Phil, Shannon, Mia Bella & Ben Dog ...

100_2549, originally uploaded by pnickinson.

Poor turtle. An ill-timed run-in with an overenthusiastic toddler left everybody's favorite shellback with a broken nose!

Needless to say, Mia's quite distraught, and I'm sure I'll be heading to Lowe's for a replacement turtle soon (though don't tell the B).

100_2543, originally uploaded by pnickinson.

Spent the morning (er, afternoon, actually) with Mia B and Ma Ma Ma in the new kiddie pool out back. Blowing up this damn thing only required two trips to Target and one battery charger for my car.

Mia and I had our inaugural swim yesterday, but she made me get out after just a few minutes. Today, we had to drag her out.

Of course, she's used to the Olympic-size pool at UWF, but this one's big enough for me and Shannon, too. And notice the cupholders!

img117.jpg, originally uploaded by pnickinson.

Notice how there's more water on the walkway than on the flowers. ... I'm just sayin' ...

We spent the evening out back on the patio, enjoying one of the few times that it'll still be under 85 degrees at dinnertime.

The menu: Grilled chicken, soaked in the goodness that is Beulahland Bar-B-Q sauce!

Had a decent New Zealand white ... Allan Scott marlborough sauvignon blanc 2007. I'll overlook the screw-top. We're not that wine-snobby yet.

Mia B joined us after running around in circles for most of the afternoon, though she added strawberries to her menu.

ANYWAY, I'm we're still sitting outside as I type this, finishing the bottle and watch my wife, kid and dog be crazy in the twilight. Definitely could be worse.

Decided to finally compile photos and videos in one place for all to see ...

Mother's Day started out pretty nice. Mia and I woke Shannon earlier than she probably would have liked, but we came bearing gifts, so all was forgiven.



With Mom and Dad still in Tally (after having witnessed what apparently was Christopher's quickest 1500M - See it here), Pap Pap and Nani (Billie and Bob) and GiGi and Pop Pop (Betty and Ted) came over for lunch. Decent salmon. Good wine. Great cannolis ...

We make our way out back.



Warned Billie and Shannon not to play with the ball (again) next to the fence. But, of course, no one listens to me ...



Thank God for Pap. Now Mia B can play!