Fair weekend

The kids were in bed last night at 8pm and in the care of my in-laws, freeing Bekah and me to experience the fair unencumbered. Date night at the North Idaho Fair.

Today was family day. We've been fairing it up since the gates opened. Four kids in tow (with my mother-in-law to assist). We wandered the animal showcases, rode a few rides, ate the obligatory fair food, and attacked the petting zoo.

Now we commence Operation Keep the Children Awake.

We want the younger Caseys to go to bed early so that Bekah and I can return for more fun (and possibly funnel cake). The kids have been awake since breakfast this morning. No naps. J has been a zombie for the last hour and he finally zonked out during the ride home. He is beyond waking. Since he's not quite two, we're not worried about an insomniac version of J. The other kids, however are a concern. If they nap now, they'll be awake all night long.

Something for the moms

The video below so perfectly fits my son, it is as if the songwriters had him in mind. Christian is that bumbling blonde haired blue eyed boy beaming with pride as he gives his mom a bouquet of dandelions. I'm sure I was much the same at his age. (Although, I remember picking weeds with purple flowers, as my mother's favorite color is purple.) Christian's gift for Mother's Day is a rocket ship and a half dozen rectangles he cut and colored from notebook paper. Bekah will love it. And that is something I think mothers have an innate ability to accomplish far beyond the typical father: to see love and magic in the simple (and often silly) gestures of our children.

Enjoy the video. And (if possible) give your mom a big hug.



And I wish a happy mothers day to the mothers in my life. My mom and Grandma Budd, Grandma Casey (perhaps one of the strongest woman I've ever known), Grandma Lu, and my mother-in-law. And most importantly, the woman my kids will not let sleep in, the love of my life, my wife.