Ubi sunt [qui ante nos fuerunt]

August already. Finals for me. Law school application essays for Lucie. Buying a backpack for Eamon. It'll be a short post this time, in part because Eamon is stealing everything he can from my office and Matilda is distraught that she woke up.

So last month my folks made their trek out from Washington to visit. We usually make two visits a year--they come once during the summer, we go once during the winter. Rather than flying, they drove out this year. My dad, after 30-some years working for the national lab (well, for the nonprofit research juggernaut that operates several national labs on behalf of the government), was forced into early retirement. He was somewhat willing to be forced, he'll admit, because he's been aching to get back into professional photography. After high school he first started out as a photographer, even travelling with the Seattle Seahawks as team photographer, but decided to go back to school and become an engineer. Eventually, between the time constraints, the costs and the kids he had more or less stopped taking pictures for anything other than the most functional results. Right around the time I was off enjoying Rome with most ya'll (and Haeley was going all gaga for Soren), he caved and bought a digital camera. Now, five years later, he just opened his own photography studio this Saturday.

Eamon and Matilda were particularly lovey for their Grandma and Grandpa

We had a joint birthday party for the two at the children's museum. Matilda was panicked she wasn't getting cake, but much relieved when she got to blow out the candles.

At the children's museum, Eamon playing driver while the kids in the back listened to "clapping" -- his term for Irish dance tunes.

The party had a safari theme, and the last thing they found on the safari hunt was this lizard. Also pictured, Lucie's thumb.

Eamon reserves his enthusiasm. Lucie does not.

Sean reserves his enthusiasm. Matilda does not.

Matilda enjoyed painting most of the afternoon. Eamon (not pictured) sat in a Jeep Wrangler that was in an exhibit.

"nemo."

He got this awesome thing, which is the perfect toy for Mr. Mechanical. He will spend dozens of minutes sitting and taking it apart and putting it back together. 

Climbing a tree.

My kids are gorgeous.

Also climbing a tree.

Matilda got a tea set with which they both love playing.

There was an excessive amount of hand holding, smooching, hugging and general over-the-top hamminess going on while my folks visited. Matilda is now ready for Eamon to start school.

Needless to say, there are hundreds (thousands) of pictures from their visit, most of which are probably sitting un-edited on one of his massive external hard-drives.

I'll leave it at that for now -- I have three finals in the next day, and plenty of work over and above that.