Now that the Christmas card has been revealed, here's the set from which it was created, taken behind the Henry T. Wing School on Oct. 10. Photos and card by Brandy, cuteness by kids. (12.26.2006)
Though you can see it is still dark out in the first few photos, Mason and Benjamin actually slept almost until their normal 6:30 wake-up time. They opened a few presents, to satiate them until Sam arrived at 10:30. I think all of the rest of their presents were opened by 11. We spent the rest of the day lounging around, playing with our new toys (Brandy and I included), and enjoying each other's company -- a perfect holiday for all. (12.25.2006)
The kids visited with Santa at the Sandwich Public Library, and got to explore the fire truck that served as Santa's sleigh for the evening. Mason avoided sitting with Santa, and Benjamin tried to escape, but in the end a festive time was had by all. (12.21.2006)
Not the best quality video, but Ben, who was with me, did manage to amuse himself long enough for me to fire up the Treo and capture Sam reading his short story, "The Beach," as part of Authors' Hour in Mrs. Lally's class. (12.21.2006)
Benjamin hitches a ride with Chuck, as in Chuck E. Cheese. I think Ben must have spent a good $2.50 on this ride alone. This picture was the best of the bunch to come from the machine. (12.20.2006)
The kids help Brandy decorate the tree, 2006. Only one ornament was harmed in this endeavor! (12.10.2006)
Thanksgiving had a bit of an Easter feel at the McKeens this year, with an egg-balancing race in the basement (would have been on the lawn but for the sideways rain outside). The good news was Jiggs hard-boiled the eggs first. (11.23.2006)
Sam spent the earlier part of his birthday celebration day with some friends at Ryan Family Amusements, but after those festivities, the traditional afterparty with the Booths commenced at home. Presents, cake and ice cream... oh, my! (11.12.2006)
I missed out on the festivities last week, but thankfully, Brandy, Sam and Mason teamed up on the camera to capture the morning. Of course, I had to take it one step further this weekend.... Mason embarked on his first day of kindergarten today. Brandy at this moment is taking him to school for an orientation of sorts, which includes her getting to ride the bus route with him. His first official day on his own -- he'll get to ride to school on the bus with Sam, but comes home solo midday -- will be tomorrow. So more to come... (9.11.2006)
Mason shows off some of his fancy moves! (2.26.2006)
I didn't capture Benjamin's very first steps, but these were some early ones. (2.26.2006)
Happy Birthday, Sam! -- Eight years old! The celebration began the day before the official birthday, with Sam and three of his friends heading to Ryan Family Amusements in Hyannis to play arcade games and bowl. The party continued the next day, with the Booths joining us for dinner, cake and lots of laughs. The festivities promised to continue through Thanksgiving weekend, as more presents and cake awaited him at Nana's house. That's right, ladies and gentlemen. That's three -- yes, three -- birthdays in one! (11.20.2005)
What's this cord do? (11.19.2005)
Kilroy was here -- Benjmain takes a bite out of hide as he pulls himself up to get a better view of the dining room from beneath the table. (11.13.2005)
Halloween 2005 -- Sheriff Joy, Mason "Hot Wheels" Polay and Bumblebee Benjamin. Unfortunately, all of us were sniffling, coughing and all too glad to get home and go to bed. But a brief good time was had by all. (10.31.2005)
Awww... pumpkins! -- Sure, Mom did all the work. But the boys were having their fair share of fun! (10.17.2005)
Brotherly love -- I needed to remove some roasting garlic from the oven, and Mason asked me if he could hold onto Ben. I said, "Sure, but make sure he doesn't go anywhere." Mason took me quite literally, as you can see. When I returned from the kitchen, I could not resist capturing their incredible cuteness, while also making sure we got a photo for the scrapbook that showed how close in size they seem! (9.8.2005)
Sam's third day of school -- Dad the Dolt (© 2005) had left the camera at the office over Labor Day weekend, so missed the opportunity to take photos on the first day of school. Undaunted, he tried to redeem himself on the third day. (9.8.2005)
Kickoff -- Sam shows off his duds on his first day of soccer (but before receiving his Knights team jersey). He looks like he's ready to go, doesn't he? He played offense and defense, and seemed to prefer the latter. The Knights won, 4-3. (8.27.2005)
There's a fair
in the air! -- The boys had a glorious time at this year's Barnstable County Fair. So did our wallets, but it was worth it. Sam was ready to play right away, heading straight for the bumper cars. Mason took a little longer, but after a few rides in Daddy's lap down the giant slide (we caught some serious air!) and two tours through the fun house, he was ready to run. Brandy and I had our hearts in our throats watching them on the Mini Himalaya, but their grins were from ear to ear. When Benjamin gets old enough to partake, we're going to have to bring along some defibrillators. (7.24.2005)
Mom was at a friend's baby shower. That usually means camera-worthy silliness will ensue.(7.23.2005)
If it's too loud, you're too young... -- Genius was intended to prevail when I suggested that Mason ride in the wagon for the Sandwich July 4th parade while listening to his favorite CD. Make that Wile E. Coyote, Super Genius. As we were about to leave, a distant siren broke through the defense. The second bad omen came as we walked from our house to the parade staging area, past a phalanx the fire engines. They were momentarily silent, but that didn't lessen Mason's anxiety. The coup de grâce came when classic cars leading the parade beeped at the cheering throngs while we waited to march behind them. That was it for Mason. Brandy walked he and Benjamin home while I accompanied Sam in the parade. The rest of the day improved, but we'll have to wait until next year to see if Mason can overcome his ligyrophobia. (7.4.2005)
I had some fun with iPhoto on Brandy's computer the other night.
Takes a few seconds to load.
Song is "Three Little Miracles", which I thought was an appropriate title. Better than the theme from "My Three Sons", anyway....
Just the pictures (with some captions on the enlargements) are here:
http://www.spolay.com/family/200504-bensfirstweek/ (5.6.2005)
Finally, the promised second batch of photos! Sorry it took so long!
No captions yet, though I will add that Mason took the photo of me. He's shown a knack for photography, though he tends to prefer still lifes of his toys. Perhaps his choice of me as a subject indicates that he perceives me as such....
There are more photos, of course, including one of the whole family (minus the photographer) and another of Mason, but I still need to pull those from the camera.
Mom and Benjamin (2 weeks old today!) are faring well, and have the house to themselves today as I have returned to work and Sam and Mason are at school. For those we haven't had a chance to talk to yet, Benjamin passed his 1-week checkup with flying colors. In fact, he is eating so well and gaining weight at such a rapid clip that the doctor said we could skip the 2-week checkup and return instead for the 1-month appointment.
Sam and Mason are adjusting very well to life with their new brother. In fact, Mason has taken to calling Benjamin "MY baby". (4.28.2005)
Dad, the dolt, forgot to bring his camera to the hospital Thursday and Friday. The camera-enabled mobile phone saved my bacon temporarily on the birth day, though. The attached was taken just before Benjamin's first bath. Needless to say, he was not eager to partake of the Falmouth Hospital sink.
I DID remember to bring the camera to the hospital today when picking up Brandy and Ben to bring them home. Those shots coming soon.
We are all home, and feeling our way through a variety of adjustments, as you can well imagine. All in all, though, today has been a joyful, wonderful and successful first day (minus one diaper change that went a little haywire, but out of deference to those who might be eating when reading this, we'll spare the details... suffice it to say we're feeling a little rusty).
Brandy is feeling well, and is already plotting to paint some walls! We've been enjoying the time we've been able to spend together these last couple of days. Savoring it, really, and feeling very fortunate all around.
Mason is enthralled with his baby brother. There have been a few whiney moments, but to be fair to him, he got to sleep late last night and was awake at 6 a.m. this morning. He's always more whiney when he's not had enough sleep.
Sam gets to meet Ben tomorrow. Sam has been staying with his grandmother since Thursday, both because of the birth and because his April vacation has started. Our guess is he'll be fairly nonchalant about the whole thing, but we'll see. He always has a knack for surprising us with his reactions.
Thanks to all who have called, left messages, written text messages and e-mails, sent flowers and provided moral support. It's been wonderful to share our joy with all of you. We look forward to doing some more of that once things settle down to a dull roar. (4.16.2005)
Now, you might wonder why Santa is slicking back Mason's hair. Mr. Claus is actually holding Mason's head up for the camera, because Mason would only raise his smiling face for a few seconds at a time. He wasn't scared of Santa, which was good news. Mason was, however, a bit shy, in his usual I-need-to-warm-up-a-bit manner. We had to leave before Mason finished warming up, but Santa was very gracious.
(One odd note: Santa had a southern accent. Perhaps this one hailed from the South Pole? I didn't get a chance to ask.)
The best part was just that Mason got to visit with Santa at all. We had witheld that privilege a few weeks earlier (see below).
So this excursion put a nice exclamation point on the holiday season as he and I ate in the food court, played in the arcade, and stopped by the toy store amidst visiting Santa and successfully shopping for a present from him to Brandy (Sam and I had done a similar shopping trip in Falmouth the day before). (12.23.2004)
The 2004 Christmas card, coming soon to some mailboxes near you. As I wrote to a few, we're already plotting how we'll get three to sit still next year! Photo taken by Brandy on Sept. 24 at Town Neck Beach. Many shots were required to get one that would work, thanks to Mason's thrill-seeking climbs on the breakwater. (12.11.2004)
Sam and Laurel B. visit with Santa at Heritage Museum. Both appear to be eyeing the Model T/sleigh's controls, as if plotting to fly that thing out of there. Santa looks worried, doesn't he? Mason had to miss this excursion, thanks to ignoring repeated warnings that frequent misbehavior that morning would lead to staying home. Once the decision was rendered, lots of tears were shed by mother and child. I felt like such a Scrooge.... Brandy, who took these photos, went with Sam while Mason and I stayed home.
Sam and Laurel experience the Sea Dogs exhibition.
Sam appears to be hungry for that rawhide bone. Look out, Laurel! (12.5.2004)
Did the finishing touches during the Patriots game, and hung it late yesterday afternoon. Couple of minor imperfections here and there, but all in all turned out well. Man, I cannot measure the correct distance to an angled cut to save my life! I shortchanged myself twice on the door's cross brace, and couldn't bring myself to go buy a third piece of lumber to do it again. Made do with what I had.
Very belated birthday satisfaction for Brandy, but she loved it (thankfully!). (12.6.2004)
Received today, followed shortly thereafter by the surprise I spied in the town weekly newspaper! Sure clears up any of our doubts about how well Sam is adjusting to his new school! (11.13.2004)
Brandy and I went to Boston last Friday, and all appears to be well. Arms and legs were flying everywhere! Could it be possible that we'll have a baby more active than Mason??!! Heaven help us! ;-) (11.3.2004)
Who needs trick-or-treating when you have a giant leaf pile to jump in?!
Commando Sam, reporting for candy assault!
"I said drop and
give me 20, Daddy!"
Sam had a blast tonight. His first trick-or-treat excursion (he'd never wanted to go previously; always handed out the candy with his Nana), but you wouldn't know it from watching him. He was the first one at the door of every house. Even outlasted Mason, who by the end of the evening said he had enough candy. But not Sam!
As you see from the first photo, the kids precluded their Halloween forage by jumping in the large leaf pile I had made in the back yard. At one point it was taller than Mason, and we nearly lost him in there!
All in all a very successful evening. Both conked out shortly after we got home (but not before sampling the candy, of course). (10.31.2004)
Brandy went for the first ultrasound yesterday, and all is well. I could not go, but Brandy reports that the baby appears to be a ham. She said it looked like it was waving at the camera and dancing! She also said she was relieved that there was not more than one in there.
Mason went with Brandy, and Brandy said he seemed to get the biggest kick out of the the gel they put on her belly for the ultrasound. When I got home from work and asked him how it went, however, he just reported that the doctor's office had good toys.
All else is well. Sam is doing great. He came home Wednesday with a chess club flier and said he wanted to join. Brandy called today and signed him up. It starts next week and is on Wednesday evenings through December. They pair up the kids according to skill level, and even have a certified chess coach! Brandy and I were both thrilled that he is so quickly taking an active interest in something at the school.
He seems to be adjusting to everything else just fine, and is amazing us with his reading and math skills. He added up his reading log minutes in his head the other night, reaching 190 without skipping much of a beat. I know I was a pretty smart kid, but I don't remember doing that in first grade. Heck, I'm not sure I could do it very well now!
His picture day was today, so will be sending that along when the prints arrive. (9.30.2004)
Mason and Mommy get the giggles in P'town.
Mason left his cape at home, but felt it was imperative to practice his superhero skills with a leap from the beached pier in a single bound.
"Hey, Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"Where's Mommy?"
"She's shopping."
"Why's she shopping?"
"She just wanted to go by herself for a little bit."
"Why?"
"Because we're too distracting."
"When's she coming back?"
"Pretty sooon."
"Will you put down the camera and play with me?"
"OK." (9.11.2004)
Someday,they'll be quite displeased with Daddy's need for photographing his shampoo sculptures. My justification: I was living vicariously through their hair, given that my personal style leaves me without a medium for my art. (9.8.2004)
We gathered at the end of the driveway this morning to see Sam off on his first day of first grade. I could not resist the urge to be Geeky Dad (a relatively minor superhero), and had to snap a digital photo to mark the event!
Sam could officially begin calling our house his home last night as he "moved in" after spending the weekend with his mom in Uxbridge. For all the worrying and time and effort spent leading up to that point, it was a bit anticlimactic. That is a very welcome thing.
In his own subtle way, Sam seemed pretty excited about his first day of school. When the bus pulled up, Sam walked cautiously over to it. But once he reached the steps, he marched right in and sat about six rows back from the driver. As the bus pulled away, we were waving madly, but he was looking straight ahead -- a slight smile on his face.
We're hoping that encapsulates the days, weeks and months ahead. (9.7.2004)
