Mark of Fridays: Dodgers fan at Wrigley

Mark got to a Cubs game for his 5th birthday! He liked Wrigley Field, but he still rooted for his favorite team, the Dodgers. For some reason, Matt was very suspicious of old Cubs players.

Mark of Fridays: Making the jump

This would make a cool flip book. 

(Matt was trying out a new camera setting at the orchard.)

Quotation Mark Mondays: Switch

Mark comes out of his room, announcing he has had a spooky dream about witches, ghosts, "gargles" (gargoyles?), skeletons and goblins. This spooky dream woke Mark.
Once awake, Mark then had a spooky thought, also involving witches, ghosts, gargles, skeletons and goblins.
Matt advises Mark to think of something more pleasant.
"I'm going to try, Dad. I have a switch in my head. An on-off switch for spooky thoughts. I'll just turn it off."

Mark of Fridays: Buzz

Matt, Mark and Anne are playing in the living room.
Anne is running around, destroying things.
Mark decides to make up his own game. The rules of his game: Matt is supposed to name an object, then Mark will bring a different - yet tangentially related - object.
For instance: Matt said plate. Mark brought a plastic bowl. Not the same object. But related.
Matt said: book. Mark brought: magazine. Different. But similar. You get it.
Finally, Matt said: hat.
Mark disappeared downstairs.
Matt played with Anne. Mark was gone for a long while. Matt forgot that he was even playing this crazy game with Mark.
Then, Mark returned.
What did you guess he brought? Did you guess glasses? Did you guess coat?
If you did, you were wrong.
Mark brought a chunk of his hair that he had cut himself.
It made sense. Sort of.

Mark of Fridays: Apple pickin' good time

After playing baseball for Mark's birthday, it was time to pick apples for Lynne's birthday, an annual tradition. This year, the Hanleys headed for Honey Hill Orchard , an old-school orchard in Waterman.
The kids loved it!

Quotation Mark Monday

"The one thing every kid is born knowing is that their parents love them." - Mark

(OK, maybe Matt teared up when he heard that. Maybe.)

Mark of Fridays: Birthday party

Mark wanted a baseball birthday when he turned five. He required that everyone wear the uniform of their favorite player and play in a Whiffle ball game.
Mark, of course, was Jackie Robinson - his favorite player. And wouldn't you know it? He managed to drive in the winning run when he was called in to pinch hit in the bottom of the fourth.
A great time was had by all!