Today's Toby

The many stages of concert preparation.  

I'm not sure if it's just because it's homework, but Toby has been very diligent about practicing for his recorder concert.  

In honor of the Spurs making the NBA Finals, here's a video courtesy of Grandpa Paradine of Toby showing off his skills last weekend.  

Almost 9 years of a blog may be getting to him. Sometimes you take whatever picture you can get.

Sometimes you need a little support from your best bear when you're playing an intense game of Sorry.  

It's important to maintain your chill.  

Sometimes it feels like you get a glimpse into the future. Today after school, Toby wanted to go to Hudson's house to play Madden with Hudson and Emmett. Suddenly, it didn't feel like "I want to have a playdate with my friend." It felt like "see you later - I'm going to hangout with my friends." Crazy how nothing changes and everything changes.  

Practicing for his recorder concert. Thanks for listening Grandma Paradine!   

Games are more fun when you have a crowd.  

Looked like it could have gone either way.  

Books and brothers. And a few stuffies, pillows, and blankets.   

When in doubt, follow Toby.  

When you are truly devoted to having your pillow with you as much as possible...  

Happy to be done with school for the day.  

While the paint was mixing, Toby was diligently putting back sample cards that were out of place.    

We went to the town Arts and Eco fair today and got to see Toby's artwork hanging.  His class did pictures with a set of four emoji. Toby's is over his left shoulder with the green background. Here he is recreating all four.  

Playing "mini hockey" with Dad. (There is actually a puck, but it's not visible here.)  

When double scooters makes you half as fast.  

Sneaking. A story in three GIFs.  

Devotion is dragging your stuff downstairs every morning and back upstairs every night.  

He's still got a soft spot for flags, especially if 2 of his top 3 are involved.  

Full of love for mom on Mother's Day.

Sometime the book is so good that you have to stom mom and Spencer on the steps to read it aloud to them. Life's pretty great when you have a mom who can appreciate the silliest things. Happy Mother's Day to Cotton and to all the other mom's, especially our mom's, Bahiya, Rabi, amd Jessie.  We love you all!  

 Toby and his class had a field trip to Sandy Hook beach/bay/lighthouse. Thankfully, they had great weather for it. Toby and his friend Hudson on the bus. (They were all supposed to wear red.) The whole class.

Ready for his field trip!  

Tall enough to reach the water dispenser in the fridge - which is both crazy and mundane.  

Every now and again, if I'm sneaky, I can catch a real smile.  

Celebrating Star Wars Day.  

Time to recharge for a school week after a fun weekend.