5 Years, 6 Months

A typical day, Steve heading out to drop the boys at preschool before going to work:

While not my favorite holiday by a long shot, Valentine's Day is kinda fun with kids who get excited about anything you can decorate for or celebrate in any way. 

Jack's beloved dinosaur "Golden" shows off heart glasses from school:

Jack gives 'em a try:

Mom's turn, as Henry looks on:

Goofy people:

Jack with heart-shaped quiche for dinner (and cucumber slices and strawberries):

Jack, future snowboarding dude, on his balance board:

Cleaning behind the couch day leads to TV time in an unusual arrangement: 

Jack in his happy place, under an avalanche of stuffed animals: 

When did Jack's legs get this long!?

Oh yeah, I had a birthday last month too.

The boys help me blow out the candles on my birthday cheesecake (the boys didn't care for the cheesecake, but fortunately Steve also picked up mini carrot cake as an insurance policy):

The birthday girl with her birthday card and balloons (and Jack's beloved narwhal he was sharing with me):

The boys claimed they picked out the balloons with me in mind, although I'm dubious. Jack did make me the birthday crown, though, and was quite insistent that I wear it.

Henry, sorting his treasures and not appreciating the photography while he's very, very busy: 

Jack, hard at work writing his letters while Henry looks on:

What!?

Show us what you wrote!

A bit mugshot-esque. Mom will help him try again.

I'm not sure what's going on here... some sort of nightlight wizardry:

Also unsure about this one. They're blocking the house next door's front door with their Lego table and Henry inside a small ottoman. But why? I couldn't tell you. 

On a trip to Trader Joes, Can we get this basket, Dad? 

Look, it makes a great hat!

Dad's a pushover and Mom loves anything that helps corral junk, so Jack did get the basket. 

Henry is king of the unattended front loader: 

We're definitely allowed to be here:

Jack is going to be really disappointed when he realizes they don't leave the keys in those things.

Reading with Mom (Henry left, Jack right):

They used to fit in my lap... five years ago (Jack left, Henry right, March 2017):

Time flies when you're stressed out of your mind by babies, then toddlers, and then thrust into a pandemic. 

The boys love to color and draw, which makes a great diversion when we can get them to sit still. 

Henry, taking his next artistic move very seriously: 

Jack, perched on Mom's lap, drawing a rainbow:

A sampling of the boys' art (Jack drew the two on the left, Henry the one on the right):

Jack said the people in his pictures are me and Steve, playing catch (and with our cars nearby in the first picture). Henry's is, of course, a smiling sunflower. 

I love kid art. I'm tempted to wallpaper our whole house with it.

Now we break for a very dramatic... CHURRO!

Jack is very particular about keeping his hands clean of anything gritty or sticky, so he decided to wrap his churro in his napkin. Whatever works.

Riding bikes at one of the local skateparks (Jack in the orange helmet, Henry in lime):

Taking a break from riding to check out the San Lorenzo River:

Being very much an indoor kid, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can't wait for spring. These kids are too active and wild to be cooped up indoors on cold mornings. They've taken to making "traps" in our living room out of upsetting amounts of tape when they get bored. Warmer weather cannot get here fast enough.