Busy Days

I had the week off, and spent a few days with Karina and family. As you can imagine, we were on the go from morning till evening.

At Wal-Mart, we always have to check out the lobster tank.

Reiley's favorite toy right now is the US map puzzle. But he loves wrestling with Luke almost as much.

Luke sneaked an animal cracker when no one was looking. He did a reasonable job with it, considering he doesn't have any teeth yet. All that activity is very tiring, so he finds refuge in his crib (and gives us a break, too).

My brother's family drove down from Appleton, Wisconsin (a four-hour drive) so Abbey could deliver her girl scout cookies. They hadn't met Luke yet, so got to make his acquaintance.

On Sunday, Jason and Luke got all geared up for the Gators big win. They'll be cheering them on to the finals (they hope).

Karina gets plenty of exercise. When she's not chasing her boys, she's coaching the high school girls' soccer teams.

Instructional Materials?

I've been out of town for a few days, and this space is collecting dust. I, on the other hand, have been collecting other things; like memories and photos. (I'll be posting a few soon.)

Just wanted to make a quick entry here, for your academic enjoyment.

I bought a box of flash cards so the boys can start learning some new vocabulary when they come to visit Papi and Vovó.

The illustrations are delightful and quite charming. However, I'm throwing the box away, because I don't want them reading it, and learning poor syntax. (click on picture to enlarge)

Spring has Sprung

Twelve years ago I bought a flat of marigolds to plant beside the walkway. Yellow and orange. I loved the way they brightened up the landscape.

So, every fall I pick a bagful of spent blooms to use for seeding my next year's crop. I always pick too many, but that's okay. I just scatter the extras here and there among the perennials.

Last week I decided it was time to start some seeds. So now there's a flat of soil mix covered with a plastic dome sitting on my kitchen counter. I thought it might be too chilly for them to germinate, since we've (read: PR has) been keeping one eye on the thermostat and another on the gas bill this winter. They really do prefer temperatures in the 70's, you know.

But, behold! This morning the first tiny bits of green have appeared. Hooray! What a fitting herald of spring.

OK, I'm ready to start planning the garden of 'o6, and getting my hands and knees dirty. But someone needs to inform the sun to try a little harder; it's the first day of spring, and he hasn't gotten the thermometer past 34F yet.

A Day in the Life of...

...a birthday boy.

Well, this whole thing was a challenge. There were five little boys at the party, Luke 6 months, Byron 13 months, Josiah 16 months, Jackson 20 months, and Reiley the Birthday Boy 24 months. Do you realize it's impossible to get five little boys (this young) together for even ONE picture?

Three of them had naps, and everybody had at least one diaper change. There were balloons, treats, tumbling and running around, presents, pizza, chips, cake, and ice cream.

A good time was had by all.

Karina and Jason are having their carpet cleaned on Wednesday.

Go!

Get Ready, Get Set....

OK, Reiley was up early this morning, getting ready for his birthday party, which will be taking place this afternoon. Here he is, coloring the goodie-bags for party favors.



Can you believe he's turning the big O-TWO?!

More photos to come!

All Aboard

The bird population increased exponentially in our neighborhood, seemingly overnight, since the mercury hit 60F a few days ago. PR says he thinks they all hopped the same train north.

But this morning when we headed out for our jog, the thermometer was frozen at 28F. There was Robin Redbreast perched on the roof, puffed up to three times his normal size; feathers pointing in all directions.

I think he was contemplating the quickest route to Union Station.

Mullet-no-More

Josiah's hair is growing. Very slowly, mind you. But it's growing.

This is the second time I've had to take off his mullet. Believe it or not, the top has yet to be touched by the clippers.

Almost 16 months old, too.

I believe our progeny may have a recessive gene for hair.... except for the back of the head.

Back From Flu Land

If you get the nasty flu that's going around, here are my recommendations:

Day One: Stay in bed. In between trips to the bathroom, that is. Or, just put your mattress on the bathroom floor. You're gonna be spending a lot of time in there. Sip clear fluids, as tolerated. Oh, and be sure you're stocked up on baby wipes. I like Huggies. Take Tylenol for the body-ache.

Day Two: Call in sick. Stay in bed. It's easier by now, though you'll still be needing those wipes and probably some ointment, too. Sleep as much as you can. If you think you can make it, take a quick shower before you collapse from weakness. Have your spouse bring you the laptop so you can check the blogs, but you won't have energy for more than about five minutes. Use those five minutes to ask your friends to pray for you, because you feel like you might be dying. Drink plenty of juice, ginger ale and water. NO food. But then, you won't want any food. Just liquids, but NO MILK! Please. Late in the day, try some Jell-O.

Day Three: Try getting up. Take a shower. Go back to bed. Keep up the liquids-only diet, include Jell-O. Go to work for 3 and 1/2 hours. Go home and spend the rest of the day on the couch. Late in the day, try some vegetable soup, but only eat the carrots and broth.

Day Four: Get up. Shower. Eat a banana. You're on your way back to health! Try some applesauce. Tuck you spouse into bed and give him some Tylenol. It's his"Day One".

Dust Bunnies

Today was "cleaning Friday". Every third Friday or so, I get PR to help me give the house a going-over. I always give him his choice of dusting, vacuuming, bathrooms, etc. He usually chooses vacuuming and a bathroom. He never chooses dusting. He'll do it, sort of, if he really has to. You know, wiping all around the objects, but not moving anything to do a thorough job. What he hates about dusting is moving all the bric-a-brac and, ahem, dust collectors.

He likes to vacuum, and even zooms around the wood floors for me. But we have one bed that the vacuum cleaner won't fit underneath... Today, as he was sprawled on the floor pushing the Swiffer around underneath that bed, he came up with a great idea: "Next time Reiley and Josiah are here, we'll tell them there's candy hidden underneath this bed..."

That's my creative husband.

Hold Yer Horses

PR just finished doing our taxes (he uses TurboTax) and asked me to get out the checkbook as he printed up the forms.

"We're getting a refund on state, but looks like we owe on federal.... wait a minute--"

He re-read line 72: "This is the amount you overpaid.... What?! I'd better go over this again. I was SURE we didn't pay enough this year."





Folks, he wasn't kidding. He'll be getting out the fine tooth comb as soon as he gets home from work tonight.

Whataguy!