Not to be outdone, Kyle proposes a new contest for the longest cantilevered arm. The design he worked out wins with an 8-inch extension.

When we returned home, I challenged the boys to see who could build a taller tower out of Jenga blocks. Kyle does a little victory dance on top of the kitchen island after he and Nicolai pass my initial mark of 48 inches with a 52 inch design. Tolerating these smirking children for the rest of the evening was not an option and I responded with a new record tower height of 55 inches, a mark which I predict will stand for eternity (or at least until Maya takes up the challenge).

We attempted to find a Family Night activity that everyone could agree on today. The boys could not be convinced to attend a Gospel Choir Jubilee held at the New England Conservatory Jordan Hall. Jeanine and I decided to go with Maya and her friend and left the boys to entertain themselves for the afternoon. The loss was theirs as the performances, including one by a children’s choir pictured here, were nothing short of amazing and left us feeling uplifted and inspired.

Even Nala get’s some love today (after Jeanine and I took her for a long walk).

My sweetie got an arguably less creative but equally heartfelt expression of love from her man.

Romance is in the air today. Nicolai makes waffles from scratch for his sweetheart Izze. The two enjoy their brunch in the tree house.

 
 
 
 
Tonight Kyle had his first indoor soccer match of the new session. Here is a nice sequence in which Kyle fakes a shot with his right, controls the ball to the left, leaves his opponent confused and shoots with his left. Kyle scored one goal and his team won 4-2. Click on the photo for a better view of the action.

Most children build snowmen in the the yard somewhere. Ours seem to prefer the middle of a circular drive we use daily. The parents must now choose between committing crimes against the thermally challenged or making use of our automobiles.

 
Maya has started work on her hand crafted Valentine’s Day cards. I haven’t seen one with my name on it yet — hint.

 
Little Miss Maya has injured her wing. A boy at school knocked her down on the playground (intentionally). Jeanine contacted his mother last night and he was summoned to the phone to apologize. Not clear who was more embarrassed. The boy or Maya. My medical examination of her shoulder produced wincing at the slightest touch. We fitted her with the sling used by Nico when he broke his arm. Interestingly as a gave her a deliberately strong hug goodbye she exhibited no signs of pain whatsoever. I attribute the miraculous recovery to the sling and hope she remembers to bring it home from school. I am sure it will come in handy in the future.

Reknowned author and screenwriter Jon Land contacted us this evening with an interesting proposal regarding his book Hope Mountain. It was a very unexpected and interesting conversation. More to follow if anything develops. The story is a departure from his mainstay espionage-thriller genre and a heart warming tale of three troubled souls who help each other to heal.

A champion just for stepping on the mat, Nico seems well on his way to gaining real proficiency in a sport that tests both the body and spirit.

Nico finishes his third round match in style with a first-round head-and-arm throw pin.

Although he lost his second round match, Nico catches his opponent with another beautifully executed souple.