Get out of this place.

Guy Choate's photo-a-day blog with captions addressed to his sons. All original content.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Magnus's favorite thing in the world right now is "battling." Mom is the best battler.

When Gus came along, I was always so impressed with her ability to engage our baby/toddler for long periods of time. She's done the same with Magnus. I'm a compulsive multi-tasker and have a hard time focusing on one thing with you both when I know I need to be getting something done. Some days I'm better at it than others, but Mom is always good at it -- especially pretend play.

We're lucky she's our Mom.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 7.15.2026 - 7.47pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Family walk after dinner.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 7.14.2026 - 7.41pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Last night I drove to Northwest Arkansas so I could be here this morning for some training on forms, which was doubling as my leadership program retreat. After a long day of training, we went to dinner, then went to Sally's house to hang out around the pool.

It was my first time with the group since announcing that I'm leaving soon to become a REALTOR myself. I told them they played a crucial role in my decision to become one of them, which is true. Even though I'm facilitating this program, I have easily been able to put myself in their shoes for a while, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity.

Dad.

Lowell, Arkansas. 7.13.2026 - 8.07am.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Y'all spent some time down at the Strong house this afternoon. Anna sent us this photo.

After dinner, I loaded up and drove to northwest Arkansas, where I'll be for a couple of days for work. First overnight work trip I've had in six weeks. I used to travel for work at least every other week, which now seems crazy.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 7.12.2026 - 2.56pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Yesterday was a big day, so everyone was a little slow getting out of bed today. When I stuck my head into Magnus's room, I felt such a stillness juxtaposed with the chaos of the toys and the sheets and the impending awakening of the sleeping bear that is Mags. I needed to take a picture to preserve that juxtaposition.

The Calhouns came over for dinner -- Mom made ribs.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 7.11.2026 - 7.59am.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Mom took you to the skating rink today for the first time. She said Gus got frustrated early, but she was proud of him for sticking with it and by the time they left, he could skate all the way around the floor. Magnus made lots of improvement too.

When I got off of work, we went downtown for Second Friday Art Night. Darla met us, and we ran into Sammy, Wren, & Poppy.

Highlights included me getting 4th place in the adult sack race at the Historic Arkansas Museum, Gus getting second in the kids' race, and y'all were into what the renaissance faire folks had going on.

Afterward, we went to Asian Capitol for dinner, which was really good, but we were the only people in there -- I hope they are able to stay open.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 7.10.2026 - 6.22pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

When I came home from work today I noticed a taco pinata hanging from our tree. After I got out of the truck, Gus came running outside to tell me, "Dad! Mom and I made a pinata!" It really was well done. Mom said it took a lot of effort, but it was a total hit.

Jack Calhoun joined us to beat the candy from it.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 7.9.2026 - 6.22pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Gus spent the night with Yiayia tonight, but the other three of us needed to celebrate some things -- to include me officially getting my real estate license today, and Mom having a job interview even though she wasn’t looking -- so we went to dinner at Raduno, followed by Loblolly after. It made for a fun afternoon.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 7.8.2026 - 6.22pm.

SIDENOTE: During a recent game of Simon Says, Magnus and Gus were running through the house and cracked skulls, which left Magnus with a developing black eye.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Gus has spent the last couple of days with Nene on the Compound. Aunt Pam sent us his picture of him with baby Atlas and said, "Gus may need a little brother or sister! He's a nurturer."

Rest assured, there will be no more brothers or sisters on the way.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 7.7.2026 - 9.53am.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

I didn't take a picture today, but I pulled this one from the archives from three years ago. Three-year-old Mags and I were on fish-feeding duty because the Morgans were out of town.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 7.6.2023 - 5.32pm.

ANOTHER PHOTO FROM THIS DAY: Here.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

I don't remember what we did today, but I do remember that while I made dinner, Magnus took this selfie, and then while we were eating dinner he asked me if he could inherit our spices upon my death.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 7.5.2026 - 7.15pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Big day today, starting with the Choate Boys participating in the Midland Hills Independence Day Parade, then we loaded up as a family and went to Nana's house. After that we went home, reset, and met the Baileys at Dickey Stephens Park to watch "The Sandlot" on the big screen, followed by fireworks.

Dad.

North Little Rock, Arkansas. 7.4.2026 - 9.39pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Our final morning at the beach. We had breakfast, then packed up and hit the road, stopping for lunch in Hattiesburg.

It was a good trip, but I think we were all ready to be back in our own beds (and away from sand).

Dad.

Dauphin Island, Alabama. 7.3.2026 - 7.31am.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

A little more beach time this morning, Magnus hung out with Yiayia in the condo after while Gus joined me and Mom in the pool.

We picked up some fresh seafood takeout from a place called Skinner's, then we got beach chic to take some golden hour photos.

Tomorrow is go-home day.

Dad.

Dauphin Island, Alabama. 7.2.2026 - 7.22pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

This morning we took a break from the beach and went to a bird sanctuary (but actually in search of alligators we never found), then we went to an aquarium, then we drove from one end of the island to the other just to sight-see.

After dinner, we waited for the sunset before going crabbing at the beach. Crabbing was a lot of fun, but I think my favorite part of the day came just before, when Gus and I had some quiet time on the porch. He drew in his sketchbook while I read my book. He is ALWAYS talking -- a testament to his active, intellectual brain -- and so when he gets quiet, he seems especially pensive to me.

Dad.

Dauphin Island, Alabama. 7.1.2026 - 7.11pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

We got out to the beach earlier this morning, but Gus got into a bunch of jellyfish larvae and gave up on being in the water pretty quickly, so we moved to the pool, then came back and showered in time for lunch. Yiayia made us up some fun snacky things and we hung out at the condo for a bit. After dinner, we walked across the street for ice cream.

Dad.

Dauphin Island, Alabama. 6.30.2026 - 11.41am.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

After breakfast, we went down to the beach -- you were both really into it. I waded out into the water with Mags and he said, "Dad, looks like we got some company!" in reference to the waves coming to crash against us. That became our go-to phrasing for the entire trip -- "Dad, can we go back into the water and find some company?"

Yiayia came down and joined us for a little bit. When we needed a change, we carried all of our stuff up to the pool and swam for a while there.

I forgot to mention it in yesterday's post, but last night you both wanted to try the sauna, steam room, and hot tub when we visited the indoor pool. It was a good time.

Back in the room, we washed off all of the sea water and played some charades. At first we tried to use cards, but then we just took turns using whatever we wanted. Magnus was always the same thing: Elsa.

Dad.

Dauphin Island, Alabama. 6.29.2026 - 1.50pm.