Friday, April 29, 2011

Fenway for $5

C'mon, sing with me now...

Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out to the crowd,

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks
I don't care if I never come back

Oh we'll

root
root
root

for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame,

For it's

One

Two

Three!

Strikes your out
At the old ball game.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Patriots Day

Yesterday was Patriots Day.
If you don't live in New England, you might not know what that is.
It all started on April 19, 1775 and has continued on.
It is, as my friend says,

"Boston's best day."

It starts early...5:45, with a re-enactment in Lexington.
This is where the first squabble with the British occurred.
Paul Revere had warned the men
"The British are coming"
the night of the 18th.
The British were marching out to Concord to seize the ammo and other supplies.
The Patriots tried to slow them down in Lexington.

I am amazed we won...not this encounter...because we didn't...but the war.

Then, there is the running of the marathon.

I still get all those antsy feelings for the runners.
I didn't run it this year, but this is my favorite marathon picture from two years back.

And it ends with ice cream with friends at Kimball Farms.

I can't wait 'til next year.

Birthday Gifts



For my birthday, each of my kids gave me a special gift.

Anna had a 4 layer blowout.
A blowout worthy of a 20 minute trip home from our activity so she could have a bath, and a 20 minute ride back.
Christian was the hero...he drove, bathed, and cleaned.

James' gift started with a cry.
He cried so hard his lips turned purple,
then his face,
then his hands.
Christian saved the day again by catching him just as he became limp and passed out.
When he came to, he was fine.

And Daniel learned the lesson about cutting hair...his own.
And of coarse, Christian was the hero, he documented this rite of passage.

Phew, I'm glad birthdays only happen once a year.

Monday, April 11, 2011

King of the Day

Dear James,

Happy third birthday, my little ray of sunshine. You were the king of the day and we did everything you wanted. Your wishes were simple. For your birthday you wanted balloons, cupcakes, and the family gathered together. We surprised you with a bonus gift...



...a model rocket.

We spent the crisp, sunny day at the park. We enjoyed PB & J on the new grass. For breakfast, we got donuts...the good ones...the 20 minute drive ones. And dinner was a BBQ...the first one of the year.



I love the way you "twalk". This "gwrill" is in love with you, my little boy. I love how you gather the family together. I love how you laugh. I love how you get so excited you can't even stand it. You are bursting with sunshine. I hope you always feel the sunshine of life.


I love how you need me, and ask for hugs and kisses when you are feeling a little blue. I need you little Jamesy.

love,

Mom

A Photot Shoot






Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Motherland

Today we are all wearing our Texas shirts. Why you ask? Because our Dad is on his way home from the motherland. He had to "work" there. That is why we got this picture from him the other day.

I am kind of missing the motherland these days. I like hearing "all y'all". I like it when strangers return your "hellos" when you greet them on the street. I like how warm it is. I love the Texas pride. But for now I have to bid adieu to the motherland. One day I will be back to bask in your sunshine and eat your bbq.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

A Small Repair

This guy broke our neighbors window with a soccer ball the other day. He gets paid $.25 every time he vacuums the rug. He will most likely have it paid off before congress can agree on a budget...and definitely have it paid off before the national debt is.

Did you know the amount of money the federal government collects from personal federal income tax each year only covers the interest on the national debt? Doesn't that make you want to throw up? I promise, no more political comments on this family blog...unless Ron Paul decides to run for president again.

A Tale of Two Meals


Once upon a time there was a mother who cared deeply for her children's well being. She hand picked carrots, celery, onions, zucchini, cabbage, barley, kidney beans, and spices. Then she washed them and chopped them and simmered them into a delicious soup.

She placed the bowls full of delicious goodness in front of her children for dinner. When dinner was over all but the mandatory bites of soup were left in the bowl and traces of the dinner were left on the table, chairs, and floor. Coaxing them to eat this meal took more energy from her than the amount of calories she consumed in her own bowl of soup.

Well, that same mother one night blew all health caution to the wind and bought a box of macaroni and cheese for $.97. She followed the cooking directions on the box...putting in a half stick of butter and bright orange powder which has unknown origins.

When she placed this meal in front of her children she could barely restrain them from eating before a prayer was given. And once "amen" was said, it was as if a gun had been shot to start a race. It was a race to get a second helping...and then even ask for a third helping only to find out there was NOTHING left. Not a trace of food. When the food was gone, the mother checked for damages, but there were none (at least to the visible eye)...the table was clean, the chairs were clean, the floor was clean, and the plates barely needed a rinse before placing them in the dishwasher.

That is the end of this sad tale of two meals.

Spring Cleaning



That is the same toothbrush James uses to keep his pearly whites clean.

April Fools

For April fools, we made...

sponge cake for our dads.

The kids thought it was hilarious.

Christian suspected something was amiss.
He put on a good show...taking a nice big bite.
The kiddos loved it.