Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Boy with Braces

When I sat down at the computer this afternoon, I saw that Lewie had done a self-portrait with his BRAND NEW BRACES!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Spring Fling

Here it is, the last day of April Break. What time is it? Recaptime.

The highlight of our week was a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge and the maiden voyage for Ana, Lewie & Elly's brand new passports!
We brought along Big Al who went on EVERY slide with Lewie. They had a blast. Ana and Elly went on lots of the BIG slides too. Frances floated in the lazy river for hours on end. No slides for our always-in-control girl!



When everyone was waterlogged, we headed home and stopped at Niagara Falls. We hadn't been there in a long time (Elly and Al had never been there). It was a beautiful day and everyone decided we need to come back this summer and ride on the Maid of the Mist boat.


Hey! I can't see anything!
Wow! Me neither!


Lewie was in his usual strange mode.



It's nice that they cater to the Drunk & Stupid Visitors!


Next up - Cousin Mary comes to town!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Swamp Critters

For some odd reason, I LOVE swamps. Not muck-through-in-your-wellies swamps but civilized swamps with nice boardwalks or dry walking paths. I ply (lie to) my children by saying "Hey, who wants to go to the park/playground/McDonalds/whatever?" Then we make a slight detour. Lewis and Elly are studying frogs and toads in school. It was my motherly duty to go frog spotting. All the planets must have been aligned because Frances "Nature gives me the creeps," had a birthday party to go to..... I grabbed the opportunity.
"WHO WANTS TO GO TO THE PLAYGROUND?????!!"

It was a warm, beautiful day. Spirits were high.


They played hard.


HELLLLLLOOOOOOOOOO? ANYONE THERE????????


"Sooooooo, kids, anyone want to go frog hunting?"
"NOOOOOOO, we just want to play!!!!!"
"COME ON, the swamp has a little playground! P*L*E*A*S*E???????"
"OOOOOOOOOOOK"
Once we saw LOTS of frogs, the enthusiasm grew. They were BIG!


And 6 turtles sunning themselves on a log.


We got a little glimpse of a few deer but Elizabeth went charging toward them and scared them off!
Mama was happy!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Movin' on up

One of the kids' Senseis asked me a couple of weeks ago if I thought the twins were ready to move up from Little Dragons to Juniors in karate. I winced. "Uuuuuuummmmmm, I guess so??????" And so it was set in stone..... time for graduation.
Lewis HATES to close his eyes for the meditation time. He squeezes them shut and looks like he's having a bad poop......


They did some kickin' and choppin' to show off their prowess.........


Lewie was called up 1st to shed the old belt and get a "transition" red belt............


Elly observes the somber moment with her usual enthusiasm .............


Ana also moved up a stripe on her belt. It's amazing how a girl with memory problems can remember all the moves to the katas she does...............


That's the news Peeps. My apologies to a certain lawyer (not The Lawyer) for taking SO LONG to post the karate review. Anybody ever accuse you of being bossy???? ;)

Friday, March 26, 2010

She's Back

Hello? Anyone out there?
Like the groundhog, I have come out of hibernation.

Let's begin the revue with just a cute picture of Franny and her baby boy ........... awwwwwww


Last week the kinda twins turned 8. Lewis could barely see his loot with the hens hovering over him...........


Everyone hogged the birthday girl's shot............


They scurried to their seats when cake was announced .........

How these 2 nutballs can be 8 years old is beyond me.......

The Mature One practiced her skinny little buns off and got into the All County Orchestra! She was Chair 13 which is GOOD!


The Lawyer told me I should NOT post my shaky video of one of Frances' orchestra pieces. Why is she always the party pooper? I'm posting it next.
Tonight is karate graduation. Stay tuned for a riveting post.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Monday, March 8, 2010

The Old Grey Mare.........



Lewie: Mom, you have a lot of gray hairs
Me: Yup, it's true
Lewie: Have you been through a lot of wars?
Me: Ummmmm, no, why?
Lewie: I heard that old people like you have been through a lot of wars.
Me: Hmmmm, interesting.........

Lewie: Mom, did you invent electricity?
Me: No, why would you think that?
Lewie: You're wearing that old plaid shirt like they wore in the old days
Me: No, I'm just wearing an old plaid shirt but don't worry, it's just my jammies.
Lewie: You sure look like a guy who invented electricity.