Proud Mama

Yes, I'm proud of this guy for getting a Presidential Award for being a smartypants and whatnot. But I'm MORE proud of him for deciding that he didn't want to go to the 2-hour ceremony, thus ensuring that his mom didn't have to get off the comfy couch and put on real pants and go and talk to All The People in a stinky sweaty auditorium. Really, a mom couldn't be more proud - and more comfy.

Somewhat Not Uncool Mom

I don't want to brag, y'all, but my tween daughter actually took a selfie with me, like, totally on purpose. And the other day, I swear she smiled at me, though everyone says it was just gas. But I don't know, I think I'm on my way to being Not 100% Tragically Basic Mom. Crossing fingers!

A few lessons learned from our first kayaking outing of the season:

(1) doggie Oliver is NOT a good kayaker, but is IS fully capable of swamping a kayak in his attempt to escape
(2) a key to increasing the effectiveness of sunblock is to ... actually remember to apply it
(3) the perfect end to an afternoon on the water is a chocolate shake from B&Js.



It was a beautiful weekend, so we decided it was to get our Redneck on, load up Jared's new midlife crisis, I mean truck, and head on down to Riverside with the new impulse purchases, I mean kayaks.

The kids were ready to get some fun in the sun.

You know it's good when you can get Ellie to actually smile for a picture. It's a Kayaking Miracle!

Jack did a great job of rigging (and unrigging) the kayaks for the drive down.

And then finally, it was time to hit the water.

Jack was the first in the water, and was a natural.

Ellie also did great, until she discovered that water-without-boat was a lot less work

Jack showed a strong talent for sleeping in a boat

Ellie did get back into a kayak once she realized she could do so without working

Although her concept of kayaking protocol was a bit sketchy

Just a bit

All in all - aside from boat-escaping dogs and a bit of sunburn - a big thumbs-up for kayaking, Sorenson-style

Ode to a Smiling Boy

A shoutout to my son, who is the only one in my %*#&% family who will smile in a photo. Husband always looks like a Russian mobster and Daughter barely refrains from giving me the middle finger (just barely). And here, they should have been happy - beautiful day in Philadelphia, with tummies full of cheesesteak and tomato pie - what's not to smile about? So thank you, Dearest Son, for smiling for the dang camera.



Salty pretzel with mustard - now that's something to smile about

And who wouldn't smile about a delicious tomato pie?

And getting a little good luck by rubbing the Eagle's talon? Now that's smile-inducing for sure?

And can we say 'cheese' for some cheesy fries?

Now who wouldn't smile over a yummy Philly cheesesteak?

I would certainly smile about a Founding Fathers tour, including a visit to Independence Hall

And come on, give a little smile for the Liberty Bell

And Elfreth's Alley? Now that'd bring a grin to your face - wouldn't it?

And yet I present to you the Russian Mobster, the Defiant Tween, and Jack - to whom I present my Ode to a Smiling Boy - thanks, my dear one

Our Newest Bundle of Joy

Let me introduce you to our newest bundle of joy.

We are going to call him Midlife Crisis.

The Joy of Cereal

Lookie what we found! Bob Ross The Joy of Cereal! Yes, it's a real thing, and it's simply joyful. And it's got marshmallow happy little trees, mighty mountains, and guiding stars. Really, we're just tickled pink ... one might even say filled with joy - well played, Bob Ross, well played.