Minding Their P and Q

Baby Pierre Michel—my brother and sister-in-law’s second child—entered the world this morning at 6:30. The angelic Pierre joins the adorable Quintin in brotherhood. We had the pleasure of visiting with the proud parents and cradling the newest addition this afternoon.

Dine Out

The kids gathered an herbivore’s special for me—all from items they found on the ground of a garden of the neighborhood elementary school. After serving my “meal,” the kids dashed to the adjacent playground while I continued my culinary adventure.

The Bee’s Knees

One-word review of comedian Samantha Bee’s hilarious collection of hilariously hilarious essays: buzzworthy.

Phone-y Explanation

Reed claimed he was researching the best app for organizing family chores, not playing his umpteenth game of Temple Run.

All Kid(s)-ding Aside

Movie Number 27: Friends with Kids

Quick review: Strong cast, many funny moments, and extremely poignant for those with kids (and for childless couples whose friends now have kids).

Dark Matter

One-word book description of People Who Eat Darkness: morbid

Exaltin’ Pepper

The fruit—singular, mind you—of our labor: We managed to grow one measly sweet pepper in our pepper pots—plural, mind you—this summer.

Men Among Books

As a man who reveres the game of soccer, I was inclined to enjoy a book titled Soccer Men. Simon Kuper’s anthology of player profiles was equal parts voyeuristic and fantastic, and this book is a commendable follow-up to his trophy-worthy Soccernomics.

The Corn Wasn't the Only Thing That Was Sweet on This Day

Cousin Quintin paid a visit with his dad and mom—she who’s carrying a growing ear of corn in her cob—for an afternoon of fun at the children’s museum and sweet-corn festival.

Lake Eerie

Reed and I hit the road in search of adventure. We stopped at a manmade lake just north of where we live. Our region has been beaten down by the oppressive summer heat, and this area was no exception. Its shores were made craggy, water levels dangerously low, and verdancy a relic of the past. To be honest, the time we spent there was the opposite of serene and pleasant, and so the two of us quietly retreated back to our sunbaked town.

Third Is the Word

Third grade, that is. And here’s a look back at Olivia’s other first days/weeks:

Second grade

First grade

Kindergarten

Make Hay While the Son Shines