Get out of this place.

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

[getoutofthisplace]

Dear Gus & Magnus,

This morning you two and I took Tutu to the Hillcrest Farmer's Market, then Mom took them to the hardware store to grab supplies to make some planter boxes. I mowed and fought back against the vines on the back fence when I noticed some poison oak amongst the Virginia creeper.

The Calhouns joined us for a fried catfish dinner -- G&T brought us a fryer. The Trojan baseball team played in the regional finals and ultimately won, so we're headed to the super regional for the first time in program history. Go Trojans.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.30.2026 - 12.58pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Grandpa & Tutu wanted to go estate sale'ing today, so you two and Mom went with them to Hot Springs. I spent my lunch break at the Little Rock Trojan Baseball Watch Party at Waldo's. The team is rocking and rolling in the Hattiesburg Regional. They're only the 11th four-seed to start 2-0 since 1999, when this format started. It's exhilarating.

When I got home from work, Gus said, "Dad! We went to an estate sale and I spent $48!" I asked what he spent his money on and he said, "Come upstairs and I'll show you." When I got up there, he showed me this.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.29.2026 - 12.23pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Grandpa & Tutu came in this afternoon for a few days. They brought some additions to the costume closet. And lots of carbs.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.28.2026 - 5.10pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Yiayia and Nene are alternating days with you two this week while Mom and I are working. This afternoon she took you to a kids tennis day at Rebsamen. I didn't get much of a recap because I stayed late at the office to work and didn't get home until after bedtime.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.27.2026 - 8.21am.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Gus experimented with hairstyles after getting out of the bath tonight. Not in a silly way, but in an exploratory way. He's becoming much more aware of the image he's projecting. His favorite outfits these days involve matching a clothing brand head to toe -- Adidas shirt, Adidas shorts, Adidas socks, Adidas shoes.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.26.2026 - 8.30pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

The Calhouns invited us over to their house for brats. It was good to catch up with them. Sonny is wearing a cone of shame because something was wrong with his ear. The vet was certain it was a hematoma until they investigated further and realized that while Meredith was playing dress up with Sonny, she put a hair-tie around his ear and nearly castrated it overnight.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.25.2026 - 7.21pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

I took you Martin's house for his birthday party this afternoon -- Mags was excited to see his PreK friend Evan there -- and then we grabbed Mom and her fruit salad from our house before heading to Beebe for a cookout on the Compound. Gus got to play the role of the oldest cousin, which I think he enjoyed.

It was good to sit around Nana's table with everyone.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.24.2026 - 6.27pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

This was the first Saturday morning we've all had together at home since March 7(?!). It felt good to be able to drink some tea/coffee and read a book on the reading couch. Mid-morning, though, Mom said she wanted to go do something active -- maybe climb Pinnacle Mountain. I suggested we make it a picnic, so that's what we did. Magnus's first ascent, and he did great. I only had to carry him a few times.

When we got to the top, we saw a tarantula, which was cool. We ate our lunch, then a rain cloud started to move it, so we headed back down the mountain. It was a great family outing.

Mom took you to Professor Bowl, where you hung out with the Baileys and the Walls, while I stayed back and took care of some work things at the house.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.23.2026 - 12.17pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

I didn't take a picture today, but Mom sent me this one that she took of Magnus and Meredith playing. First day of summer break.

I'm so grateful to live on this street with good kids you two can grow up with.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.22.2026 - 10.14am.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Today is your last day of PreK/3rd grade. Mom and I can't believe how grown you both are. We're terribly proud. She took you for Loblolly after school, then when I got home, we all went for a celebratory dinner at a restaurant you two chose (and agreed upon) -- El Sur.

We had you both in bed by 8pm, but then Laura messaged Mom to say Jack Bailey was on his way to their house to spend the night, so we went and got Gus out of bed and sent him over. He was ecstatic. A good way to kick summer break off.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.21.2026 - 7.45pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

This is the only photo I took today, which is kind of embarrassing. I accidently left my sunglasses at home, so I had to use my worst-case scenario backup pair that I keep in my consol. I don't know where they came from. I only took this photo to flirt with Mom.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.20.2026 - 4.58pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

I didn't take a picture today, but here's one from three years ago. Mom was working that entire weekend, so the Choate Boys loaded up and spent the weekend at Nene's house.

ANOTHER PHOTO FROM THAT DAY: Here.

AND ANOTHER PHOTO FROM THAT DAY: Here.

Dad.

Beebe, Arkansas. 5.20.2023 - 5.45pm.

PHOTO CREDIT: Nene.

UPDATE: I actually did take a photo today, but I didn't take one yesterday. I just dug through the archives and pulled the wrong date. Blarg.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Gus had his final regular season baseball game tonight -- the end-of-season tournament starts in a couple of weeks. When we walked out of the dugout after the game, we found Mom, Yiayia, and Magnus playing on the little-kid field. Gus joined in. Everyone giggled the whole time. It's fun having a playful Mom and Yiayia.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.18.2026 - 9.21pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Today was another long one. It started with Gus and I cleaning out one of the rent houses after a tenant left without giving noticed. The place was trashed, but no real damage. Gus said, "This place is disgusting. I can't believe someone lived here." I think it was an eye-opener to him about how good we have it over on Ridgeway. He was shocked when I told him they had a 3rd grader.

I only made him empty one room -- the kid's, which was the least disgusting. I paid him $10, which he was thrilled about. I mowed, got the nastiest stuff out -- dirty diaper, food stuff (with the exception of the refrigerator/freezer because I'm going to need some kind of mask for that).

We left in time for a midday baseball practice. I was proud of Gus pushing through his own exhaustion to give it his all.

I had to take a nap after that, then we got ready for a neighborhood block party, which was headquartered at the Borne-Williams house. Sprinklers and baseball and hot dogs. A good time. But I'm tired and ready for a little down time.

Dad.

North Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.17.2026 - 10.22am.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Today was non-stop. I was at the university to volunteer with the alumni association at the morning commencement, meanwhile Mom got you two up and around to go to Alex's birthday party. I met you there as soon as I could.

We came home, ate some lunch, got ready for Magnus's baseball game. After that, we came home and forced you two to rest for 30 minutes, then we got ready for Gus's game. On the way, I told him that he would probably be making his debut on the mound at some point. We got run-ruled the first two innings and he went to the mound in the third. He did well -- striking out two batters and only giving up two runs. I was so proud.

Mom and Magnus left early after he was done pitching so that she could get ready for Hourglass Reading Series tonight. I left as the game was ending so I could get ready too. Nene brought him home. Norah eventually relieved her so she could come to the reading series as well.

By the time Mom and I crawled into bed, we were completely spent. But it was a great day. Felt like three days in one.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.16.2026 - 4.21pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

Magnus had his luau at school today as part of end-of-year festivities. This is how I found him when I got home. He's excited about being a kindergartener next year and is asking if he'll be able to walk to school with Gus and the big boys.

Dad.

Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.15.2026 - 5.09pm.

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Dear Gus & Magnus,

I didn't take a picture today, but I found this one in the archives from six years ago. We'd recently put our Lakewood house on the market and were staying with Yiayia & Papou so that we could keep our house free of clutter, Suki hair, etc. I was working every day in the basement because of the pandemic.

That morning we found a turtle in the back yard. Two-year-old Gus and Mom tried to entice it to come out of its shell with a spinach leaf. Those were good days.

Here's another photo from that day.

And here's another.

Dad.

North Little Rock, Arkansas. 5.14.2020 - 7.06am.

SIDENOTE: After I posted this (on 5.20.2026), Mrs. Hall shared photos from her class throughout the year, and these from 5.14.2026 were among them.