Where Did the Apples Go?

I had a dream last night that my apple trees had apples on them. I was so happy! So when I got up, I looked out the window, just to check.

No apples.

Why Have an AC if You Don't Use It?

That is my question today.

Also, as a follow-up question: what is an acceptable temperature to set your AC to? Because 80 isn't agreeing with me. 80 makes me mean.

Should I try to 76? That's my plan until someone gives me a cited professional answer.

4 Steps

Skylar just took 4 steps. Weird!

Nectarines!

Brittany gave me a bag of nectarines a few days ago with the idea to peel them and let Skylar go at it.

Turns out they are perfectly palm-sized for Sky and she loves them! They are very juicy and sweet and make a huge mess and she just gobbles them up like crazy.

She makes good use of her tooth while eating these suckers and I think the squishy nectarines are great for relieving pressure on her gums. Perfect new treat.

Thanks, Brittany!

Happy Father's Day, Mike! (late)

We did wish Mike a happy Father's Day on Father's Day, but I took this cute picture of Mike and Sky that I meant to post and totally forgot. So here it is:

Naturally, that was taken on Father's Day.

Mike is the best! He can do pretty much anything I ask him to do. He can build houses and furniture, cook, do yard work, change the oil in my car, cut his own hair and pluck my eyebrows. (He doesn't really do that. I just threw it in there to see if you're paying attention. Are you?)

Mike has mad computer-fixing skills, he's funny, cheesy, goofy and incredibly patient. He's an awesome dad. Mike gives Sky a bath every night without me having to even ask him! Sky loves bath time, so he's obviously a natural at this--I see no reason to butt in where I'm not needed.

As my old roommates would say, "Everyone needs a Mike!"

We love you, Mike! Happy 1st Father's Day!

A Sleepy Conversation

Kylie: "6 hours of sleep doesn't cut it for me. I need the full 8."

Mike: "You're supposed to have 8."
Kylie: "I thought 6-8 hours a night was the recommended amount. I'm saying I need 8, not 6."

Mike: "No. It's always been 8. Or more."

Kylie: "I don't think so, Mike."

Mike: "You need 2 hours of sleep for every 1 hour you're awake."

Kylie: "I don't think you got 8 hours last night..."

Mike: "What? Oh wait. No, it's the other way."

(According to my online research skillz, the general consensus on this matter concludes that the average adult needs 7-8 hours of sleep every night.

Mike's original argument could be applied to Skylar, who is supposed to have 16 hours of sleep each day, including naps. But don't try to act like that's what you were saying, Mike...)

Our Cool New Thing

Mike and I found this cool umbrella at Costco last week, but didn't buy it because we are cheapos. Then we changed our minds and bought it last night!

It's called the Sport-Brella and it's awesome. The one we bought is red and SPF 125 and 7 feet wide (and $20 cheaper at Costco than online). It has little flaps to tether to the ground so you have a totally shaded space, plus little windows you can open for air circulation.

We believe it may also be used as a full-family umbrella while jaunting in the rain. We could fit like 12 people under this thing! We might knock over some unsuspecting bystanders, but whatev.

Basically it rocks.

Nick's Backflip Skillzzzzz

My little brother, Nick, is now on YouTube. He's practically famous! I taught him everything he knows.

The only thing I didn't teach him is how to do a proper backflip. He learned that himself. And apparently sometimes it doesn't work out...

New Speakers

Mike has been wanting surround sound speakers since I've known him. We had some, but they were sort of lame, and just not cool enough to cut it. Also, Skylar kept trying to bite them because they were on the ground.

So for his birthday this year, Mike's parents bought him a 5.1 surround system. I think. Something like that. There are 5 speakers, and I'm pretty sure that means 5.1 in speaker system terms.

Anyway, Mike installed them on Saturday. He claimed it was a 2.5 hour project, which in my mind meant 5 hours, but in reality took all day. Mike is a "measure 12 times, cut once" kind of guy, which is fine because I'd rather not have lots of holes in the ceiling.

Turns out these speakers rock! We watched Valkyrie and I felt like I was in Germany trying to whack Hitler. Plus they look great, all flush with the ceiling, saying, "You can play music with us, or watch cool movies. You know you wanna..."

Nice work, Mike!

The Host

Just finished reading The Host yesterday. Thanks, Leisa, for loaning it to me!

I thought it was a very entertaining book. Mike wants to know if he should read it. What do you think? Have you read it? Should Mike?

I'm going to put a poll on the side of the blog. Cast your vote!

No, YOU Have Swine Flu!

Mike says I have swine flu. I'm not convinced.

It's probably bird flu; I'm always behind on my viruses...this one is so two years ago.

First Tooth!

Sky has a tooth!

(Click for closeup)

Weekend O' Fam!

In the past 3 months, we have had only about 3 weekends where we have been in town and without any visitors. It's been nutso! It feels like we have been all over the place and like we've had everyone at our house, because we basically have.

Just since May, we have had Myriah in town, Nick & Michelle, Mike's parents, my mom and Leisa (and new nephew, Crew), my roommate Rachel and her husband; even my grandparents! We're having more family and friends coming to stay with us this summer; sometime soon my little brothers are planning to visit for a week.

I'm thinking of opening a B&B. Except maybe it will just be a B&MYOB ("make your own breakfast").

Anyway, this past weekend we got to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa Pack, immediately followed by a visit from Mom, Leisa and Crew! Here are some pictures to prove it:


It was a great weekend. Mostly it was a lot of lounging around, talking, watching Taken and The Mentalist, eating, looking at dresses online, etc. Just the way it should be.

Thanks for a fun weekend, fam!

Boston Trip: Graduation (Day 1)

Day 1 of our Boston trip (really it was Day 2, but Day 1 was purely travel) revolved around our whole purpose for going to Boston. It was MIT Commencement and Nick was receiving his Master's degree!


There was quite a massive crowd, but thanks to Gabrielle showing up early to save seats we were almost as close as you could get to the podium without actually being a graduate.

Skylar played with toys on the grass in the moment (notice that isn't pluralized) between being held by Grandma and Grandpa.

Mike paid a lot of attention to the services and the surrounding campus. He was particularly interested in the clovers in the grass. Look! He found a four leaf clover!


As the storyboard shows, Sky got a hold of said clover and ripped two of the leaves. Mike showed a disappointed face...

...Until he revealed a backup four leaf clover, still in mint condition. Now that's lucky!

After a funny speech by the governor of MA (apparently his daughter was given a homework assignment when she was about 7-years-old and was asked to describe the four seasons. She gave a detailed account of the Four Seasons, "When you get there, the doorman opens your door and you are greeted by the concierge...") and a few notable people from MIT (I don't know who spoke; I was wandering around the massive court trying to find the "baby changing tent"), the graduates finally received their degrees.

Here's Nick walking:


I used my massive zoom lens to take that photo. I wanted to take a photo of Nick on the jumbotron right next to us, but Ted said that was tacky. I still took one, though. Here's an Asian guy:


Naturally, the services were followed by pictures. Here is Nick with Sky:


Nick's girlfriend, Michelle, Nick and Sky:


The family shot. As you can see, I was given an honorary degree which I was clearly excited about:


In fact, Mike and Ted also received honorary degrees! Unfortunately, all you can read is the "Comfoltey" part because of the way they were holding the degrees:

The End.

I don't feel like proofreading this; it's too long.

Congrats, Nick!!

Fun With Bar Stools (200th Post!)

This is one of Sky's favorite places to play. Under the bar stools in the kitchen. She crawls under the bar, then stands up plays for as long as I'll let her. In a couple of weeks she'll be too tall to stand under them, but for now:

Also, I just noticed this is my 200th post! Cool!

Home, Sweeeeeeet Home

We just got back from our trip to Boston! Apparently it was a long trip, because I walked into a spiderweb in my closet a few minutes ago.

I have plenty to post about, but no time right now. But just so you know, we are alive and well and home!

As a quick note: Skylar is very excited to be home. When I took her into her room she just about went crazy! Then she gathered up all of her binkies and took a long nap with about 6 of them in her hands. So cute.

8 Months!

Skylar is now 8 months old!

What?! Yep. She is. For realz.

With two little teeth coming in and a lot of brave standing-without-support business going on, it's clear she is getting older. A couple of days ago she was really excited about holding The Very Hungry Caterpillar that she stood up holding it with both hands and forgot to grab something for support. She stood for about 10 seconds before she realized what was going on, at which point she fell over.

She is also into licking all of a sudden. Maybe that has something to do with her tiny new teeth? I'm not sure. All I know is she keeps licking my leg.

She's a great baby; that's about all I wanted to say.