On Monday, Jen took Claire to the zoo. Claire calls all private parts "butts" so when she saw a giraffe during mating season she said "Hey Momma, look at the giraffe's big butt!" Then she came home and told me all about the giraffe's "butt". The next day they went to the zoo again and she came back home and said "we didn't see the giraffe's butt today but maybe we will tomorrow".


Claire and her BFF Violet swapping jammies.


Trying to keep up with Claire Bear on the bike.


Playing in the sand box at the park.


My high school friend Erik stopped by with his kids on Wednesday night. They are moving to Memphis in a couple weeks. Funny how things work out.


We went to visit Grandma & Grandpa K this weekend for Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to Jen and both of our Moms.


Claire finishing off her dance routine in the back yard.


I brought the mountain bike with us because there is a forest preserve 1/2 mile away from Jen's parent's house.

FINISHED READING:
"Taming the Tiger Within" by Thich Nhat Hanh

GUITAR:
I've added the following strum pattern: D D DU UDD (DU) along with the chords Am (A minor) and E (E major).  Moving from G to D is getting easier and the previous strum pattern is near autopilot.

This weekend we headed to visit the whole family at Sarah & Kevin's house.  Claire gets really excited to see family.


Taking a break from all of the outdoor activities.


On Saturday we watched Savannah's soccer game.


Kevin coached.

And the family came to watch.


Summer played with the kids.

Ben looked like he was "B B B B Bad, Bad to the Bone".


Holly kicking the ball around.


We did a lot of outdoor activity this weekend.  Here's Claire doing "windshield wipers" during her core routine.  Look at the agony on her face.  You've got to want it.

Jen's parents had a trip to Charlotte planned before we decided to move so Jen and Claire took a trip to spend some time with them at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord.  Claire had a blast.


We're now only 2 hours away from them so they'll get to spend a lot more time together.


Jen told me that Claire had the time of her life.


Story time in zebra jammies with Grandma.


Tongue out like Michael Jordan.


Claire smiles a lot.


Waterpark!


Claire loves the water.


Playing the wand game with Grandma.


Towards the tail end of the week Jen and Claire visited their friends Sara and Elliot.

FINISHED READING:
"A Briefer History of Time" by Stephen Hawking

Here's the Clairedevil going no hands on the swings.  She started school this week and the transition went really well since she had her friend Violet in the class with her.  She's going to school Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.


It's been very nice to have our friends and their daughter Violet so close by.


More cake like objects to eat.  This is how they do it in Wisconsin.


We went to La Fuente for my birthday before Jen and Claire set sail for Charlotte on the weekend. 

FINISHED READING:
"Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
"A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking

Here's a shot of Claire finishing up her puzzle that Clarke & Katie gave her.


We had family come to visit since they had plans in Milwaukee.  We took the time to celebrate Sarah's birthday.

They all spent the day at the Children's Museum while I worked.  It will be nice to see family more often.


Our little Easter Bunny.


Over the weekend we headed up to Chippewa Falls to visit my parents and got to play in the snow for a bit.


We also got to visit with some cousins, aunts, and uncles while in town along with both of my grandmas.  On Sunday morning we had breakfast with my high school friend Aron.  These are things that were difficult to do in the past that are now fairly easy.


Claire found her Easter basket and some eggs.


Of course we had a cake for my birthday.

FINISHED READING:
"God & The Big Bang" by Daniel C. Matt

Moving weekend.  It's late March and still snowing in the Midwest.  Time for coffee.  The move went very smoothly and we were nearly settled in by the end of the weekend.


Our bedroom window faces the East so we look out to the sunrise each morning....as well as the post office.


At least Claire thinks highly of me.


You know it's been cold when the lakes are still frozen in late March. 

FINISHED READING:
"Anger" by Thich Nhat Hanh