Subtle hint

Like a hungry lion cub looking for its piece of the action around a fresh zebra kill...

Don't get distracted by the big hair

In an impressive demonstration of imaginative play, Oscar improvises a version of, "Hey, Is That A Diamond?!? Nope, Just A Piece Of Glass."

The 1980's Howard Jones-like hairdo, it turns out, is ancillary.

And away he goes...

Emmett woke up at 6am this morning, absolutely vibrating about his first day of Kindergarten. (His parents will no doubt remind him of this when is is 16 and they have to shake him awake to get to school on time).

He was the first one ready...

...having done alot of prep work the night before.

He was accompanied by Mom, Dad and Oscar to school. Aside from needing to hold a hand as he headed into his new classroom, and a few tears (from Mom, as she left the school), his first day started as it should. In his own words...

The night before Kindergarten

Twas the night before Kindergarten and all through the house

not a creature was stirring, except for one spouse.

The lunch had been packed

In the lunchbox with care

By his mom and his dad

Who were battling despair.

Their almost 5-year-old son was nestled

all snug in his bed  
as visions of his first day of school

danced in his head.

I was in the kitchen 
checking the snacks

making sure none violated 
the rules for the pack.

On Yogurt!
On Goldfish!

On Cheese Strings and more

Bananas, grapes and apples

Nutritionally...a score.

So many snacks, which ones to choose?

I must pick the ones that won’t receive any “boos”.

To the top of the fridge, to the bottom cupboard drawer,

Yogurt and banana you win the award.

What to do with their days?

His parents wondered, quite subdued.

They planned out the ways

They’d find work to do.

But they couldn’t replace

All those sounds they would miss.

Or the games they would play,

All those owies they’d kiss.

“Our babies are grown!”

Cried the one to the other.

“Not yet,”  came the thought,

No:

“There is another.”

Four more years, little one. Grow up slowly...your parents can't handle it.

In the garden

Emmett and his Mom harvest a bumper crop of carrots from the garden, just in time for school.

Camping

Summers are ridiculously short in the world where Emmett and Oscar and their parents live. While visions of hot summer nights and basking in the sun prompt them to go camping, often the reality is below zero temperatures and rain. Fortunately, they make the most of it, and this summer, enjoyed some pretty good camping trips. Minus sleep, that is. The littlest StranMcCann is still getting used to sleeping through the night in a tent. Either that, or he's being woken up by the snoring of his parents in such close quarters.

Uncle John, the non-camper, makes a surprise trip out West to join StranMcCann.

Warming up in the car.

Throwing rocks into Beauvais Lake. Note Emmett's trendy camping attire.

Watch out bears. There's a moose in the hood.

Tickle party in the tent.

The bitter taste of defeat

Unclear why this gag never seems to get old.