Kid pictures

Since it's been so long, I figured I'd better get caught up on some pictures of the kids. They can grow quite a bit in a short time. I'll also try and do a little bit of an update for each, too.

Just for fun, here's a series of pictures of all four taken just about every two months.

From the last day of school in June (taken right after Andrew's kindergarten "graduation"):



Here's a picture from the first day of school (September):



And Halloween (we have three ninjas and a fairy princess):



Brendan ...



Let's see. He's in fifth grade now. It has been a bit of a challenge for him; they emphasize taking ownership (being responsible) for a lot more things than in years past. He prefers to let things just happen and hope they end up the way he wants them to, so he's been having to learn some tough lessons. He started band, and much to my surprise, he chose flute! This of course presents a whole new battle (practicing!) but time will tell whether he decides he wants to play enough to hold up his end of it. Extracurriculars - he played baseball in the spring, continued through All Stars over the summer, and then played fall baseball. He is in his final year of cub scouts and looking forward to crossing over to BSA in February.

Betsy ...



Betsy is still our household "sunshine." She is in fourth grade this year and continues to blossom. This is the first year (and teacher) to mention her gift with writing - I've seen it since she started writing stories before she knew all her letters, but this teacher is the first to comment on it. She started chorus this year and is really, really enjoying that. She is still in Girl Scouts - she's a junior this year - and has been having a blast. She also tried her first sport this fall - soccer. We were very impressed (and surprised) that she has a knack for it, she really gets in there and goes after the ball.

Andrew & Justin (super heroes, of course, note the "capes")



Andrew is in first grade now. That has been quite an adjustment from half days, but he's doing well. We've seen a sudden jump in his attention to details (his handwriting has improved dramatically). He continues to read on an advanced level for his age (he knows the Dolch words (sight words) through third grade) and appears to really enjoy reading. He gave soccer a shot this fall and while he enjoyed it, I don't think it's his "thing." He seems to enjoy throwing the ball in more than he does running around and kicking it. He started cub scouts this fall as a Tiger Scout. One funny side note there - the assistant scoutmaster for the BS Troop Brendan will be joining is also Andrew's den leader. It's a small world!

Justin started kindergarten. He loves writing and drawing pictures now (we refused to do so before we turned 5!). He is a bundle of energy and keeps us on our toes - he is constantly popping out with something funny (the first day of school he told me school was lots of fun, it was a party). He's still a monkey - he maybe small, but he's wiry and strong and pretty fearless. Justin also gave soccer a trial run this fall and he, like Betsy, really seemed to do well. Of course we did have a couple of "games" (U5 division doesn't play games - they have sessions) where he did cartwheels down the field instead of running.

That's it for today - it's incredibly rainy and windy here (apparently we're getting some weather from Noel) and I should fine something to do with the kids. Maybe play a game. We're trying to keep the tv and game platforms to a minimum recently - it's amazing how once we're used to having them on less, the kids seem more inclined towards finding their own amusements. That's been one definite plus to this summer's flea invasion (a whole other story - maybe nightmare - for a different day) - we were forced out of the basement and took a hiatus from the various idiot boxes - that has been a blessing. The tv and other things are on - for all four kids - a max of about 3 hours on the weekends, and 2 during the week (if that). It tells you something (or it does me, anyway) that today, on a rainy, yucky day where they can't go out to play, Andrew and Justin are being superheroes with balloons, Betsy is playing with legos, and Brendan is upstairs practicing (under protest! but practicing) - he will probably work on a puzzle with me when he's done. A few months ago, they would have buried themselves on the porch with the tv on. This is much better!

Tuesday Ten: Things About Halloween

With Halloween tomorrow, this seemed appropriate. I have to confess right off the bat that I am not a huge fan of Halloween, I have serious issues with the premise, but I have learned to enjoy certain aspects of it, mainly because the kids enjoy them and certain activities, in and of themselves, are harmless. So take my responses from that perspective.

1. A good memory My mother made many of my Halloween costumes. All of them maybe? I was Laura Ingalls a couple of years (complete with a historically appropriate brown gingham dress, braids, a bonnet, dark boot like shoes, and a small Black Susan that we picked up at one of the LIW homesites while travelling as a family) and another year I was a pumpkin made from an old - orange - beach cover-up of my mothers. I don't remember the other costumes but those stick out.

2. My head is still spinning Save me from the kids' parties. This year ... we went to four. And were invited to more than that, but that was all I could stand. One was a birthday/Halloween party for one of the little boys' best friends, another was Brendan's scout party, another was Betsy's scout party, and the last was Andrew's scout party, so it was all or none. Somehow Mike managed to avoid going to all four. I'm still not entirely sure how he managed that one.

3. The good ... Reese's Peanut Butter Cups ... the bad ... more Reese's Peanut Butter Cups ... the ugly ... yet more ... Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Especially the special ones that are shaped like pumpkins. (The tree - at Christmas - and the egg - at Easter - also get me.)

4. My feet! The trick-or-treating. I never went as a child but we take the kids as part of a group (lots of kids from school) and all have a lot of fun. Do you have any idea how much candy 4 kids can manage to bring home after just an hour of trick-or-treating? You know those boxes that hold something like 10 reams of paper? Yep. No joke.

5. Purrrrr I'm stretching things here, but I'll say black cats, especially our Frodo. Yeah, yeah, he has a bunch of white on him. I love cats!

6. Something I don't like All the occult costumes, references, etc. I understand our society has become desensitized to witches, goblins, vampires, "death," and the like, but I have not, and I don't think it's "cute" when a 3 year old wants to dress up as the grim reaper. I'm not attempting to make any inflammatory comments ... but I'm not going to apologize for my beliefs, either.

7. What I do enjoy All the fun, obviously original costumes. Last night, at the last of the kids' parties (again, thank goodness those are all done!) there was one kid dressed up as an ice cream cone, complete with a cherry on top. On Sunday, one kid made his own "Mario" costume, and we saw a "Thing 1" and Thing 2" (Dr. Suess). How cool is that?? And who can forget all the little kids dressed up as pumpkins or head to toe as animals? Now that stuff ... is fun.

8. Eat up! We all know I love to cook ... and let's face it, there are a ton of really cool Halloween recipe out there. Kitty litter cake, eyeball punch, deviled eyes (deviled eggs with a sliced olive on top as the "eye") ... the list is endless. And fun.

9. & 10. Pumpkins! The carving of them, and the roasting of the seeds. Especially when the pumpkins rot because the kids don't want to throw out their artwork and Mom says, "Okay, but just one more day." (My poor mom.) Roasted pumpkin seeds ... some fantastic memories there, from the Gifted Program I went to one year ... we carved pumpkins, cleaned the seeds, and then the teacher roasted the seeds. I have yet to make any on my own that taste as good as that memory.

This one speaks for itself

I hope. :)

Little Blessings

I love fall. The cooler weather (I wilt over the hotter summer months), hot cider, being able to drink hot tea again, the smells ... I also love the beauty that comes when the leaves change color. When the leaves still on the trees grow sparse - I love the stark beauty of the tree itself peeking through those last, vividly colored leaves. It has been overcast and drizzly the last few days, and it makes the colors even more vibrant - if that's possible - than they are on a sunny day. I keep saying I'm going to take pictures but I never seem to capture what exactly it is that's catching my eye in the first place.

Today was the last day of soccer. Fall baseball ended last Saturday, too, so we are sport-less for a few months - scheduled sports, at any rate. The weather was icky, wet, windy - Justin flat out refused to go on the field to play - no big surprise there, he can't stand wet grass, often won't even walk through it going to school. Betsy, on the other hand, played her heart out, ran after the ball, despite the mud, and did better on offense than I've seen her do all season. Andrew did his typical stay-back-and-watch with the occasional kick-the-ball thing. They all lit up when given their trophies (instructional league) and got all excited over their pictures, so all in all - despite a wretched day for watching for the parents - we all had a good time. I'm sure the hot dogs, chips and drinks the kids got helped with the good cheer just a bit.

We had a big "first" this evening (I'm not sure who else in the house saw it as a big deal, but I do) - Brendan ran an errand for me. I went to the grocery store earlier, but thanks to a headache, forgot to pick up the carrots I need for supper tonight. I rarely have cash on hand (deliberately), and tend to be a bit overprotective (I can see my husband rolling his eyes at that one), so I have never sent him to pick up something for me, ever. Well, tonight I had cash, and as we've been looking for ways to help him build our trust levels (turning into a "tween" is proving very hard for him), I thought we'd give it a trial run. He's been going to a friend's house very near the store, so it really wasn't a crazy stretch, but I tell you, I was very happy to hear the squeak of the screen door when he got home. It does seem strange to have a child old enough to do that kind of thing.

Justin funny for the day ... he ran outside shortly after we got home ... literally just opened the door and ran outside. He went all the way around to the back shed, came back around to the front of the house, flew in the door, stopped short, and said, "MOMMY!!! The STORM is COMING!!!" I have no idea whatsoever where he got that from. It is indeed windy and overcast and foggy and maybe even a little bit rainy, but a storm? LOL!

Last thing from me tonight: GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bits and Pieces

It should tell you something about my frame of mind that I did my Tuesday Ten a day early. For some reason ... I had myself convinced that yesterday was Tuesday. We have so many things going on that I apparently can't even keep of what day it is properly! Ah well ... at least most of the insanity is good. This is the last week of soccer, and baseball just ended last weekend, so hopefully this means things will settle down for a few months. Until baseball starts up again in the spring, at any rate.

I'm going to see if I can dig up my (pitifully few) projects. I have a half-knitted dishcloth (trying to remember what I learned many months ago), a not-quite-finished knitted scarf, and a baby blanket. Actually, a second baby blanket, but I need to finish that one. I also started a crocheted scrap ripple - all in sc - but that is going to be a long time in the making - that one is for me, which means it's anyone's guess how long it will take to complete.

Let's see, what other things do we have going on? B started band this fall. He chose flute (which I think is cool!). E, A & J all started soccer (B played fall baseball instead) and E and J both seem to have a knack for it. A is afraid of the ball and watched more than he played - but he did have fun. Hmmm ... what else ... B is in Webelos 2 and working towards his Arrow of Light and Boy Scouts. E is a first year Junior and loving that. A started Tiger Scouts and he and I have been having fun with that. Ummm ... hmmm. Not much else on the kid front.

I have been doing a lot of cooking and recipe trying. Since I don't have a fiber project to share, here's a recipe I tried on Sunday. Mike swears it's one of the best things I've ever made (high praise indeed), and I confess I even think it's good - and this isn't a kind of soup I usually like - I don't like the texture. This one, though, I can eat AND enjoy. The thing I especially like about this is while it does have a "long" list - I normally have everything in the house, so I could make it almost any time. Simple is usually best. :)

Parmesan Corn Chowder

Link takes you to the original recipe, what I have posted here is what I did.

2 1/2 cups cold water
2 cups diced peeled potatoes
1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots (I used one large carrot, sliced in half lengthwise, then cut it thin)
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp butter or margarine
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried parsley
2 cups 1% milk
1 (14.75 ounce) can sweet corn, drained
3/4 cup parmesan & romano cheese blend (in the cannister)

In a large saucepan, combine the first six ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until vegetables are tender (do not drain). Stir in drained corn, thyme and parsley and let stand while you do the next step.

In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth; cook, stirring (it will bubble), over a medium low heat until it turns a light caramel color. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir into the vegetable mixture. Stir in cheese. Cook until heated through (I heated until it just started to bubble and turned it off).

Double if making for a larger group. We would definitely need to for our family - I made it as a test run, as written, but will double it for a meal for all six of us.

It was better after it cooled a bit so you could taste the flavors. The thing I liked about it was while there were chunks of potato, and it didn't get that weird gritty texture that potato soups and chowders tend to get (which is what makes me not like them). It's very smooth.

Tuesday Ten

So no, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. No excuses this time. LOL

Ten things I'd like to get rid of ...

1. The old, tacky, smooshed up Christmas decorations - mainly pine type garlands - that we "inherited" from my mother-in-law (sorry Mom, love you! we do like and use a lot of them!)

2. The cans of kidney beans that I can't bring myself to eat but since they haven't yet expired, my frugal nature won't permit me to get rid of (these might be donated to Scouting for Food in a couple weeks, though, lol)

3. The remaining Mexicana yarn in my possession. (That one is just plain sad.)

4. My "old" pots and pans. We requested Circulon cookware when we got married. Received a bunch ... ended up hating it. I now have Calphalon stuff (thanks to dh, for my 30th) and I STILL can't get myself to let go a year later. (Anyone want a very well used bunch of pans? Pay shipping and they're yours!)

5. Our towels. They're old, ratty and look as if they've been used by 6 people with sharp implements instead of hands. Maybe Santa will bring us some in the appropriate colors for Christmas this year.

6. VCR tapes. We don't have a working VCR, but we have several hundred VCR tapes. Can I let go of them? Nooooo ... I keep waiting for a way to preserve what's on them, as opposed to purchasing the DVD.

7. 15 pounds. (Don't we all??)

8. My old college notebooks. You read that right, NOTEbooks, not TEXTbooks. I still have them. I keep thinking I'll need the notes for something.

9. Our old purple couch. It isn't as heinously bright as purple indicates, but we've had it for years and it looks like we've had it for years, and has faded to, of all things, a cross between brown, purple and black. Yuck.

10. Last but not least ... our leaky roof. Hopefully that one will be resolved in the near future with as little pain as possible!

Sleepless

Okay, so it's an established fact that I sleep poorly when dh is out of town. (He's in Las Vegas and spent the afternoon on Lake Mead jet skiing - the green eyed monster in me is coming out a bit.) I even did the right thing - turned everything off, laid there with my eyes closed, and nada, no sleep. It's now 1:30 AM and I am wide awake - tired, but not sleepy. It is aggravating. So here I sit attempting to make myself sleepy so I can actually get some sleep. Not working as of yet, even though I have skimmed some message boards and sent a couple of emails. I hope they're lucid, lol, I'm usually out by 10 or 11.

I really want to get back into crocheting. It seems as if I go in fits and spurts. I've recently finished a baby blanket and started a second but that has been sitting on the table in my bedroom for two weeks now (and the baby shower it was supposed to be going to on Saturday probably will not be seeing it). I wish I knew why I don't seem inspired to work on anything.

Well - I'm sitting here staring at the screen. I can't say I feel any sleepier, but I should try seeing if I can sleep again. Good night!

Tuesday Ten

Hmm. Blogging? What is that? I have no time, no inclination, no nothing, but I'll try. Again. So in an attempt to do this, here's a Tuesday 10.

Tuesday Ten-Ten things ALWAYS in my grocery cart.....

1. whole wheat bread

2. milk (either regular or soy)

3. juice boxes

4. lettuce

5. cereal

6. chips

7. baby carrots

8. bottled water (for games)

9. veggies (either frozen or canned)

10. canned tomatoes

Betsy's Blanket

Is finally done! Similar concept to Brendan's, I used colors that will go with her room but they are mainly "extra" yarns, in pinks and purples with a couple of random pastels tossed in. I may add tassels or fringe later but this is how she'll be getting it.



I'm so glad those are done!!

Christmas program!

I am a week late, but I can't forget to post about the kids' first school Christmas program last week! It was wonderful; Brendan was in the fourth grade chorus (kids are selected for this based on grades and behavior) and Betsy was in "Cool Yule" (kids in grades 1-5 - there ended up being 70-80 kids).

My camera was acting up so the stuff I got of Brendan's performance is not what I would have liked. Be that as it may, here's what I have. Bren is on top, second from the right.



And a short video clip (unfortunately very short :( ) Mike and I were both pretty impressed with diction, pitch and how well the kids behaved. (We weren't so impressed with the 5th grade chorus, but I digress.)



The whole Cool Yule group (really, it was quite impressive - lol)



And the part with Betsy's group - each "character" (Betsy was a Loretta Poinsettia, there were also Billy Holly, an elf character, a surfer character, I forget all the names) had a song and a dance. I thought it was neat that she was one of the few (two maybe) that sung w/out the whole group. She's the one with the circle of poinsettias on her sweatshirt, fourth from the right. LOL you will probably hear some giggling parents - seriously, the whole program was one of the cutest, funniest things I've ever seen.



And this is what happens when you get 80 excited kids who can't hear the music (and neither can the directors)! HAHAHAHAHA Complete with sqealing microphones. This was the "finale."



Our "stars" after the show, since I couldn't seem to get great pictures of them on stage



And of course, since I took one of the big kids, the little ones had to get their pictures taken too, so here's the whole lot of them in front of our tree before Frodo destroyed it (another story for another day, perhaps). They are getting SO BIG - Brendan is now up to my nose and has worn larger shoes then mine for at least 6 months. And he won't be ten for another 2 weeks.

Woooooohooooooo!

I finally finished a project I have been avoiding for months - I started a blanket for Brendan last fall, got about a quarter of the way through it, and stopped because it was so time consuming. It is - basically - a twin sized blanket; it's 81" long and 45-46" wide. All rows of hdc lengthwise, with a different color each row, then a thick fringe (which I pulled the ends into - there were 61 or 62 fringes on each end), for which I nabbed mostly navy yarn but also grabbed an extra strand of corresponding colors to the nearest two stripes. All told there are probably about 45 hours in this project, give or take.

The really cool thing about this project - okay, it's all acrylics (necessary, IMO, since this is for an almost 10 year old boy for whom tidiness and "special care" items are not a priority) - but the neat thing is that there are yarns from friends (of mine), and there quite a few from my mother's stash. In particular, there are some yarns my mom used to knit the only two things she had the opportunity to make for any of my children (a sweater and a round blanket) he received as a baby that I was able to incorporate. When I look at it, I don't just see that it's a project of love from me, I also see his Mormor, who he doesn't remember.

I'm very pleased with how it came out.



Now I just have to get Betsy's done, which shouldn't be too bad - I have less than half of hers left (a multicolored ripple in "girl" colors).

Time flies

When you're busy. LOL! I can't remember the last time I posted in here. I even managed, much to my shame, to miss my 6 year old's birthday. He turned 6 on November 11! So, belated as it is, Happy 6th Birthday Andrew!!!



This is the first year he was "really" aware of it - he was SO excited. I can't believe he's six!!

Happy 4th Birthday Justin!!!

My baby is FOUR!!! Doesn't seem possible.

Happy Birthday sweetie!!!

From this ...



To this (making a face at me - little ham)!



And this just cracks me up ... he loves the gamecube but doesn't get much time, so as part of his birthday gets to do whatever he wants (within reason, lol) I let him play for a bit longer than usual. He had a blast!

Cats, bars, and OOPS (in other words, an update)

It has been a very eventful summer! The kids go back to school in 3 weeks (September 6th) - Brendan will be in 4th grade, Betsy in 3rd, and Andrew in kindergarten. All three have been taking swimming lessons; they started in level one the end of June, but Brendan just passed ARC level three and Betsy passed level two. Andrew will be repeating level one next summer but he is finally putting his whole head underwater and not being afraid all the time - huge progress for him. There's hope for him. :) Justin - starts school next fall, and will start swimming lessons next summer, so he has another year of tagging along.

In house news - we purchased furniture for our sunporch and have been enjoying actually being able to use it (other than as a makeshift workshop for Mike and storage). We also (I say we; it was Mike) took out the bar this past weekend - it was a black hole for everything that didn't have a home, and we need the storage space, so out it came. We will be puting in a half wall with a pocket door (at least, that's the current plan) and shelving.

Here's the original:



And as it is now:



Also, we have a new furbaby. We rescued a mama cat and her kittens and while two of them went to our friends, we fell in love with one, and he stayed.

Here's our newest addition, Frodo



Me - there's no big news, although I will say this: if ever you get a cut, and it gets infected, and you see a red line following a tendon up whatever limb the cut is on, go to the ER. I cut myself making supper last Wednesday, dicovered it was infected on Sunday night, then didn't go to the ER on Monday (at the recommendation of the on call doctor - Monday was a holiday in RI), and got yelled at by a doctor on Tuesday (when I went to see a doctor finally). Apparently that's an indication of blood poisoning, and I'm very blessed that it was actually healing on its own (after I lanced it myself - apparently another no-no)! Anyway, should anything like this ever happen again, I'll go right away.

Betsy is EIGHT!

Happy Birthday to my princess!!!



For her birthday, she got a new room ... special thanks to everyone who was part of this wonderful gift! She loves her new furniture and has definitely been spending more time hanging out in her room. Brendan doesn't appreciate it - that of course means she's spending less time with him - but I see it as a rite of passage that would have come sooner or later. :)





If you have the time, please take a moment and wish my girl a Happy Birthday!

Here's a desperate attempt

to get myself back into blogging. I haven't done one of these before, but after hitting Deneen and Elizabeth's blogs, this one struck my fancy. And thus I'm initiated into memes.

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said 'I love you' and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 10 provinces
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow (Okay I'm not sure I actually milked it ... but I tried.)
56. Alphabetized your cds
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror.
96. Raised children.
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Created and named your own constellation of stars
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an illness that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school (can't WAIT to do this one myself)
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146: Dyed your hair
147: Been a DJ
148: Shaved your head
149: Caused a car accident
150: Saved someone's life

Happy Birthday to me!!!

I'm 30 today! I thought 30 meant you were a well grounded adult but seems I'm still working on growing up.

I have so many reasons to count my blessings today!

It's all about Andrew!!!

Pictures from Andrew's first ever t-ball game last night!! Brendan missed the first few innings of his game just so he could be there! It was adorable - I think seeing those kids running around is one of the cutest things I've ever seen! I got one short video but don't know how to post it - if I figure it out I'll have share!

All decked out (why don't they make the stuff smaller??)


First at bat


All four - I think this is one of my favorite pictures ever!

Just the kids

Just to get you current, here's a recent picture of each of the kids!

Brendan


Betsy (check out the hair, Gramma!)


Andrew


Justin

Playing catch up

Here are some pictures ...

These gorgeous flowers (some of my favorites - I love irises) were sent to be by the THBC moms as an RAOK and thank you for the "hug"ghans I've done. They really, really didn't have to do that, but the gesture meant so much to me and I love them for it. And as you see, Cinder approves, too!



From our trip to the Boston Children's Museum in February with "Uncle" Todd and "Auntie" Jen

On the rock wall ...

Andrew did great on his own but Justin needed a little help


Betsy surprised us - she did really well on the rock walls, she's very determined and didn't give up - Brendan jumped on and off half a dozen times.


Justin in a tunnel (no clue who the girls are)


In the "Blue Man Group" room - they had mock ups of some of their instruments - this room was on of Betsy's favorites - notice the length on her hair


In the wind room (ignore the lady in the pink, focus on the cute kids)


Justin in the bubble room