Those Chapmans – Page 178 – Out Of Their Minds Design

Update this Weekend(?)

I’ve had some nasty deadlines, and I’m no out of the woods yet. I’m hoping to be able to update the blog this weekend with some pictures and other fun stuff. Sorry everybody!

(PS – You can hear the advancement happening in his speech about once a week, or so it seems. The way he gave a half-wave and said “Good morgnin, Daddy!” today was a little off in pronunciation, but the WAY he said it was perfect.)

Crazy Awesome Phone Skills

Just a moment ago I was on the phone with Melissa when in the background I could hear:
“Daddy, I want to talk to you.”

So Melissa hands the phone over, and I proceed to have a fantastic conversation with my kid, over the phone. I can’t possibly convey how much he sounded like talking to somebody maybe three times his age… It went like this.

ian – “Daddy, I went to…”
me – “Hi kiddo!”
ian – “Hi. Hello?”
me – “Hi! Hey, can you tell Mommy something for me?”
ian – “Yes.”
me – “Tell her ‘Happy Anniversary!'”
ian – “Happy Versary!”
me – “Yup, say ‘Happy’ then…”
ian – “Happy Birthday!”
me – “‘Happy Anniversary.'”
ian – “Happy Averserary!”
me – “Awesome, perfect! What was it you wanted to tell me?”
ian – “I play with Isaac!”
me – “Oh, at the farm pickup? Great! Who else was there?”
ian – “Levi…”
me – “Oh Levi? Nice!”
ian – “…he’s a baby.”
me – “Yup, he’s a lil baby. And Isaac can play with Levi whenever he wants to because he’s his little brother.”
ian – “uh huh.”
me – “Isn’t that cool?”
ian – “Yep.”
me – “So did you have a good time?”
ian – “uh huh.” (His “uh huh” sort of dropped here like he was running out of things to talk about…)
(brief silence)
me – “Well that’s great. Hey Daddy should probably get back to work over here…”
ian – “okay.” (His tone changed toward the end here as naturally as a practiced adult, as if to say “I understand that the conversation is wrapping up.”)
me – “Alright kiddo, I love you”
ian – “bye bye!”

Here Comes Fall, I Guess?

A couple days after September 1st now, and yeah I guess fall arrived here in Michigan. Normally I wouldn’t mind an early fall, except that spring just ended August 31st. Also fall is that season that comes before the white-snowy-one-that-shall-not-be-named-until-it-is-upon-us, so as long as it stays late, it is fine to show up early.

Yet another trip to IHOP on the 28th of August, and Melissa pauses to take a picture of The Luckiest Man Alive. (Note the fall-ish shirt.) Nope, not even going to give you the option of looking at that one closer, lol!

And with every trip to IHOP comes the traditional battle royale… I think this picture speaks volumes. Can you determine the victor? See this image larger.

These are from our Monday trip with the Dads, this one on the 31st. Ian brings “flowers” again, what a nice kid! See this image larger.

I didn’t realize it, but his shoes slowly took on water through the dewy grass, until his socks were soaked right through. Didn’t keep him from smiling though, did it? See this image larger.

I officially mandate that Melissa and I need to keep a ball in our cars at all times. Too often, this is the scene that plays out… Ian finds a nice surface to play some kind of ball on, and ends up watching somebody else play. See this image larger.

And now for the good part about fall… my kid is adorable in overalls. Now that’s just my opinion, and I’m a doting parent… however I’m just going to go ahead and show you pictures and you tell me if you draw the same conclusion, ladies and gentlemen of the jury… See this image larger.

Exhibit A, the “change my diaper” pose. See this image larger.

Exhibit B, re-created for Great Grandma Betty who enjoyed a similar shot earlier. Miss you, Grandma! (This one’s worth looking at big!) See this image larger.