"Up"

We took our kids to see "Up." We all loved it! I laughed and cried.... quite a bit, actually. (You would have to be made of stone to not get choked-up during this film.)

I think it's now my favorite of the Pixar movies, probably because the story is so human.

May "Review"

I know, I know.... June is half over and I'm just finally doing my May "review." Here goes:

School got out just before Memorial Day. Collin and Mary both received the "Perfect Attendance" award, and Mary received the award for best music student for the 2nd grade. They both loved their teachers and were sad for the year to end. Here is Mary and her cute teacher. Jack also "graduated" from preschool. He is very excited to start kindergarten in the fall. Here he is with his buddy, Bryce.We left that afternoon to spend the Memorial Day weekend at the cabin. It rained most of the time, but we had fun. We did lots of reading, worked a 1000 piece puzzle, walked around the lake (and watched an osprey dive in and wrestle out a fish!), and relaxed. Mary and Jack made friends with the neighbor's grandkids. We had a good time.Jack and his instant friend, Timmy.

Bedtime for Frances

Jack asked me to read this to him yesterday. We hadn't read it for a while, and I was happy to oblige.... it is one of my favorites. I love all the "Frances" books (A Baby Sister for Frances, Bread and Jam for Frances, A Birthday for Frances, Best Friends for Frances, and A Bargain for Frances) but this one has special memories.

I used to read "Bedtime for Frances" to my baby brother, Marcus, when he was little. It was definitely one of his favorites. I had it memorized at one point.

However, I made one change whenever I read it to my brother... I substituted "Frances" for "Marcus" and "she" for "he." Marcus loved that.

Another book that I frequently read to Marcus was "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" by Ellen Rudin, A First Little Golden Book version. I have never found another version that I like better. This one is great, and so fun to read aloud. (Yes, I was the "read-aloud queen" in my family, because I do all the voices.) And Jack likes it too.

Marcus is now a college student, so I'm glad that Jack still likes me to read to him. Actually, Collin and Mary still like me to read to them, and I do. I hope that doesn't change any time soon.

And yes, I still do all the voices.

12 Years

Yesterday was our 12th wedding anniversary! Wow, the time has flown by. I am so lucky to be married to my wonderful Jay.

We celebrated on Saturday by going downtown for dinner (we took the Metro "for fun") at the historic Hotel San Carlos, and then to see the hilarious Brian Regan in concert! We had such a blast! Brian Regan is great, and so was his brother, who opened for him. I love laughing with Jay. We were exhausted after so much laughing!

Today was a typical Sunday, but tonight before bed, we looked at our beautiful wedding photo album with the kids, and then watched our wedding video, produced by the amazing and talented Marshall (see his wife's blog here).

Here is a clip from it, below. Holy cow, we look so young!

WARNING: Do not watch this video if you are allergic to "cheese."

Seeing Double

Jay thinks I'm weird for taking these photos, but how many times have YOU ever seen a double banana!
The kids discovered this at my mom's house the other day. We didn't know what it would look like inside, but sure enough... siamese twins.

Weird.

"T"

Jack finished his first season of T-Ball.

He was only in it for the Trophy... and the Treats.

Jack and his buddy, Bryce

Mother's Day

I had a nice Mother's Day weekend. On Friday, I had lunch with the kids at school. Here they are together on the playground.

Collin sure enjoyed showing-off Jack... especially when he realized that he got a great reaction when he approached a group of cute girls with his little brother in tow; "Oh, he's so cute!" "He looks just like you!"

Saturday was a busy day, but Sunday was nice and relaxing. I got to take a nap (!) and Jay made a delicious dinner... with a little help from the kids.

Jay wouldn't let me lift a finger, so I took photos.

We were all impressed with his creation.... his own version of a chef's salad, with blackened chicken. It was delicious, and it was plated beautifully too! The kids were pretty shocked... "Dad, I didn't know you knew how to make dinner!" :)

After dinner we visited my mother, and then with Jay's mother. We both have awesome mothers.

Gettysburg Address

This morning while I was driving the kids to school, one of my nephews (who is in our carpool) was practicing "The Gettysburg Address" in preparation for reciting it in class.

I have heard/read it a number of times, and yet for some reason I felt like I was hearing it for the first time. It touched me profoundly, and I was really choked up. If you aren't familiar with it, or haven't read it for a while, please do.

Image of "The Lincoln Address Memorial" erected at the Gettysburg Battlefield in 1912.

Easy Awn

I forgot to tell you where I got this great awning. I bought it from EasyAwn.com and had a great experience; ordering was simple, the price was great, they shipped it right away, delivery was free and FAST, the product was exactly as advertised, and it was easy to install. I am very pleased. So, if you are looking for awnings, I can definitely recommend them.

These guys won't be ruling the world anytime soon

Jack and a couple of friends are here right now, and they are playing Monopoly. I use the term "playing" loosely. All three of these boys are 5 years old, and none of them knows how to read.

They didn't ask me for help. They just got out the game and went to work, trying to explain it to each other. I guess they are making up their own rules. The "preschool" version.

It goes something like this:

"Hey, I'm at Hawaii, at the beach."

"You have to pay me $92."

"I get some more money."

"No, you have to pay some money."

"Whose turn is it?"

"We forgot to push the middle thing."

"I get to roll the dice."

"What does this say?"

"That's a mystery mark."

"You mean a question mark."

"Oh, yeah. A question mark."

"You put it in the wrong one."

"We aren't playing the real way."

"You can be the dad banker."

"Who wants a guard?"

"That's not mine. I'm rich."

"Wow, 60 hundred three, twenty nine dollars."

"No, 15.... uh, 15 five hundred. Five."

"Good luck."

Happy Birthday Collin

Today is Collin's 10th birthday. Double digits! Holy cow! He is pretty darn excited.

Collin is such a good boy. He is a joy to have in our home. I am so grateful to be his mother.

"Before" and "After"

My boys' bedroom, which is at the front of our house, has always been really hot because of the sun shining on this big window. We had shutters installed years ago, and that helped some.


On Saturday, Jay installed this awning. It helps A LOT! Plus, I love how it looks. BONUS!

"The Invention of Hugo Cabret"

What do you get when an award-winning illustrator authors a book? A wonderful story partially told through drawings.

After reading a small blurb about this book in the Wall Street Journal sometime ago, I checked it out from the library for my son to read. I had no intention of reading it myself, but after I flipped through it out of curiously, I ended up spending the better part of the afternoon reading it from cover to cover. Don't be put off by the fact that this is a book for children (or it's length... yes 500+ pages, but many are pictures, or contain little text)... it's a great story and a very fun read!

Said Jack the other day......

"I wish we had an ewok. They're so cute."

Mom: "Ewoks aren't real."

(pause)

Jack: "Well, then I wish we had a hamster."



Sorry, we don't do pets.

Playing "Catch Up" Again

Surely you aren't surprised.

Here is Jack on little league opening day. This is his first year playing T-ball and he really enjoys it. His buddy Bryce is on his team.


Collin won the Pinewood Derby! He worked really hard on his car... under Jay's direction. I thought it was cute that he publicly thanked his Grandpa and "my Grandpa's neighbor, Art" who let them use some of his tools. :) He was a very gracious and humble winner, and went out of his way to cheer on the other boys.


Last weekend (Easter weekend) we had a family reunion on Saturday, and dinner at my parents on Sunday. (No photos... oops.)

This weekend Christian and the kids were here for a visit. Mary and Jack were so excited to play with their cousins. On Saturday there was a benefit concert... it was very well attended (every seat was filled as far as I could tell) and very professional. Thanks to all the wonderful generous people who organized it, performed, and bought tickets!

Our school had a "Family Fun Night" last week where we were entertained by the amazing Craig Davis. So much fun! I have seen him perform 6 times now, and I enjoy it every time as much as the first time.

Did I tell you that for Jay's birthday I bought us tickets to see Brian Regan in Phoenix next month? I'm so excited! He is clean and hilarious! (watch him here) OK, yes, that's the kind of gift that's for ME too. But I can't send Jay to a comedy show by himself! :)

My book club read "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" this month. Great book. We met last night, and one of the ladies brought her father, who grew up on Guernsey Island in the 1930's. He told about his experiences being sent off to northern England as a 13 year old just before the Germans arrived (leaving behind his parents and two younger siblings, who were later sent to an interment camp in Germany), then joining the Royal Air Force at 17. Amazing story.