Child Rearing

The thought of raising another kid can at times feel daunting, however there is a real practical benefit to be realized in children by applying just a little coercion. Dr. Spock may not have written about it, but as kids grow older they develop such strong little backs making the role of parenting largely administrative in nature.

Zaheeda is with child

How could this have happened? Well, we are examining possible causes and may even resort to professional consultation. Maya is excited about the prospects of a little brother or sister and looks forward to shaping him or her in her own image.

Shelf Building

Last night we built storage shelves in the basement. Maya was a big help in sorting out screws and even used the drill a couple times. By the time we were done we were pretty tired so we had an Icee popsicle to celebrate a job well done.

Another cloudy muggy day

Maya was in our bed again last night because of another early morning storm passing through. This week has been spent killing time waiting for school to start. Thursday her friend Clair is coming over to play for a while and then that night is school orientation so as to ensure she starts to school year orientated.

Saturday her Brown Grandma is coming to visit for the next month.

Decorating the daycare

More work around the house

Yesterday we made a little shoe organizer for the closet which we hope will be more effective than our last organizer which was a big pile of shoes. It's amazing how three sets of feet can account for so many different shoes.

Fishing in the rain and fog

Saturday lunch at Davanni's

Last couple weeks of vacation

Maya's anxious to get back to school, she has all her school supplies, backpack, and clothes. No more violin lessons for the next two weeks and then it is right back to the grind.

Violin and Swimming

Got her violin in early this morning and went swimming after lunch. The weather has cooled considerably making swimming a bit of a chili affair. As soon as she was out of the pool it was right into the tub for a warm shower.

Storms again

This of course meant Maya slept with us again last night. A cynical person might think she's really not that scared of thunder and just uses it as an excuse to sleep in our bed... Of course only a cynical person would think that.

This afternoon is her last violin lesson of the year leaving her then with a two week break before the next semester begins.

Work around the house

This afternoon we spent cleaning and painting down in the daycare room. Maya is going to paint tulips on the walls tomorrow to brighten it up a bit.

Swimming

Per our agreement, here she is swimming as a reward for practicing violin for a half hour during the day. Such a simple arrangement yet the cause of so much tears and hysterics...????

Sandstone

Maya taking some time away from our bike ride to admire the art work done in the sandstone underneath the 35E bridge.

Another Hot Wednesday

We went for a bike ride at lunch and the heat was unpleasant.

We're keeping the air conditioner off to see if Zaheeda's allergies will subside and they have... So it's hot in the house, but there is no sneezing from Zaheeda.

Fat Cat Epidemic

It's not just Gizmo.

Maya Simpsonized

Bridge Inspection

In light of certain revelations that Minnesota could be considered "infrastructurally challenged" Maya has taken it upon herself to do some bridge inspection in the neighborhood. Now some bureaucratic minded types might say, "but Maya is not a structural engineer." This is true, but then neither are the bridge inspectors from the MN Department of Transportation so lest not one amateur accuse another, right?

Our first bridge to be scrutinized was the West 7th Street bridge crossing the Mississippi. All indication suggests that this bridge is sound and reliable, however Maya is concerned about the number of spiders on this bridge and is going to request a supplemental one million dollars of federal money to go towards spider removal. Spiders really don't effect the structural integrity of the bridge so much as they are just creepy.


Next up was the Mendota Bridge crossing the Minnesota River. This bridge showed some signs of rusting in the steel supports however Maya thinks this can be remedied with a "good painting."


Last was this bridge in the middle of nowhere made entirely of stone which is used for absolutely nothing. It is Maya's opinion that this bridge be completely torn down and replaced with one made entirely of titanium. (In the interest of full disclosure Maya has recently taken a small advisory position with the National Titanium Manufactures Association, however she assures me this in no way reflects on her dispassionate and objective recommendations.)

Back Home

She's back, and done with all her vacations for the summer. Yesterday she was right back into her usual routine of watching The Simpsons all day and drawing pictures. She was up kind of early this morning , we think she probably got into this habit from her grandma.