sinkerbeam: kidstuff

Missing The Point

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 02:28:00 +0000

Don't you think?

Trike Riding

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 02:12:00 +0000

Remember the tricycle that Evelyn got for her birthday? It finally made it outside. We went to the "learn to ride" area of the park so Evy could learn the rules of the trike community.

Rule #1 - Wear a helmet.
Rule #2 - Conduct a thorough pre-trip inspection.

Rule #3 - Wave hello to all other trikers.
Rule #4 - Pedal. Pedal. Keep pedalling.
Rule #5 - Ring the bell with your thumb every 7 to 10 seconds.
Rule #6 - Have fun!

Whack!

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:16:00 +0000

"For the last two years I've been told isn't nice to hit things. So you can imagine my confusion when I was handed this red bat and told to smack the pretty unicorn (which I had just finished petting a few moments earlier)."

"Well, if you say so..."

Beat The Heat

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:46:00 +0000

There are several ways to keep cool when it's really, really hot outside. Here are Evy's favorites:

Water.

Melon.

Water Melon.

When I was a kid we had to wait half an hour after eating before we could get in the pool...

Kennywood '08

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:34:00 +0000

Evelyn was very excited to go to Kennywood this year. We had to start by taking a picture in front of Garfield, just to compare it to the one from last year.

Soon we were off to the fish pond. It's twice as expensive now, but the prizes are twice as good. Evy had fun catching fish all by herself.

But then the real fun started. This year Evy is tall enough (and her parents are brave enough) for some Kiddieland rides. She had a blast...

She kept going right from one ride to another, steering everything from helicopters to motorcycles to bi-planes, but I think Evy had the most fun on the Auto Ride. She enjoyed being the driver while her parents took turns holding on tight in the back seat.

Trust me, that thing goes faster than you think. Especially with Evy at the wheel.

OCMD '08

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:34:00 +0000

Evelyn had a great time at the beach this year. And not just because of the emergency vehicles with sirens blaring that drove past at eight minute intervals.

Most of her hours were spent digging big holes in the sand,

sitting on her beach chair,

or hanging out in the pool.

She also played her first round of mini golf and scored a hole-in-one on number 16 (below is a picture of her tap in for bogey on the first hole).

We finished up our vacation with some ice cream at the boardwalk.

Add to all of this a new big girl travel bed and being allowed to eat dessert every day, and it's no wonder Evy declared, "I love the beach!"

Berry Picking

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 01:04:00 +0000

Trax Farms has more than just pumpkins. This morning Evelyn visited their strawberry fields. She carefully inspected each berry before deciding whether to pick it or leave it.

It didn't take long to fill up her special basket.

Of course, the best part about strawberry picking is strawberry eating.

And with all of the eating Evy did, we may have to go back tomorrow to pick some more...

Reading And Relaxing

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:19:00 +0000

Evy likes to relax while she's reading. That could mean climbing up on the big comfy chair in the living room, sitting on someone's lap, or dragging her rocking chair over to the ottoman so she can put up her feet.

May Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Sat, 24 May 2008 20:39:00 +0000

Since the April showers continued through most of May this year, we had to wait until this morning to pick out our spring flowers.

Evelyn enjoyed playing with the gravel floor of the greenhouse. She also helped choose the flower varieties and colors.

We headed home with our pansies, petunias, and a pocket full of gravel, ready to dig around in the dirt. Evy's green thumb is hidden under her gardening gloves.

After everything was planted it was time to water.

She's a lot better with her watering can than she was last year. Most of the water actually goes onto the flowers instead of into her shoes. Most of it...

Happy Mother's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:10:00 +0000

Hill Week

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:42:00 +0000

If you're wondering why it has been so long since the last update, it's because Evelyn spent the past week visiting her grandparents. Here are some of the highlights of our trip:

Posing for like 150 family photos.

A cherry vanilla ice cream cone from Rakestraw's (where Steph used to go as a kid).

Getting dressed up for cousin William's baptism.

Mowing the sidewalk with the Bubble Mower that doesn't blow bubbles.

Refusing to take a nap.

Seeing the "train in the ceiling" at the grocery store.

She also enjoyed playing baseball with her N.C. cousins.

Checking daily on the status of spring flowers and tree buds.

Ornithology discussions with second cousin Laney.

Chillaxin' with Great Aunt Harriet.

And cruising around on the tractor.

Evy had a great week and really enjoyed visiting her family and friends. Now it's back to reality. And napping.

Still Cooking

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:17:00 +0000

Evelyn is back in the kitchen. Banana Cream Pie was today's special, along with a little help from Gram.

When the recipe tastes this good, clean up is easy.

Yummy!

Big Green Hands

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:35:00 +0000

Look what Daddy found during spring cleaning...

Special Delivery

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:08:00 +0000

Evelyn was trying on some new spring clothes this morning (after all, it is 51° outside). She only got through one dress when she was distracted by the arrival of a FedEx van across the street.

She was excited when the driver dropped a package off at our house, even though he didn't stay to chat.

It took her a few minutes, but Evy finally got the box open and revealed its contents. Contents so important that they had to be priority delivered on a Saturday.

She still doesn't know what was in the box - other than 45 minutes worth of bubble wrap.

Pop...pop...pop...pop...

Eastertime!

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 03:12:00 +0000

Evelyn had a fun Easter weekend. She enjoyed coloring Easter eggs (Easter egg, actually).

On Sunday morning she got to wear her "trench coat," "pretty dress" and "dressy shoes."

But just like last year, she was still more interested in the Easter grass and plastic eggs than the treats in her basket.

Happy Easter!

Evy Is Two!

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 02:02:00 +0000

After cake and ice cream,

fun presents,

a special birthday shirt,

and a new tricycle,

Evelyn seems pretty happy about turning two. Happy Birthday!

Culinary Technique

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 03:24:00 +0000

Evelyn has been continuing her kitchen adventures and expanding on her Valentine's cookie experience. She's moved up to portions that can be shared with the rest of the family.

In addition to the usual kitchen gadgetry, Evy also needs a step stool in order to reach the countertop and create her masterpieces. Her specialty seems to be sprinkling.

Sprinkling cheese...

Sprinkling sprinkles...

Dumping out the entire container of sprinkles when sprinkling is taking too long.

Proper culinary technique should never get in the way of a prompt taste testing.

Let's eat.

Guitar Heroine

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:26:00 +0000

Evy has taken her love of music to the next level. She still likes to listen, dance, and sing along, and she has recently added "air guitar" to her musical activities, so the next logical step was - Guitar Hero™.

Here she is jamming in her eighties rock star outfit, complete with mesh sleeves, spandex and a side ponytail.

Evy is pretty good (on easy mode), but she has a long way to go to reach the star power attained by her father and Uncle Tim...

Rock on!

Be My Valentine Cookie

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:03:00 +0000

A heart-shaped cookie. A giant vat of pink icing.

Neither would last very long.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Garbage Day

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:32:00 +0000

Most people dread Monday morning, but not Evelyn. Monday is garbage day.

She stands at the window and waits for the garbage man (and his big blue truck) to arrive. Then Evy lets him know that she has a garbage truck too, but that it is green.

And you thought it was silly for a little girl to ask for a garbage truck from Santa...

Songstress

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 03:56:00 +0000

Evelyn loves music. She likes to listen and sing and dance all around the house. We have been trying to shoot some concert footage for quite awhile, but whenever the video camera comes out Evy stops whatever she is doing. She just wants to "see Evy" on the flip out LCD screen.

But this week we were finally able to capture a performance...

You can tell she gets more comfortable near the end, as she starts to pick up a dancing groove. Hopefully we'll get a chance to videotape a few of her other favorites - "Ring Around the Rosie," "I'm a Little Teapot," and anything by The Beatles.

Happy Housework

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 03:19:00 +0000

Evelyn has been having fun helping out around the house lately. She wears her new apron and does a variety of chores...

Maybe if they made a giggling vacuum and a singing kitchen for adults, we would enjoy housework, too.

Christmas 2007

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:42:00 +0000

Evelyn had a great Christmas! She had a lot of fun opening gifts (like the garbage truck she requested from Santa Claus)...

...and digging in her stocking for goodies.

You know it's a good year when you get to open presents that are as big as you are.

Evy also enjoyed:

Jingle barrettes
Cookies
Getting Christmas cards in the mail
Unwrapping other people's gifts
Her first attempt at karaoke
Spending time with her family and friends

Since our Christmas celebration lasts for an entire week, it's already time for New Year's Day.

Happy 2008!

Crazy Lights (and Music)

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 03:26:00 +0000

Nothing says "Merry Christmas" quite like 150,000 lights and 27 inflatable lawn ornaments. Especially if the display is synchronized to holiday music.

We had to go see it for ourselves.

Evy liked the lights but she was most excited by the music. That's good for us - we can play Christmas music at our house without upgrading the electric service or climbing up on the roof. Or annoying our entire community.

However you show your Christmas spirit, we hope your holidays are merry and bright!

Hi, Santa!

noreply@blogger.com (sinkerbeam) — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 01:44:00 +0000

With less than a week and a half to go until Christmas, I know Santa must have a packed schedule. It's his busy time. But he (and Mrs. Claus) managed to take a few minutes yesterday to visit with Evelyn.

She was happy to see him, starting with a wave and a "hi, Santa!" before climbing up on his lap. They chatted for awhile. Then Santa asked her his famous question.

"What do you want for Christmas?"

Evy replied with the phrase she had practiced all day.

"I...would like...a garbage truck...please."

Every elf within earshot gave a little chuckle. Santa said he would do his best and complimented her manners. You can't rattle the big guy - he's heard it all.

Happy Holidays! Hope you get everything you want for Christmas.