Sick & Tired

Another milestone was passed today, as we took this Chase-a-Day pic less than a hour into the day. When the clock passed midnight, turning yesterday into today, we were actually in the St. Joseph emergency room, following an evening of vomiting. Fortunately it turned out to to be a tummy bug and after a day of rest he seems to be on the mend.

Game Changer

That's for sure.

Construction Zone

Chase created another construction zone with the chairs and stools again tonight. However, things took an interesting turn when Ace locked Daddy inside and would not let him out.

Tomorrow is Another Day...

This pretty well captures the kind of day we each had.

Fortified

A Sunday snowstorm brought out all the kids on the courtyard, including Grace, who served a chief foreman on the construction of this mighty fort.

Where's Waldo?

The Children's Museum was so busy today that Daddy got to play several rounds of one of his favorite games, "Where in the heck is my son!?!"

Can you spot him?

Highly Caffinated

Starbucks is fun for everyone!

This Is 3

Isn't this a scene from This Is 40?

Ace has the iPad use down, but we're still working on the potty part.

Best Buds & the Bachelor

Ace and Auntie play Magformers while catching up on last night's episode of "The Bachelor Tells All". Luckily, Chase doesn't seem too interested in the debauchery going down on the iPad.

Primary Colors

We're not sure if this hand configuration has any significance (Grandpa Laurent?), but Chase had no trouble signaling how much fun he had experimenting with food coloring this afternoon.

Beantown Boogie Buddy

Auntie Amanda has arrived to, among other delightful pursuits, have a dance party with the Critter.

Levitation

The Little Engineer and Daddy headed off to the Children's Museum this morning to check out the newest exhibit, "3, 2, 1...Blast Off!" In addition to shooting off dozens of paper rockets (complete with enthusiastic and high-volume countdown) Ace worked this rather remarkable anti-gravity magic.

Party? But I've got a Bulldozer

Ace was oblivious to the birthday celebration raging around him -- for best buddy Jamey, no less -- as he explored the bells and whistles on this nifty piece of heavy machinery.

Eventually, the Critter did join in the fun, racing in circles with the other kids around the basement and completely devouring his cupcake.

Public Works

Ace shows off his self-constructed "Garbage Truck Construction Zone." Beware the unwitting parent who tries to move these structures back into the facsimile of a dining room set.

"I like presents!"

When we informed Ace that he had a Valentine's gift from Nanna and Papa, his response was predictably enthusiastic.

He was even more thrilled to realize he was wearing his Bruins sweater as he discovered a new Red Sox sweatshirt in this box. Nothing says LOVE like New England sports swag.

Batter Up

After hearing that pitchers and catchers began spring training yesterday, Ace announced his bid to become the next great switch-hitting outfielder for the Sox. Start polishing the Rookie of the Year trophy.

Intellectual Cuddling

This really is the best way to watch The News Hour on PBS.

A Little Romance

Our little Ace enjoys a romantic lunch of PB&J with Erinn.

It's Alive!

Chase proves he doesn't have arachnophobia today at the Butterfly Pavillion as he handles a Chilean Rose Tarantula.

The Little Explorer

The family enjoyed a hike around the Star K Ranch Nature Center in nearby Aurora today, glad to be experiencing brisk, clear weather, rather than the record winter storm hitting everyone back east. Stay warm!

Crunchy Blueberries

When I was teaching kindergarten in New York, I once had a student who came back from the bathroom looking a bit like this. When I neutrally asked if anything had happened while he'd been gone, he thought for a second, then seriously said, "Well...sometimes -- not all the time, but sometimes -- when I pee, my tongue turns blue."

Quick Draw

When you're naked, you need to produce fast art.

Maisy Matching Game

Ace made a match!

Sweet Rider

Check out Ace's new helmet. Lost the Batman, replaced it with a Spider-Man. This kid knows his superheroes.

Balance Boy

Chase demonstrates his newest feat of daring-do at the Sand Park.

Mission to Mars

I've been surprised that the Little Engineer has never before expressed interest in this exhibit at the science museum, which shows how flowing rivers on Mars might have shaped the terrain. Today, however, he dug in, moving the red sand around and delighting in the shifting streams of water.

BDay Adventures

Like Ace's own birthday, which seemed to stretch out for weeks, Daddy's b-day celebration continued today with a trip to REI. As Daddy looked for a new watch and sunglasses, Ace enjoyed a fireside lunch with Mommy.

Balls

The advantage of playing catch in the house is that you can do it with no pants on.