Park, Park, Park & Park

I use Picasa (a Google app) to edit all of our photos. And I've started experimenting with some of the effects in an effort to learn. We all went out to another National Trust property this past weekend- Cliveden in Buckinghamshire. It's perched on top of a bluff over the Thames and has some old Gothic stonework. "This is how I will crush all of these little people in this window!"

C hasn't learned the art of keeping secrets yet. Bella and C went shopping for my birthday present a few days ago. All the way home, Bells explained to C that he mustn't tell Daddy what was bought, where they had gone, etc. If I asked, C was to say it is a secret. Well, C bolted in the door, ran right up to me, and said "Daddy, Daddy! We bought you a barbecue! Shhhhhh!" We then spent Saturday afternoon putting it together. And I did pork ribs that night.

Grandpa came for dinner last week, and had a chance to read C a bedtime story. C has been very lucky the last week or so. He also sat through a bedtime story read to him from Chicago over the phone. Grandma and Grand-dad (US version) have a copy of Guess How Much I Love You and C followed in his copy. Complete with C mimicking Little Nutbrown Hare.

A, B and C spent Good Friday out in the Country. We toured another National Trust location (note to self: start keeping track of these, like my pub book). This was Mottisfont Abbey in Hampshire. We then spent the afternoon in Winchester. Didn't make it into the Cathedral- they had some church service going on. So we did the next best thing and headed for the pub- this one . Fortunately, the pub landlord had the good sense to not let in anyone under the age of 14, and so we beat the rain and headed home. Here's C at the playground.

In between traumatic episodes today (see here ), we had a really nice time at a National Trust site. We went this morning towards Guilford, and found a site along the River Wey- Dapdune Wharf . It had been a barge building compound, with several restorations. The best part was a boat ride up the river. And then a search around a restored barge- complete with hard hats.

C is at the short end of the tether today, and we're learning parental lessons the hard way. Saturday morning C decided to pour 12 oz of olive oil onto the kitchen counter and see what would happen. Needless to say, we will be cleaning it out of the corners of the cabinets and floor for years to come. Instead of his regular nap this afternoon, he spread nappy cream all over himself, his collection of teddy bears, the bed, books, and even a bit on the window. The washing machine actually had the toughest part of the deal.

The stars aligned for some reason today, and I stumbled upon these two links. One right after the other, both from proud Dads: One from Paul Kedrosky here. If the link doesn't work, google this "watching the (kedrosky) detectives". And one from Seth Levine here.

We now have skype in the Park household. That means video calls for free around the world. C is eager to tell you about his new friend Luke. Quick, join the cue.

Here's a picture from last night: You can compare it to this one here in flickr and this one from 2005.

C's great Aunt LM came to dinner last night bearing gifts. Noisy gifts. Battery operated gifts. C has been helping me mend things around the house recently. This usually means assisting while I drill holes and screw screws. LM heard this racket over the phone and brought C a drill of his own. We bought 1000 shares of Duracell stock this morning at the opening in New York.

C and I put the first round of seeds in the ground at the allotment over the weekend. Usually, he digs for worms while I turn the soil. Today, Farmer C covered the seeds after I put them in the ground. We then rolled down hills in the park.

All dressed up and well behaved for Mothers Day (UK).

What do males do on Saturday mornings? It is the same the world over. They get out their tools and repair something.