Temporary help

Around Remy's arrival, we welcomed many of our beloved baby-related staples back into the house.  The crib.  The pack n play. The playmat.  The toys.

And, perhaps best of all, our nanny Mary. Though our educational paths forced us to part ways two years ago, Remy has served as the great reuniter.

Friday, however, Mary took the day off, requiring Mom to bring in some temporary help.

They seemed to hit it off, despite Remy's refusal to get up off of her tail.

Extra particular with extracurriculars

After reporting weekly for gymnastics classes for more than two years, Rowan decided last month to call it a day on somersaults, trampolines and balance beams.  Shortly thereafter, she led the resistance against dressing for ballet class.

Eager to refocus Rowan's energy on something new, my mom suggested ice skating.  The fact that Rowan was seven months too young to participate in the only class that fit into our schedule was but a minor roadblock, circumvented with promises that what she lacked in age she would surely make up in enthusiasm.  (If you know Rowan, you know such a promise was nothing more than a wish and a prayer.)

I'm pretty sure everyone was a little skeptical that the venture would end well.

But Rowan did not disappoint!  On her first day, she literally couldn't wait to skate, leaving the carpet before the teacher was prepared to spot her.  But her first solo skate was met with applause.

And the universal gesture for "Well, there you go!"

Moving ahead with a look back

After nearly two months, I am preparing to release the crickets of their duties on this blog.  The inactivity is certainly not for lack of content, but rather due to a transcriptionist who believes that three kids, two part-time jobs and two-hours worth of commuting to preschool daily doesn't leave enough time for a little self reflection and documentation.

Enough of that nonsense, I say.  We're back!

And what better reminder of the all-too-long hiatus than to start with the video salute to my career as a 4-year-old, which ended more than four months ago.   Which I suppose allows me to watch with a greater sense of nostalgia.

So there's that.