7 Years, 9 Months

Jack and Henry are now so tall and capable that they can get into pretty much anything they want. This includes making their own smoothies, as I discovered them doing one afternoon, not at all proud of themselves. 

We celebrated Steve's 41st birthday with ice cream cake, as per the ritual of our people.

Forty-one candles create a lot of light...

... and a lot of smoke.

The school year wrapped up at the end of May. 

Henry showing off his sewing project:

Jack and his sewing project:

Jack painting:

Jack making observations in the "Life Lab" garden:

Last day of 1st Grade picture on the front porch:

Jack was definitely not feeling it. 

The boys' first grade teacher has a fun tradition of a waffle party during the last week of school. Henry and his waffle:

Jack and his waffle:

Jack enjoying a last day activity - "washing" of the desks with shaving cream:

Henry, with his energy, creativity, and wit (and quite a bit of sass), is very popular with the college kids that work in the after school care program. Henry has a habit of addressing people he's slightly perplexed by or exasperated with as "bruh," often coupled with a dramatic sigh. This trait was referenced in this card from one of the teachers at the after care program.

Cracked me up.

We took a very quick Memorial Day weekend trip to Santa Barbara for the wedding of a friend of Steve's from his chemistry lab days. Friends Eric and Gail graciously allowed us to stay with them to avoid paying for a hotel (and to get to spend a little time visiting with them). I didn't bring much for the boys to do since it was such a short trip, which was probably a mistake. Fortunately our hosts had a mini SNES system to break out when the kids got a little too wild.

Steve at the park wedding, pictured with the creatures who turned his hair that color:

Me and Steve:

Jack is king of the mountain:

Jack and Henry with (non-alcoholic) Jell-o shots:

Henry is having a blast, as always.

Henry was struggling to wait patiently while the taco bar was set up:

The boys' friend Camden requested that, in lieu of a party for his 7th birthday, that he get to go to the Boardwalk with Jack and Henry. So, off we went!

Henry, Jack and Camden: 

Camden, Jack and Henry enjoy some dippin' dots:

Jack, Henry, Camden and one of Camden's little sisters:

I enjoyed Henry's "Fabio" pose in that picture.

Camden and Jack play air hockey while Henry looks on:

Henry, Jack and Camden play one of their favorite arcade games (Mario Kart) while Camden's Dad looks on:

Though Henry struggled at different points during the day, I think all the kids ultimately had a great time. The ratio of participants was 4 adults to 5 children (since Camden's two little sisters attended) was fantastic. On another occasion, I took Jack and Henry to the Boardwalk with their friend Bascom, and the ratio of 1 adult to 3 kids felt a little strained to me. It was challenging to keep track of everyone when they got excited and raced off in different directions.

Henry waits for Jack and friend Bascom to get off a ride:

I was struck by how old he looks in that picture.

Jack is generally agreeable and often happy to go along with what his friends want to do, but Henry struggles when he's not directing things. Henry also had the misfortune of inheriting my motion sickness, which means he can't handle some rides and ends up feeling a bit left out at times during Boardwalk trips. I promised him I'd take him back sometime on his own so he decide exactly what he wants to do.