Neighborhood Grill

One of the nice things about our neighborhood is that someone always has hot dogs on hand and someone is always ready to fire up the grill.

Last weekend the neighbors were in our backyard for dogs and play.  Today the role was reversed.  And Yes, that is Isabella Reagan eating a hot dog.  We discovered last week that she will eat almost anything if neighbor and big girl Ashley is eating it also.

Dog Days of Spring

The Dog Days of Summer Spring are upon us.  Sir Winston Churchill is sporting his spring cut and clean.  The kids are enjoying being able to play with a clean dog.

Daddy DNA

Bella working her inner "Daddy" as she sits in the drivers seat and adjusts every knob in the car.  I must confess that my car antics were legendary in our family.

We find ourselves having to lock the cars, not because we fear thieves but because one Bella the Menace can now open the door and climb in without assistance.

Paybacks are certain and tough.

Hope & Beauty Spring Eternal

Nothing like Spring blooms to bring out the beauty of one Isabella Reagan.  The blooms and the beautiful girl seem to be growing too quickly these days.

Egg+Candy=Thief

Bella pretending to help Mommy stuff Easter Eggs for her school event.   I wasn't present but according to Mommy there was more candy consumed than stuffed.

Nurses Aid

As best we can tell, the door frame had some kind of accident, causing acute trauma and requiring Nurse Aid Bella to administer first aid.

Two thoughts come to mind:

1. "You turn around for one second and..."
2.  "No good deed goes unpunished."  I had just turned around to fold one shirt - not even mine.

Oh, wait.  Now a third thing comes to mind:

3.  "you think she could get a job doing this in a hospital?  Like, get paid to do this?"

Celebrating 6 Years.

Six years ago, this hour, I was standing before the alter of God to enter into a covenant with my soulmate, playmate and partner.  Six years has done nothing to diminish my love and devotion for this incredible women - my wife and the mother of my kids.

Here's to you, my love. You make forever fun.

The family celebrated together at Stoney River. Proving once again that the family that eats chocolate together, stays together.

Water Helper

Bella "helping" fill up the fountain.   Somehow everything but the fountain received water.

The event did bring back fond memories of Bella watering with me a mere 15 months back.  You know what they say -  The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Thanks be to God!

First Spring Plantings

Our first Spring trip to the gardening store.  Is that the welcome aroauma of top soil, fertilizer, flowers and evergreens that I smell?

Pure delight.  And I am raising two of the best helpers a gardener could ask for.  Uncle Frank may have been the first Master Gardener in the House of Cain but I have two little ones who seem to be following in his footsteps.

Daddy Can Fix It

 Bella was suffering from a slight case of a broken heart.  It seems the older kids on the street didn't want to play with her and the kids her age were all inside with the stomach bug.  So poor little Bella was left to sit alone on the curb.

Not while I live and breathe!  Daddy took her by the hand, retrieved her new blue ball and pair of cherry Popsicles.  Pretty soon - she was all smiles again.

I don't consider myself much of a handy man.  But when it comes to the heart of Daddy's little girl...Daddy can fix it.

Hello Kitty

She has Hello Kitty panties so why not a Hello Kitty lunch box?  It looks like our little cartoon enthusiasts has moved on from Elmo and is entering a major Hello Kitty phase.

Hello Kitty, meet my Princess.

The Chef

For six years we have had this wonderful Chef sitting in our kitchen - a fabulous wedding gift from Carol Yancy.   For six years this Chef has remained silent, and out of the way - serving his purpose and bothering no one.  Until today.

Today Bella requested a tissue to wipe "the nose."  I assumed "the nose" meant her nose.  I was wrong.  She proceeded to walk over to the Chef and carefully, but decisively wipe his nose. Not once, not twice, but three times. 

Can someone please tell me how a wooden Chef catches a cold?  The good news is that I now know, should I come down with a head cold, Bella knows how to wipe my nose. 

The Wagon Walk - Again

You just gotta love Spring.  An 82 degree Monday meant that Daddy and Bella could walk to pick up Skyler from school.  Bella was happy to ride and enjoy a snack all the way there but insisted on pulling her wagon all of the way back.  Including up the hill.