David’s first kite flying experience is accompanied by an excellent windy spring day. “I’m above the clouds!” Just watch out — you may lose a shoe.

Click picture to play video

As you can see, like many of us, David enjoys singing while he plays, especially if no one is (or seems to be) watching.

Feel free to comment below what you think the song is. We’re still trying to figure it out.

Click picture to play video

Take a magician, balloon animals, add cake, and then share it with a dozen of your friends. What else do you need?

– 27-Feb-2011

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Breakfast time at the Banks house. David enjoys bananas and the muffins made from them. They’re good for you, and they give you a new outlook on life. Yes, that’s right — six minutes of eating two banana muffins. You must love the source material enough to enjoy this movie all the way until David walks off screen.

David eats the banana muffins he made with Mommy the day before.

David eats the banana muffins he made with Mommy the day before. – 22-May-2010

Filmed on May 22, but good any time of the year. Must’ve been a chilly morning. Check out Joe’s pajamas.

Future left-handed Indians pitcher in training!

Future left-handed Indians pitcher in training! – 16-Jun-2010

Video: David and Daddy in the backyard, trying out a new, fun set of Velcro mitts and ball. Can’t you see the potential?

Select image to watch video.

David the artist in the studio. What technique!

David the artist in the studio. What technique! – 05-Jun-2010

David shows off his painting prowess. Sometimes, it’s more about the technique (and the play of it) than the final product. Right? (Select picture to view video.)

Happy Birthday to You! (David’s 4th Birthday Party)

Happy Birthday to You! (David’s 4th Birthday Party) – 27-Feb-2010

Select image to play video.

A smaller gathering of David’s friends, plus their tag-along parents, ventured to the Banks abode on a day with snow (but no blizzard) for David’s latest birthday.

Photo Highlights

Kids and parents. – 27-Feb-2010	Mmmmm, cake. – 27-Feb-2010	Neighbor Naimah. – 27-Feb-2010
Rachel! – 27-Feb-2010	Skating lesson classmate Rachel and school classmate Ellie. – 27-Feb-2010	Jane, Owen, Naimah – 27-Feb-2010

More Video

– 27-Feb-2010

Time for cake! – 27-Feb-2010

Playtime. No one wanted to pin the tail on the Donkeysaur (yet). – 27-Feb-2010

David demonstrates his version of how to show his muscles, plus we show that Doonesbury is funny, even to children. Select image to view video.

How David Demostrates How Strong He Is (Flexes muscles)

How David Demostrates How Strong He Is (Flexes muscles) – 21-Feb-2010

David thinks Doonesbury is funny! (Sunday, February 21, 2010)

David thinks Doonesbury is funny! (Sunday, February 21, 2010) – 21-Feb-2010

What a great way to cure the winter claustrophobia, especially by the time February promises many more weeks of cloudy, gray skies. David’s been taking skating lessons at the local community center, and he loves it, especially when he works to try to keep up with good friend Rachel.

David (and parents!) have also enjoyed watching the high school ice hockey games afterwards. See photo and videos below from one indoor session. David’s in the red jacket.

Skating Lessons Feb 2010

Skating Lessons Feb 2010 – 13-Feb-2010

Video

Skating Lessons Feb 2010 – 13-Feb-2010	Skating Lessons Feb 2010 – 13-Feb-2010
Skating Lessons Feb 2010 – 13-Feb-2010	Skating Lessons Feb 2010 – 13-Feb-2010

– 03-May-2009

In May, the Banks Family went on two train-filled activities, the first at Lake Metroparks Farm Park for their annual “Railroads in the Parks,” as well as the miniature steam-powered engines that you can ride through the woods at nearby Penitentiary Glen Reservation. At Lake Farm Park, various gauges of model trains were on display in the main building, but we still had time for David’s first pony ride.

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Two weeks later, we couldn’t miss “Day Out with Thomas” at the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. David had a spring cold and touch of fever that weekend, but enjoyed it nonetheless, a big fan of Thomas and friends (lately, Hank is his engine du jour). Sheryl and I thought the event was a little too commercial, and we’d probably prefer to ride the train here when Thomas is away.

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– 16-May-2009

Note to parents: Tickets are for the train ride; you can simply bask in the commercial glow of Thomas merchandise and other activities for free. On board the train, most of the kids we saw were impatient with looking out the window and at each other after about 10 minutes — an experience like being trapped in a large car with a huge family. Maybe the Polar Express event is more interesting.

Featured Videos

Trouble on the Tracks

Sometime this month, we pulled out all the wheeled toys out of the garage, drew train tracks on the driveway with chalk, and played Thomas outdoors. As always, there was trouble on the tracks. Luckily, no one was hurt. Quickly edited by Daddy, with a nudge and wink for the background soundtrack.

Trouble on the Tracks, May 10, 2009

Trouble on the Tracks, May 10, 2009 – 03-Jul-2010

Day Out with Thomas

This is followed by the video of Thomas the Tank Engine pulling in, with David smiling, but that’s about as exciting as it gets. No strollers allowed on board, thank you.

– 17-May-2009