxing Bath Time
After a hectic day working at home with the kids, come 5:30 I decided it was time for a bath. As I just start to settle in, Reed walks in. Hey mommy I never get to take a bath with you. Reed yells down to Hunter to let him know they are talking a bath. I am soon sitting at one end of the tub as the two boys climb in. Reed and Hunter both say this is fun Mommy, meanwhile I am squished into one end of the tub.
--Mommy
--Mommy
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Simple Quiet Happy Night
Had a gift certificate from Montclair restaurant Osteria-Giotto that was to expire tomorrow so yesterday I picked up a few entrées and appetizers at lunch time and left them in my chilly trunk until I got home.
Food was terrific, so thanks JD, for the gift certificate!
Before dinner I was playing cards with Hunter --the game war. Seeing what fun we had...Reed wanted to play after dinner. So we played for a while, Hunter on my lap. I was calling him my "card monkey" giving him my card which he'd then flip over with a flourish and mocking laugh...if we won. Reed was handling this better than expected --in stride even --as long as he didn't lose too many hands in a row.
It was simple and sweet the three of us enjoying each other's company, hunter in my lap, everyone laughing and affectionate.
Reed won a particularly big "war" the spoils of which included several face cards. I pretended to be crushed and shocked. Reed started laughing and I recorded it as a voice note on my phone. It is now my ringtone --who will call me 1st and brighten my day?
Listen here...sound quality is poor but the feeling is real all right!
http://aesthetestudios.com/blog/reed-laugh.mp3
--Daddy
Food was terrific, so thanks JD, for the gift certificate!
Before dinner I was playing cards with Hunter --the game war. Seeing what fun we had...Reed wanted to play after dinner. So we played for a while, Hunter on my lap. I was calling him my "card monkey" giving him my card which he'd then flip over with a flourish and mocking laugh...if we won. Reed was handling this better than expected --in stride even --as long as he didn't lose too many hands in a row.
It was simple and sweet the three of us enjoying each other's company, hunter in my lap, everyone laughing and affectionate.
Reed won a particularly big "war" the spoils of which included several face cards. I pretended to be crushed and shocked. Reed started laughing and I recorded it as a voice note on my phone. It is now my ringtone --who will call me 1st and brighten my day?
Listen here...sound quality is poor but the feeling is real all right!
http://aesthetestudios.com/blog/reed-laugh.mp3
--Daddy
Read Heart This
Reed was feverishly drawing all over a magazine and on closer inspection it was a Victoria's Secret catalog. After his ornamenting the cover, for a couple of days he became infatuated with the magazine and took it everywhere with us including a trip to Chucky Cheese's in Wayne.
--Daddy
Franklin Lakes Wedding Photographer
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Shit Reed Says
Daddy: Let's play the game where I hide things and you guys have to find them.
Reed: Dad, that's gettin' so old.
--Daddy
www.JerseyWeddingPhotography.com
Reed: Dad, that's gettin' so old.
--Daddy
www.JerseyWeddingPhotography.com
Friday, January 14, 2011
Christmas 2010 (Home)
Letter to Santa, Christmas Eve.
Reed's letter to Santa, replete with hearts.
Boys (and me) running around with flashlights, lens open for 15s.
Christmas morning, at home. Boys about to wake up.
--Daddy
Christmas Portraits
Took some studio photos of kids for Christmas and was determined that this year I was going to get studio photos of Reed and Hunter and make our own Christmas card, dammit!
I enlisted Mechelle's aid and between us and the promise of candy canes we were able to keep them focused for10 minutes --enough to get a couple dozen pix from which to choose!
The 1st actually was our Christmas card...the rest are added just for fun!
Christmas Card 2010
--Daddy
Hunters Birthdays: Dec 18th and 19th, 2010
Hunter had two birthday parties: one for immediate family and then another for kids on the dates above.
Obasan (aka Aunt Melissa) made her typically beautiful and scrumptious cake, this time festooned with the likeness of Nibbles the mouse a nephew of Jerry of Tom and Jerry fame.
Birthday Party 2 at Jumpnasium in Fairfield, NJ
--Daddy
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