I was reading an article today about this children's museum in NY that expanded last year to include more exhibits that allowed the children visiting to explore and play in different settings. One of the exhibits was this glass atrium that had all kinds of butterflies flying around and little quail running around on the ground. How cool is that? I really want to take my little guy somewhere like that so I did a search for children's museums in the United States. Luckily for us, there are 4 close by. One of the closer museums to us is called Wonderscope .It's funny because I used to pass it every day on the way to pick Michael up from daycare. I saw the signs and figured it was some sort of place for children, but I thought it was more of a school or something than a museum. I'm thinking about getting a year-long membership so I have an excuse to go more than once. The memberships look like a good idea too, because with some, you can take a friend or two or the grandparents along. It'd be a nice place to go when it's cold out and we've been stuck in the house too long too. There are lots of fun exhibits for pretend play and other learning. Hopefully, in the next few weeks we can go check it out.


Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life-learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.   - Robert Fulghum

   A lot of time has passed since the last entry. Our little guy has had a birthday and two birthday parties. The first birthday party occurred before the actual day as Grandma and Grandpa from Seattle was here to visit. They got a fun fish cupcake cake for the little get-together we had one afternoon.

  

   Also, the birthday boy received a little 1st birthday kit with all kinds of 1st birthday themed items. Surprisingly, Michael kept the hat on nearly the entire time. As you can see below, he rather enjoyed his chocolate cupcake and ate the entire thing (except what you see on his face and hands).



    As you can see, he did such a good job of eating his cupcake that a bath was in order afterwards. He thoroughly enjoyed that as well.



    The second birthday party occurred the week after his actual birthday when my sister and her family were in town. That birthday party was much bigger and there was much more involved. Our house was much too small for such a crowd, but oh, well! He enjoyed that chocolate cupcake as well and all the attention that came with it.

     It was good to see my sister and nephew. We had fun shooting off fireworks on the 4th of July.



    We're settling well into our house, I think. We moved in the first weekend in May, so it's been 3 months or so and I think we're coming along well. The only thing I would change about our house would be the number of rooms. I would add just one more room to it so I could have a dual-purpose room where I could sew, do my crafts and also have a sofa bed for when guests come.  But, all in all I think we made a good choice. You'll have to come by for dinner sometime or just to hang out. We'd love to have you.

Yes, I'm still kicking and screaming - as is our son.  All is well. Grad school is very time consuming - I enjoy the work but not the time it takes away from family.  Even when I'm home, I'm not.  Then there are the times I just say, the hell with it, and stress out the day before class because I didn't get my work done.  It's a strange phenomena that I experience - I value time with family but at the same time I feel like a failure when I know I can do better instead of just barely getting the A.  But to do better requires spending even less time with my beautiful wife and son.  Which is more important you ask, simple - my family, however it isn't simple.  How am I to support my family?  How is that I, an ex-con, can I support financially for my family if not by being self-employed as a Psychologist? These are the struggles I endure right now.  God will provide, but he graciously allows me the anxiety.  Anyways - we'll see what happens.  I just wish I could get paid talking about Jesus and selling His message.  Maybe I'll be a sneaky Protestant minister and then get a huge congregation and then lead them all to Rome.  (Come on - you can't tell me the thought hasn't crossed your mind!)  Anyways, here are some pictures of the little one.




It's Superbaby!




Go Ravens - I can't wait to spit up on them!!!





"Mom!  You are so embarrassing.  Dad is trying to give me a bath, I'm trying to relax after a hard day being spoiled at Grandma's and you just want to take a picture of ME, while I'm trying to relax, and when I'm NAKED!"




This is me trying to help Dad study.  Right now he's learning how crazy Freud, Skinner, and Rogers were - and also how brilliant they were!  What a world I'm growing up in.  If God can't help me with my goofy parents, I sure hope He'll help me with the rest of the world!






I SEE YOU!!!!




"Yes Mom, this is my favorite accessory - so what up with it?  Westsiiiiiiiiide!