Pictures from a winter-spring Sunday

We always go to  my office to check out the exhibits. Josephine and I had a good five minute discussion of photography. What makes a good photograph? Why did these photographers take pictures of street signs? 

This past Sunday was a beautiful day and we roamed up and down the mall exploring. Jo, of course, kept reading her book. 

Before downtown, Sam and I played with his cars. He wanted them all lined up, so we went to the track. 

But first, we had to carry them there. 

My little guitar is temporarily missing, so we improvised on this new electric guitar. 

When the cars got a bit boring, we went for a kick-about. 

It's been a while since we've watched the hockey. 

"This is a race car. It's the XT-3!"

We took a quick ride on the trolley. Do you think Sam liked it? 

I think this beaming face gives that answer!

Betsy, Tacy, and Josephine

At Christmas, Josephine was given a copy of the Betsy-Tacy treasury by her Aunt Sandra. On one day in March 2012, it became one of her favorite books. 

For almost an entire Sunday, she was captivated by the book. I read her and Sam about 80 pages out-loud over the course of the day. When I wasn't reading it, she was looking at it. 

When Sam was on the merry-go-round, Josephine sought out a quiet space to read in the sun. 

No matter where we were, she was reading the book. 

Watching my daughter become a reader makes me happy. I am hopeful, so hopeful, that she loves books and doesn't grow up entirely reading screens. Thank you, Auntie Sandra! r

Trip to Amazement Square

Playing with the river section on the top floor. 

Playing in the bug exhibit

Climbing high!

It's electric!

Future career?

Leaving the museum. 

Rock band Josy!

We gave a show to a guy playing a game on his phone. He didn't look up. 

They'll do anything in their own way!

Climbing the lighted stairs. Sam loved this part. 

Here's looking at you, Daddy! 

Videos from November 6, 2011

Today was a lot of fun! Josephine's writing is really growing in leaps and bounds. Today she made a birthday card for her brother Henry, and did it completely by herself. As you can see in this video, she also made snowflakes. I was standing by carefully to make sure she could use Mandi's scissors. Today, they also helped me test some colors in the back bedroom of my house. This explains why Josephine is playing the drums with paintbrushes. Josy also ate a second helping at lunch and pronounced herself a member of the Eat A Lot Club. But, I am proudest of the unsolicited lesson on the solar system that comes from Josy here!

Recent pictures from time with daddy

The last two times I've had Sam and Josephine, I've been blessed to have an excellent photographer present to take some fantastic shots I thought I'd share with readers of this blog.

UPDATE: The pictures did not format correctly, but I'm working on it!

These kids love to read and I can think of nothing I'd rather be doing than sharing information with them. Of course, the book we're reading here is Superman, but superheroes are information, right?

Mommy gave Sam and Jo these great blocks a couple of Christmases ago, and they are among their favorite toys.

Moments after this shot was taken, Sam fell to the ground gleefully excited he'd found a new way to knock something over.

The older he gets, the more Sam wants to build things. I can oblige!

After block time, we hit the road in the double stroller for the first time in a while. Sam and Jo were so excited. 

We walked to McGuffey Park. Josephine was happy.

The weather was perfect for playing in the fountain.

Sam and Josephine play nicely together, and this is one of my favorite pictures of the two of them together.

The kids are going to outgrow these swings so fast, so every time I get to push them is special.

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009 will soon fade into memory, and hopefully both Josephine and Sam will remember it fondly. They began with Mommy taking them to church, and then were dropped off at my house. We left cookies and Mommy's bourbon balls for Santa, and then were off to a very late bedtime. And then, magically there were presents under the tree when they woke up!


We waited for Mommy to come over before opening the major presents, but went ahead and opened the stockings first.


While we waited, Sam and Jo eyed the presents with glee.

Daddy's version of Santa got each child a box of Legos.

Sam's favorite present for the first part of Christmas was this dragon.

After opening presents at Forest Hills, we drove in the rain to Lynchburg to see Grandma Phyllis and Granddad. They were happy to see us.

Then we opened up more presents after Auntie Sandra, Uncle Scott, Ryan and Allison arrived.

They enjoyed this present that Allison got from Grandma and Granddad, with Jo pointing out the Mona Lisa.


Of course, it would not be a Christmas without something mermaid related. This year, something for daddy's bathroom.


This is one of my favorite pictures of the day.

And, of course, there's always Jo White.


Finally, the day ended the same way it began - with stockings being unwrapped. Sam was absolutely exhausted, as you could imagine and as you can clearly see here. This was his first real Christmas, and I'm so blessed to have been able to spend it with him.


Yet, seconds later, look how his face lights up at the prospect of yet another truck!

Merry Christmas, Happy Boxing Day, and a happy and peaceful 2010 to all!

Killing time while Daddy works

The other day, we went to Piedmont Virginia Community College. There was an event I had to record and I couldn't find a volunteer to cover it, so I figured we could go exploring. Thankfully, there were pink flamingos in the parking lot.

The hallways surrounding the auditorium at PVCC house an art gallery. I love taking the kids to any place where there's public art on display. The hallway itself was beautiful, lit up by the November sun shining in at an autumn angle. The artwork was okay, but we were much more interested in the stink bugs that were attracted to the sunlight.

Being such a beautiful day, we went outside to explore around the building. Josephine and Sam both enjoyed these cool steps, though I was a bit scared they were going to emulate Jack and Jill.


Sam was patient with me long enough to take a lot of snaps of him. The light was perfect, and I wanted to capture him at 21 months. Here's a selection of what developed.

We went back inside after a while, and the event had these little booklets from the Rutherford Institute on the Bill of Rights. Both Josephine and Sam were occupied for at least 10 minutes reading through them. I'm hoping both will ace their government exams when they're older!