Daily Milstead

New Daily Milstead

2009-01-10T22:10:00.000-08:00

This is my last post at this address. You can find the new and improved Daily Milstead at http://milsteadfamily.wordpress.com/. Read on for the "why" or just read the new posts and enjoy.

When I first started the Daily Tyler five years ago I signed on with Blogger's free service. A few years on I started my school blog using the Wordpress platform. It didn't take too many posts for me to realize that the latter was far superior. Fast forward to Christmas of 2008 when a frequent Blogger tech issue prevented me from updating when I actually had time to do so. Many users, especially those who rely on Blogger to generate income, fired off support requests to no avail.

So, onward to Daily Milstead 2.0. Enjoy!

Spelunking in Our Crawlspace

2008-12-31T00:22:00.001-08:00

Spelunking

2008-12-29T00:14:00.001-08:00

Tyler and I explore the wonders of our crawlspace.

Man at end of Christmas Season

2008-12-25T23:32:00.001-08:00

IMG_7415, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

1,000 yard stare? Hardly. It was a great day and there are many stories that I hope to to share.

Here's the photographic summary:

Click here to see all 223 photos from December.

Click here to see Christmas 2008 photos.

Click here to see an interesting set that Tyler shot today.

Forgotten toast

2008-12-25T23:30:00.001-08:00

IMG_7420, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

As evidence of our active Christmas Day was this piece of toast sat neglected from early morning until I shot this photo after 10 pm. Who didn't get breakfast?

Christmas Eve fog

2008-12-25T12:51:00.001-08:00

IMG_2601, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

Building a Jay bird feeder

2008-12-24T15:45:00.001-08:00

Building a Jay bird feeder, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

test

2008-12-24T13:55:00.001-08:00

test

Christmas excitement

2008-12-24T00:09:00.000-08:00

Tyler has been counting down thanks to an advent calendar courtesy of George. Tonight he noticed that the stockings were hung and he exclaimed, "Now I can hardly wait!"

While in the car he pointed out that only Santa lives forever. He said that he and I won't live forever. This was a very matter of fact statement without regret or sadness.

We read the "Farolitos of Christmas" between lunch and dinner followed by "Three French Hens".

Twins update

2008-12-24T00:04:00.000-08:00

Shoes have become a big deal for Alden and Sydney. This fascination sprouted simultaneously and no shoe is safe in our home. They will wear each others' shoes, your shoes, guests' shoes and happily mix and match.

While Sydney communicates pretty well by pointing and yelling, Alden has picked up a few words.

Eat, wow, bye, Mommy, Tyler and Sydney.

Rhyming Tylerism

2008-12-23T23:56:00.000-08:00

Rhyming has become frequent component of Tyler's vocabulary. This evening he was given a candy cane as we ran some errands. In the restroom of the grocery store I offered,

R: "I'll hold your candy cane."
t: "Or else it might go down the drain."

All without skipping a beat.

Tyler has added some of his own photos lately - check out the growing collection here.

Icy

2008-12-15T21:06:00.000-08:00

Went out to the car minutes ago to retrieve my backpack. The door was stuck. Frozen over. It has been a long time since I've had that experience.

Shorn

2008-12-13T22:16:00.001-08:00

IMG_6801, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

We got haircuts today. It had been a long time.

Tree wrangler

2008-12-13T22:14:00.001-08:00

IMG_6846, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

Is is wise to pick out a tree on a cold, dark night? We'll find out in the morning.

Tyler did point out how unique it was to choose a tree after sunset. We dropped the twins at Shamsi's while Millie went to a party. This freed Tyler and I to hit the arcade, have some Thai food and lasso the evergreen.

He was VERY involved in lashing the tree to the minivan's roof. He yelled out in a trucker voice each time he was ready to receive the rope thrown over the roof.

Tyler's economic stimulus package (AKA Santa wish-list)

2008-12-09T21:43:00.000-08:00

In an effort to do his part for the faltering retail sector while simultaneously boosting imports Tyler has released his 2008 Christmas wish list for Santa.

Click here to view his wish-list.

I'll leave the trend analysis to you. What I will share is this: Tyler has been made aware of the fact that he won't receive everything - or most things - on this list. Santa has many children to care for and there are only so many gifts to go around.

On the subject of needy children I have asked Tyler to gather the toys that he will give away to other kids. So far, only the once coveted Thomas the Train railroad makes the list. That one I'm keeping for the babies and MY OWN grandchildren.

Feel free to ask for gift guidance or follow your own path.

Moving

2008-11-15T07:53:00.001-08:00

IMG_1805, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

The movers will here soon. We will be offline for a few days. Our phone number is the same.

Tonight is the first night in the new house!

Turn Tyler Turn

2008-11-08T22:31:00.000-08:00

Tyler's friend Zach celebrated his fifth birthday today. Star Wars theme complete with scavenger hunt, light saber battles and cake.

Oh, and an electric go-kart.

Before opening presents the party moved to a nearby alley and each child took a turn at the wheel. Tyler watched in his quiet way while I pondered the possibility of him being the kid who didn't go for a ride. After watching a few boys take a spin Tyler mounted up. I reviewed the controls with him and off he went.

Watch the video for rest. Bottom line: he turned. While I'm glad that he took the plunge this item will NOT be on his Santa list.

Halloween roundup

2008-11-04T19:00:00.000-08:00

Click here to see all the Halloween 2008 photos including a twins group party, pumpkin patch with Evan and Will and the big trick or treat with Cooper.

FYI: That's Cooper's mom with the nose.

Voting in 2008

2008-11-04T18:59:00.001-08:00

IMG_6286, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

Voting in 2004

2008-11-04T18:58:00.001-08:00

PB020074, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

Full circle with the garbage truck

2008-10-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

Sydney and I came downstairs to find the lights blazing and the place deserted. After a few minutes my suspicions were confirmed; Millie and Alden came back from viewing the garbage truck in action. Just like Tyler.

It begins again. How will we juggle all three on trash day?

Tylerism: baby intelligence

2008-10-16T23:43:00.000-07:00

Not sure how we got on this topic:

T: "I am smarter than Sabrina."

R: "How about the babies?"

T: "They are not as smart as Sabrina."

So much for college savings. Guess I'll buy an RV instead.

Evening soccer

2008-10-16T23:41:00.001-07:00

IMG_1645, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

Great light as we took in Tyler's soccer class this evening. He scored two "goals". That and much more in the October photos.

Thai Food

2008-10-11T10:40:00.001-07:00

IMG_6047, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

Last week it was Tyler's turn to go the doctor's. Turned out to be croup.

As evidence of his increasing geographical awareness Tyler suggested that we have rice for lunch and then play games. Translation: go to the mall food court for Thai food followed by a visit to the arcade.

After lunch he grabbed his leftover rice and walked to the counter to request a lid. All by himself. What a guy.

Astronomy

2008-10-11T10:32:00.001-07:00

IMG_6091, originally uploaded by RMilstead.

Tyler and I snuck out at dusk to find the first star. After the shadows had deepened he ran back inside and grabbed his binoculars to "look at a planet."