Timberwolves

Timberwolves
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys are excited to be back in Minnesota. The flight was on time
and I think it's actually warmer than dc for a change. Heading up into
the north woods on Sunday.

A Happy 4th of July

Sam and Dylan really liked spending the day at Modean's in Catonsville. A bunch of kids from the neighborhood came by and they had water fights all day long. We had our own little pyrotechnic show in the backyard then watched the Catonsville version from the front porch. Today was perfect for sleeping late and watching a very good but disappointing men's final at Wimbledon. The pool was cold today but we had it all to ourselves. I did finally get in and felt nice and refreshed afterwords. Here are some pictures from yesterday. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157621013544960/

Brrrrrrrr

Brrrrrrrr
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Air temp about 70, water temp probably 65. They are the only kids in
the pool. I may try it soon but that's not a given.

Happy 4th from Dylan

Happy 4th from Dylan
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Gearing up for the Fourth

So I've been trying to get all caught up from being out all of last week here at work and looking forward to the three day weekend coming up. I'm going to play some golf, see some fireworks and get some pool time in. June kind of went by quickly and we are now in the second half of the year with the days getting shorter until December 21st. I like the shorter, colder parts of the year but have lots of good summer vacation plans set up before we start a new school year and get a fresh load of wood for the fireplace.

My blogging has been a little sparse the past month or so but I'm sure I will have lots of pictures of the boys and various locations in the coming months to fill this thing up again. Regardless of whether any of you get value from my postings, I'm getting a ton of value by being able to go back 4 years and see what I was doing each month. My memory is fading with age ya know.

All Better on the Forehead Front

I don't have any pictures but things are feeling and looking much better. I was a painful week but I really have been pretty pain free today with a few bouts here and there but all and all it's a world of difference since Tuesday or Wednesday. Shingles are not a good thing and I will recognize them if they come around again.

Gonna trade vans tomorrow, same color, same interior, a few improvements over the 2006 and a lower lease rate. I love leasing cars, I never have a mechanic telling you that the air conditioner broke and you have a $2,000 repair bill and as in the last two exchanges, I've gotten a better car for less money. My theory anyway, when it comes to cars, why buy when you can rent?

Got my eye on you

Got my eye on you
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Waiting room at the eye doctor. Second dr. in two days, good times.

Ouch

Well, I guess all that spider hunting was for naught. The right upper portion of my face was really killing me today so I went to urgent care. The doctor took one look and said, not spider, shingles. Yes, the chicken pox of my youth has come back to stick a thousand flaming needles into my forehead. I guess a little piece of chicken pox hides in your spine for decades and if you're lucky, comes out and bites you when you get old.

The good news is that I don't have a killer spider in the house, the bad news is that I'm stuck with this pain for a while longer. I got some drugs but they are not offering any relief at this point. They offer a vaccine for shingles these days but I figured it was for older people. I was either wrong or I'm old. If you have ever had chicken pox, get the vaccine. You will thank me.

Green Belt Graduation Ceremony


It's been another rainy day but we got out for the big tae kwon do graduation and the boys are now green belts. I can still take them but they getting quicker and I'm getting older. I got what I think is a spider bite on my eyebrow area and it all swollen and it hurts. Beware spiders, I will have no mercy when I find you.

Watching the US Open

Long week, now watching some of the second round of the US Open. Dylan and Sam have been inside all day long with Blanca due to Dylan's strep throat. I guess they went out to the Dr. office in the morning but this is no way to start the first day of summer break. They played the Wii, Xbox and DSi's all day long. Good thing they have choices. Dylan is already feeling better and we will get them outside tomorrow.

Gangsta



I actually live in Alexandria, not Arlington but things are not that different.

Better Than Ezra

Better Than Ezra
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

At the 9:30 Club. It's date night.

Movin On Up

Only a couple more days of Kindergarten and then summer vacation and 1st grade. The boys had their stepping up ceremony today but have a few more days of end of year madness. They grow up so fast.

Trophys for Everyone!


Today was the closing ceremonies for the Alexandria Potomac Little League and everyone was thrilled to get a trophy. The little A's were no exception and we all celebrated with a cake Nicole whipped up last night. Next year they start machine pitch and soon after that, coach pitch then the major leagues. Hard to say what sport if any they will end up really liking but baseball is a possibility. More pictures here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157619616118689/

Sam Self Portrait

Sam Self Portrait
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Dylan Self Portrait

Dylan Self Portrait
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

At a school dance. The boys portraits were hanging in the cafeteria.

End of Season Toast

End of Season Toast
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Toasting the end of a successful tball season. Root Beer for all.

Back to Normal

It was a great long weekend with my parents in town. We did some fun stuff and the boys loved having all the extra attention. My Mom got some good pictures and has put them up in her flickr account for once. I will need to get mine posted sometime this week as well. You will see in the pictures that Dylan is back in the boot, due to yet another fracture in his lower leg. I'm not sure what he's doing but even with that thing on, he insists on climbing on benches and other things and jumping off. I guess you do enough of that and you break a leg. He missed the last two basketball practices this week and had to watch Sam sweat it out and was pretty upset. I think he can still play the last t-ball game tomorrow, at least hit because their really is no fielding going on.

Nicole and I are back to work and dodging rain like everyone else in this rain soaked part of the country. I'm tired, been battling a slight cold all week. Need to rest the eyes if this thunder ever stops.

A little pool time

A little pool time
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The water was cold today but we got a little pool time after a visit to Roosevelt Island and Great Falls. Lots of water going over the falls today.

Boys on the River

Boys on the River
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Taking a break in Georgetown.

Bar With A View

Bar With A View
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Finishing up a meeting in Baltimore and discussing the outcomes over a cocktail. The Navy's talk ship is in the harbor.

Cat Kong

Cat Kong
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Giggle, Giggle, Quack and Cat Kong are the books tonight. I'm not sure when bedtime books and stories end because they are too old but it sure is a good ritual for now.

Class Pictures




Ahh, how to get 2o six year olds looking reasonable in one picture. It's the age old question of every school photographer. They try but I doubt it has ever been achieved. Dylan and Sam are smack dab in the back row center because they are taller than most kids. Any quesses on which is which again?

School Pictures


I guess it was a cross your arms day at school when these photos were taken. I think they both turned out pretty well compared to last year. It's your job to figure out which one is which. I have full class photos as well, but will post them tomorrow to keep things interesting.

Sugar Loaf

Sugar Loaf
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Looking at Sugar Loaf Mountain from the patio at PB Dye Golf Club. We got a pretty good round in even with a torential down poar at 12. Good day for golf.

Out in Old Town

Out in Old Town
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We had another pool day with some afternoon bike riding today and are
now in Old Town Alexandria for dinner at O'Connell's. The boys decided
to dress up for our outing. Some older ladies said they looked hot.

First day of new pool

First day of new pool
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Our pool was completely replaced last winter and today is opening day. New baby pool and a much bigger adult pool. They didn't come with warm water unfortunatly.

Temple

Temple
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

On my way home with the gw temple on some cool light.

Joint Services Air Show

Spent the morning and early afternoon at Andrews Airforce Base checking out the all the aircraft on the runway and overhead. It was all pretty cool and the boys loved it. I had never been in my 18 years in this area and I'm sure we will be back sometime in the future. It got really cold around here today and we ended up naping a bunch of the afternoon away while the boys played Lego Star Wars, again.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157618376866522/

Goin Short

Goin Short
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

As close to a buzz cut as they have ever had. Trying to keep tick free and cook this summer.

Ace of Cupcakes

I worked from home today and in a mid-day fury, I created my own little batch of designer cupcakes. Now in New York, these babies go for $3 or $4 each, I'm thinking they have a big profit margin goin on there. Had a busy week and didn't have time for baking until today so Nicole gets her birthday cake a little late but I put a lot of effort into it, so that counts for something even if it's a day late. The boys wanted to eat them when they got home from school, but I was able to hold them off by letting them play Lego Star wars on the Wii. They will be back up with greedy little hands when they hear mama come home.

Mother's Day on the High Seas

I finally got around to uploading all the pirate adventure photo's to flickr today. This was our second cruise with the scallywag's but the kids still loved it and the weather was better this year. Had a t-ball game last night and went to a little family restaurant afterwords for Nicole's birthday. Getting a sitter and heading down the road for a dinner for two later this evening. Haircuts for all us boys this weekend and maybe the Andrews Air force Base air show if the weather improves.

America's Next Top Model

So I was checking out what bands were going to play at the next Alexandria Waterfront Festival and noticed something kind of surprising on their site. http://www.waterfrontfestival.org

Yes, it's a picture I took of Sam sucking on a big foot shaped ice cream bar from 2006. Now, most people send me a message on flickr saying how much they like the pictures I've taken of some event and ask if it's ok to use them before putting them out there on a site. I've gotten requests from a couple National Parks, a hotel in Tucson, a travel guide and the Scottish walk people and I have always said go ahead, enjoy and since I'm not a professional photographer, I just like that people want to use them. These designers just searched flickr for photo's tagged with the event and found one they liked and didn't bother to stroke my ego and ask permission.

That said, I'm very happy they used it. Sam is a good looking kid and I got him in mid lick in that shot. Good stuff. Maybe I'll get a free beer coupon if the organizers read this post since I'm sure they have alerts set up to see anything published about the event I spelled out above. Hey, I'll bring my good camera this year and get some shots for next years site and they are all yours.

Pirates

Pirates
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Mothers day pirate cruise.

A's

A's
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Got todays game in. The Cubs were tough but we managed to tie again. Yes we are now 0-0-5, just like every other team.

Wet Bunnies

Wet Bunnies
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The sun is trying really hard to dry them off but it just rains again. T ball game cancelled tonight due to rain. Hopefully we can get back on the field on Saturday.

Blue Sky

Blue Sky
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Look, all my whining on the previous post produced a blue sky this morning. 80% chance of rain the next few days but we have blue for now.

Rainy Days

I'm not sure if I'm recovering from having the kids by myself for 4 days or if all the rain is making me tired but I am just wiped out. We haven't really seen the sun in these parts for a few days now and while all the rain is helping the lawn grow, it's not doing much for my overall mood. I kind of miss those crisp, sunny, winter days we had a few months ago. Those days give me energy. I find myself looking at the trees with all the new green leaves on them and think about what they will look like this fall before the winds blow them away. Longing for fall before summer even starts is probably not a good focus, tons of good stuff happens in the summer and time in the pool with the boys and on the golf course will be fun indeed.

Sunday Linner

Sunday Linner
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

A combination of lunch and dinner at Rustico with Jess. We've been inside far too long today but the rain really didn't stop. The video game machines were smoking from over use.

Caged Heat

Caged Heat
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Second t ball game in as many days. The boys are really hitting the ball well while fielding is still an issue. The three of us had a good time last night watching movies and staying up late. Nicole is in Berkeley at her 25th high school reunion this weekend so it's me playing zone for the next couple days. I'm already running out of meal ideas but I'm sure we'll come up with something.

Pink Earth

Pink Earth
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

This is what happens when the cherry blossums fall off the trees. Lots of pink petals sticking to your shoes. The last few days of 90 degree weather are gone and it's back in the 60's where it should be.

After Game Snack

After Game Snack
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

They tied the Nats this time. I think all the games will be draws.

Decades Fashion Show

As part of the big 40th Anniversay of Clermont School the boys participated in the decades fashion show. Dylan is the Dick Nixon on the left there with the double peace sign. The show had everything, a band concert, chorus, speaches and a fashion show. I laughed, I cried, but I'm glad I'm home.

Working Stiffs





Dylan and Sam came with me to work today and participated in a bunch of fun Chemistry activities. Not the typical day at work for me and actually more exhausting than the usual fair of meetings, e-mail and strategy documents. Tomorrow's day at work will be a break compared to today. Here they are eating breakfast at my desk this morning and creating some sort of green gel out of a couple chemicals. They had a good time.

They also had their first t-ball game tonight and were spanking that ball pretty well. They still have no clue where to throw it when it comes to them but I suppose that will come. Sixty's fashion show tomorrow night at school. The activities never stop.

A's vs. Giants

A's vs. Giants
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Everybody is winning.

Sid and Johnny

Sid Vicious and Johnny Rotten that is. Yes, it was eighties day at school and and Nicole's punk look reminded me of my favorite Sex Pistols, blue hair and all. The boys are coming with me to work tomorrow (bring your children to work day) and missing 70's day but will be back in the groove on Friday for 60's day. They aren't missing much with the 70's.