getoutofthisplace
Get out of this place.
Guy Choate's photo-a-day blog with captions addressed to his sons. All original content.
5057 posts
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
Last Seen Blogs
liokora
Liokora's Drawings
the-void-stared-back
Vilje
meghamalhar
I solemnly swear that I am up to no good
whimsigothix
Whimsigothix
arkandmason
Untitled
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
Mom and I went to breakfast this morning at The Bagel Shop, then drove across the river to pick you two up. We ended up hanging out all day. Yiayia said everyone had a good night.
We took Big Yiayia and Magnus to Home Depot so we could get a pressure washer and some other things. I put a dent in a couple of the crosswords that Yiayia's been saving for me. Gus earned a quarter per baby oak tree that he pulled from the yard. Magnus played restaurant and helped cook dinner. We all took a family walk to the end of the street and back. A good day. But it is worth noting that Magnus won't stop saying "poo-poo" and "pee-pee" in response to everything.
Dad.
North Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.21.2024 - 10.30am.
0 notes
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
Picnic dinner at Yiayia's house so that you two could watch Aristocats (again). With Big Yiayia around, Magnus has taken to calling Athena Little Yiayia. After dinner, you both spent the night. Mom and I took advantage of the freedom to hit the town. We looked all over for something fun to do, but didn't have much luck be, so we just went the bar at Allsopp & Chappell, where we made friends with a couple from St. Louis. Once credibility had been established, he gave us a few restaurant recommendations, we visited the top three last time we were there, which was validating for my culinary mind.
One thing I like about this picture: Both Mom and Big Yiayia somehow have hair that looks similar to the hair in the portrait on the wall of Big Yiayia's mother. (It's my favorite piece of art at Yiayia's house.)
Dad.
North Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.20.2024 - 6.39pm.
0 notes
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
When I got home from work today, Gus was at the Grummers' and Magnus and Mom were hanging out in Gracie's backyard, so brought Suki down to play their dog, Shiloh.
Magnus requested to read his Playbill at dinner. And we are listening to "Tomorrow" over and over right now. He sings along. Loudly. It's precious.
Dad.
Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.19.2024 - 6.47pm.
1 note
·
View note
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
The Ice Skulls overcame a long 0-1 deficit to win 4-1, moving their record to 3-0-1. I had to tell Gus to pay attention to the game a couple of times when he was on the bench, then I gave up when he and Isaac dove into Magnus and Eli's books.
As we were packing up, Mom and I noticed at the same time that Magnus was missing. He'd been playing so well with the other little kids all night long, and there were parents we knew everywhere, so we got a little complacent. Just before my instinct to drop everything and run to the parking lot as cars were leaving, I spotted him running away from us in the adjacent field. Good lord, son.
Dad.
Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.18.2024 - 7.14pm.
1 note
·
View note
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
Mom took you two for Gus's last make-up gymnastics class. Afterward, at dinner , I tried to take a picture of Suki sitting under the table, waiting for your crumbs, but Gus jumped in front of my phone. Then he snatched my phone and took these pictures. He has so much energy right now.
Dad.
Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.17.2024 - 7.05pm.
0 notes
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
Magnus was a grouch today -- so much so that I think he must've skipped his nap at school, even though Miss Ashlynn didn't mention it. He demanded Mom be the one to get his milk, sit by him, bathe him, etc. At one point, he broke into tears in the living room, and I said "What's wrong, buddy?" and he said, "Don't stand there!" And so I moved. He didn't like me standing there either. Or anywhere.
But he was fine to read books with me. Afterward, he grabbed his pacifier, turned on his owl (sound machine), and I lifted him up to turn off his lamp like we always do. And I stood there in the dark with him in my arms like I always do, swaying with him while he rested his head on my chest like we always do. I said, "Did you know that I'm going to be your daddy forever? And that I love you a whole, whole bunch?" He whispered "Yeah," and then re-gripped his arms around my neck and I felt him squeeze a little tighter. We hugged for much longer than usual. And then I couldn't help crying a little bit because I felt in that moment how powerful the love I have for him is, and I think he felt it too.
Dad.
Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.16.2024 - 7.23pm.
1 note
·
View note
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
I didn't take a good photo today, so here's one I found in the archives from 16 years ago. I didn't take this one, but my dad sent it to me, I guess. It's the house he and Penny were having built in Judsonia that would eventually burn down in 2014 (and nearly kill him in the process). I wrote an essay about that night, which you can read here.
I think Papa's boss, Dennis Oakley, must've flown his helicopter over to get this picture for Papa. Sometimes he would pick him up and take him home in that helicopter.
Dad.
Judsonia, Arkansas. 4.15.2008 - 5.24pm.
0 notes
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
We had an impromptu neighborhood playdate in our front yard this afternoon when Benjamin and Gracie joined us. I grilled burgers (and octopus) and Matt & Erin joined us on the back deck. It was a fantastic end to a fantastic weekend. I don't know how you kids stood that freezing cold pool water, but you did, and had lots of fun together.
Dad.
Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.14.2024 - 5.07pm.
#erin o'leary#gracie morgan#john talpos#magnus choate#benjamin talpos#gus choate#pool#swimming pool#kiddie pool#spring time#kids#playdate#ridgeway drive
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
Gus had another soccer win this morning, moving our unofficial record to 2-0-1. Then we had a good morning outside that included a family walk around the block and a lunchtime picnic, then we went to Yiayia's house for dinner. She had a Loblolly taste-test set up for us that included the following flavors: Mayopolitan (mayo, ketchup, mustard), Avocado, Olive Oil, Maple Rag Time (butter pecan-ish), and Carrot Cake. I nearly gagged upon trying Mayopolitan, but it was a fun experiment.
Dad.
Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.13.2024 - 11.19am.
ANOTHER PHOTO FROM TODAY: Here.
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
Big Yiayia is visiting. Mom told me she and Yiayia were taking her to Raduno and Loblolly for lunch. I ate at my desk, but decided at the last minute to ride my bike over and join them for Loblolly. They ended up getting tira misu at Raduno, but they saved me a few bites, so I was satisfied.
After dinner, we went to Cate's school to watch her in the NYC ensemble of Annie Jr. She looked so grown up. And the musical was solid for a high school production. Magnus sat in Nene's lap the whole time and refused to let go of her when I put him in the car afterward.
Dad.
Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.12.2024 - 1.20pm.
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
Soccer game after school/work today. Gus is still getting a foot on the ball, but not aggressive enough to really make an impact, and at one point someone flying a kite in an adjacent field proved too much of a distraction, but he had fun, which makes me and Mom happy. Game ended in a tie 3-3. The boys are referring to themselves as "The Ice Skulls," which I originally interpreted as "The Icicles." Season record: 1-0-1.
Dad.
Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.11.2024 - 5.33pm.
0 notes
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
Magnus popped a fever last night and acted a little needy, so Mom jumped on getting him in to see Dr. Strong. No ear infection, no strep, acted normal all day, back to school tomorrow.
Dad.
Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.10.2024 - 11.02am.
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
This is the only picture I took today, taken toward the end of my run. I joined Orange Theory a year ago in an effort to get in shape. Mom joined a month or so before me. She has an unlimited plan and goes to lots of classes, but I have a plan that gives me eight classes a month. In between classes, I go for runs -- usually 3.15ish miles. Mom and I are proud of ourselves and each other for sticking with it. And we've both noticed positive changes in our bodies. And taking so many steps has put me in 10th place of the 1,300 employees at Garver (who have connected their wearable devices) when it comes to steps taken since January 1. That leaderboard is a big motivator for me.
Dad.
Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.9.2024 - 7.04am.
2024 STEP COUNT (AS OF 4.15.2024): 1,183,211.
4 notes
·
View notes
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
I got up early today to knock out some work -- my Daily Announcement -- so that I could spend the rest of the day doing Compound Eclipse Day festivities, but I ended up running into all kinds of difficulties, so it took me longer than I wanted and I nearly had my head explode. By eclipse time, though, I was good to go.
Gus finally got to fly his $20 drone around and it was all he had hoped for. Multiple times he said, "Dad, will you tell everyone that if they want to watch a drone to come over here?" I told him he needed to practice more before putting on a show. About 20 minutes before the total solar eclipse, I made him sit on a blanket with me so he would be ready with his glasses. But while I was looking up at the sun in the moments leading up to it, he sneaked away. I found him inside, hiding under the dining room table, eating cookies. I was inordinately adamant about him witnessing this thing, even though I knew he probably wouldn't remember it. It's been a while since I've felt like such an out-of-touch dad. But I really wanted him to witness something that he's not likely to see again until he's 27 years old.
After the eclipse, Mom and I were out of patience as we tried to pack up and head home. We packed. I couldn't find my wallet. I couldn't find my phone. I forgot the car keys at Nana's. Magnus wouldn't stop yelling. Gus kept pummeling us with questions. I was sunburned. Oof. I was so glad to get home and sit on our porch and watch you two play in the yard. I'm so glad we didn't travel any further for this event.
Dad.
Beebe, Arkansas. 4.8.2024 - 1.54pm.
MORE PHOTOS FROM TODAY.
10 notes
·
View notes
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
We blew through Magnus's nap to hit the Barkus on Main dog parade this afternoon, then rolled out to Nene's house to spend the night, so we can be on The Compound for the solar eclipse.
Gus helped me make a fire so we could have hot dogs and s'mores on the fire for dinner. I forgot to bring Suki's food, so after you two got into pajamas and started watching Mary Poppins, Mom and I went to Walmart to buy her some. We cruised Beebe for a little bit until we were barely able to stay awake. Another long day, but another good one.
Dad.
Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.7.2024 - 2.05pm.
#choate family#the choates#gus choate#guy choate#liz choate#magnus choate#barkus#barkus on main#downtown little rock#little rock#arkansas#selfie
3 notes
·
View notes
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
Mom worked today, but it was a big day for the Choate Boys. Nene joined us to watch Gus's first soccer game at 8:30, during which he got his foot on the ball a few times, and he got to play goalie some. They won 5-0. Then we went to Eli's birthday party at Allsopp.
Back home, Gus legitimately waited by the window for the Amazon van to deliver his new drone. Rhett came over and we stomped cans, played pinball, and Magnus helped me mow the back yard. Then the big boys went to the Grummers' house and Magnus helped me grill steaks. A long day, but a good one.
Dad.
Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.6.2024 - 9.13am.
1 note
·
View note
Text
Dear Gus & Magnus,
Gus vomited yesterday afternoon for reasons unknown, so he stayed home from school today. He's shown no symptoms of illness since. Mom took him to spend his saved-up can money, which he used to purchase a Ninjago Lego set and a small drone. When I came home to eat lunch and meet a guy about replacing our gutters, Gus was stoked to show me his Legos. Mom and I are proud of him for saving his money, but we're not sure he understands that now it's all gone.
The gutter guy quoted us $24,000 for new gutters. I was flabbergasted. Mom immediately called two other companies.
Dad.
Little Rock, Arkansas. 4.5.2024 - 11.51am.
3 notes
·
View notes