Harry's first time shaving by himself

For a Dad, to witness your son shaving like a big boy is better than life.

Our first family run on a cold saturday morning

Harry & Charlotte wanted to go for an early morning run in the freezing weather. We are all ready to go. Mom has the video camera. The goal is to get to Mark's house. Here we go, you can tell Charlotte and Harry are so ready. They stretched for a while in the house prior to the run. We have a good pace. We are supporting each other and cheering out loud. Good breathing as well. We are back in no time to get in the shower. What a fun start of the day!

The Museum of Transportation

One of Harry's favorite places to go in St.Louis. Take the tour with Harry as the guide is incredible. He will tell you everything about the trains you see: names, colour, purpose, specifications... He KNOWS, and doesn't make up a thing. Mind-blowing. And we had some much fun in the Big Boy pretending to go in far away countries.

Tubby Time

Always a riot to see my babies in the tub. Tonight Mom is out with some girlfriends. Harry asks me to get in the tub with him and Charlotte. I did that once with huge success. But this time, I decline and compensate with lots and lots of bubbles. 10 minutes into the bath, Charlotte wants to go to the bathroom. Harry uses that alone time to lie down on his back, ears under water claiming he is having a great time. I've never seen him doing that before. I see his confidence growing. I am so happy. Charlotte joins him and here they are next to each other lying down on their backs. How adorable!!

The day of President Barack Obama's Inauguration

Daddy and I picked you up from school together today as we are so lucky we are able to do from time to time. The hugs when you see us are the best hugs ever. We know you like school but we also know you love being home with us and that you can't wait to come home. Harry is very excited to see the new train configuration that Daddy has built. I am sure Daddy was an engineer in another life because I have never seen a Daddy who can make so many new combinations of trains. And Harry with each one you are sooooooooo happy it makes Mom so proud!!! Charlotte you were tired tonight and were happy eating some bread and butter and watching TV while Mommy made dinner.
Suddenly I turned around and realized you took two big bites right out of the butter!
So silly you are and you already know it! Mommy got mad but then we laughed!!!!
Today was the day the first African American President was inaugurated - He is the 44th president and who knows what else will happen in your lives!!! So exciting!
Mommy and Daddy are off to bed and are so proud of our two adorable children and you are only 3 and 4yrs old. Who knows what great accomplishments are to follow!

Les Fous - captured by my cell phone

I have to explain: "les fous". It is a time before or sometimes after the bath when I transform the sofa into either a boat, a train, a house, a space ship or a slide. Harry & Charlotte play very hard and loud for few minutes and I usually try to chase them unsuccessfully or make some kind of gates with my legs they enjoy opening pressing on an imaginary button.

The things I want to remember...

I love when my Harry speaks French to me. You can tell he is really putting a lot of efforts to come up with some sentences. And he hates making mistakes, so he is using all his resources - body language, long pauses - to express himself with his arsenal of words. I wish every parent could enjoy the journey of raising a child bilingual.

I love when my Charlotte wakes up after her nap. The smell of her hair. The look to nowhere, her face has no expression - which is SO uncommon for her - I can see her so peaceful, so unguarded for few seconds. And then, she connects with reality and she is in motion again... but these few seconds when she wakes up are the world to me.

Bed Time Story

Tonight, Harry is crying. After doing some games with me, he was expecting to read a book with Mom but it is already way past his bedtime. So the light is turned off and Harry is not happy about it.

I put my rescue mission hat on and I decide to lie down next to him in the dark and tell him a story. We used to do that together a lot when he was younger. I start the story and ask him to fill up the blanks. Tonight it is the story of... a little girl. Her name is .... Charlotte... She is going on a train trip, the train is... pink . The story goes on for few minutes. I am trying to end it with the train going back to the station but Harry wants more. I tell him the story will end tomorrow then. He is not happy about my answer. What was suppose to be a relaxing time in the dark turns into a procrastinating session. I leave the room and call Julie to the rescue.

Bottom line: a rescue mission that needed another rescue mission to seal the deal.