Wordless Wednesday

Doctoring the Weather

Since Emily is still under the doctor's observation for her scoliosis, we have to make a semi-annual visit to the Nemour's Children's Hospital, in Wilmington, Delaware, to have her back monitored.

It's not really a bother since we all enjoy it...and there's a fantastic-looking playground right in front of the entrance.

I say "looking" since we haven't really had a chance to enjoy it yet.

The problem always seems to be in the weather.

Every visit since the first one, the kids have wanted to play in this outdoor wonderworld. And each visit, the weather makes it nearly impossible.

The kids did play on it (briefly) this visit...during the lull in raindrops.

Sigh.

If only we could doctor the weather and give it a shot to stay warm and dry.

*wink-grin*

Saturday Sweethearts

Take Your Children to Work Day

Today, the kids are going to work.

No, we're not putting them to work in the mines, or selling them to the zoo...though it's tempting...

But I digress...

They get to go to GAI-Tronics to see where their daddy works...and they are SO excited. (It's Edward's first time!) They'll have a plant tour, "make" a product, and eat pizza.

So with great sadness joy, Ethan and I waved goodbye to them, knowing that while we pine for them they'll have a wonderful time.

Parteeeeee!

Oops...

Wordless Wednesday

Moms-Versus-Sons Game - Part Deux

So they wanted a rematch.

The U9 boys from the the Wyomissing Soccer Club.

No problem, right?

Well, maybe a small-ish problem...

They've improved.

A LOT.

We (the moms) gave it all we had...and even a bit more. But the odds (and the coach/ref) were against us.

And they won. 3-1!

GREAT job, boys!!

I'll call to congratulate you in a few days...after I stop hurting. *wink-grin*

Half-Birthday Happiness

Tax Day!

And our own sweet Emily Susanne celebrates 12 1/2 today! Only a half-a-year until she hits her teen years. Sheesh.

Like her baby brother, we keep telling her to slow down. But does she listen? No.

*wink-grin*

Enjoy some photos from her fun "Half-Birthday!"

19 Months Old!

We keep telling Ethan to slow down in this growing-up thing...but he just won't listen. *wink-grin*

Sweet Sunday

A song we've been learning at church. I love the words. So powerful!

Enjoy and have a sweet Sunday!

Saturday Sweethearts

I found this "oldie but goodie" on my camera. It hadn't been downloaded yet. What a treat! And what a difference a year makes.

Friday Funnies

I'm sure I posted this around this same time last year, but it bears repeating. I cannot get enough of these yummy, "chocolatey-caramelly" creations!!

Enjoy! And have a funny Friday!

Wordless Wednesday

Easter Monday

Easter Greetings

He is RISEN! He is RISEN indeed!

Happy Easter!

Egging Them On...

Like many people, we have an annual family tradition that actually began long before we had a family: We dye Easter eggs on the night before Easter.

It started in my home when I was a child and continued even after Stuart and I got married and before we had kids.

There's something about the process which seems to bring out our "inner artist."

Now, each year, the kids join in -- which means a few less eggs for us adults to color -- and so we continue our tradition of fun.

Friday Fun

During Easter break this year, Stuart took a few days off to spend with us. We decided to make each day a new "playground day" that way we'd spend the morning outside playing.

It worked very well, and the kids had lots of fun playing and being kids -- a nice break from the schoolwork and the stress of approaching state tests.

Playing the Fool

Wordless Wednesday

Follow Your Inner Beat

Ethan's favorite thing to do is sing and make noise.

March-ing and Musing on Monday

Happy Monday to you! Finally! A Monday musings post. Of course, it's the last one for March, but still... I made it back.

I'm sorry I've been so slow at filling in the blanks from the last month or so. I've been doing a lot of musing on other subjects and sites. More on that later.

So here we are in Easter week. Nearly April. Finally Spring! Today was the kids' first full day of their Easter break. It was a very rainy day so they weren't able to enjoy the outdoors, but they seemed to enjoy the time off, nonetheless.

And it's...[drumroll, please]...24 night! Woooooo-hoooooo! It's been a good season so far. We reached the halfway point two weeks ago and the action started afresh, promising to keep us biting our nails and gripping our seats for the rest of the season. The last season. They finally announced the end of our beloved show. It was not something we didn't expect...but it still was hard to hear. It's far better to leave the show on a high note than to run it into the ground just for the sake of a handful of fans. And there's talk of a movie! Jack Bauer on the BIG screen? Woooooooooooo-hooooooooooooooooo!

So Ethan is 18 months now (since the 14th), and we've dubbed him the "toddler-guy," though I have to say that "destructo-boy" might fit better. He's very into knocking stuff over (including his big brother) and throwing things. Very much all-boy. He's gotten the hand (or foot?) at dribbling a soccerball. In fact, he was kicking a ball during practice the other night, and Edward's coach said it was time to sign him up for the team.

* * *

Last night, we held a "family court" in our living room. It seems that big sister (a.k.a. Emily) started her own business making "charm necklaces" and friendship bracelets. And it seems younger brother (a.k.a. Edward) decided to buy said-products for a high sum for which he had to take out a loan for 25 cents with his sister, the saleswoman.

So in order to keep them focused at bathtime, we've been having a "beat the clock" kind of contest for which they earn a quarter each if they win. Edward "beat" the timer and promptly handed over his winnings to his sister to pay off his loan (which she was going to charge 2 cents more a day until he paid it off). Highway robbery, right?

Anyway -- if you're still following -- the necklace was 25 cents and the bracelet was 10 cents. We felt that since Edward purchased the two items sight-unseen from Emily's "online catalogue," and they turned out to be somewhat cheaply-made and less than he expected, the two items together should equal 10 cents.

Emily presented her evidence of Edward's "file" which included a signed contract and his receipt, etc. But we pointed out that he didn't have the ability to make sound decisions based on the fact that he's only 9. But as Stuart said, "Caveat emptor next time, Edward." Meaning "buyer beware," and we won't bail him out again.

A few seconds later, Emily showed us her goods list and on it was a "woven blanket" for $2. Edward mentioned how much he wanted one of those since they sounded so nice. And we pointed out (again) that maybe he should be careful to see the product first since that is a lot of money to him.

"Yes!" Emily said. "Remember 'e pluribus unum,' Edward!"

Er, um. Yes, I guess. Caveat emptor.

*wink-grin*

* * *

And on that, I will bid you goodnight and good Monday!