First Day of Kindergarten

 Here is James on his first day of kindergarten. No, Amy didn't comb his hair. He wears a helmet as he bikes to school, rendering combing useless. But she probably wouldn't have anyway.

After school, Aunt Michelle became a hero by introducing James to a German tradition called a Kindertuete, a huge cone filled with candy, treats, and other presents for the first day of school. Lucky kid.

Introduction to Water Sports

Go ahead, ask James how he felt about his first kneeboarding experience:

(The footage of the actual kneeboarding didn't work out, but this photo captures the feeling of his accomplishment much better anyway.)

Amazing James, part 2

One day James decided to ride a bicycle. So he did, with surprisingly few spills and even less parental intervention.

Amazing James, part one

In honor of James's upcoming 4th birthday, Amy and Paul would like to showcase some of the feats and talents of their firstborn. First, and as surprising to his parents as to the rest of the world, he can read. (Thank you, Starfall!) Second, he can and does read while walking.

Bankhead Valentines

(photos by Ashlee: ashsnaps.blogspot.com)

The Daily Volcano

James often requests bedtime stories "about when you were a little girl, Mom." One night Amy told him about the volcanoes she and her siblings often made in the backyard sandbox. Of course the next day James requested a live demonstration, and most every day since then we've built our own volcano in our backyard. The colors change, but the novelty never wears off. Also, Amy's discovered a reason to buy the Costco-size baking soda.

James Washes the car

The people behind the Firehouse Carwash are geniuses. Kids can use little joysticks and buttons to control a hose that shoots soap at the cars as they pass by. As long as I have toddlers, they have my business.

The Fair is a Veritable Smorgasbord

Stanford took our housing dues and turned them into a carnival. Pony rides, fire truck tours, a magician, games, prizes, a petting zoo, balloon animals, and, James's favorite, cotton candy.

Birthday Season

While in Utah, the children successfully celebrated their birthdays, thanks to a large turnout of both Glausers and Bankheads. Sadie is now 1 and James 3. They both made such short work of Grandma's magic cupcakes that the photos show only the aftermath.

Happy Valentine's Day

James Goes Skating Again

This time on carpet, in his pajamas, in skates that are 16 sizes too big.

James Goes Skating

Yet another icy discovery: our favorite ice rink rents skates in James's size--and that's not even the smallest they come.

Pageant Debut

James was less than thrilled about his assignment of wise man in our neighborhood Christmas pageant. He ripped his costume off three times, eventually giving in to a bribe of an extra shot of milk in his sippy cup. Sadie, on the other hand, shined in her role as a sheep.

Great Expectations

Our neighborhood is currently experiencing extensive construction and relandscaping. Most of us are willing to handle the inconvenience in anticipation of a lovely renovated living space. James, however, hopes the construction never ends. We wouldn't be surprised if he is secretly sabotaging the work at night in order to make the construction last as long as possible. He spends at least 3 hours a day watching the workers from our back patio and yelling things like, "Go, Bobcat with tracks, go!" and "Watch out roller, here comes the dump truck!" On the weekends, when the heavy machinery sits idly in our backyard, James spends hours and hours climbing all over the diggers and jabbering about levers, pistons, buckets, and hydraulic rams. He often pleads, "Dad, I want to drive the digger/dump truck/Bobcat/Bomag/roller/cement mixer/crane." To which Paul replies, "Son, if you work hard in school and get good grades, you can drive a digger when you grow up."

Hooray for Uncle Rick

Uncle Rick kindly gave in to James's pleas to let him drive the Ski Nautique down the launching ramp at Lake Berryessa. He did pretty well, considering. We did not, however, let him pull a skier, mostly because he has not yet had the requisite 10 hours of Bankhead training for cultivating pristine ski water. Then again, the water was pretty choppy, so we were better off tubing anyhow.

Humor Us: James

Big Brotherly Kindness

In a particularly generous moment, James decided to share his favorite toys with Sadie. He is sensitive enough to know that, despite her disinterested demeanor, deep down she loves Lightening McQueen and Mater as much as he does.

March Madness

The Glauser family has a rich tradition of March Madness, which James is now learning. What follows is actual footage of how he carefully crafted his bracket for the Glauser pool. And now that Amy and Paul have a TV for the first time in NCAA history, we plan to teach the boy how to follow along and watch his tourney predictions come true. Go South Alabama Jags!

Tulips in San Francisco

Work on the Weekend

Some might say that Paul is pushing himself too hard by showing up in the office on a Saturday. Others might say he's achieved a smart work/family balance by bringing the family with him. Whatever the case, here's a peek inside Google.