We're Here; You're There. Still Connected.

Nana discovered Videochat on Google Hangouts. I took her with me to wake up Shane from nap.

She got to go mobile and watch Shane play with the cats, too.

Lots of cool stuff you can do with technology these days.

More Soccer

Shane doesn't look engaged in this photo. Some may say, he looks dejected. Stand-offish even.

Let's get a closer look.

Juice! Shane knows what he likes. It wasn't our teams, though!

Shane did run around with the team. He's not sold on anything competitive (especially where he is not winning), but he likes his team.

They played "Simon Says" today.

The real highlight came after the game. Shane discovered the adult soccer goals.

He and several other boys developed all sorts of games they could play.

I had to stop Shane from trying to scale Mount Goal-vrest a couple of times.

We played until the parking lot emptied.

Trick or Treat the Lawn Edition

Friday, Carrie, Shane and I trick or treated on "the Lawn!"

Normally, UVA holds the event on Halloween. This year, however, there was a home football game scheduled for the same time. The university moved trick or treating a day forward to alleviate traffic concerns.

There were A LOT of people. Thousands.

And we went early.

We had a tough time driving around and finding parking. When we left, there were huge lines of peoples waiting to get on the lawn. UVA was wise to move the event.

Plus, it gave us an extra day to trick or treat!

The Lawn is a large, terraced grassy courtyard. It was originally the heart of the university with classrooms, dorms, and important buildings to the college I know nothing about. UVA has grown, but there are still lots of buildings and lots of dorm rooms for students. Wikipedia said "it's an honor" to be selected to live there.

From what I can tell: You'd better be social. Small rooms, lots of events, and people, people, people.

Carrie, Shane, and I were cogs in a candy distribution line.

We stood in a giant circular line that slowly moved from room to room.

Students lined the walls in costumes and carting candy. Lots and lots of candy.

Carrie overheard one student say "I've already passed out $150 in candy!"

Shane made bank. If I had known we'd end up with so much candy from the Lawn, I would not have bought any for trick-or-treaters at Costco.

What a haul. What a haul!

Carrie loved revisiting her Korra costume. She pinned Paboo on to her shoulder. Carrie beamed ear to ear whenever one of the college kids gasped and realized who she was. "I dress like this for them!"

I was a filthy redshirt.

I am a "Mc," so I try to argue this applies.

Maybe I'll visit Scotland one day.

After the candy conga line, we found some real firefighters!

Shane always finds them when he's in costume.

We had a great time (and experienced sensory overload). Shane sampled plastic wrapped, sugared fuel throughout. It kept him going!

We stopped by Cristian's Pizza for longer lasting and a (slightly) healthier pit stop on the way to the car. This won't be the last time we visit the Lawn on Halloween!

Even the Cats Like Carcassonne

Everybody likes my board games.

New Renter

Our new renter moved in last Saturday. Her name, is Nova! She's originally from Georgia, found her way up to Maine, and then wandered back down to Virginia. It's only been a week, but no obvious problems have popped up on either side yet.

If she sticks around, I'll post more when we know her better. I haven't seen her since move in day.

Wish Shane Was Here!

A garbage truck with a crane blocked off our street. My first thought: "Shane would have loved to see this!"

So I took a picture.

Why do obstructions in a car feel like they take much longer than they really do? I was only blocked for five minutes at most in real time. Car time felt like double (or worse).

Community Group

When I picked Shane up from school yesterday:

"Daddy, is it Tuesday?" Shane asked.

"No, it's Monday." 

When I picked him up from school today:

"Daddy, it's Tuesday!"

Tuesday is Community Group night. We gather with a couple of families from our church. The family who hosts has lots of toys. 

Shane also likes that he's the oldest of the boys he parties with. Samuel is two. Maxwell is three.

Shane cried and cried both nights group was cancelled.

Handling all the little things

Lots of little things take more time than expected.

Shane and I had our initial appointments at a new doctor's office in the past couple of weeks. He got his first ever flu vaccine. I skipped the last several years, but I'll do it because he did. (Side note: I couldn't help but think about what a responsibility it is to choose wisely for my son as he laid on the table. And my kid's healthy. May God guide the many people whose children are not.)

I've averaged 1.5 shots per week at my allergist for over a month. I fell behind with the move, new insurance, serum transfer, initial appointment, and life in general. They lower the dosage and make you work back up to the maintenance level (once a month). That translates to lots of shots. With travel and wait time, each 2 second shot eats up close to an hour. I was almost caught up when the bottle ran out and the nurse realized they should've started my new bottle instead. New bottles mean lower dose build up shots again. If I go Friday, I'll be back on maintenance.

I still need to find a dentist. My old dentist texts, emails, and calls to tell me they miss me. The Volvo is past due for an oil change, as well.

It takes a while to settle in and grow roots.

Backlog Un-backlogged

Finished that last big post!

Have We Done This Before?

Shane loves inflatable beds. Period.

Sunday Night: Perfect Fall Weather

I saw Charlie's grandpa assembling a stroller and pointed it out to Shane. He wanted to investigate, of course.

Charlie came out and the rest is in pictures.

Shane had to give up his seat to Charlie's baby brother, Hays (No idea if I spelled that right).

We haven't seen Charlie for a few days, so Shane was eager to play. He loved their new Jack O'Lantern decoration (flashlight included).

Shane wanted to show Charlie his new toy, too. We borrowed it from Grandma's.

It's actually an old toy. Carrie bought it for Grandma, but all the grandkids love it. It's a bank shaped like a box. If you put a coin in the right spot and push a button a cat paw comes up and pulls the coin in. Instant amusement.

Later, Charlie went on a walk with her baby brother, but Raheem came out to play (also in pajama bottoms - it was that kind of a Sunday). One of our neighbors, Zach, was shoveling dirt, so we stopped to help.

He had a sense of humor and got free labor. The boys got all in the way, but provided morale support. I started to kick in and help where I could, too (we were limited on tools).

We got the job done before Charlie got back. Raheem got a chance to look at the piggy bank.

Shane bawled when I told him it was time to go in.

Grandma's Hip Recovery

Grandma had a "jiffy hip" operation on Thursday. Shane, Carrie, and I went to visit her this weekend for coaching and morale support.

Shane coached. "Go, Grandma, go!" 

He ran ahead and cheered whenever she did her physical therapy: Laps up and down the hallway.

He even helped Grandma take her medicine.

1:17 in is the best part. You can watch the whole thing or skip to it, but it was the highlight of the trip for me.

Still Kicking

Another Saturday, another soccer practice. It's work to be consistent! Everyone else must have felt that way, too, because there were only six kids when we arrived. 

A couple more showed up late, but the team looked undermanned to start.

The skill of the day: Passing. Coach Cory and Coach Dave asked everyone to work on their L-kicks (you use the side of your foot). Coach Dave pointed out "Most of you have stripes on the side of your shoe. Kick with those!'

I saw what he meant immediately. Shane did to for the first few kicks. Then he started to think outside of the box.

After all, there were strips on both sides of his shoes.

Backward kicks were next.

Which his partner thought was hilarious.

They had a great time. Their L-kicks didn't improve much, but they ruled out several other styles of footwork as ineffective.

Less important than the kicking was that Shane was able to practice with a partner on something the coaches assigned. I want him to learn how to be a team player and group minded more than I want him to be a soccer star. If he does get a professional contract and take care of Carrie and I in our old age it'd be a bonus, though.

Discovery Museum

Museum membership is only worth it if you go. 

Shane and I went.

Aerobed Fun

"There was a gleam in his eye when you told him not to jump on the bed." I said.

Nana replied, "Mike, that was no gleam. The boy was manic!"

Protests fuel the fun! This gets Shane in trouble sometimes. He either inherited it or learned it from me.

Whoops.

Pop enjoyed it!

Welcome Home, Carrie!

Carrie returned from market. Snuggles ensued. Maybe too many - Carrie passed out on the couch!

A Nice Fall Day

"Let's go check the mail" is code for "Let's go outside and see if there are any other people out." 

Shane hasn't figured it out yet. He protests. I push him out the door. 

Then something like this happens (if we're lucky):

Sometimes we're the first ones out, sometimes not. We hang around and amuse ourselves either way. We'd never meet anyone if we sat inside all day. I'm glad some of our neighbors like to poke their heads out, too.

Recently, Shane tried to shoot a few hoops on our next door neighbor's hoop. He couldn't shoot high enough. Today, I improvised.

Charlie liked the table, too. She likes to follow Shane around and greet Max on our porch. Her baby brother is due tomorrow.

Raheem came by later and thought the table was great for dunking.

We had to move the table quickly, so Courtney (our neighbor) could park, but then we were right back at it. Sidewalk chalk at Charlie's followed.

Shane and I stayed out until the sun went down. Then I had to shove Shane back through the door inside. I'm hoping he figures out the code one of these days!

"Can you keep your tongue in and smile for a moment?"

The struggle to take a selfie with Shane is real.

Backlog

Started to fill the backlog. Still a few big stories to break and drafts to finish. It was great to get a dent out of it

UPDATE: I've filled most of it in, but I've got one big photo dump and story left of Charles and Jenn's visit the other weekend left to do. I started a draft of a 'thought piece' a while back, but who knows when I'll get to that one. Those are harder to right than the anecdotals.

Wait...What?

Eat your fish sticks. Paper Towel Daddy is watching.

Watching...

Big Decision

Shane found Rocket. Rocket's batteries were dead.

Lesson time.

Shane wanted new batteries. We didn't have any. He asked if we could take the batteries out of something else. 

I told him there were rechargeable batteries in his leapfrog game and Turtle. 

He choose to pillage Turtle.

There won't be a night-light tonight.

If Shane learns either to weigh the present gain versus the future loss or that he doesn't need a night-light I'll count it as a win.

I made sure to stick Turtle in his bed, though. It didn't seem right otherwise.

Run to Roanoke

Shane and I drove to Roanoke to visit my cousin Kyle (who was dubbed 'Uncle Kyle' to Shane). If the stripes and skates don't make it obvious, Kyle is a professional referee. He works the college scene on weekends.

Shane and I met Kyle at his hotel. He'd reffed two games the day before. We ate breakfast and Shane showed off how hyper he could be after 90+ minutes in the car.

The wall at breakfast looked good to climb.

The trees in the courtyard were delightful, as well.

I wouldn't let him run across the covered swimming pool, but we found an elevator.

Kyle and I finally got to sit and talk some when Shane discovered a rock garden. He built an asteroid belt.

None of the staff seemed to mind. Kyle and I made Shane clean up before we moved on. It was less disruptive than some of the games the cousins and my family used to play...

Afterwards, we went to Kyle's room to collect his gear. Shane loved it all. He wanted Kyle to make his helmet fit him.

He wasn't sure what to do with the "knee guard."

"Is it a hat?"

"Nope."

It's hard to keep a straight face when a four-year old waves around a nut cup and can't figure out it's purpose.

Then Shane grabbed a bunch of hangars to build with. In his eyes, the day got better and better.

Kyle gave him an official NHL hockey puck as a gift. Shane rolled it behind Kyle all the way to the parking lot.

Shane and I followed Kyle to the Berglund Center.

Shane chased after Kyle wherever he went.

It wasn't hard to guess where Kyle wanted to go. There was hockey afoot. 

You don't become a ref unless you like a sport or you're crazy. Kyle's crazy for hockey.

Shane's not there yet, but the zamboni caught his eye (they are awesome).

Kyle told Shane some of the basics, but he wasn't around to spectate. He had to get to work at some point.

I ended up going up many, many stairs.

The numbers changed, but Shane's goal remained the same: Get to the top.

Over....

...and over...

....and over.

I got a small break when the zamboni came out.

Shane was pumped for hockey when Kyle came out suited up. He loved everything he'd seen.

The excitement had taken it's toll, though. Shane was hungry and tired (not that he'd admit it). We only stayed for the very beginning of the game.

Shane got to see his Uncle Kyle drop puck and skate on.

When we left, Shane said, "I'm going to miss Uncle Kyle. I love him," and "I like hockey."

I told Kyle that if Shane ends up a hockey fan, this is where it will have started.

Shane tried to explain some of the rules to Carrie later. He called the sticks clubs, and the puck "the black thing you hit," but he remembered who the goalies were and how you score.

Speaking of Carrie: She had no idea of the shenanigans we were up to.

Shane and I sent her a selfie to start the conversation.