Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Picture Days.

It's school picture season!

NAILED IT.

Luke Casey: Kindergartener.
News at 11.
 And since he only got one pose in his package this year, please to enjoy his soccer photo.
Sporty! Approachable!
(you can't even tell he's wearing Daddy's dress socks because his soccer socks went missing, can you?)

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

As November Becomes December

Before we dive into our Thanksgiving trip to Scranton, we forgot to feature Luke's latest creation.  He was home sick one of the days before the break, but by afternoon was feeling well enough to play with Legos.  Mama proved she still has her freestyle building skills in assisting him.

On the left, "the luckiest family in the whole world," and on the right, Aunt Slater working in her library office.
 Hi, Aunt Slater!
 Working hard!
 A few days before we left for PA, Harper called Grandma and Grandpa  and, after hearing all about the trundle bed (on wheels!) she would be sleeping on, she asked them if they had a place for Baby Goldfish to sleep.  
When we arrived, voila!
Custom made just for BG - complete with wheels, just like Harper's trundle!
Trundle bed snuggly!
Luke and especially Harper spent a lot of time helping in the kitchen.  Harper gave every chef the third degree about their recipes, approaches, and methodologies.
After helping to mash the potatoes, she licked the masher!
She supervised lasagne on Friday night.
And she and Luke helped with brownies.
Nut sprinkling is serious business.
 There was hot cocoa.
Mmmmmm...
We took a trip to Steamtown Historic Site to check out the museum, but especially to ride an olde time train.
Pensive Tiger is pensive.
 Harper gave excellent side eye.
  He is a brakeman for the county...
Fun with the hats and props!
Engineer, coal, and Brakegirl!
 The "Fireman" for the train.
She is going to make some...interesting...choices in college.
Fun in the Imagination Station!
Phoebe Snow!
Harper holding court.  Nothing new.  Luke took this picture.
I like how Grandma and Luke are acting out something very specific in No Fits Nilson here.
And finally, Lion had something to give thanks for.  You see, Harper loves him SO MUCH that she wore a bald patch in his mane.  This was taken several weeks ago - it had continued to grow.  Grandma took one look and knew she could help him out!
Old Lion vs. New Lion - for comparison.  
 
Grandma found the right thread and set to work.
Harper supervised.
Ta da!  Like new Wion!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Gobble Gobble Is What He'll Say


The run-up to Thanksgiving found the Caseys a little run-down.  So we indulged in some lazy weekend mornings.  
BRING ME MY HASSENPFEFFER!
 Luke had a bout of pink eye, requiring us to hole up at home.  Harper had requested "a little computer, so I can do work while Baby Goldfish is sleepin'".  Mama whipped one up!
 Harper put Baby Goldfish down for a nap and go to work right away!
 After a folly breaking a geode, Daddy developed a new appreciation for Uncle Joe's trade.
Dr. Harper checked Daddy.
 Dr. Harper was on call last weekend - her pager was blowing up.
 Mama got to visit Luke's class for their Thanksgiving celebration - Mrs. Bassak and Ms. Shebanie taught Team BASH how to churn butter!
 Everyone got a turn!
Afterwards, Mama took Luke out for Starbucks.  He made a call on his Rice Krispie Treat phone.
And Harper's feast in the Giraffe Room was on Wednesday.  They put on quite a show!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 22, 2013

Ain't We Got Fun?

Dress up continues to be a grand pastime at Casa de Casey - here SUPERGIRRRRRL battles the...uh...Old Prospector?
 Luke didn't have any school on Veteran's Day, so rather than spend another day in "day camp," he and Mama decided a day in the city might be fun.  Here they are waiting for the train.
 A pro at straphanging!  Or at least on pole-holding.
 We met up with Aunt Slater!
Check out that toddler behind us, trapped in her 5-point harness, knowing instinctively that she is missing out on all the Aunt Slater Fun.
We visited Toys R Us in Times Square to do some Christmas List Research.
Luke took this picture "to show Harper."

Aunt Slater treated Luke to a Lego Chima set - he was quite excited once we got it all together!

YESSSS!

Aunt Slater also had him pick out some Legos for Harper - which he promptly put together before she got home from school.  She's doing karate!

Harper attended her first "friend birthday party" a few weekends ago.

The parachute...
 ...it still delights the preK set.
 Last weekend, with soccer over and no obligations, we declared it a KIDS' CHOICE DAY.
Naturally, they picked LEGOLAND.
Luke built a race car.
And raced very seriously.
We finally made time to take a "Master Builder" class. 
Guess what this will be?
Mama's partner, Harper, did a surprisingly good job following along.
Halfway there!
Paul and Luke did a great job, too!
Turkey complete!
GOBBLE GOBBLE!
Up a steep and very narrow stairway!
To family yoga class!
(no one in yoga ever gets this reference)
Guess who was teacher's pet?
Hint: Not Mama.  Not Luke.
Pirate.  Packers fan.  Baby doll mama.  
It's hard being almost-3.
Mama has been on a mad organizational tear - Harper's old changing table/dresser was converted in an arts and crafts supply station.  Behold! The order!  And random set of Lego wheels...dammit.
Success!
Kid kitchen and baby doll accoutrements were reorganized downstairs - again, success!
As I said, Luke had his last soccer game of the season, guesting on bestie Gavin's team.
They have the perfect blendship, no?