News and Updates

A boy and his cat

Panzer decided to keep Robert company the other night. This is interesting because for a couple days before this, he was nibbling on Robert’s toes and waking him up early. So Robert asked us to make sure the door was closed to his room. Eventually Panzer came out on his own and we closed the door to keep him out.

Clearly Robert got his wish: Kitties who like him. Zip Drive has been skittish around Robert ever since we brought the small man-cub home. Panzer and Pinker, however, have been a different story…

Atlanta Christmas trip

On our way back from Atlanta, we stopped in Richmond for to spend the night at the Jefferson Hotel — we had to take a couple pictures before we left. There are lots more photos of out Atlanta trip (which included a graduation party for Sam and Oscar — Way To Go Guys) in the vacations section.

Christmas

The traditional unwrapping of the presents was the start to our Christmas day this year. That was after some presents in NJ and before we may see some more in Atlanta — it’s a three Christmas year this year. More photos in Robert’s section.

What’s That ?!?

Take one Hex Bug Nano, some duct tape and several boxes and you have hours of entertainment for both Robert and the kitties…
It makes such a great sound crawling along the boxes; the kitties really want to track it down.

Pre-Christmas fun

We took a very short trip to New Jersey to catch up with David Z., Ian, Robert’s new cousin Sam and Lynn at Harry and Elle’s soon to be old house. There are more photos in the vacations section .

Legos

Robert has been very into Legos of late. After we watched an Ultimate Factory TV show on the John Deere factory, he constructed much of the same equipment to build battle tanks.

Then the factory was left beside all the cool vehicles he could build. Like the revolutionary war, horse-drawn sled to carry his attack airplane with dual blasters. No one can fault his imagination.

Then he just needed to add more bits and pieces and vehicles to his collection. I should point out that this is just a very small selection of his current collection. Speaking of imagination, Sarah and I wonder how all the new, specialized pieces help or hurt. Wheels used to be hard to come by, now there are at least 5 different kinds of wheels we have — not to mention cannons complete with flames.

Looking at that smile, though, I’m not complaining.

Zip Drive

Panzer, the newish kitten, may chase him around, but Zip Drive still gets his favorite spot under the tree. With the kittens, we’re having to keep presents in other boxes to prevent the curious and clawed from taking away some of the surprise…

Festival of Lights

Robert’s school celebrated the winter holidays today with their big all school show. This year he was singing I am a Child of Kwanza along with the rest of the second and third grade classes.

Toot Toot!

Sorry, I’m tooting my own horn: I was on a team recognized by the Department of Commerce with a silver medal for meritorious federal service.

Best part, Sarah and Robert were able to come to the ceremony and join in the fun (and stop off at Robert’s old day care since the ceremony was in the same building downtown). It was fun to surprise his old day care teacher (and see how much bigger he is than those little kids).

Christmas Tree Trimming

Panzer’s first Christmas tree — and of course he had to play. Pinker was interested as well, but she got bored sooner. Zip Drive ended up in “his” spot under the tree. There are a couple more photos in Robert’s section.