Jack and Cate Update -- May, 2009

Saturday, May 9, 2009

If it's Spring, it must be Lakewood Carnival. This year's theme was *Urban Cowboy* because nothing says "children's carnival" better than a movie made twenty years before the kids were born.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

She's officially the happiest kid at the carnival. I offer you incontrovertible proof: she's the [lead photo](http://hollywoodsantamonica-dallas.blackwhiteread.com/view/article/10555) in Black White Read's online coverage of the event. Jackson and Shriver also warranted some [virtual ink](http://hollywoodsantamonica-dallas.blackwhiteread.com/view/article/10555?page=15).

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Despite the lack of photographic evidence, there were many other games and events at the carnival. I volunteered at the Punt, Pass, and Kick competition.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Jack's approach to the swings (and just about everything else when observed by a parent) is decidedly more low-key.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Jack is always the talker and jokester (and wannabe boss) when with boys his age.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Pink. Hair. Crazy kids these days... While high-fashion hair coloring was popular, [silly string](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silly_String) once again seemed to be the big money-maker. I swear the PTA must purchase it by the truckload.

Friday, May 15, 2009

If it's Spring, it must be Field Day -- the most anticipated day on the school calendar. Jack partnered with **FIXME** in the fiercely competitive wheelbarrow race. I got stuck doing (gasp!) actual work this Friday morning, so Lisa receives all photojournalistic credits for this event.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Cate too competed in the wheelbarrow race -- she partnered with Neely. Parents were relieved that this year's race wasn't once again marred by officiating "irregularities."

Friday, May 15, 2009

Evan does all the work. Jack mugs for the camera. Why am I not surprised?

Friday, May 15, 2009

The water relay is one of the highlights especially when the temperature is already in the mid-eighties. Even soaking wet and filled with competition-fueled adrenaline, Cate really knows how to pose for the camera (no offense, Canyon and Jackson).

Friday, May 15, 2009

One of the joys of being a kid: your pool toys can be bigger than your pool. Jack shares this whale with Evan and Aaron Daane in their backyard.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Evan shares his pool and toys. Jack squirts him with a hose. Why am I not surprised?

Friday, May 15, 2009

The Houcks bought tickets for an [Airhogs](http://www.airhogsbaseball.com/) baseball game, we bought a shedload of snacks, there was an actual baseball game being played, and the boys wanted nothing other than iPhone games. Still, you've got to admire their conviction.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Sam and Jack discuss the intricacies of effective gameplay while Jackson strives desperately to catch a glimpse of the screen.

Friday, May 15, 2009

It was a refreshing change to have the kids battling over *someone else's* iPhone. You really have to savor the small victories in life.

Friday, May 15, 2009

It's well understood by child psychologists that the difference between kindergartners (Dylan and Sam) and second-graders (Jackson and Jack) are bunny-ears and gang-signs. Now you know too. This was taken at the playground inside [QuikTrip Park](http://www.airhogsbaseball.com/Stadium/QuikTripParkPictures/tabid/89/Default.aspx). Dozens (and dozens) of kids rampaged in the playground while the baseball game continued nearby...

Friday, May 15, 2009

Jack got to fly solo this evening because Cate was having a sleepover at Aubrey's. I'm somewhat probably sure that he missed his sister. If you look closely, you can actually see a baseball game in the background.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Jackson Hansen was kind enough to join us. He's a really good kid, and we enjoy having him around. If you look closely, you can actually see a kid going ape-poopie in the background.

Friday, May 15, 2009

After replenishing the popcorn and returning to our seats (just above the visitors dugout), Jack is once again filled with the joy of baseball.

Friday, May 15, 2009

It's 9 o'clock, do you know where your bed is?

Friday, May 15, 2009

Jack finally finds a game worthy of his passion.

Friday, May 29, 2009

We achieved exactly 50% participation in our photo with Grandma Irene. We could do worse...

Saturday, May 30, 2009

It's hard to remember Clare as the eleven year-old kid who was so anxious to babysit the newborn Jack and Cate. This summer will be her third as our nanny, and she's been an important part of their young lives.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Clare graduated from high school the day before, and she was thoughtful enough to stop by and wish Cate 'good luck' with her recital.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Grandma Irene thought it critically important to photographically document Cate's curvy backside. She's more accustomed to children with *no* backside.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Post-recital, she's proud. Both of them. Grandma Irene was astounded by the size of the recital -- over one hundred kids, more than two dozen numbers, and the Woodrow Wilson High School auditorium was nearly filled to capacity. She was accustomed to my childhood piano recitals in which ten students might draw a few dozen spectators (pathetic, really).

Saturday, April 18, 2009

This is Cate's official ballet class photo. It was taken last month while Lisa was vacationing in Vero Beach, Florida. One of the other Mom's took pity on me, and she agreed to take Cate to the photo shoot, help her get dressed, do her hair, and apply her makeup. Thank goodness.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Cate's jazz class photo. No, I haven't photoshopped this shot -- Cate has simply inherited my pasty-white complexion. So she's got that going for her -- which is nice.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

It's *amazing* how fast Cate and her classmates have progressed in just a few years. Even more important, they continue to love dancing.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Given [Starbuck's death](http://www.rushcreekstables.com/starbuck.html) and [Ruby's](http://www.rushcreekstables.com/ruby.html) pregnancy, Cate hasn't had the chance to ride in quite a while. Sharon still invited us to the stables to see Ruby's progeny, [Luna](http://www.rushcreekstables.com/luna.html).

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Luna is only four weeks old (born May 2nd), and it will still be a while before Ruby is ready to be ridden again.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Sharon gave Cate a "grooming lesson" (hold your jokes, please, that's my department) which included giving [Passion](http://www.rushcreekstables.com/index2.html) a bath. Cate loved it that Passion would drink from the hose -- apparently, many horses will refuse even on such a hot day.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Playing to her strengths, Cate took the lower parts while Sharon focused higher.