First Day of School Pictures!

Earlier this month, we had a historic day - the first day of school for our kids!

Will is going to a "practice" year of kindergarten - he is in private kindergarten this year, but because of where his birthday falls on the school calendar, he will be in public kindergarten next year.

Sophie goes to preschool two days each week at the same location, along with several of their friends.

Here is Will on his first day of school, which was also Sophie's orientation day.

First, I tried to blind my kids by having them stand directly facing the morning sun.

Realizing that didn't make for the best picture, we regrouped and chose a new location.
Can you tell they are excited?

Will didn't look back... and hasn't since! :)

Will and Sophie at Watsonwood

Will checks out the attic. He is very involved in the activities and plans for Watsonwood on a micromanagerial level. Just ask Andy.

Both of my kids collect sticks. Is this normal? They fuss when the "stick collections" can't come inside and live with us. At least if we are ever stranded in the woods, I'll have help building the fire.

Watsonwood, Day 2

After closing on Thursday, Andy - with Toby's help - got right to work Friday morning.

(No, I won't be posting daily updates, but thought the first day's progress was interesting.)

You can see the house now!

(Gratuitous backyard picture - it hasn't really changed since Day 1. But I like it.)

Garage

Andy wanted me to take a picture of him in the cool '50s chair pretending to watch his cool "new" 50s TV. Because we simply don't have enough antique electronics in our lives! He also culled from the Goodwill pile the groovy red suit hanging in the background for me. Thanks hon.

"Walkthrough" bedroom, soon to be just "bedroom"

Living room

One of the other bedrooms

Class Content

Andy was in a topical real estate course tonight. Sophie wanted to be sure to tell him something when he got out.

Sophie: I am going to tell Daddy that when he is done with his songs!

Mom (intelligently and eloquently, of course): Huh?

After a moment of consideration, I realized that any class Sophie has been in thusfar has involved singing. So it was only natural for her to equate Daddy's "class" with songs.

If they really did teach investing techniques via song, I might attend the classes too!

One More Time!

Although I posted thoughts on a previous jukebox purchase here, I haven't kept up. Andy's purchased three jukeboxes since then, models from 1940, 1938 and 1955.


A couple of weeks ago, he rolled in with this beauty:


It's a Wurlitzer One More Time,which means it's actually a reproduction (made in 1991) of the most famous jukebox, a 1946 Wurlitzer 1015. The original played 78 rpm records. This reproduction plays 45s. (There have also been reproductions that play CDs.) While it is technically a reproduction, we've been impressed by the looks and quality of the OMT and by its reliability. It is the same dimensions as the original, and after helping move it from the garage (above) to the foyer (below), I can attest that it cannot possibly be much lighter.

Will and (especially) Sophie have been showcasing some pretty remarkable dancing skills since this acquisition. You can get a taste below. I am almost tempted to try to post a video.


(Cousin Scott is in the background on guitar. The most popular selection per the preschool set is currently "Sweet Home Alabama", followed by "Crazy".)

Early Compositions

I remember the first song I composed. I even remember standing in front of our refrigerator (I was probably seldom far from our refrigerator) and performing my work for my parents. My song was to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and it went like this:

I love you and you love me,
I love you and you love me.
I love you and you love me,
I love you and you love me.
I love you and you love me,
I love you and you love me.

While I understand this wasn't exactly early Mozart or Dylan, I didn't think I'd be quite this upstaged by my offspring. Here I transcribe one of Will's first works (it's somewhat of a chant so the tune is not too important):

Red, white and blue are the United States' colors,
Red, white and blue are the United States' colors.
We've got nice clean water in the United States,
Some is hot and some is cold!
Red, white and blue are the United States' colors!

Red, white and blue are the United States' colors,
Red, white and blue are the United States' colors.
We've got nice, nice houses in the United States!
Red, white and blue are the United States' colors!

(I wonder if it is a reflection on my homemaking skills that the water is nice and clean but the houses are nice and nice...)

Watsonwood!

At long last, here are pictures of Andy's latest project.

It's a typical late 50's ranch with a one-car garage, 3 bedrooms and 1 bath. It needs a lot of updating but is a solid, wellbuilt house in one of our favorite areas (just blocks from some of our other projects).

Day 1

Back yard

(Can you guess what hung here?)

What can we say? We like pink bathrooms.

Dining room

Garage