Christmas Concert

Dominic and his classmates from the Christian Academy of Madison performed a series of festive Christmas songs for a concert at our church on Tuesday. Here's a couple of pics of our handsome young man.

Mrs. Smith (Dominic's former K-4 teacher and current piano teacher/and a dear family friend) helps wrangle Miles during part of the show. 

Christmas Decorating

 While Dominic helped to string lights on the tree this weekend, Miles played with everything as it was unboxed. 

From "helper" to Helper

 Dominic offered to rake the leaves in the front yard while I cleaned out the gutters. In years past, Dominic's "help" might have entailed more work for me in the end, or at least it would not have actually let me off the hook for much. Today, it became clear that my little guy is really a big HELP. Afterwards we agreed that Miles' help is really just "help." But I am sure he will be helping for real soon enough.

Dominic plays with Miles in a pile of leaves after he finished his chores.

Dominic Gives a Worn Out Smile for the Camera

After a long day playing with friends, this smile is about all Dominic could muster. 

Miles Entertains Himself While Dominic's Away by Playing in a Box

Dominic and Miles a.k.a. H.P. & Dumbo Trick-Or-Treat 2013

Pumpkin Time Again

Made it out for our annual pumpkin patch visit today. Next year we will have another little one to take to get gourds. Praise be to God. 

Monica poses with the boys (not an easy feat while Miles looked for more things to get into).

Miles carries his first choice pumpkin while looking for a better one. 

 Miles tries to follow Dominic up the wall of a pumpkin shack. 

 Miles climbs up a pile of hay bales

 Dominic pretends to fall down the pile of hay bales while shouting "As You Wish" a la The Princes Bride.

 Monica gets a pic of Daddy and the Boyz. 

 Dominic hams it up for the camera. 

 Miles go in and out of the pumpkin shack. Stopping occasionally to pretend to eat the corn. 

See previous trips to the pumpkin patch here, here, here , here and here.

Dominic Shadows Dad at the Car Show

 Dominic said he wanted to go with me to work on his Birthday, so we gave him Monica's Point and Shoot. Here's some of what he saw...

Here I am photographing a car buff, buffing his car.

 Here's a detail shot of a grill.

 Here's a pattern of opened car hoods.

Here's a reflection and a car interior. 

 

Dominic was sure to scope out some stuffed animals. 

Dominic was getting some shots of this hood ornament, then took this pic after seeing me go for the same angle.

Dominic's First Day of Third Grade

Dominic stands ready for his first day of the third grade at the Christian Academy of Madison. Miles smiles in the background, not yet aware that big brother will be gone all day.

reading with mom, wrestling with dad

my july (so far)

 Got my nose all banged up in softball practice. This injury turned into a black eye and swollen nose two days after the picture was taken.

 George and a snack. the kids watch curious george with Oliver while visiting tricia and megan in asheville.

 megans amazing attempt to keep miles from crying while i showered turned into all the boys piling up to watch the solar system song on you tube.

 miles...chilling on MaeMae's front step.

and...after his hair cut.

this has been my july, so far.

Dominic's Haircut (Before and After)

Dominic has been growing his hair out for about a year. With his upcoming return to CAM this fall, he knew he would need to at least get it cut to above his collar and ears. After dealing with long hair in the summer, Dominic asked if he could get  a hair cut early.

So this morning, Dad took him to our barber and Dominic hopped up in the chair and asked for "a high-and-tight. Like an Army haircut".

Miles' Belated Birthday Party Pics