more new stuff

Where are we going to put all this stuff when we move? Oy vey. Kai loves tooling around the pool with his snorkeling gear.

in our yard

Found this gal hanging out under Nate's car in the driveway. A little while later she'd made it to the side of the driveway, looked like she was about to lay some eggs so Nate and the kids took her to the backyard in a box. Not long after she was gone.

Nina's new dress

Thank you, Meecie! Nina paraded around like a princess today.

i don't want to forget...

That Nina says "kamote" for "remote".
That Nina says, "I not a kid, I a gul!"
Nina has two friends named Bella, but the one at her new school is "Bella" and the one at Franco's is "Mister Bella" (a.k.a. Isabella). And she's very serious about this.
That Nina always says, "Can you help me, Mom? Can you help me fall asleep?"
That she's never called me mommy or mama, just mom. Kai still calls me mama. I hope he does forever.

Kai's bday letter to Matt

Translation: "Dear Matt I am sad the hornets lost the playoffs but the lakers lost the playoffs too! Dallas is still in because they beat the lakers. love, kai. Go Hornets!"

kai's last days of school

End of school party. The kids just loved the limbo, and had a fantastic lunch with fruit kebobs and hawaiian pizza. Second limbo picture is one of Kai's BFF's, Michael, and the last few include Elias, Kai's BBBFF!, and one of the quads, Connor. We hope to see all of them this summer.
After a bumpy start, I was very happy in the end with Kai's teacher. She was sweet, well-intentioned, and worked so hard. We have some amazing works of art from Kai, bins full actually, and he really progressed socially and emotionally, which was our big hope. I'll miss that sweet little classroom of 9 kids, got pretty close with many of the moms.

sweet little thing

crawfish

Summer has started! Kai's last day of school was last Wednesday. We struggled through thursday and friday. Oy vey, not sure I'm gonna make it.
But we had a great weekend. Spent lots of time at the pool, then Friday we packed up the car and picnicked on the fly with Sara, Tibo, Hector and Katy. Too bad I forgot the camera, it was a gorgeous night, hundreds of people at the river picnicking and watching the incredible barges float by on the scary-high river. The four kids ran and ran while we ate delicious pupusas and beer. Sunday morning all 7 of us DeSchutter-Harrisons breakfasted together and went to the park. We were all beat by last night.
Here are pictures of last night's crawfish feast. Only I didn't partake.

Hector visits

Fun night in Covington in April, Sara brought Hector over, we went to see the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra play star wars music at bogue falaya park, then came back for dancing on the lawn and pizza. We can't wait for Hec to come again.

cherubs

backtrack - Easter

Easter in Wisconsin this year, a perfect day for an egg hunt.

the boys at jazz fest

Grandpa Fud made it to Jazz Fest for three days, one with Nate, one on his own, and one with Nate and Kai. Pretty impressive.
While the boys were at jazz fest, Nina and I lounged - never left the house, never took a shower, just enjoyed being very present with my girl. That doesn't happen often enough.
Kai was a CHAMP at jazz fest, he loved it, even fell asleep on Grandpa Fud's lap during a show. He ate a strawberry snowball, from a stand owned by one of Nate's patients, and a shrimp po-boy and even asked for a second. He held Nate's hand and said, "Thanks for taking me to Jazz Fest, dad." on the way back to the car. A perfect day.

The lakefront with Meecie and Fud

Friday afternoon at the lakefront. From the swings we went to dinner at the Beach House and the kids made new friends in the sandbox while we ate.
Meecie and Fud visited for a week, came just in time to get hit by a violent virus that knocked them out for a few days. Nate got it too - he was about to board a plane to Houston, he turned around and drove home, left a big nasty present on the driveway. Hopefully next time Meecie and Fud come we won't get them so sick!!! Ugh! But aside from being sick we had lots of fun, Meecie got to come to the Mother's Day luncheon at Kai's school and he was thrilled. Nina got to spend lots of time at the house playing, which is her favorite thing to do.

Art Stroll

Went to the "Through the Eyes of a Child: Art Stroll" last night at Kai's school. Here's the family. It was a beautiful evening, they had live music, lemonade and cookies, and art displayed throughout the school and grounds. Kai and best, best friend Elias in front of their classroom's sculpture, a robot.
Each child had a piece of art displayed that the art teacher, Mrs. Porter (beloved by all and retiring this year), had handpicked for the occasion. Reina, the director of the school, had interviewed each child and had typed up an artist bio that they attached to the artwork. Kai's said, "My name is Kai, it means ocean in Japanese. This summer I am going to Florida for my birthday and I'm going to California to see my friends and watch a movie."

funny nina

Nina: "Can i watch something with you, Dad?"
Nate: "Can I watch something with you, Nina?"
Nina: "Yeah...it's not football, but...it's my show!"


A conversation with Spencer about mosquitos. She said they attack Cole, they must like his blood. I said, "They must like Nina's blood too, because they bite her a lot too!" Nina thought for a second, and said, "I like my blood! It's like dessert!"