Sea Island

Seventeen days after celebrating the groundhog, we found ourselves again at an island retreat in southern Georgia. We understand that during this time most of the readership has been covered in snow, or at least cold. In order to offend the least number of friends and family, here is only a sample of the beach frolicking.



Lily Jane really getting the most out of her swing.



Stephanie poses in front of an early lighthouse on St Simon's Island.



Andy and Kate pose on top of the lighthouse. The platform is visible in the background behind Stephanie.

Pinewood Durr-bee

Andy's first Pinewood Durr-bee (southern pronunciation) went great. Always thrilled to wear his scout shirt, Andy arrived with his shin-y red car, perfectly weighted and well, uh, graphited.



The races were spectacular. Andy was so animated when his name was called and he put his car on the track. He lost a few heats and won a few. For every race, Andy pumped his fists in the air and shouted as the cars raced down the track. By the third heat, the other scouts would chant, "Andy! Andy! Andy!" as he moved his pinewood car into position.



It was truly one of the great moments of our year and we're so happy to be where we are with our friends around us.

Lexicon

Kate: Mom, I see a shooting star!

Mom: Actually, that's an airplane.

K: Well, I call it a shooting star.

Future financial support

Being the loving, supporting parents that we are, we have long since figured that if we want our little eaglets to move away from the nest, our responsibility is to foster marketable skills that can support them as adults. This makes us great parents. We also recognize that should said marketable skills produce excess funds, they can support *us* as adults. This, uh, removes some of that greatness and leaves us simply as adequate parents.

Undaunted, our goal is to see what we can do. Kate is enjoying her pre-El calculus and economic theory while Andy has become rather talented with a camera. (Lily Jane has yet to show an aptitude for anything, but Steph says I'm not allowed to call 1 year a marker.) As proof of Andy's skill I offer the following photo taken by Andy without instruction. Framing, focus, and perspective are a result of the practice of sheer volume by the little guy.



Kate's thesis is forthcoming, but it may take a year or two to postulate additive material to the current body of global macroeconomics. We'll keep you updated.

Snow Day!

We have been exceptionally patient, but our waiting has finally come to an end. There is now snow in Georgia. Many were doubtful as we read reports of the glorious white stuff touching down on the heads of our friends and family in the Rockies and the northeast US. Some were equally jealous of those and lamented not being able to celebrate the scenery, dropping temperatures, or heightened excitement behind the wheel.

Although our humble snow may not be enough to cause loss of power, icy roads, skiing conditions, or even the need to don a coat before exiting the house, we were able to enjoy what little we have as the schools shut down. Seriously.



(I have highlighted the area on our neighbor's roof where you can see the snow accumulate. Unfortunately, the air temperature is still in the mid-30s, so the snow is melting as soon as it touches down.)

Andy the Bobcat

Andy attended his first pack meeting as a Cub Scout. Although he turns 8 later in the month, he was invited to this month's meeting because they were handing out Pinewood Derby kits and Andy needs to get going. Pictured is Andy lining up for a relay race. Next month we'll either post pictures of Andy learning to use a coping saw and apply direct pressure to open wounds or of his dad being reprimanded for trying to smuggle a six-pound derby car into the races.

Future concerns

Kate: When will I go to college?

Dad: When you're 18.

K: Will they have cereal? Because I can't live without cereal.